Help! Printing problems with Epson Stylus color 3000

[klarue]

Hi folks,

I'm at my wit's end trying to get my wife's new G4 to print with her ancient Epson Stylus Color 3000 printer from any application that runs native on OSX. I can print to it from Mac Classic, but she's a graphic artist and has all the coolest artsy apps on OSX. So... here's the scoop:

1. Connection details: have the printer connected via Epson's optional Ethernet card to a hub via an RJ-45 cable that is then connected to the Mac.

2. Software details: In order to print postscript to this printer (and for some other reasons like spooling), Epson has an app called the "Stylus RIP Server." It is a software RIP. I have updated the RIP Server to the latest version which is 4.10. The Epson tech support people have assured me that would take care of the problem - it didn't, and by the way charged me $30 for the upgrade. Besides the RIP, we simply have to have the correct PPD file and be able to "choose" Adobe PS Printer in the Mac Classic Chooser (according to the instructions - this is where this 'ol Mac hand is fuzzy - why am I choosing the printer in the Classic Chooser instead of the OSX Print Center?). The idea is that you spool your print job to the RIP, which then spools it to the printer.

3. No printing: So, I've got Adobe PS selecting in the Chooser, then Stylus RIP in the right pane of the chooser with the correct PPD "auto-configured." I launch the RIP (which of course needs to be running before printing). When I print a job from, say Illustrator, the RIP status says "Busy: source AppleTalk" then gives me an "Error undefined; OffendingCommand" and a bunch of illegible characters.

Anyone have any clues? I've spent $300 on the card & software from Epson to get this damned thing working (which they say will work), and so far come up with zilch. Any help or pointers would be appreciated - this is my first "troubleshooting" experience with OSX and have found it somewhat frustrating...

Thanks! Kev

[Cheryl]

Because it is an 'older' printer, there is no driver for OS X. Hence printing through classic.
First, make sure you have installed all the drivers and updates:
Printer Driver v5.6dE
EPSON Stylus Driver Updater v1.0cEs
Printer Driver Updater Disk v1.16s - this one was just posted on 6/9/03

Go to the chooser and as you do hold down the apple key and the option key. This will clear out the memory of the chooser. When you hear an alert sound, release the keys and the chooser should come up.
Now make sure AppleTalk is on and select the printer. Close the window.
Next - go to the System folder OS 9>preferences. Locate the AppleTalk Pref file and trash it.
Now go to the Apple Talk control panel and make sure it is set to Ethernet. Close the window.
Give it a try.

[bobw]

You can use Gimp-Print to use this printer in OS X;

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/index.php3

[klarue]

Thanks so much, Cheryl & Bobw. If I go through Cheryl's steps and can't get it to work, I'm heading over to Gimp-Print. I'm a big fan of Gimp, and use it on LindowsOS every day at work...

klr

[klarue]

Hi - sorry for the wicked delay in reporting my results. Had a question for Cheryl again... following your instructions, here are the anomolies:

1. I downloaded the updates from Epson. The updater disk v1.16s indicated that it "could not find default location for the install" and would not continue.
2. the printer I selected in the chooser was the SC3000 AT (for "appletalk") - correct?
3. in the last check you suggested, I went to the classic Control Panel, and there was no AppleTalk entry.

Also, regarding the relationship between selecting the printer and the Stylus RIP. Following the instructions, the RIP isn't even receiving the job. Zilch in the Information Panel that it displays...

I'm stuck. I feel like the printers using Classic software & printing from OSX applications is just hosed. Does anyone have a primer on how these are supposed to work together?

Thanks again, in advance, for any suggestions - 2 local Mac consultants that I've spoken to on the phone have passed without coming out! ;-} *sigh*

Kevin