Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

electroJerm · Sep 28, 2000, 11:21 PM

I've seen messages about this problem before, but I have yet to find a solution. Here is the problem (a copy of the email I sent to epson support) below:

"I would like information and solutions regarding a potential, well known conflict between stylus printer drivers and Apple's Remote Access software (bundled with systems 8.5 - 9.0.4). Regardless of whether the printer has/hasn't been used or powered on, this conflict occurs after a mac user has connected to the internet via the Remote Access software. After a connection has been made, in completely random occurances, I will lose my connection, followed by either a complete system crash (forcing me to restart) or a partial system crash (inwhich I can no longer connect to the internet through Remote Access, nor can I print, and Finder functions, such as the restart command are not executed properly). This is a problem of major inconvenience to many users (I have talked to a great deal of people on message boards about this issue). I expect a resolution to this concern will be addressed promptly and that I will recieve a reply to this message to reassure that I am being supported according to Epson's support policies."

I got the following reply from epson:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact Epson. It is my pleasure to
respond to your inquiry.

The Stylus Color 860 is an excellent printer. Try the following steps
below.

1. Click on Apple>Control Panels>Extensions Manager
2. Turn off all Epson USB Print Class & USB Apple Monitor Module.
3. Turn on USB Device Extension.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Go back into the Chooser & select the printer and port.
6. Log onto the Internet & try printing."

Unfortunately, using their method results in the loss of printing. First, does anyone know why this happens? Is it indeed a conflict between the driver and the printer, or is it something totally different? Also, has anyone determined a solution to this problem? Have their been prior postings on MacNN that someone could direct me to for further information? Not mentioned in the letter: I'm using a Rev B iMac w/ 96mgs ram, 9.0.4, and have a hub, scanner, fusion gamepad, and superdisk drive connected in addition to my 860. Thanks, the help is appreciated.

Sep 28, 2000, 11:43 PM

Am I ever glad to see someone else is having as much fun as I am trying to print when connected to the internet through the Remote Access control panel. Within minutes (sometimes seconds) after successfully printing a document on an Epson 740i , my pointer sticks and my DV-SE with 9.04 crashes, necessitating a restart from the restart button on the side panel. Very frustrating. I posted a query earlier this week on the "Imac and Printer Compatibility" forum but so far have received no real solutions. There must be someone out there who has experienced and solved this problem. Any help greatly appreciated!!

Sep 29, 2000, 12:18 AM

Jerm:
Not to be so wordy here with the postings, but I just tried utilizing to no avail the fix provided you by Epson. I followed exactly Epson's instructions and I was able to print successfully, although turning off the three printclass extensions no longer allows you to monitor the ink supply remaining or nozzle clogging features. After printing an email on OE5, I turned off my Epson 740i printer, closed OE, disconnected from my ISP and put my DV-SE to "sleep." Sure enough, after I awoke the Imac moments later and clicked on remote access, my pointer instantly froze and the system completely crashed, necessitating a restart. It does this every time without fail. Most perplexing! Hope someone comes up with a fail safe fix for this!

electroJerm · Sep 29, 2000, 10:53 PM

Yup, I hope people see this and respond, cause this is about the number one annoyance of mine.

iPaul UK · Sep 30, 2000, 04:35 AM

I have had this problem for months with my DVSE (OS 9.0.4) and Epson 760. It's a great quality printer. But it's a shame about this long running major software conflict! I too have posted messages about this problem and no solution was forthcoming. I can't believe that Epson have not got this sorted out yet... What a bunch of slackers.. Thats the last time I buy one of thier printers. Period.

