Digital BW, The Print

Hi!
 
> http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/servicemanuals.html
> 
> You can download the Epson 2200 service manual for $10 there. The 
download
> includes the Epson Printer Adjustment program which will let you 
reset the
> Waste Ink Counter properly (amoung other things). 

I bought my service manual (15 USD) and service programme (USD 10)
here

http://www.2manuals.com

so, if your USD 10 purchase includes the programme, it is a much 
better deal :) 

But more to the point, I totally agree that this service manual is a 
must read for anyone serious about his her 2100/2200.  It includes 
information that should have been part and parcel of the regular 
epson user manual (HTML or otherwise). 

Also, I recommend that you use the service programme to check the 
adjustments of your printer. These are sort of similar to the 
standard head alignment procedure but go much "deeper". The 
procedures are described in the PDF section "Adjustments" and under 
the adjustments TAB of the service programme.  The manual is quite 
cryptic at times and it takes a while to understand the correct 
order of the procedures, but it is definitely worthwhile.  It lets 
you check such things as Platten gap adjustment, Head angle 
alignment, bi-directional printing alignment etc.  Most of these 
things can be adjusted by the user without too much trouble, but 
some of them require special epson tools. But even if one is not 
prepared to carry out the adjustments, the service programme lets 
you determine if the printer needs service. 

For instance, I discovered that my 2100 was seriously out of whack 
in all respects.  Unfortunately, also the platten gap is out of 
whack - and this can be adjusted only with the help of a special 
platten gap adjustment gauge at an authorised Epson service. Again, 
I think that Epson should have included this possibility to print 
out test patterns with their standard driver/service utilities, so 
that the end users knows if the printer has an adjustment problem. 
After my experience, I suspect that there may be a lot of Epson 
2200/2100 printer owners that are less than happy with their 
printouts (because there is no standard to compare to) and think 
that these are the limits of what their printer can do, when 
actually the printer is not adjusted correctly. Also I could 
imagine, that problems like microbanding and head alignment 
difficulties may be caused by poor adjustment. 

To end my seemingly endless tirade, when I buy my next printer, the 
service manual and service programme will be a mandatory part of my 
purchase.

Best regards

Didzis