Terrible Dust On Scans- HP 6110

[AustinNewbie]

Has anybody had problems with "dust"/white specks appearing on scanned images? I cleaned the scanner glass and don't see any dust on my photos, so I'm at a loss. I also tried increasing the DPI of my scans.

I'm worried now there maybe dust under the scanner glass! This all in one device was a freebie from work, so I'm hoping to figure this out. Don't want to buy another scanner or retouch all my photos if I can avoid it!

[LindaBelle]

I'm having the same problem but noticed that when I moved the picture to a different area of the glass I still got the same pattern of "dust" particles. So know I'm wondering whether it's not dust at all and perhaps a deterioration of the photos from being stored in old albums???

I'll be very interested in following this thread for any suggestions.

[Ann Maree]

This is information at the HP website on scanner maintenance.

http://www.hp.ca/portal/hho/dpc/get_started/scanner_maintenance.php

I also got this information from another website:-

Clean your glass surface with a soft, lint-free cloth, and an eye glass cleaner.

Unplug the scanner.

Spray glass cleaner on your cloth.

Remove the scanner lid.

Wipe glass until visible dust specks and grease have been removed.

Immediately wipe the screen dry with a dry rag.

Clean the chassis with the same fluid or with any other product suitable for cleaning plastic. (you may also use mild detergent dissolved in water.)

Clean under the glass (the underside of the glass and inside of the chassis) only if recommended by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers recommend carefully cleaning the mirror with a camel-hair brush or compressed air; most manufacturers recommend professional service for interior cleaning. Cleaning materials are available from computer stores, consumer electronics stores, and art-supply stores.
· Avoid typical glass-cleaning products, as they can leave streaks on your bed.
· Do not spray cleaner directly onto any part of the scanner.
· Do not use any type of abrasive pad, cleaner, or alcohol-based product on the glass.

Scanners can be a delight to work with, specially when you experiment with the pictures. So go ahead, have fun!

Information from here
http://www.compareindia.com/tips/All_you_need_to_know_about_scanners.htm


I am a good girl - Every 3 months I open up my hard drive case and blow out with compressed air - I also hit my scanner bed with compressed air - Then clean with a comercial lens cleaner and comercial glass cleaning cloth(lint free)
Ok - so Im a computer nutter who likes it to run mickey mouse - nope I live in a hot climate and if dust builds up on pooter - It tends to have heating problems - so an extra fan and a little TLC - keep all running well.

[AustinNewbie]

I will try carefully recleaning again and see what happens. I do need to find a good lint free cloth and maybe that will help. I don't have the option to open up the scanner and clean underneath (HP has it sealed tight!), so fingers crossed another good cleaning will work.

[Sandersmr]

I have noticed that my HP all-in-one appears to have dust under the glass. So I use the scratch remover tool a lot on my scanned photos.

[AustinNewbie]

Yeah- the touch up tools may become by best friends! I'm trying to get a bunch of my wedding pictures sanned in for an album and all those black tuxes don't look so great with white "snow" on them!

[hoskinsjan]

Yep, had the same problem when I scanned my wedding photos as well Austin. I had to use the touch up tools on all of the photos. Oh well the scanner is dead now, so it doesn't matter, lol.

[AustinNewbie]

Yes- the dust continues, but I did find a one step "remove dust" feature in my photo editor. It only takes a second, so I don't have to hand touch each photo.

Thanks to all for your thoughts on this!

[Eileen Dover]

I'm a total newbie to scrapbooking, but I'm taking a class in digital design at a local college. I'm wondering if maybe the problem is the resolution that the photos are being scanned at...? (We're just getting into this stuff in class, and it made me think of your problem :) ) Perhaps the glass is very clean, but the resolution is too low. Just a thought!

Kathy

[Sandersmr]

Nope, in my case it's definitely dust under the glass. That will be one of my requirements for my next scanner is that I can get under the glass to clean. My house stays dusty between old ductwork and 2 dogs - it's just a way of life for us.

[Hattitudes]

Nope, in my case it's definitely dust under the glass. That will be one of my requirements for my next scanner is that I can get under the glass to clean. My house stays dusty between old ductwork and 2 dogs - it's just a way of life for us.

Your next scanner purchase you should buy one with what is called "Digital Ice"
It has the ability....with the combination of software....to scan the picture only and not the surface of it.....uses some sort of infra-red technology...and it will give you dust free images.
I don't have a flat bed with it, but I do have a dedicated film/slide scanner that uses the same technology....it works wonders on dust and scratches as well! the best thing is it doesn't soften the image like most dust and scratch removers.....
the one down fall is it takes longer to scan....

cheers!

[Easily confused]

I have been recently looking into getting a new scanner but haven't run across the "Digital Ice" feature. Unless I missed it. Which scanners have this? I am hoping to find a good scanner to preserve our old pictures but yet don't want to break the bank. Any suggestions on any scanner in particular? Thanks, Penny

[Donut]

This is a very interesting thread! I have never had any success with scanning photos, even though I clean my scanner exactly as Ann Maree says to above, ( which was good to know I am doing it right!!) the photos themselves look perfect, but then once scanned they look awful!! I am wondering if it is dust under the glass of the scanner, but in my scanner that cant come off to clean it, as far as I am aware, I will check it out on the HP site. My scanner is a big heavy scanner/fax/printer, and the rest of it works perfectly. It is really frustrating as all my 'old' as in more than 5 years ago, photos are not digital, and I even began to wonder if I will have to paper-scrap them...!

[Vallie]

Hi, just found this! I have been scanning a bit lately and noticed that the glossy surfaced photos come up the worst for spots. I scanned some matte ones at the same time and they didnt need as much cleaning up. Maybe the gloss reflects or amplifies the dust and spot effects too.. Just a thought! :)