First the obvious answer is scanner turned on?
Second is the scanner drivers and program installed on your computer. To find out right click on My Computer > click on Properties > click on Device Manager is your scanner listed?
If not you will have to goto the manufacture's website and download the drivers while you are there download the scanner program. Make sure you download your Windows version (XP, VISTA). Before installing the driver unplug the scanner from your computer until the driver says to plug in.
John D
April 2008