Impromptu Printer Reinstall

A couple of weeks ago I was working at my computer and happened to glance down at the task bar when I noticed a dialog box pop up saying Windows had discovered new hardware and would automatically install it. The hardware it was auto installing was my Epson C80 printer, which has been installed for several years and had been running perfectly well. Since then, although the printer still works, the connnection is extremely slow. It's about 2 minutes between sending a document to print before the printer starts to print. Once it starts the print speed is the same as it ever was - it's just the transfer of data that has slowed down.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the printer drivers. I've also used System Restore to take my system back to the time before the problem started - 16 July. I can see two instances of "install Espon C80" between then and now. Neither System Restore nor re-installing has increased the speed.

I'm running Win XP SP2, have 60 gig of free hard drive space and a gig of ram.

I'd be grateful for your advice on how to speed things up again.

Thanks in advance
Jo

 

Hello Boppy,

The only thing I can think of is that something went wrong with the USB port the printer is attached to.

Have you tried unintsalling the printer and also the USB controlers and then using a different USB port?

Is this USB 2.0 or 1.1? You might consider upgrading to 2.0 if you don't have it.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles, thanks for replying.

I agree that the USB connection would be the logical culprit yet it's a parallel connection. I might phone Epson to see if I can run it as USB. Thanks for the suggestion.

Jo

 

I'm suprised that it's not a USB connection. One of my printers is a basic c40 - 4 years old and is USB. Would appreciate a post back on the results with Epson.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles, Epson have asked me to fill in a report form which I'll look at over the weekend. I've asked them in the meantime whether it's possible to run this printer through a usb slot. When I purchased it three or so years ago my pc didn't have a usb hence this connection. But I'm guessing it would be possible to swap the old-fashioned printer cable for a usb cable, right?
Jo

 

I don't know - never had to anything like that. You may need drivers for this.

The other possibility would be a converter that would allow you to plug the parallel connector into a USB port. A friend of mine is investigating that now, bought a new Laptop with only USB ports and one of his Desktop printers has parallel cable.

Speaking of drivers, have you found any updated drivers for your printer? That might solve this as well.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles, the guys at Epson said the printer is able to run with USB as well so I'd just need to reinstall the drivers. I think I'll also see about some newer drivers while I'm at it. They didn't say the speed would be improved, but surely it would, right?

Thanks for your help.

Jo

 

Hi Boppy,

FYI, this is the solution to my friends problem with the new laptop that didn't come with a parallel port:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...age=productlisting.aspx&instock=&refurbished=

TARGUS
USB 2.0 Mobile Docking Station with Ethernet
Features: Plug-and-play connectivity
Cable(s) included: 1 x 2 ft USB cable
Compliant Standards: FCC, CE
Data / Fax Max Transfer Rate: 480 Mbps
Device Type: Mobile Docking Station with Ethernet
Dimensions (WxDxH): 6.75" x 2.25" x 0.9"
Enclosure Color: Black
Min Operating System: Windows® 2000 or XP
Port(s) / Connector(s) Required: USB 2.0/1.1 port
Port(s) Total ( Free ) / Connector Type: 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x PS/2, 1 x Serial, 1 x Parallel, 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet 10/100 Base-T

The price is rather stiff (half price to my friend because just bought the Dell laptop) but with looking around, probably can get something like this cheaper.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Pete,

Thanks - haven't "waded" my way thru to the current issue yet.

Regards - Charles