Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brianmaytum" 
<bmaytum2000@m...> wrote:

> Dear Colin,
> 
> If you are still not up and running, I have some experience in 
> running multiple Epsons. I don't think you should have any problems 
> doing what you want to do. 
> 
> I work for Epson selling printers in a "Big Box" computer store as 
> well as merchandising a group of office stores. In the computer 
> store, they have a demo setup that consists 27 Epsons, HPs and 
Canons 
> all hooked to one computer through a maze of USB cables and hubs. 
> The computer is available to the general public so the 
opportunities 
> for operator error and/or malicious actions are substantial. In 
> addition, the cables are run through the inventory storage space, 
so 
> accidental disconnections are common. The result is a regular loss 
of 
> printer communications and drivers. 
> 
> The system runs WinXP pro, which is quite similar to Win2000. If 
the 
> mess described above works, your running 2 printers should be 
simple. 
> You could use the Parallel port for one of them, but I find USB to 
be 
> both faster and more consistent at finding specific hardware. Each 
> machine has a unique identifier to help the USB/drivers system 
locate 
> it so I think it unlikely either would be mistaken for the other.
> 
> First, If your OS crash was so bad that it took out OS related 
> functions like printer drivers, you might want to consider how far 
> the damage extended and perhaps renew the whole system instead just 
> dealing with the printer drivers.
> 
> Assuming you don't reload, I would start by removing all printer 
> drivers from the computer using the add/remove programs function. I 
> would also physically delete all the files in the printer 
directories 
> to make sure you get a clean install. If, and ONLY IF you are 
> comfortable navigating the registry, I would also delete all 
> references to Epson from the Registry. Obviously if you have Epson 
> scanners, etc. you will either have to be careful here, or 
reinstall 
> their drivers as well.
> 
> As far as which to install first, not knowing the details of the 
> custom driver or how aggressive it is, I am not sure which to do 
> first. If the custom driver is an add-on to the factory driver, 
> clearly the factory driver must be loaded first. In that case, I 
> would install that machine first, then connect the second one and 
> reinstall the facory drivers for that one.
> 
> If they are independent, I would install the one I most wanted to 
use 
> last, so if it wrote over both installations, I could still get 
what 
> I want right away. Alternatively, I would install the factory 
drivers 
> last because they are generally good about respecting previous 
> installations of the same type of printer.
> 
> For example, if some one sells a demo printer that has been 
> installed, its drivers will not drive an identical replacement 
> because the serial number is not the same. Therefore you have to 
> reinstall the driver software.  I have seen as many as 8 
> installations of the same type of printer. Deleting the unused ones 
> does not change the functional one. Usually the last one is the one 
> to keep. 
> 
> Other issues involve the OS "losing" the printers. This is a USB 
> issue generally caused by disconnecting and reconnectiong the 
cables. 
> A reboot usually fixes that. Swapping cables can cause problems, 
> especially if done while powered. Powering up the computer with 
only 
> one of the printers attached can cause problems for the printer 
> driver finding the printer. Check the port assignments and correct 
as 
> needed.
> 
> I hope this is useful. It applies to those of you running multiple 
> printers of all kinds, mixed or not. 
> 
> Most of this has been learned on the spot, not through official 
Epson 
> technical information, so there may be considerations I have 
missed. 
> However, I have been maintaining the system for over a year and 
most 
> of the time, all the printers are capable of providing a 
> demonstration.
> 
> It has been a tremendous amount of fun having part of my job 
consist 
> of making the most beautiful prints I can from every printer in the 
> line using supplied ink and paper.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with 
> the black options of the standard printers, though a stock R800 and 
> Stylus2200 are not too bad in that department.
> 
> 
> 
> bmaytum

Brian, Steve, Gareth,

Yippee!  UT2 1290 using 1280 drivers is up and running – I'm so 
pleased.  I managed to get a lovely, moody print using the carbon 
curve last night as well.  Thanks, Steve.

Thank you too, Brian, for your comprehensive advice – I suspect this 
will interest many list members.  I have kept a copy of what you have 
posted, but which I did not see until this morning at work.  I did 
not try the other printers but will do so tonight.  Assuming they are 
all working I shall probably leave well alone until the Gods do me 
down again. (Is this because I live in Greece and can see Olympus on 
a clear day from my lounge!)

From Saturday I'll be on leave in Blighty until after Easter but, 
after that, if Paul wants info on where the jumps are in Pettit's 
step wedges with my setup, I will try to document and post them, but 
I don't have densitometer.  Whether or not these will mater in real 
images I don't know but, in some cases, I think I would want to open 
up in the 8 or so steps leading up to Dmax.

Awhile back I installed a PCI card with USB 2.  In real life, will 
using this enable materially faster printing than using the USB 1.1. 
socket to which the printers are currently connected?

Thanks again for all your help.

Colin