Problem with Epson printer

[edward1]

I have Epson CX3500 and wasn't able to setup my printer yet. Whenever I hook it up with my laptop (via USB), it always says USB MFP device found but when I try to locate the driver it always fail.

I called EPSON service center numerous times, they're not helpful at all; they give up so easily and usually just end the conversation. Not to mention horrible attitude
They keep saying the problem is with my laptop and don't bother to help.

My laptop works fine with other USB devices so I doubt it's my laptop that's having the problem.

I've followed troubleshooting procedures found in this link:
http://support2.epson.net/manuals/en..._G/TRBLE_3.HTM
but did't help either.

It's a waste of $200 since I cannot use it.
Does anyone of you have the same problem with Epson printer before? any tips?

[Watcher]

Originally Posted by edward1 I have Epson CX3500 and wasn't able to setup my printer yet. Whenever I hook it up with my laptop (via USB), it always says USB MFP device found but when I try to locate the driver it always fail. I called EPSON service center numerous times, they're not helpful at all; they give up so easily and usually just end the conversation. Not to mention horrible attitude They keep saying the problem is with my laptop and don't bother to help. My laptop works fine with other USB devices so I doubt it's my laptop that's having the problem. I've followed troubleshooting procedures found in this link: http://support2.epson.net/manuals/en..._G/TRBLE_3.HTM but did't help either. It's a waste of $200 since I cannot use it. Does anyone of you have the same problem with Epson printer before? any tips?

Ok... the best thing is for you to install the drivers from the CD first then plug the printer in. If that does not work, you then plug the printer in, remove the drivers and unplug, reboot, and then install the drivers from CD again.

I can understand how you feel, as the process is quite irritating if you have never installed an Epson printer before.

[edward1]

Originally Posted by Watcher Ok... the best thing is for you to install the drivers from the CD first then plug the printer in. If that does not work, you then plug the printer in, remove the drivers and unplug, reboot, and then install the drivers from CD again. I can understand how you feel, as the process is quite irritating if you have never installed an Epson printer before.

I've done all that, I think more than 10 times now. I used to have Canon printer and never had this problem. Another problem with this CX3500 is that the ink runs out really fast! Worst thing, I have to buy all 4 inks even if I only need to produce Black prints. Even if you don't use the printer, the inks will run out by itself everytime you turn on the printer (when charging). I really regret having bought this printer.

Anyway thanks for your reply.

[jamesong]

Watcher is correct, but try the steps below:

1) Install the driver first.
2) After installation, window appears and states that it is looking for your printer and instruct you to switch on your printer.
3) Switch on your printer and then plug in your printer's USB cable into your laptop.
4) The laptop will start searching and load & install the ports and will inform you that the installation is successful.

Hope this helps.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by edward1 I've done all that, I think more than 10 times now. I used to have Canon printer and never had this problem. Another problem with this CX3500 is that the ink runs out really fast! Worst thing, I have to buy all 4 inks even if I only need to produce Black prints. Even if you don't use the printer, the inks will run out by itself everytime you turn on the printer (when charging). I really regret having bought this printer. Anyway thanks for your reply.

Hi Edward,

You are not alone in your experience of the ink running out quickly. The problem is that the piezoelectric print head is very prone to clogging when exposed to air bubbles, so Epson programmed the printer to stop the ink cartridge from printing when there is still quite a fair bit of ink inside the cartridge, just to prevent any air bubbles from clogging the print head. The cartridge is opaque, so you can't see how much ink there is left. Give it a shake to hear the swooshing inks left, or better still get a penknife to cut it open, and see for yourself how much ink is wasted.

This problem is well-documented in other countries... search it for yourself in Google. Epson even had to issue a statement to pacify angry consumers who found their expensive inks wasted in this manner. The logic of individual ink tanks is to allow you to use the inks completely, but this doesn't seem to be the case for Epson.

[kiwi2]

I'm sorry to hear your plight edward1.

Ok, that's it. Phew... Luckily I didn't get the Epson. It's a pity cos the Epson print quality is supposed to be good. But if practicality is sacrificed by having expensive inks and clogging, then it's really not good in the long run. A colleague just told me he gave up on Epson after having 3 previous Epson printers clogging!

I was impressed with HP's prints, especially the blacks, but the inks and papers ain't cheap also. No good on the long run too. For me at least.

My views have been swayed like a yo-yo in the past 2 weeks in deciding which printer to get. It's surely Canon for me now.

Ok, above may be one off experience... I'm sure many have good experiences with Epson. Or HP.

[edward1]

Originally Posted by jamesong Watcher is correct, but try the steps below: 1) Install the driver first. 2) After installation, window appears and states that it is looking for your printer and instruct you to switch on your printer. 3) Switch on your printer and then plug in your printer's USB cable into your laptop. 4) The laptop will start searching and load & install the ports and will inform you that the installation is successful. Hope this helps.

done that, still cannot.
tried my friend's canon printer with my laptop, no problem.

