I have an Epson 640 parallel port printer that I am trying to connect to my B&W G3 with a Parallel to USB cable I purchased. However, after downloading and installing the driver software for the printer, it is not recognized when choosing it in the chooser. The icon is present, but it won't print. I always get a message telling me to select the printer in the chooser when I try to print. Apple system profiler shows the 640 as being present, but under "connection", it says "unavailable." Anyone know how to get this working?

[tonymac]

When you select the Epson driver in the chooser, do you get an option of "USB Port'?

[Camali]

When I bought the Epson USB - Parallel hardware/software, that allows you to use non-USB printers on USB machines it came with specific software.

Did you install the Epson driver specific to the printer, or was it the USB software?

Just checked, its no longer available. If you'd like I can email it to you.

I get nothing in the chooser box. I know what you are talking about with the USB thing listed there, but I get nothing. This is actually on a second computer of mine. I have a G4 with a HP 950 USB printer, and when I choose that, it lists that printer in that box to the right. Now, with the G3 and the Epson 640 printer connected via the parallel to USB cable, I get nothing but an empty box. When I close the chooser window though, it does tell me that I have changed my selected printer, so it is partially recognizing it. To the person who offered the special Epson software- I'd love to get a copy to try it out. My email address is gchoike@yonsei.ac.kr

[drewman]

The driver has to be aware that such a thing as USB exists - the adapter cable doesn't do any of that work.

If the driver is old, I bet it will only look for AppleTalk or serial port connections.

The cable most likely needs drivers as well. Was the cable you purchased marked Mac compatible?

drewman

I'm using the latest driver from Epson's web page. The cable was marked as being for Windows and Mac, but only came with a Window's floppy. The company's site does not have a Mac driver for the cable, and says that none is needed. It claims that the Mac will automatically recognize the printer. Guess that isn't true. If anyone has the epson cable software that comes with their kit, I'd really appreciate it if you could email it to gchoike@yonsei.ac.kr so I can try it out. I live in Korea and they don't sell that kit here and Epson won't ship overseas, so I'm kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[slider]

I had similiar problems with trying to connect a parallel port printer to my iMac. It was an HP and they didn't update the driver for OS 9 for sometime. I bought PowerPrint and was able to connect the printer and use OS 9. After sometime HP finally released it's new driver which I installed. The funny thing was that I couldn't use the PowerPrint cable, I had to use the HP USB to parallel port cable. Is the cable from Epson or was it a genaric cable. I would guess that this it the issue. Some other things that work for me was zapping the PRAM, I had initial problems with PowerPrint and that seemed to cure the problem for some reason. Also unplugging the cable from both the printer and computer was suggested by PowerPrint Tech. support. I really think it is the cable.

[This message has been edited by slider (edited 09-10-2000).]

[slider]

I just checked and there is an Epson Korea, the web site is all in Hungul, of course, so I can't read the web site. This would be a go indication however that Epson Products are available in local stores. I am assuming you are a foreigner (posting to this website and the Epson shipping overseas comment) have you tried shopping locally. Or better yet do you read Hungul? I was in Korea for 15 months in the service. Are you in the service, teaching, or doing other work? I had found that Koreans are friendly and would be willing to help translate the Epson Korea website. I am suggesting buying the Epson USB to parallel port cable from Epson Korea.

Gook Luck
slider

I've been down to Yongsan Electronics Market and stopped by the Elex Computer shope there (the Apple re-seller here) and they do not carry the Epson cable. Also, I have contacted Epson Korea, and they do not officially support any Mac products in Korea as it is a Windows world here. They said the only way to get the cable was to order it from the States. The cable I did buy was purchased from Elex computer, and they said they had tested it with parallel port Epson printers and had no problems. It is such a pain to drag the printer and cable down to Yongsan as I live in Shinchon. For Slider- I'm teaching at Yonsei University in Seoul, and have been here for 4 years. Which camp were you stationed at? Hope it wasn't Boniface as that doesn't seem like a fun place to be.

[slider]

I was stationed at Camp Eagle, it is close to Camp Long in Wonju (sorry for butchering the name of the Korean town). Would you be able to have something sent to an APO. Are you allowed to use the military facilities? Anywise, I hope someone can email you the driver you need. Eventually I decided that I had enough of the hassle of trying to make the PC printer work on my Mac so I just bought a usb printer. I have not had a single printing headache since. My HP was a good printer, but even with their new driver is was a pain. Sometimes is just didn't want to print and I would have to restart and reselect the printer in the chooser. It was like I was working on a WinDoze machine with all the problems. I was in the same boat, but perhaps you could sell your Epson 640 and purchase a USB printer. The Epson 740 is a good printer, and I think it is under $100 now, outpost.com ships to international addresses. I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but that is all I have left to suggest.

[tioga]

Gchoike: Tell me your email and I'll send you the epson 640 usb drivers.

email is (gchoike@yonsei.ac.kr)