Joseph,

Cynthia's response is right on the money.

Scanners have come down in price and it's virtually impossible to buy a computer that doesn't come with CD recording capabilities. The software that comes with the scanner or computer is all that you need to get started. Most will allow you to do some cropping, as Cynthia mentioned, as well as some basic color correction and scratch/dust removal.

WARNING! SHAMELESS PLUG FOLLOWS:

If your precious and archival photographs need considerable retouching and restoration, check out this website;
In Digital Photographic Services
http://indigitalphotographicservices.com

The folks there should be able to help.

Peace,
"Guided by the Ancestors"
http://geder.wordpress.com