Printer buyers beware

mavisangelica

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

I would simply uninstall the current drivers (With printer disconnected), do a registry clean (with a software such as ccleaner) after a restart, and a cleanup of old files.


disconnect form the internet (unplug Ethernet cable form back of machine) plug in printer install from the original software disc, then turn off automatic updates in the Epson software advanced settings or find the program updater and block it with windows firewall so it can do anything like search the internet and retrieve data.

plug everything back in connect to internet.
that should in affect allow the software to work but not the updating service allowing you to continue using pattern carts rather than OEM ones.

I have a brand new Epson XP 305 waiting to be installed. It was an ex display model from Asda so has no installation disc. For it to work, will I need to download any software from the Epson website to make it work (I would like it to work wirelessly) as I want to use compatibles with it. If so, then which software do I need to avoid the latest firmware.

Nilrem

mavisangelica wrote: »

I have a brand new Epson XP 305 waiting to be installed. It was an ex display model from Asda so has no installation disc. For it to work, will I need to download any software from the Epson website to make it work (I would like it to work wirelessly) as I want to use compatibles with it. If so, then which software do I need to avoid the latest firmware.

IIRC the epson basic driver software doesn't stop it, but does offer (and you can refuse) to update the firmware on the printer.

My new 750 asked me and applied an update to it's firmware when I installed it.
It would have kept working without the update (and I think you can tell the software not to check again), but as I intended to use original inks anyway I agreed.

kwikbreaks

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

I would simply uninstall the current drivers (With printer disconnected), do a registry clean (with a software such as ccleaner) after a restart, and a cleanup of old files.

Which will have no effect at all on the printer firmware.

This says that users are offered a driver upgrade that in fact also updates the firmware and there is (so far) no way to roll back that update. Once the printer has had its firmware updated it will no longer work with the current generation of compatible cartridges.

Considering you can probably buy a new printer for the cost of a set of genuine cartridges then that is the choice offered. I know which route I'd take.

sillygoose

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

I would simply uninstall the current drivers (With printer disconnected), do a registry clean (with a software such as ccleaner) after a restart, and a cleanup of old files.


disconnect form the internet (unplug Ethernet cable form back of machine) plug in printer install from the original software disc, then turn off automatic updates in the Epson software advanced settings or find the program updater and block it with windows firewall so it can do anything like search the internet and retrieve data.

plug everything back in connect to internet.
that should in affect allow the software to work but not the updating service allowing you to continue using pattern carts rather than OEM ones.

All that would be pointless, if the allow firmware update option in the driver has been left ticked then it will download new firmware into the printer itself which is now disabled from running compatibles within it... no matter what you do to the PC will not make the printer recognise the compatibles chips.

Neither do you need to need to go to any lengths to stop the driver updating the printer, the setting is openly there in the driver you can just switch it off forever!

The real key here is to install the driver in the first place with the computer disconnected from the internet so it cannot check for new firmware. Disable the settings for 'check for update' and 'install updates' then you can reconnect the internet and your good to go with compatibles.

Saying your not going to buy Epson is daft as its not going to hurt them in anyway, they don't make money on the printers and if you were going to use compatibles they wouldn't have made any money off you at all - so losing your custom will cost them.. nothing!!!

If you really want to show them do the wise thing, buy Epson, make sure the drivers set up right and use compatibles happily, you get cheap printing and Epson get nothing.

I use £1 compatibles (and a device costing about £8 that lets me reset them and use up all the ink so get nearly twice the life) quality is great....sorry Epson

RumRat

I love it when a plan comes together. :T

paddyrg

Just to pipe in - It's a shame Epson are getting as bad as HP. I'm on a gig in the UAE just now, we have a UK HP printer we brought out, and needed to change one colour cartridge. The printer rejects the GENUINE HP cartridge (which is in date, genuine, expensive - same price as UK) bought locally as it insists on UK ink, not UAE ink. The printer doesn't question the credentials of the cartridge other than it was bought in a different country than the printer.

I've also seen HP cartridges 'expire' still in their wrappers, brand new, on the shelf because the chip has a built-in suicide switch killing the cartridge over a certain age regardless of actual condition and will not even try to use it.

Another HP printer would insist after a power cycle, cartridge change, whenever it was feeling moody that it print a 'registration/alignment test page' which you then had to scan back in even if you were in the middle of a job.

I hate HP printers, looks like I need to start steering well wide of Epsons too, they used to be better.

50Twuncle

Firmware is installed on the PRINTER not the PC - So all of these suggestions to either uninstall the drivers or to roll back the current PC will unfortunately not help !!

letsbehonest

Atrixblue:=
Interesting solution but, how does that remove or reverse embedded firmware which is the culprit?

kwikbreaks

Plus I'm betting that new printers get shipped with the firmware that blocks compatibles. Probably all Epson models will eventually.

As this was first reported well over a year back and people are still hitting the problem it looks to me like most compatibles haven't been fixed to bypass the check. You only need to have to be forced to buy one set of genuine cartridges at £25+ rather than ~ £5 to make it worthwhile just junking the printer and getting a different brand.

I'm currently running an unaffected Epson and still have some compatible cartridges left but I have a Brother all-in-one I got free waiting to take over once I've used up that ink.

tweeter

I use an old Desk Jet 1510 All In One printer that I refill ink myself and get my drivers from here HP

I fear as HP gets craftier they will get the better of my oap group, who do their own ink refills, and like me are get by linux users. Also, I've never managed to get my Canoscan 4400F scanner to work on linux, so I've only bought HP's stuff ever since because of their drivers.