EPSON 2200 Mystery Problem--Any advice?

[O/confusion]

Hi everyone--I'm new to this forum, and to digital print work (but not to photography or computers), and I'm tired of banging my aging head against the wall so I thought I'd try tapping into the collective mind here.

I recently upgraded to the EPSON Photo 2200 while I was blowing through a wad of cash moving to digital SLR photography via the Canon 20D. No complaints on that score. The problem I'm experiencing is that everything I print, from any source image (scanned prints, jpegs from the 20D, Photoshop sample images, etc.) and from any graphics handling program on my MacG4, is ruined by having discontinuous, well-defined (i.e. they're not smears) colour lines spaced about 0.5 mm apart running vertically throughout the entire image, and even extending into the white paper at the infeed and outfeed ends of the print.

I've tried everything I can think of to get rid of this problem, which is costing me much ink and paper without yielding a single usable print--I've tried different driver settings, reloading the driver software, changing the paper feed lever setting, switching from Firewire to USB, swearing at the damn machine--nothing makes a shred of difference to the output.

I've been enjoying a long and lively e-mail correspondence with the folks at EPSON Tech Support, who are courteous and quick to respond, but who don't seem to have a clue as to what's actually going on here because they keep parrotting back all the standard "troubleshooting" info in the printed manual that I've already been through with a fine tooth comb--none of which refers to the specific issue I'm trying to deal with. I sent them scans of partial crops from some of the prints I've made which clearly show the problem, but I'm still not getting anything useful back from them beyond the likes of "Ensure that you are using EPSON-compatible inks and paper". Duh.

I've owned and used several other EPSON Photo ink jet printers in the past, so I'm familiar with the way their software functions, and I've used nothing but EPSON photo inks and their own Premium Luster paper. I've never encountered this particular problem before, nor have I seen it described by anyone elsewhere on the web.

Any bright ideas, all you technology-savvy folk out there?
Any and all suggestions gratefully accepted.

Thanks for your input!

Terry

[steven]

Return it - trade it out.

The printer is defective. Leaking ink is not a software problem.

If you have changed the ink cartrige of the one you are haveing problems with you have done all you can do.
I can only image that you have a defective ink jet on that color.

[Bodog]

Yes, it sounds like you have a defective unit. The only thing I can suggest is the print head alignment utility, only as a last resort. Hope you bought locally.

[scottbergerphoto]

I have the 2200 and thankfully have not experienced that problem. I suggest you call Epson while sitting at your computer and have them run through it with you. I did that when I was having a problem with the Status Monitor.

[O/confusion]

Thanks for your advice, gents. I, too, am convinced that this has nothing to do with software issues, and that there is a malfunction in the printer's ink feed mechanism. This morning's e-mail response from EPSON Tech Support seems to confirm that there's no more mileage to be gained from tweaking with the software settings, as they have advised me to contact them by phone to arrange for repair/replacement, and, having contacted the Toronto store where I bought it and giving them the rundown, they've now told me to do the same.

I'll make the call after lunch, and let you know how things pan out.

Once again, thanks for your input.

Cheers,

Terry

[Dante King]

Well, what happened?

[O/confusion]

Sorry for the delay, people; I was playing phone tag with the Epson support folk for a couple of days. Nobody's fault, the two reps I dealt with were courteous and quick to respond, but we just kept missing each other. Finally made one-on-one contact yesterday, and they've sent me e-mail instructions on packing and shipping the printer to them by courier (at their cost) so they can sort out the problem. I asked how long I'd be without my printer, and they said it would take about two days. I've nothing urgent to print at the moment, so that's not so bad.

So... we shall see. I'm sending it out on Monday, and I hope to be able to report back positively by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!

Thanks again, everyone.

Terry

[just pictures]

If you're using a Canon 20D, get a Canon I9900 printer and you won"t have those problems!

