Can I fix my scanner to preserve this picture?

[Rabbit B]

Hi Everyone,
 Thank you all for your prompt replies to my queries!  I do so very much appreciate your time and trouble.

My OH wants to take it apart and sort it out  Looks as if I have nothing to lose!

I should say that I have not yet tried to print anything from these pictures.

Here is a copy of the ones that go green

Rabbit B  

[Rabbit B]

I don't think it's a printer problem - if you look closely at the scanned picture, the lines are already on it.   I would agree that it's either a lamp or sensor problem, but it doesn't really matter, because it would cost more to repair than a new one.

Here's a blow-up of the scanned image - you can see the lines.....

Thanks Nick,

This is why I posted a lower scan of another picture some time ago, it cause a dreadful fuss.  I have been having problems with this machine for a while, so I reckon that OH had better do his worst!  I cannot find an instruction book anywhere!

Fingers crossed or I must buy a new one!

Thanks to everyone you are a brilliant lot of people!  I am so very grateful to you all 

Rabbit B 

[Raphael]

I don't think it's a printer problem - if you look closely at the scanned picture, the lines are already on it.   I would agree that it's either a lamp or sensor problem, but it doesn't really matter, because it would cost more to repair than a new one.

Here's a blow-up of the scanned image - you can see the lines.....

Hi! Nick, I now agree with you after my previous post. I see now  from what the poster says, that the lines are on the originals, and printing them out reproduces them
Raphael
UK & Germany

[Rabbit B]

I see now  from what the poster says, that the lines are on the originals, and printing them out reproduces them
Raphael
UK & Germany

Hi Raphael,

I have never printed the pictures out with lines on! 

The good ones are stored on disks.

Rabbit B 

[Nick29]

RabbitB, before your OH takes the scanner apart, make sure that the connectors at each end are good and tight.  You can get some funny effects with scanners if the ground connection isn't good at each end.  

Do you know what sort of scanner it is ?  Does it have a thin fluorescent tube doing the scanning, or is it a row of LED's ?  Does it connect via a USB plug, or is it one of the older ones that connects to a printer port ?

If it's a tube, see if it's flickering.  Also, listen for any groans and squeaks coming from the mechanism when it's moving.  Sometimes the rails that the scanner head runs on need a little light oil.

[Rabbit B]

RabbitB, before your OH takes the scanner apart, make sure that the connectors at each end are good and tight.  You can get some funny effects with scanners if the ground connection isn't good at each end.  

Do you know what sort of scanner it is ?  Does it have a thin fluorescent tube doing the scanning, or is it a row of LED's ?  Does it connect via a USB plug, or is it one of the older ones that connects to a printer port ?

If it's a tube, see if it's flickering.  Also, listen for any groans and squeaks coming from the mechanism when it's moving.  Sometimes the rails that the scanner head runs on need a little light oil.

Hi Nick,

Thank you so much for your reply.  It is an HP scanjet 3500series C  so old like me!    I cannot get down to look at the light and things, nor can I to fix it myself, because I cannot bend very well.  So I will tell him what you have said, when he comes back he is out with the dog. 

It had been fine until recently but there seems to be loads of dust about at the moment!  Yes I do clean it up with a disposable damp duster.  What must it be like in a town I wonder. 

Rabbit B 

[jc26red]

problem with taking it apart is that the lamp must align up exactly when you put it back together.

Rabbit, it does look like a lamp problem, I already knew what scanner you have and I would advise to replace it. There is nothing your OH can do if the lamp is fading.
Though, my only concern with the lines is the inconsistency of the line, sometimes dark and sometimes light but not uniform across the scan. Usually the light and dark patches form lines the other way.
Its possible the glass needs a clean, both sides. but the green photo tells me the lamp has had it.

Jenny
ex HP scanner technicial help

[Rabbit B]

Hi Jenny,

Thank you so much for your reply!  I really am most grateful!

I appreciate what you are saying about the lamp and I am sure that you are right, though I shall be sad to see it go.

However, I will make one desperate attempt to get it to work properly first, so how please tell me  how I get the glass out  to clean it.   If I have to buy a new one, which one is as 'idiot proof' as this was.

I certainly want another HP if possible, not too expensive though!

Thanks again for your help!

Rabbit B 

[jc26red]

Hi Rabbit,

cleaning isn't going to cure the green photos, in all seriousness, a new scanner is your best option.  The 3500 is way passed its supported dates even for a chargeable repair.  HP support scanners for 5 years, after that is best effort, though they don't repair just swap with a refurbished machine - which they wouldn't do for a scanner this old.

I still have my 3500 but its in the loft, hardly used but it does take good scans if a little slow. I use a Epson out of preference now as its also vista compatible, though I'm sure newer HP models are just as good and good news is the prices are alot less now.