I am not a geek but some problems are fixed with an updated driver(software package) for the device. The latest for your scanner is apparently 2.2. You might want to check if you can find it to see the driver version on your scanner. Here are two locations for the 2.2 version, the first I don't know anything about the website: http://www.softwarepatch.com/utilities/hp-3970.html This is from HP:http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=298547&prodTypeId=15179&pnameOID=298549 These are large downloads, about 200mb and apparently the full software package, not an update(?) Drivers generally are NOT the problem unless things just aren't working and gliches in communications, etc, "not responding" etc. If this is a newer driver it likely has some bugs fixed. Tom. Someone else will have to answer the real questions on color, etc! : )