Installing a printer with XP

[AndyT]

I normally use an Epson Stylus colour 600 but have been given a Epson Stlus 740 which is a newer model. It has a parallel connection & USB connection at the rear.

I have 2 questions:

1. Is there a difference for printer for a PC and an Apple as this was previously used on an Apple or is it just a different driver required!!

2. After going through the add printer and driver wizards I get absolutely nothing - am I missing a step??

many thanks in advance.

AndyT

 

[MikeP]

Are you connecting with the USB?

XP usually just recognises new hardware, finds the appropriate driver and Robert is your proverbial.

 

[Jimb]

Provided you have a bi directional parallel cable, XP should find it OK, same goes for the USB, I think its only the driver that's different between Mac & PC, being an older printer it might not be detectable but you can still specify it from the list, i just checked my PC and the Stylus 740 is in there.

HTH

 

[AndyT]

I'm using the parallel cable and have selected the driver for the 740 which as you say is in the list but still no joy. I added the printer in the add printer section and it seemed to go in okay but I get absolutely nothing (not even using the utility to clean the print heads etc...
I'm sure its such a simple thing that I've missed but can't think what.

Any more clues for a numpty like me?

many thanks
AndyT

 

[MikeO]

Go to 'Printers' and see if you have the icon for the new printer. If you have, right click on the icon and set it as the default.

Mike

 

[AndyT]

Tried that Mike... I am wondering if I need to use a USB cable running XP or if XP can actually handle the paralel cable which are a bot old hat now. Any thoughts!

Andy

 

[AndyT]

Looking at the port info it doesn't look like Bi-directional support is an option at the moment so I think that is the answer. I'm off to bed to have another think.

Many thanks guys.

AndyT

 

[MikeO]

Tried that Mike... I am wondering if I need to use a USB cable running XP or if XP can actually handle the paralel cable which are a bot old hat now. Any thoughts!

Andy

Is the icon there Andy?

Mike

 

[trotsky]

Tried that Mike... I am wondering if I need to use a USB cable running XP or if XP can actually handle the paralel cable which are a bot old hat now. Any thoughts!

Andy

Andy

I just took my printer off the USB cable and put it on parallel because the XP box I am using kept dropping the USB connection, It has been fine and all the tools work, but then again it is an HP 5550.

Always worth prodding a new set of drivers in (see here).

How confident are you that the parallel cable is good? They do have thier moments...

 

[Steve]

Looking at the port info it doesn't look like Bi-directional support is an option at the moment so I think that is the answer.

Check in the BIOS that Bi-directional or EPP is enabled for the parallel port.

 

[AndyT]

In answer to MikeO - Yes the Epson 740 Icon is there. The parallel cable is the same one I use for my Epson 600 so is good.
When I went into the port configuration last night the bi-directional enabled check box was greyed out !! The set up works fine with the Epson 600. I have done a self check and test print on the 740 and the printer is fine.

I'll have another play when I get home tonight.

many thanks

Andy

 

[schnauzer]

you mentioned the print cleaning utility etc for the epson earlier, doesn't that kind of stuff usually come on the 'extras' cd you should have got with the printer?

 

[AndyT]

Sorted - fault was an excessive air gap between the parallel cable connectors.

Thanks for all the tips.













boy do I feel a prat.

AndyT