[dvsjr]

My office has an Epson 4000 Pro and an Epson 7600, both large format printers. We love them both. But the 4000 has been having problems. A Macintosh (All the Macs are G4-G5 running 10.4.5-10.4.6) will get a "Can't communicate with the printer" error, where the only thing I can do to get it to work is to delete the printer and re-add it. I called Epson, and they suggested setting up the printer using Epson TCP/IP instead of Bonjour or Appletalk. They also suggested repairing permissions (which is apparently the new zappin the P-Ram) removing the Epson folder of drivers in the Printer folder in the Library, and downloading and installing the Epson drivers instead of using the default Apple ones. I followed these instructions, taking note of the difference in the version of the tcpip.plugin (1.7 epson version, 1.9 Apple Tiger installed version) and permissions difference on them, Owner was root read write, Admin group was read only when Epson version was installed, Root was also read write but the Admin group was read write as well with the Apple version. Once all the directions were followed, I tried to add the Epson 4000, but the Printer Setup Utility crashes when I choose the Epson TCP/IP submenu. I tried it on another Mac running the Apple printer drivers, it too crashes when I select it. I read there was an issue with the Epson drivers and Gimp drivers. I downloaded the OS X gimp printer driver uninstaller and ran it, no effect, still crashes. I've tried adjusting the permissions of the epson tcpip.plugin in the Epson printer driver folder, repairing permissions using Disk Utility from CD and from the hard driver, I've tried removing the Epson folder again and installing the Apple supplied Epson printer drivers from the Tiger DVD install Disk, I've also tried removing all other printer driver folders from the print folder in the library and leaving only the Epson, nothing will make the Epson TCP/IP option open without Printer Setup Utility crashing. This is on a G4 1.25 running 10.4.5, a G4 running 10.4.6, and two seperate G5's running 10.4.6. Epson told me, "Its not an Epson problem", I argued that, since I was using their drivers and the loading of their TCP/IP plugin was crashing the Printer Setup Utility that it was indeed their problem. This got heated and I asked for a supervisor. The Epson tech at the point I asked for a boss was investigating the problem by asking me to try connecting to the printer with a crossover cable, (following some script?) but I argued that the printer at that point was off, unplugged, disconnected from the network, and the ethernet card was on the desk next to me, all per the instructions of the same tech. The supervisor agreed that the issue didnt seem to warrant testing with a crossover cable. I am now home, and wondering if anyone has insight, experience with this, or advice of any kind. Epson repeated that I am "the only one" with this problem, but I find that hard to believe. Followups to my email address as well as here would be most appreciated.
-dvsjr

[berg]

Hi there ..
I'm sorry to hear about your problems ...
I don't know much about network wireless printing but I'll tell you what I know ...
I'm going to throw everything at you ... some of it you may feel is not relevant but it won't hurt ..
For example ... It won't hurt to "repair your disk"
1. Start up in Safe Mode .. this will run the "Repair Disk" utility.
Be sure the computer is turned off.
Now press the power button.
Just after you hear the startup tone (NOT BEFORE), press and hold down
the shift key.
Now release the shift key when you see the start up screen with the gray
background with the Apple logo and the progress indicator.
During the startup, you will see "Safe Boot" on the Mac OS X startup screen.
To leave the Mac OS X Safe Mode just restart your Mac normally, without
holding any keys during the startup period.
Network Printers ..
1/ Verify that other network services, such as file sharing and Web browsing, are available and work.
2/ If the printer is an AppleTalk printer, verify that AppleTalk is active in the Network/Show/Built in Ethernet pane of System Preferences.
3/ If there is another node on the network that can successfully print to this printer, move the computer to this node. It may be necessary to change network settings at this point.
4/ If another printer is available, try printing to it. Verify that the connections work, that network preferences are correct, and that the any required software for the additional printer is installed.
Trash and reinstall Printer ...
Removing Printer Drivers and Prefs ..
Do a Search on your system and trash everything related to the name of your printer ....such as the following for example ..
1/ Macintosh HD/Library/Printers/Your printer
2/ User Preferences
HD/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.print.yourprinter
It's really important to trash everything related to your printer ...
Next .. Download and install the up to date printer drivers from the manufacturers web site.
Next .. follow this exactly ..
Delete the printer from Printer Setup Utility. Quit Setup Utility. Turn Off Printer .. wait a bit .. then turn it back on. Open "Printer Setup Utility" again. Click the Add Printer button. If the specific type of printer you're using is listed, choose it. For example, if you're using an Epson USB printer, you may be able to choose Epson USB. Otherwise go to USB. Select your printer from the list. Click Add.
You may need to turn on special features of your printer. Select the printer in the Printer List and choose Printers > Show Info. Choose Installable Options from the pop-up menu, select the options you want to use, and click Apply Changes.
If it still doesn't work ... and print center is crashing ...
Print Center Prefs - Move to trash
MacHD/Users/Your Account/Library/Preferences/com.apple.print.printcenter.plist
The only other thing I have to offer is this ..
Reset Printing System
http://docs.info.app...l?artnum=301185
If any of this works or not ... please let me know. Thanks and Good Luck ..

[dvsjr]

This plagued me for a very long time, the answer to the problem was to check/fix/properly configure MDNS (bonjour) for this printer.

Hope this helps another sap like me

dvsjr