Problems with printer

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kra

kra

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
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Feb 16, 2006
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Central North Carolina
I have an Epson 7600 printer and I just started to get a communication error when trying to send a file to printer.
I have tried all the usual stuff like reinstalling drivers, changing out cables etc. with no luck.
I have tried direct usb, usb/network cable/usb, using a 10/100 print server to usb, etc. with the same error.
The odd thing is I can connect it to my Wizard computer with any of the above and it works fine.
I have about 5 printers connected and they all work fine except the 7600.
I also have cleared the codes in the printer. I have tried all of my usb ports and 10/100 port with the same result.

Anybody have any ideas?

I just had a thought. I guess I can run it from other computer temporarily and share it over my network. I have a bunch of prints to print and need it running.
Thanks
Randy
 
Have you tried removing all 7600 drivers from the printers folder, and then plugging USB in to see if Windows detects the new device properly? (noise, and a popup with the name of the printer)

Is it windows or osx? Are you going through a USB hub, or direct to the pc?

Do you mean that the printer itself has ethernet? If so, that is how all of our pc's talk to our Epson 4880. If so, try again with ethernet but temporarily turn off the antivirus. (right click it down in the task bar and QUIT or EXIT). Avoid email/web and make sure you reboot after the test, to turn it back on :) It certainly could block the ethernet method.

There are so many things that could be the cause. Was any other software recently added?
 
Yes, I have removed all drivers (several times now) from computer.
Windows XP Pro recognises new hardware and correctly loads and configures.
My printer uses usb connection. I have an external print server that connects to printer via usb. I also have tried a direct (less than 10') usb cable and a couple of other ways and I still get same results. I am using the latest and correct driver for ink type.
All other printers are working fine.

The 7600 works fine if I connect it to my other computer using the same cables.
It has worked fine for a year on this computer and then just started giving me this communication error.

Thanks for suggestions.
Randy
 
It might be something funky like the print queue is on hold or "offline" . I've seen that happen from time to time. When you go to the queue for that printer, are there a bunch of files waiting to go out? What software you using to print with?
 
I would also try wiring the printer directly to the pc, and not through the remote print server device. That device's drivers or configuration may have changed, and it's possible that the PC is looking in the wrong place to communicate with it.

Re-installing the remote print server unit's drivers may be worth a try. As the communications device between you and the printer, it might be the cause. (although ethernet from pc directly to printer should have worked.)

Mike
 
Mike I have connected it directly with a 6 ft. usb cable and I still get same error.

I set the printer up through the Wizard computer and it works fine. I set it up to be shared and when I try to print to it from the problem computer I still get the same communication error.
The computers are networked and I can access other things between them with no problem.

Now I am down to having to install photoshop on the Wizard computer just to do my prints.
Thanks,
Randy
 
It's unlikely to be the cause, but which a/v program is it?

It may be worth getting a free second opinion on the computer that is malfunctioning by scanning with this free tool www.malwarebytes.org

Is it current with all windows updates, and are any other usb devices having issues? Were any new USB devices or programs added recently?

Mike
 
Does it print anything at all on that PC?? Reboot and try to print just a small text file.

Is it possible the file you're trying to print is too big and uses all memory??
 
Paul,
I have tried to print a few characters from notepad with same results.
Also what I am trying to print is a continuation of a project I have already been printing with no problems. No problems with any other usb devices. Nothing new added recently.
Mike, I am using Spyware Doctor. I have not had any problems with it before.
Randy
 
Is it Spyware DR or Spyware Dr with Antivirus? The first doesn't do anything to stop viri, the second does :)

Just for a sanity check/second opinion, can you do a virus scan at your convenience? http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

It wouldn't hurt to do a malware scan, too, although your current program probably handles this task ok. www.malwarebytes.org If you'd like to double check for spyware/malware.

Mike
 
I googled the error and found this a couple of times (Epson's website):

Q: Why am I getting a communication error when I try to print?

A: Check the following if you are getting a communication error when printing:

Make sure the type of driver you installed matches the ink type in the printer. Verify the ink type by checking the part number on the ink cartridges.

Make sure the printer interface setting matches the connection type you're using. By default, the printer interface should be set to Auto, which supports all connection types.

Check the physical cable connection and make sure the cable is not be longer than 10 ft. You may want to replace the cable.

You may also get communication errors if the printer name is not set correctly. Contact EPSON at (888) 377-6611 or (562) 276-1305 to get instructions on how to verify this.
 
Mike,
It is with anti virus.
Paul, I found that as well and I have checked everything it suggests.
Epson does not support the printer anymore.
Thanks for the help. I think I will just install Photoshop on the other computer so I can get back to work.
Randy
 
Just an update.
Turning off my antivirus and then uninstalling and reinstalling my printer management software solved the problem. Printer drivers did not have to be reinstalled.
Thanks for all the help.
Randy
 
Saw the generic "printer" heading and didn't check in earlier. If youhave trouble again list the printer name. Framah has the 9600 and I was surprised not to see him posting in here. I am sure he would have if he had known it was about an Epson.

Glad to hear you got it working, if you have troubles maybe you could pm framah :)
 
There were no jobs pending? There should be at least one, the one you're trying to print, in the queue. You went to the control panel and selected printers and faxes and then double clicked on your 7600 and there wasn't anything there in the queue? I print through Qimage or PosterPrint and don't have a clue about printing through Photoshop. Now would be a good time to download Qimage (it's pretty cheap) and use it to print.

While you're in printers and faxes you might want to go to the properties tab and check out which port you're using to print to your 7600. Still, if there is nothing in the printer's queue, the issue is between PhotoShop and the Windows printer. I don't see how you can get a communications error if there is nothing in the queue to communicate. Just for the heck of it, try printing a test page. If that doesn't work, the problem has to be a port problem and maybe an interrupt issue with Windows - that can happen. Make sure the port that you're using is the one Windows assigned when you installed the drivers. I've had communications that have had me crying, especially printing on our network.
 
Warren,
There was initially the print job in queue but I canceled it before uninstalling and reinstalling printer. I have Qimage but usually print from photoshop.
The problem ended up being corrupt printer management software(Epson). My antivirus seemed to be the culprit after a nightly update. I temporarily disabled the antivirus software and then reloaded printer management software and everything is back to normal. When I reinstalled the software without disabling the antivirus first it still gave me the same error.
Thanks for the input. I am glad to be back up and printing again.
Randy
 
Jerry, I usually print from photoshop because I am already using it to edit and color match. Easy to proof to paper type ,etc.
Qimage is great for batching multiple prints.
Randy
 
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