Question Want to work around printer problems to use Canon Pixma MG5250 as scanner only

[zogster]

I have a Canon Pixma MG5250 that is making grinding noises on startup, and shows a variety of printer error codes. I really don't need it to work as a printer (have a faster, cheaper-to-run laser printer), but would like to use the scanner. Can someone suggest a solution, preferably permanent? Like I say, I don't need to print, so the solution can be destructive and irreversible if that's what it takes.

 

[Grobe]

Can't you just in the printer options ("printers and scanners" on old windows versions) disable one specific printer?

 

[zogster]

Thanks for the suggestion but no, that won't work.

The errors arise from the MG5250's own startup-and-check-that-it's-OK routine - it's a hardware issue that precedes any kind of communication with the computer OS.

Also, I'm using OS X, not Windows. I've tried to use it as a standalone device (you can plug in an SD card or flash drive and write scanned image files to that), but it just won't start up without the printer screaming 'stop'.

 

[Grobe]

Also, I'm using OS X, not Windows

That make it into quite another problem. Unfortunately I have no experience using Apple OS.

 

[hang-the-9]

Used working scanner or multi-function printer off craigslist is about $20-30.

 

[zogster]

That make it into quite another problem. Unfortunately I have no experience using Apple OS.

The OS X thing makes no difference. The problem is in the Canon hardware, and has nothing to do with software drivers