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Epson printer - driver question

S

Slickone

Diamond Member
I've got an Epson SC 740 and WinXP. There are no XP drivers so I installed the Win2K drivers, so I could have ink level monitoring.
Before installing these, I already had a listing for "Epson Stylus COLOR 740 ESC/P 2" under XP's Printers and Faxes, which is WinXP's default driver (Epson says XP does support the 740, but no ink level monitoring, etc). It has a Utilities tab with nozzle check, head cleaning, and print head alignment. The Epson Win2K drivers I installed (listed as "EPSON Stylus COLOR 740") doesn't have any of these that I can find. Why?
Edit: The print head alignment, etc for the Epson drivers is only when you go to print a page and then click properties before clicking OK to print, not in WinXP's Start->Printers and Faxes, like with XP's drivers.

Also, I went ahead and installed the Epson Status Monitor 2, thinking it was for monitoring ink levels, etc), but it seems to only be for networking. Is that correct? Also it put a printer icon in the systray. Of course I dont like extra junk running if not needed.
 
I had an Epson Stylus Color 640 myself. Epson pretty much stiffed us in the driver department when XP came out. The Win2K drivers really don't work and the basic WinXP driver is just that..Basic. Just enough to get you printing(Allthough I was having a ton of lockup problems with the printer/XP native driver) with no frills. Epson would rather have you buy a new printer than write new drivers. And I did too, A Cannon.
 
Funny, I've been thinking about getting a Canon too. And as I was typing the OP, I was really thinking, screw all this and go buy one now. I just needed to print something right now, ink was out, and thought since I already have extra carts, might as well use one, and new carts = good time to get ink level monitoring working. In the past, at least one person on here said the Win2K drivers worked fine for them. Thing is, after installing them, I still don't see an ink level monitor! And the printer icon in the systray is green and never changes from 'searching'. :disgust:
 
One last shot for driver question answers. I don't want to turn this into an Epson hate thread. 🙂

Edit:
Ouch, I switched ink carts since the black wouldn't print (even though it never blinked showing the old one was empty), and it still won't print black. Guess it's clogged all to h*ll.
 
Any idea how I can get this thing to print again? The nozzles are in the printer and not in the carts, right? Can I squirt water or alcohol through them w/ a syringe?
 
This happens to me all the time. All I do is inject more ink into the cartridge and then it will work again. Simple as that.
 
Anyone know what I can try to get this printer printing again? I have a syringe with a bendable rubber tip. Can I squirt alcohol or water through a print head or something?
 
Press the button to begin a head cleaning, but unplug power cord when the head is momentarily positioned on the left. Spray some ammonia-based cleaner, such as Windex, on the small sponge that the print head rests on when power is off. Restore power, so the print head returns to "rest position" on top of the now, Windex-soaked sponge. Power off & leave soaking for a half-hour, then do a head cleaning. May require repeating.

alternatively, www.fixyourownprinter.com have the official epson cleaner fluid and directions on how to use.
 
Hey thanks. One thing, the Epson cleaning kit on the page you linked says:
Note: This is not alcohol or Windex; it is an ink-specific solvent that has proven to be safe and effective for use on Epson printheads. Do not use alcohol or Windex, they will very likely ruin your printer.

Is there any truth to this or is it just to keep you from fixing it without their kit? What cleaner do they use in their kit?
 
some folk on these forums have used Windex & reported that it works without incident though I can't personally vouch for it.
if you have any doubts, just get the kit for the solution as the instructions included in it is identical to what I've posted
 
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