Minibeast,
I have not used a dedicated slide or negative scanner, but the graininess you are seeing is probably digital noise.
First, I suggest you check that the software you have installed for the scanner is compatible with your computer operating system (OS), and that you have installed it correctly.
If you are satisfied the software was installed correctly, I suggest you search on the Web under scanner brand name and model for people who may have had similar problems. They may have found solutions.
The software compatibility could be under three categories: connection (for example, USB 2.0); device driver (should be compatible with the OS); and the actual scanning utility (application). If there is a compatibility problem with any one of these, that may explain your results to date. There may be software updates on the maker's website.
Also you can experiment with settings within the scanning utility. You could also look at the question of monitor calibration. Basic calibration can be done with the freeware QuickGamma, although personally I don't find the interface very helpful.
If anyone thinks they have monitor calibration down, please post some advice.
If there is still time under the purchase agreement, I also suggest you ask for a replacement at the store, on the understanding you bought a "lemon." If you have any suspicion at all that the product is faulty, don't hesitate to get a replacement.
Above all look carefully at the device driver question, and whether there are updated software drivers on the maker's website.
You could also try using a different utility, such as any one of a number of image editing utilities. If the scanner is highly compatible, such as a TWAIN device, the images may be acquired quite easily for processing within the utility. Try this if you suspect the utility that was bundled with the scanner is crap software. There's plenty of it around.
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