Oct 2, 2000, 11:20 PM

Well, I also queried Epson about this issue and received the following reply:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact Epson. It is my pleasure to respond to your inquiry.
This is not a definitive answer, just some suggestions. Go to the Control Panel Extension Manager and disable Epson Launcher. Restart and test it.
For the Color 740 (all of the 740 series use the same driver) this issue has been overcome by using an earlier version driver. First remove from the extension folder to the trash all the Epson files and restart the computer.
Install this driver: ftp://ftp.epson.com/drivers/MSC7455A.SEA.hqx
Let us know if this is any assistance, we can not recreate this particular issue to test it. Using Free PPP is claimed to give carefree performance. If true would that take Epson off the hook? (no pun intended)"
Not a very definitive nor reassuring bit of guidance, is it? I tried the first suggestion having to do with disabling the Epson Launcher. It made absolutely no difference. My Imac continues to crash after printing. Has anyone ever tried using this older verion driver software? Any thoughts?
Vince

Bugs Bunny · Oct 3, 2000, 02:15 AM

Well, I've been through the Epson/RA hell. My first attempt to fix this problem, worked for a short time, but came back again. So I decided to try the driver that came on the CD. I am using a Pismo, and an Epson 760,(latest drivers). My first fix involved increasing RA memory allocation, as well as the Epson Monitor. It worked for about a week, and then, back to square one. So I removed all the Epson extensions, drivers, USB Print Class, and the chooser extension, SC760. I re-installed the Epson drivers from the CD, (6.0aE). It's been 2 weeks of heavy printing and RA use.
And guess what?? Not one single crash or freeze, either from RA, or from printing.
Today, I printed for about 1 hour, and then used RA. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch.
No problems!! It appears as though this has solved the problem for me, but I will keep you all posted.

[This message has been edited by Bugs Bunny (edited 10-03-2000).]

electroJerm · Oct 4, 2000, 01:25 AM

If merely reinstalling the printer software solves the problem, why wouldn't my printer / RA conflict have been solved every time I downloaded and installed Epson's updates (which replace the files you said you deleted)?

If nothing else, at least there's a lot of us with the same problem.

Bugs Bunny · Oct 4, 2000, 02:23 AM

Well. I didn't just re-install the same drivers. I deleted all the Epson drivers which were the latest updates from the Epson web site. I then installed the original drivers from the CD that came with the Epson 760 printer. The latest drivers from the Epson web site are ver. 6.3. The drivers from the CD are ver.6.0.
And so far I have not had any RA freezes.

iPaul UK · Oct 4, 2000, 05:19 AM

Well, I've tried at least three different versions of Epson printer drivers. All have exactly the same problem for me. I also Emailed Epson about this a couple of days ago. I'm yet to get a reply...

electroJerm · Oct 4, 2000, 09:26 PM

What doesn't make sense to me is that I've had this problem (as far as I can remember) since 8.6. Back then, it was occuring with an Epson 600 (piece of junk). I've since upgraded to 9.0.4 and (after installing the OS update and removing all the old Epson drivers) purchassed and installed the 860 (with drivers from the CD). I only wish the CD driver solution worked on my situation also, but within days of originally installing the drivers, I encountered the problem again, and have upgraded consistently in hopes Epson would fix the problem (as opposed to removing the symptoms) Well, guess we gotta keep waiting for Epson to get its act together.

Oct 5, 2000, 08:24 AM

Electro:
No...no, we don't gotta wait for Epson. I've had this problem ever since I installed my 740i with no relief. If I can't get this system running properly, I am going to throw my 740i in the trash can and purchase some OTHER brand of printer, perhaps an HP. Hopefully, this will finally solve the problem, albeit expensively. But life is short, and I don't have the time to dwell on Epson's problems. This is the only problem I'm experiencing with my Imac and I will rid myself of it, one way or another. Although I'm hoping Epson or some enterprising person here will come up with a solution, I'm not holding my breath...

