Konica Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II Film Scanner

[GilTphoto]

Have had this scanner for a couple of years now and was very happy with it.

Recently all my scans are dark by at least 1-2 stops and the colors aren't as accurate any more.

Could the scanner be going bad? I have read about a IT8 calibration slide that I can use to make global corrections? I've never been too good at color correction and having to correct every scan is a pain.

Has anyone ever used this? Advise about it? Here is the article about it:
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/it8cal/it8_page_1.htm

I only scan slides (Fuji Velvia and Provia).

Thanks
P.S. This is my 3rd time posting this question (first in equip, then in digital), but no one has answered.

My monitor is calibrated with Spyder2 Pro.