HELP with my Visioneer 5800 Scanner?! (long)

[Pembo]

I've had my Visioneer 5800 for about a year and now it won't work. My system keeps telling me to unlock it. So I went to their website for help and this is what it said

This is a default error code when a scanner is unable to calibrate. The default response by the driver is to ensure the scanning head is not physically locked in place. Do NOT open the scanner to locate the lock, as this error message may be triggered by hardware or software and there is no physical switch to 'unlock' the 5800 or 5820 scanners.

So then they give you 3 possible solutions:
Making sure the power cord is correct, checking your memory, and installing the most recent driver.

I did all of that. Then I read to uninstall and reinstall. Did that. Darn thing still won't work. I keep getting the same error message. I sent an e-mail to their support, like they told me to.

Is this thing just a piece of junk? It wasn't very expensive. I really need a scanner right now, for making copies. Should I just go buy a new one?

Anyone suggest a good, yet inexpensive scanner? What about a scanner/printer? Should I go that route instead????????

UGH!