Vince

Oct 8, 2000, 10:28 PM

Help!! I followed the advice provided by Epson shown in my post (above) wherein I deleted all Epson files to the trash and downloaded an earlier (1998) 740 driver. The first time I installed the new driver, I forgot to restart my DV-SE (9.04) with the shift key held down to ensure virus programs and extensions were disabled. Instructions also called for the 740i printer to be turned on when restarting the computer . So I dragged everything to the trash, restarted the computer turned on the printer, and proceeded to re-install the driver correctly. Installation went successfully. No problem.
However , when I went to the Chooser and selected the SC740 icon, I got a message that said the following: "The printer/modem you want to use for the SC740 is not available because Appletalk is selected or another application is using the port. Use the Chooser to disable Appletalk or close the other application."
I'm obviously doing something wrong. When I click on the SC740 icon and get this message, I note that Appletalk is already turned OFF and no other applications are running to my knowledge. On the right side of the Chooser screen, a printer icon is presented which I click on and close the Chooser. When I try to print, I keep getting a message that the printer is being tested as it spools and finally I get a message that the printer needs to be turned on and/or connected to a printer port. My 740i is already connected to one of the two USB port and is turned on. Evidently my 740i is not being recognized my the driver software.
Any suggestions anyone? I am currently unable to print with this configuration. Help!!

Vincent

iPaul UK · Oct 9, 2000, 04:07 PM

Hmm, 2 Emails to Epson UK, and several days have gone by.. No reply. My oh my how encouraging! Anyone know of a good US Email address to write to? I'm sure Epson must have specified self destructing reciepts.. As I can't find mine anywhere! But if/when I do, this printer is going back... What really annoys me is that the 760 was one of the printers that they made in the iMac colours! Which would kinda suggest that it would actually work with Macs! How screwed up is that!?

electroJerm · Oct 9, 2000, 10:13 PM

I sent my email through their website (I guess it would be the US site if you didn't happen to see it in the UK).

The main support site: http://support.epson.com

The exact of URL of an email regarding the 760: http://support.epson.com/cgi/email_support.pl?modelcat=printer&m odelsubcat=inkjet&model=EPSON+Stylus+COLOR+760

The bottom of the page says "For our US and Canadian customers only", so I guess this is why you never saw it in the UK.

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

Oct 13, 2000, 11:22 PM

Okay, for the very few of you who are monitoring this thread, here is what I have learned. I called the Epson help line and was told that the conflict between the Epson drivers and the Mac operating system is well known and documented. The conflict that causes the mac system to crash has been in existence for some time, according to Epson. There is currently no solution and few work arounds.
Here is what I did. I completely deleted any and ALL (using file>search) Epsons files including SC740 and Epson files, restarted my Imac DV-SE and intalled the latest Epson driver from the Epson website. After I installed it, I restarted my computer first, holding down the shift key to turn off Virex and all extensions. I then installed the driver, went to the Chooser, selected the SC740 and tried the printer. It now seems to work fine. I turned off the printer, closed my programs, put the Imac to sleep, and then awakened the computer, accessed Remote Access and dialed in to my ISP. Now, my system does NOT seem to crash! I'll keep using it and will report back about how this system seems to work. For those folks with the Epson 740i, the Epson help desk number is (562) 276-7542, Monday-Friday 6am to 6pm Pacific time and 7am to 4pm Saturdays. Hope this helps!
Vince

DewD · Oct 15, 2000, 12:11 PM

Let me throw one possibility into the mix here.
I print on an Epson 850 using a serial ( not USB ) port , OS 8.5.1.

There is an error of ommission in Apple's OPEN TRANSPORT software...
Somehow the AppleTalk control panel got a divorce from the Chooser and the control Strip. YOu really do have to go into the Apple Talk control panel...select EDIT, then USER MODE , and finally click on ADVANCED.

From there , go to OPTIONS, and make AT INACTIVE.

That solves the damn "Port is in use " problem once and for all.

I have to do this all the time since I also have an HP LaserJet printer...one of my only gripes about Apple OS Software/hardware is printing management in this respect. Windows manages printer selection and port control a little better.

The easy solution is to use LOCATION MANAGER and make yourself a setup for your printer. It works with all of Open Transport and AppleTalk, not just some of the compnents of both.

Hope this clue helps. I got my solution from the latest edition of "MAC SECRETS" by David Pogue and Jeseph Schorr...any serious Mac user who doesn't own that book is wandering in the desert.

electroJerm · Oct 15, 2000, 11:32 PM

Well, Vince, if they've known about it for a long time (which is what I expected) and have yet to figue anything out, then I doubt they will anytime soon. Looks like my next printer is gonna be an HP.