[Solved] What's the matter with my scanner?

I am attaching an example of a pic I just scanned. Vertical lines have been added to show the problem. The middle portion of the scanned pic between the lines is lighter than the outer portions ( I hope it shows up ). I have cleaned all surfaces, reinstalled scanner software and tried many different photo editing software, all to no avail. Scanner in question is a HP Scanjet 5300C running on XP Pro.

Any ideas besides heaving it into a trash bin and using my Canon?

 

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...1&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bps05270

 

Thanks for finding that site AcaCandy. I feel like such a goof for not looking myself. I tried everything and nothing made a difference so it's probably going the way of the dodo bird.

 

Unfortunately, they are getting to be disposable items.

Sad, but true

 

I bought my first one wholesale about 6 or 7 years ago and it cost me 450 clams. This was about $100 so no biggie except I was going to give it to my sis.
Oh well....

Feel free to mark thread solved.