Archie,

Turn it off at least once a day. I turn mine off when I go to bed at night and turn it back on in the morning. Windows NEEDS to be shut off every once in a while.

I suggest your scanner problem is related to the order in which your computer accessories are turned on. Turn on your scanner first, then the computer. That is the only way mine will work. When I had everything on a single switch it did just as you describe.

Greg