[scottbergerphoto]

If you're using a Canon 20D, get a Canon I9900 printer and you won"t have those problems!
Obviously someone who has never held an Epson 2200 print in their hands. I have to wear a bib to keep the drool off my prints. :lol:

[Hellashot]

And you might want to get the R1800 instead, smaller picoliters longer lasting inks and cheaper.

If you're using a Canon 20D, get a Canon I9900 printer and you won"t have those problems!

There's abolutely no reason you need to have your camera and printer be the same brand. I am going to get the Epson R1800 when it hits a store near me. I have a cheap Canon i560 but I'm moving to Epson because their paper is awesome, only brand that got a thumb up in my tests on my printer (tested Canon, Kodak, HP, and Fuji, and reasonably priced. They don't make their best paper be expensive for only professionals to buy and give you only a handful of sheets for that high price.

[O/confusion]

Obviously someone who has never held an Epson 2200 print in their hands. I have to wear a bib to keep the drool off my prints. :lol:

Yes Scott, I'm with you all the way on that one. This seems to be a fault with this particular unit, and apart from the unwanted lines running through the image I'm completely blown away by the overall print quality of the 2200. In its price class, I've personally not seen anything else come close enough to tempt me elsewhere.

Regards,
Terry

[O/confusion]

[QUOTE=Hellashot]And you might want to get the R1800 instead, smaller picoliters longer lasting inks and cheaper.

Hellashot--
Thanks for the heads-up; from what I've read about the R1800 it does look like a decent printer, but I haven't seen output from one at first-hand yet-- so I'm in no position to offer an informed opinion. Have to say, though, that I'm really not that fond of glossy prints (which is what Epson seems to be pushing with this machine). I completely concur with your assessment of Epson's papers, though.

Anyway, having researched very carefully before choosing which digital gear to spend a recent small inheritance on (I'm not a Pro shooter with an equipment budget or tax deductions, nor do I have any other source of funds available to allow me to buy or upgrade on a whim) I'm very comfortable with the choices I've made so far: 20D, 50 f1.4, 17-40 f4L, 70-200 f4L, Kenko extension tubes, Epson 4870 Photo scanner and 2200 printer, plus Photoshop CS and Monaco colour calibration software. If I've made any seriously bad choices here, I'd be interested in some constructive feedback/suggestions.

I've spent the better part of the last thirty years with the same two fully manual Pentax SLRs (great bodies, fitted with some not-so-great lenses), I figure the least I can do is take the time and trouble to get to know the equipment I have just bought inside and out, and really see what I can produce with it--considering that I've never even used a camera with autofocus or auto exposure before, I'm on a pretty steep learning curve right now, so I reckon any disappointments I may have in the output from this combination of Canon gear and a fully-functioning 2200 are most likely going to be the result of operator incompetence. :D

Cheers,

Terry

[kraterz]

Stick with the epson. The canon is a nice printer, but what so many people don't seem to bother about is print life. Yes, the prints look nice, but how long do they last? Epson's 2200 is an archival printer. Canon's is not. I'm yet to see a canon printer whose prints don't fade fast.

[O/confusion]

O.K., Newsflash!

Sent the printer out to EPSON Monday afternoon, and it's just arrived back at my door about five minutes ago. I won't have time to get it all set up today (other stuff to take care of) but as soon as I check it out I'll let you know if I'm happy with the repair.

Cheers,
Terry

[O/confusion]

The saga continues, for anyone who may still be interested...

Fired up the "repaired" 2200 on Saturday, all eager to see some actual pristine output, and....nothing. Ink carriage passed back and forth twice, parked itself hard to the right, and all the little red lights just started blinking away like a possessed Christmas tree. I checked for stray matter in the paper path and other possible obstructions, and ran a test print cycle with the computer shut down and disconnected; same routine, except before locking itself up and flashing it fed the paper through nicely, only with no ink on it. This condition is described in the manual as a "maintenance request error condition" requiring contact with Epson.

