Macbook + printer. UPDATE! Solved :)

Leopard

I'm not on Snow with the Mac I'm using to write this (a G4 Cube!) but, assuming that Snow works the same way as Leopard (I'm going to have to change my User Name...) and Tiger, all the printer drivers are in folders inside Library > Printers. You could Trash the whole "Epson" folder and then run the Snow installer to replace it.

You'd do that by proceeding as for a normal install but when you get to the stage that offers you a "Customize" button, click on that and then uncheck every box except the one for Epson printer drivers. Then proceed with the install (which, this time, will be very fast because all it's installing is the Epson printer drivers!).

Do a Time Machine back-up first, though (or make a Disk Image of your existing Snow installation) so you've got a fall-back if anything goes wrong (e.g. a power cut while you're installing - but your battery should get you through that!).

Alternatively, once you've Trashed the Epson folder, you could go to here on the Apple Support website and download the replacement Epson printer drivers from there.

Supposedly, however, with the Epson folder trashed, if you just plug in the Epson printer, Snow will automatically go and look for its correct driver online. But I've not tried that feature.


Ignore jdeeuk1 - s/he's not worth wasting time on. Only our Marty J argues with these cretins - it amuses him.

pulliptears

Leopard wrote: »

I'm not on Snow with the Mac I'm using to write this (a G4 Cube!) but, assuming that Snow works the same way as Leopard (I'm going to have to change my User Name...) and Tiger, all the printer drivers are in folders inside Library > Printers. You could Trash the whole "Epson" folder and then run the Snow installer to replace it.

You'd do that by proceeding as for a normal install but when you get to the stage that offers you a "Customize" button, click on that and then uncheck every box except the one for Epson printer drivers. Then proceed with the install (which, this time, will be very fast because all it's installing is the Epson printer drivers!).

Do a Time Machine back-up first, though (or make a Disk Image of your existing Snow installation) so you've got a fall-back if anything goes wrong (e.g. a power cut while you're installing - but your battery should get you through that!).

Alternatively, once you've Trashed the Epson folder, you could go to here on the Apple Support website and download the replacement Epson printer drivers from there.

Supposedly, however, with the Epson folder trashed, if you just plug in the Epson printer, Snow will automatically go and look for its correct driver online. But I've not tried that feature.


Ignore jdeeuk1 - s/he's not worth wasting time on. Only our Marty J argues with these cretins - it amuses him.

Thanks Leopard, you are a star
I'll have a crack at that tomorrow.

Now, the dilemma is, do I go and buy another SX400 or just buy the HP?

Leopard

pulliptears wrote: »

Thanks Leopard, you are a star
I'll have a crack at that tomorrow.

Now, the dilemma is, do I go and buy another SX400 or just buy the HP?

Well, there's no reason why you should have any loyalty towards Epson (rather the reverse, in fact).

You're clearly a smart lady: weigh up all the factors involved (including things like what your husband uses - so you need keep only one type in stock - and some naughty people would even consider what cartridges their office printer uses :rolleyes:) and then just buy whatever printer best suits your needs and your pocket.

Have you considered getting a networkable printer (Ethernet, wi-fi or Bluetooth) at all? Could be an idea if your USB2 port is suspect and, even if it isn't, it saves you having to sacrifice a valuable USB2 port to your printer.

An Apple wireless router can network an ordinary USB2 printer from its own USB2 port.

Just floating a few ideas.

Have you investigated the price and printing costs of Canon printers? I like them.

pulliptears

Leopard wrote: »

Well, there's no reason why you should have any loyalty towards Epson (rather the reverse, in fact).

You're clearly a smart lady: weigh up all the factors involved (including things like what your husband uses - so you need keep only one type in stock - and some naughty people would even consider what cartridges their office printer uses :rolleyes:) and then just buy whatever printer best suits your needs and your pocket.

Have you considered getting a networkable printer (Ethernet, wi-fi or Bluetooth) at all? Could be an idea if your USB2 port is suspect and, even if it isn't, it saves you having to sacrifice a valuable USB2 port to your printer.

An Apple wireless router can network an ordinary USB2 printer from its own USB2 port.

Just floating a few ideas.

Have you investigated the price and printing costs of Canon printers? I like them.

Funnily enough, the printer I was replacing originally was a Wifi Lexmark that let you connect only if it felt like it once a month by prior appointment only..... That was PC as well as Mac it didnt like, in fact, I think it probably considered itself a very substantial ornament. When it ran out of ink we discovered it cheaper to buy an entire new printer lol I have considered the shop printer, but I own half the shop :rotfl:

Someone else has mentioned Canon to me tonight as well so I'm having a look as I type..

Will keep you updated!

M4RKM

i'm a huge Canon fan when it comes to printers on Mac (oh, and Xerox, but that's my job to like them and know how they work!!!)

I had an epson, and had problems with it years ago, so it seems like they still haven't improved the print drivers....

Take a peek at the Canon printers and see what is out there.. ink is cheap as they do the single ink tanks.
M

pulliptears

hmmmm, tri ink as well (scotch that, its an all in one ink not seperates)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6704403/Trail/searchtext%3ECANON+PRINTER.htm

pulliptears

Ok, I rather like this:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0457801855.1252442549@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadeifgkldjfcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=973582&category_oid=

Its a lot more expensive that we budgeted for though, but it ticks all the boxes... scanner, printer, copier, 5 inks and fairly reasonable costs at £7.95 a single ink.
Now, can I persuade OH lol

Leopard

"Find great deals on new & refurbished Canon products Canon Outlet, the official and exclusive Canon-branded web reseller"

Leopard

While you were busy persuading him :kisses2: it occurred to me that one potential source of the problem you have been experiencing could be a faulty USB2 cable. Have you experimented with another one?

pulliptears

Leopard wrote: »

While you were busy persuading him :kisses2: it occurred to me that one potential source of the problem you have been experiencing could be a faulty USB2 cable. Have you experimented with another one?

Yep Bought a new one just in case.

My methods of persuasion have seemingly worked, I'm going Canon printer shopping when he comes home from work

I havent gone down the removing epson crap route just yet, if I buy the Canon I wont need to