[edward1]

Originally Posted by Neo Hi Edward, You are not alone in your experience of the ink running out quickly. The problem is that the piezoelectric print head is very prone to clogging when exposed to air bubbles, so Epson programmed the printer to stop the ink cartridge from printing when there is still quite a fair bit of ink inside the cartridge, just to prevent any air bubbles from clogging the print head. The cartridge is opaque, so you can't see how much ink there is left. Give it a shake to hear the swooshing inks left, or better still get a penknife to cut it open, and see for yourself how much ink is wasted. This problem is well-documented in other countries... search it for yourself in Google. Epson even had to issue a statement to pacify angry consumers who found their expensive inks wasted in this manner. The logic of individual ink tanks is to allow you to use the inks completely, but this doesn't seem to be the case for Epson.

the printer should at least allow us to use the black ink alone, regardless of the other inks.
I find this ridiculuous and feel that they just want to steal our $$$$.

[angalphoto]

I am using Epson printer 1800 model. I print approx.15 A3 and only two colour run out. I print on high resolution on epson glossy paper. I also print on Canon 905 model and I still perfer Epson due to it result even it is quite costy. To save ink try to print more photo at one time rather print one at a time and try not to switch on and off the printer if you are printing.

[kex]

i had this problem with the Epson printer long USB cable,my pc cannot recognise the printer.

But when i use the short USB cable from my Canon scanner,everything works fine.

i wonder why too..

[Watcher]

Originally Posted by kex i had this problem with the Epson printer long USB cable,my pc cannot recognise the printer. But when i use the short USB cable from my Canon scanner,everything works fine. i wonder why too..

Simple. The standard limits the length of the cable that can be used. Even the quality of the cable matters. I don't recommend any USB cable more than 2m to be used, preferrable 1m.

[Ansel]

Edward,

I have the exact same printer CX3500. I have ever connected the printer to both my desktop and my ThinkPad with no problems at all. Even the scanner works fine.

Try re-installing the driver before connecting the printer, then connect the printer upon prompting by the driver install programme. This is how the instruction says and this is how I usually do it.

If it still refuses to work, try changing to a different USB cable.

And if it still refuses to work, just take it back to Epson and tell them the printer is faulty.

[Watcher]

Originally Posted by edward1 the printer should at least allow us to use the black ink alone, regardless of the other inks. I find this ridiculuous and feel that they just want to steal our $$$$.

The R1800 can. It is actually the printer driver that sets it.

As for the installation, please read your instruction carefully again. Do NOT connect it up to the PC until you have installed the drivers from the CD. Reboot, then connect then turn on the printer. With a suitable cable, I have yet seen a PC running Windows XP have any issue on the printer.

[Watcher]

The cost of running the system should be the important one. Both brands are roughly compatible in terms of ink costs. Check out Tom's Hardware report or CNet's reports which showed that the running cost between equivalent class of printers are the same.

If FastFoodMeal A from A cost $5.90 while FastFoodMeal B from B cost $6.20 and they give the same amount of food, do you care if in the operations, B discards more food to ensure that your food is fresher (say 50 mins vs 60 mins the limit for a burger to be thrown away if it is not eaten by then).

In any case, the recent generations (since 20 months ago, starting with R210/R310) of printers, the clogging is no worse to the other brands. I have personally left my R210 off for 2 months, came back and after the initial start up, printed fine without a single missing line. Many here have not experience anything beyond an occasional clog like all inkjets do, comparable to all the other printers from other brands.

Originally Posted by Neo Hi Edward, You are not alone in your experience of the ink running out quickly. The problem is that the piezoelectric print head is very prone to clogging when exposed to air bubbles, so Epson programmed the printer to stop the ink cartridge from printing when there is still quite a fair bit of ink inside the cartridge, just to prevent any air bubbles from clogging the print head. The cartridge is opaque, so you can't see how much ink there is left. Give it a shake to hear the swooshing inks left, or better still get a penknife to cut it open, and see for yourself how much ink is wasted. This problem is well-documented in other countries... search it for yourself in Google. Epson even had to issue a statement to pacify angry consumers who found their expensive inks wasted in this manner. The logic of individual ink tanks is to allow you to use the inks completely, but this doesn't seem to be the case for Epson.

[edward1]

I think I prefer the old black and white printer because I only need to print documents.
I find it more economical to print my photos at the lab, the result is also much better.

[Watcher]

If you want to print mainly documents and lots of them, it is cheapest to use laser printers. Nowadays, they are going a such cheap prices (<$250), it makes a lot of sense. For printing small prints like 4Rs, it is cheaper to print at labs, though it is more convenient to do so at home. As for quality, it would really depend on a lot of factors...