Can't Print From Epson R300 Anymore

Question

Level 1

0 points

Can't Print From Epson R300 Anymore

This is my first post, forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong area, or if this has been addressed and answered previously. I have a Powerbook G4, running OSX 4.11 and using an Epson stylus photo R300 and have successfully been printing for years. Suddenly, nothing. I've been enduring this problem for quite some time, and cannot recall if there had been a software update prior to this happening. I have contacted Epson support, followed all their instructions, re-installed drivers, reset, etc. The problem I seem to have is when the printer is connected and powered on, nothing shows up in the printer set up utility. When selecting Epson USB, no models appear for me to add.

So far, I've been completely striking out! Any help/direction would be greatly appreciated! (also, any insight as to what is the cause.. Apple? Epson? who's responsible for the fix?)

Thanks in advance!!

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 15, 2009 11:54 AM

Reply

Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Mar 15, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Munga Brown

Hi again Munga,

This is my first post, forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong area, or if this has been addressed and answered previously.

You did great, no worries. 🙂

When you say reset, was it this you did...

Mac OS X: About the Reset Printing System feature ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1341?viewlocale=en_US

Might do this first...

Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, when that completes, Reboot.

Might try Printer Setup Repair 5.1...

http://www.fixamac.net/software/index.html

Reply

Answer 2

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 2:40 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks BD, I'm still trying. To answer your question, yes. That was the instruction I followed. I've also followed your suggestion for a safe boot, repaired permissions & rebooted. Still, my driver is not recognized, giving me no printer to select in the Printer Setup Utility. I've also reinstalled the driver software from the original install disc, and still nothing shows up to select in Printer Setup Utility. I'm going to try the Printer Setup Repair 5.1 you recommend.

I'll keep you posted, and again my thanks~

Reply

Answer 3

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Munga Brown

Still nothing. Used the trial version of Printer Setup Repair 5.1, and ran all the repairs. I'm now going to try to uninstall any Epson drivers via my original software disc. (I'm not sure of the "proper" way to uninstall all the files that might be scattered throughout).

Any other suggestions/recommendations? I've been completely unable to print for a year now. I've been saving as pdf, burning to CD, and taking the CD to another computer to print.

Reply

Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Mar 15, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Munga Brown

Geez, a year & cDs... we simply must fix this then! 🙂

Type this into any Browser's URL bar...

http://127.0.0.1:631/

that'll put you in touch with the CUPS printing, try rooting around there, like Administrative tasks to see if we get any more clues.

Reply

Answer 5

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 3:56 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks BD, I've tried all I know to try. I'll root around the CUPS printing. I have no idea what that is, but I'll follow your advice! Thanks, I'll keep this thread updated.

Reply

Answer 6

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 4:15 PM in response to BDAqua

Well, I attempted to look around CUPS, finally figured out how to register, but once I did, I was still not able to view anything on the link you provided. It kept asking for user name & password, and when I entered it, it didn't seem to recognize my entries (although I had finally registered). The different areas (on a page I had been directed to after registering, completely different from the link you provided) I was able to review, I couldn't find anything remotely identifiable as pertaining to my situation.

This is looking more and more to me like a problem within OSX v4.11. I'm sure this version was installed as a result of a Software Update recommendation.

Any other suggestions? I sure do appreciate the help... It's becoming more frustrating by the hour. Unfortunately, I'm hours away from any Apple store, otherwise I'd take my Powerbook to the Genius Bar!

Thanks again!

Reply

Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Mar 15, 2009 5:34 PM in response to Munga Brown

Mught try reapplying the big Combo update...

The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html

Repair Permissions before & after re-install, then reboot again each time.

Oh, does the Printer work on another Mac, or do a self test?

Have you tried another cable?

Reply

Answer 8

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 6:12 PM in response to BDAqua

I'll try the combo update you recommend. I don't know if the printer works on another computer or not... No way to check, unfortunately. And I've been wondering for weeks about the cable. I'm going to go see if I can find a replacement for it tomorrow. It's got that squarish end that attaches to the printer, all my spare cables are regular USB or USB to mini USB.

In the meantime, I'm off to try that combo update! Thanks so much for sticking with me on this one BD!

Reply

Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Mar 15, 2009 7:20 PM in response to Munga Brown

We'll get this yet, if it doesn't kill us both in the meantime!

Reply

Answer 10

Henry G4

Level 4

1,871 points

Mar 15, 2009 7:49 PM in response to Munga Brown

Hi.

If you followed BDAqua's suggestions (always accurate and straightforward) and you still couldn't get it to work, I wonder something: Have you tried the printer on another computer? What about a different USB cable? It sounds to me more like a hardware issue... I remember a Lexmark printer I had (a total nightmare!) which, one day, just plainly refused to work, all of a sudden. The culprit: the USB cable, it was shining new, and yet, it was kaput.

Reply

Answer 11

Munga Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 8:10 PM in response to Henry G4

Well... I've just got to laugh... I downloaded the Combo update. No disc icon showed up on the desktop. Clicked on the "page" looking icon with a disk image on it and received "the following disk image failed to mount" (Image=MacOSXUpdCombo10 ~ Reason=not recognized)... HAHAHAWHAAWHAAAWHAAA!!

I'm going to go pick up another USB cable. Hopefully, it's something I can pick up at a Radio Shack. I'm in a pretty remote area, and that's the only option close enough to choose. Thanks for the suggestions Henry G4 and BDAqua. I, too, have a feeling it's a hardware problem. Although, I'm not proficient in these things, that's for sure!

Reply

Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Mar 15, 2009 8:26 PM in response to Henry G4

You've got me blushing Henry, I consider that a real complement coming from someone I consider my better in every way! 😀

Reply

Answer 13

Henry G4

Level 4

1,871 points

Mar 15, 2009 8:36 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua wrote:
You've got me blushing Henry, I consider that a real complement coming from someone I consider my better in every way! 😀

You know what, we're both so considerate and humble... 😀 LOL 😀

Reply

Answer 14

Apr 20, 2009 11:26 AM in response to Munga Brown

I am in a similar boat with Munga. I have an iMac 24 Intel Duo Core running OS 10. 4.11
I've had my R300 since I bought the computer and it has been working beautifully until the last 4 months or so. When trying to print a dialog box popped up saying that the computer couldn't communicate with the printer, though I could see the printer in all dialog boxes leading up to printing. The printer works with my laptop running OS 10.4.11 as well as using CF card directly in printer. I checked the USB cable with another device in the same USB port on my iMac and it works fine too. I tried resetting the PRAM,repairing the disc permissions,restarting numerous times and eventually resetting the printer and reloading the Epson Software. Before reloading the Epson software I went to the library>printers and removed the old Epson software. I also went to Receipts in the Library and removed the Epson receipts as suggested else where on this forum. The new Epson software reload hangs at "6 more items to load" . If I connect the printer to my IMac I can see it in the Systems profiler box as well as the print dialog box. I'd really like to use my printer. Please help!

Reply

Answer 15

BDAqua

Level 10

250,409 points

Apr 20, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Chainsaw_dog

Hi Chainsaw_dog, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

It's quite acceptable to start a new topic of your own, feel free to start a new topic to attract more helpers to your particular situation, as not many helpers look at old or Solved/Answered Topics for people needing help, here's a link if as is often the case, it's hard to find out where to do it...

http://discussions.apple.com/post!default.jspa?forumID=756

I think we need to figure out the hang while trying to install.

Reply