Solved Kodak printer requires UAC to be disabled

Telford · Mar 26, 2010

I have a Kodak all-in-one printer ESP3. Originally its "Home Center" software always required confirmation from UAC that it was OK to continue, which was annoying but I learned to live with it.

Today I allowed the Kodak software to update to the latest version; and the software then stopped working. The printer would still print from Word, Excel, and so on, and the Home Center still requested permission to start from UAC, but even once it was running it was still unusable because whatever I selected I just got an error message from it, and I always got an APPCRASH message when I tried to close it. The Home Center software is neded if you want to use the printer as a scanner, or change any of the printer defaults.

Kodak say the only way to cure it is to turn UAC off permanently because their software is not compatible with UAC. Sure enough this cures it - but I wanted to leave UAC on. Have other people had the same problem, and does anybody know if there is a better workaround?

How can Kodak advertise their software as being compatible with Windows Vista and 7, if it is not compatible with UAC?

Bare Foot Kid · Mar 26, 2010

Hello Telford.

Did the printer do everything you needed it to before you allowed the update?

Capt.Jack Sparrow · Mar 26, 2010

Telford said:
I have a Kodak all-in-one printer ESP3. Originally its "Home Center" software always required confirmation from UAC that it was OK to continue, which was annoying but I learned to live with it.

Today I allowed the Kodak software to update to the latest version; and the software then stopped working. The printer would still print from Word, Excel, and so on, and the Home Center still requested permission to start from UAC, but even once it was running it was still unusable because whatever I selected I just got an error message from it, and I always got an APPCRASH message when I tried to close it. The Home Center software is neded if you want to use the printer as a scanner, or change any of the printer defaults.

Kodak say the only way to cure it is to turn UAC off permanently because their software is not compatible with UAC. Sure enough this cures it - but I wanted to leave UAC on. Have other people had the same problem, and does anybody know if there is a better workaround?

How can Kodak advertise their software as being compatible with Windows Vista and 7, if it is not compatible with UAC?

Hello Telford Welcome to VF,

Its not just Kodak software there are lot of software out there that requries UAC to be turned off. Mostly Right Clicking on the shortcut and run as administrator used to fix that issue but if thier supports says that you need to turn off UAC i guess the reason behind is because the program requries full administrative privilage so sometime just by right click and run as administrator won't od the trick. I guess the best thing you could try would be to enable the Build-in administrator account anf try under that account. Followed this Tutorial http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

Hope this helps,
Captain

Telford · Mar 26, 2010

Barefoot Kid: Yes it did everything OK before the update. It was a little annoying to have to confirm permission to proceed to UAC every time, but I could live with that. I guess you're going to suggest rolling back to a previous backup point - I thought of that but was hoping to avoid doing so.

Captain Jack: no you're right, running the program as Administrator didn't work either. Thanks for the link; I see it recomends only using the Built-in Admin account when it is strictly required. The problem for me with this, is that I may need to be able to use the printer/scanner at any time, because the websites I access will often stop and ask me to scan something in and upload it, which would get complicated if I have to change accounts.

Still I've now got two other avenues to think about after only a couple of hours here, which is pretty impressive.

I wonder how many other Kodak printwer users will find the same problem over the next few days. Kodak's on-line support seemed very good, but I suspect they may get overwhelmed soon.

Bare Foot Kid · Mar 26, 2010

Hello again Telford.

The first thing I'd do is disable "auto updates" and choose the "check but let me choose" option. WU is pushing a gfx driver update to me I avoid like the plague as it caused great grief when I chose to install it the first time.

I, personally WOULD NOT disable UAC for any reason, you will eventually be sorry if you do (please excuse the term) anything that wants complete control of the system will have it.

Yes, I was going to suggest a roll back.

Be sure to keep us informed.

Telford · Mar 27, 2010

I decided to uninstall the Kodak software and reinstall it from the CD that came with the printer.

It uninstalled OK, but wouldn't reinstall. That turned out to be because the update had installed a newer version of Bonjour which was stopping it. After deinstalling Bonjour, the Kodak software reinstalled OK (I remembered to change the install option because it defaults to checking the web for newer versions first).

I found the option to disable auto updates (a button hidden in the "Help" documentation) and it all seems to run OK. Of course it still asks permission every time from UAC which is annoying but I can put up with that.

Now, with UAC happily reinstated, I will write a long email to Kodak about how they define "compatible". I'll let you know what they say on reply.

Thanks for your help guys.

Bare Foot Kid · Mar 27, 2010

Hello again Telford.

You're welcome, thanks for the update.

Yes, that is a PITA way for Kodak to write drivers. :confused:

Telford · Apr 1, 2010

Just a quick update to let you know, Kodak service department emailed me back to assure me that if I turned off UAC before I started the update, then updated to the latest version of the Kodak software, and then turned UAC back on again, I would have no further problems.

They were wrong. As soon as I turned UAC back on, the software became unusable. I have had to revert to the original (CD) version which is now at least 2 major releases old. And I have wasted another 2 hours of my life, performing tricks for Kodak!

Capt.Jack Sparrow · Apr 1, 2010

Yup !! Mostly they need UAC turned off to get it working. Turning off UAC is a bad idea. Best thing to do would check thier support site and see any updates are available on this issue. Once you conform it then go ahead and install the updates.

Hope this helps,
Captain

Bare Foot Kid · Apr 1, 2010

Hello again Telford.

Too bad Kodak can't get their "stuff" in one sock; thanks for the update.

Telford · Apr 12, 2010

Hello again folks.

At last, Kodak seem to have worked out what is causing the problem. I shall comment, with some restraint, that I had to push them a little before they would stop treating me like an idiot!

There seems to be an issue with a config file which is left behind from the previous version. All you have to do is to delete the hidden file

C:\Users\%userprofile%\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Kodak\AiO\Center\AiOHomeCenter.exe.config

This is an 11k file, created 17/4/2009 and last modified when the printer was installed in December 2009.

Having deleted the file, everything appears to be working perfectly (although naturally it will need more testing before anything is certain).

I hope this is of some help to anyone else who has the same problem.

Cheers - Telford

Bare Foot Kid · Apr 12, 2010

Hello again Telford.

That's excellent, thanks for the update.

Solved Kodak printer requires UAC to be disabled

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