MGD, you are fortunate folks are here with responses direct to your questions. My scanner is a few years old, an HP Scanjet 7400. I have changed the defualts on this scanner since having the scanner go in "auto" mode to correct color, sharpness and resolution are not what I want. I can do better with that in a dedicated image program like PSP or Photoshop or others. This scanner does allow for bitmapped images or "scalable" images(vector?) but the methods the scanner software uses are not clear. I do try to get a fine resolution and that often does not have to be really high for good results. You might play with that part a little and see. Dust will sometimes show up under the glass. This will be very little dust but will likely be right in the image! Murphys law of scanners..LOL. I use a 3m "high performance cloth for electronics" and sometimes an antistatic spray of something like Kensington Dust Guardian to clean the glass. Best clean before the lamp warms up everything to avoid liquid or spray cleaners from drying before a gentle wiping removes all residue. So, I can provide some simple non-geek advice! Good scanning to you. Tom.