Epson Printer Goes Off The Deep End...

[Mayo]

I tried printing a document from Internet Explorer 5, which was my first mistake because I have always had problems printing from that application.  Anyhoo, my Epson Stylus Photo began printing partial pages, etc.  I stopped the printing in mid-job but had to turn off the printer to stop the madness...

The problem continued on subsequent attempts, so I turned off the printer, restarted the 7300 (running 9.1; background printing is OFF) and checked the spool folder for jobs in the que, and there were not any waiting.

The first attempt to print another document went just fine, but after an edit the next attempt begat more problems, with the printer using multiple pages to print a one page document, printed lines running into each other and fading away altogether.

Now both printer and Mac are turned off.  Printing up to this incident has been problem-free.  Any suggestions?

[ljocampo]

Mayo:  Sounds like a corrupted driver or preference file.  But first I'd reselect the printer in the Chooser control panel and then reset the default printer settings from the printer's settings dialox box.

[sunset]

Ljocampo may be right with the corruption idea but how about zapping your PRAM and rebuilding the desktop and then rechoosing your printer, etc.  If that doesn't work, then it wouldn't hurt to reinstall/update your printer driver.

Good luck--hope it's an easy fix...

[Gregg]

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(See my Erratic Epson topic)




(inserted carriage returns to avoid sidescroll...krissel)

[Mayo]

I zapped the PRAM and rebuilt the desktop.  Chose the Epson and What Do You Know, It Worked!

Gregg, my Epson was also printing a few lines of symbols before moving onto another page, where it would print some more symbols.  Originally it would print a few lines of the document, then they would begin running together and then the printing would fade.  Then the symbol printing started.

It kind of sounds like we have/had the same problem...

[Gregg]

Zapping the PRAM sound like so much fun! I haven't done that in awhile. If it works Miracles for you, maybe it will Whip my Epson into shape as well. Thanks Mayo.

[Mayo]

Here is a little update...

Today I tried printing an AppleWorks 6 file that was text cut and pasted from Internet Explorer 5 browser windows.  And again the Epson printer did not work right, printing some of the text before adding text that occurs elsewhere in the file, then fading altogether, then onto page two where it began printing faded text and then completed the printing with normal-looking text.

Unlike my previous symptoms I did not get weird symbols when I tried to print a second time, probably because I aborted the printing sequence in just the right way.

Soooo weird....

So I trashed and reinstalled the Epson drivers and Print Monitor extensions.  After restarting I tried printing again, with the same results.  Is there another related preference file that may be corrupted that isn't part of the Epson trio?

I then wondered if the file itself is corrupted, so I tried printing using my LaserWriter 360.  The file printed without a glitch.

I then tried printing a one-page letter that had printed successfully a couple of days before my problems began and it printed just fine on the Epson.

Then I printed a three-page AW 6 document.  No problem!

I am now at a loss to explain the sudden problems with the Epson printer.  The printer utility indicates that there is sufficient ink in the black cart, but I doubt that is the source of the problem because it prints incorrectly and not just a gradual fade-out of the printed text.

Here is a question:  is there data associated with/attached to the problem file that could be affecting the Epson but not the LaserWriter?  It is the only thing that seems logical since other documents are printing normally.

Is Epson tech support a viable source of help?  My experience in years past doesn't give me much hope, but unless someone on TS has a Bright Idea, I may have to resort to giving them a call.

I have had this printer since September 1997, but it has had relatively light use, is kept covered and is generally in as good of shape as it was the day I purchased it.

[ljocampo]

Try this... copy and paste the data from the file that won't print on the Epson to another file and see how the new file prints on the Espon.  If it prints right and you are successful, just throw out that corrupted file and don't even bother trying to find out the cause... just move on and count your blessings.  

[Mayo]

Now why didn't I think of that?  

All I care is if it works or not.  It would be nice to have an idea about why I am having this problem, but if it isn't forthcoming and I can print, I'll live with it...

Even though I have already put the Mac and printer to bed, I think I will fire them up just to test the theory.

[Mayo]

I'm back!  
It worked!
Mystery hopefully solved!
Life Is Good Again!