Can we say "not amused"? :evil:

After repeated failed attempts over the following couple of hours to get the bloody thing going, following all the possible troubleshooting recommendations in the manual, I sent a very pointed fax to the Epson warranty rep whom I'd dealt with earlier, basically telling her that they'd had their shot at fixing what was obviously a faulty piece of equipment from the time I bought it, and that I now expected to receive instructions for shipping it back to them again--at their expense--and either getting a brand new, unopened, non-refurbished 2200 sent to me ASAP or else a cheque to cover the sum I paid for it, plus all taxes. Man, I was steamed. I also told them that the Canon Photographers' on-line forum was monitoring my progress with this issue, and that based on their poor showing to date I would be making a less than glowing report (figured what the hell; couldn't hurt, might help!).

Heard nothing from them by Monday afternoon, so I e-mailed the contents of my fax to see if that would move things along, and after a couple of hours I got a two-line reply informing me that a Tech Support would contact me. I waited until this afternoon, and having had no such call from Epson I started to compose a more forceful demand for redress to my satisfaction.....in the middle of which I received a call from the warranty rep.

She said that after reviewing the information I'd sent, Tech Support had concluded there was nothing more that could be done with the machine, and she gave me instructions on returning it for replacement. How the hell they managed to conclude that they had repaired it properly before bothering to ship it back to me in the first place is anybody's guess. It is now on its way back to Epson by courier as I write, and I hope to be seeing the new machine sometime before the end of the week. I sincerely hope this will be the end of the matter, because I'm incredibly frustrated at being unable to see how my work looks when printed from my computer.

I'll let you know what happens...don't miss the next thrilling installment.

Cheers,
Terry

P.S.--sorry to hear abour your recent camera mishap, Scott--did you manage to get the foam mirror return cushions replaced yet?

[Qurlyjoe]

O/Confusion,

I'm sorry to read about your problems with the 2200. I'd just like to say, hang in there. I've had my 2200 for about a year and a half, and am pleased to say I've never had a lick of trouble with it, other than the occasional plugged head, which a quick run of the head-cleaning utility has always fixed. I am not a pro, so I don't do huge amounts of printing, and I'm not running a business with it, so others' mileage may vary. I think when you do get one that works, you will be happy with it.

Regards,

Bill Robertson

[scottbergerphoto]

Sorry you got a lemon. My M2 is in Jamesburg for new bumpers. :cry:

[O/confusion]

It's now Sunday afternoon, and I am a very, very unhappy man.

I just unpacked my NEW replacement 2200, and following the installation and set-up guide I powered off the computer, attached the power cord to the printer and pressed the power button; the ink carriage made two passes across the machine, then locked itself hard over on the right where it's impossible to load the inks. All the red lights then started flashing. Tried turning it off, waiting a few minutes, then powering it up again--same result. Every time. I've even tried operating it from a different power outlet, just to rule that variable out.

This is EXACTLY what was happening when the first machine was shipped backed, supposedly repaired. :evil:

Either I am cursed, or there has been a serious lapse in quality control at the production end of EPSON; I never thought for a moment that I'd get two duds in a row, from different sources. Perhaps my anger and frustration is misplaced, and I'm just doing something incredibly stupid that's causing this problem to occur--if anyone can tell me what this might be, and how I can remedy it, please let me know. Otherwise it looks like I have to embark on Round #3 with EPSON Canada warranty and customer support service in the morning. This is getting to be very tiresome.

Think I'll go and have a bit of a cry now.... :(

Terry

[Steven M. Anthony]

Don't you need to press the "ink drop" button to get the print head to move over to load the ink? From what you said above, it sounds like the head has no ink in it (if it's just been unpacked). The red lights would flash because the ink wells are empty.

[O/confusion]

Don't you need to press the "ink drop" button to get the print head to move over to load the ink? From what you said above, it sounds like the head has no ink in it (if it's just been unpacked). The red lights would flash because the ink wells are empty.

Thanks Steven; good idea, but I've already tried that one repeatedly, just in case--as well as all the other "troubleshooting" pointers set out in the manual. On this model, as far as I can make out from the instructions, the carriage is supposed to position itself ready to receive the cartridges immediately after the power button is pressed, and then the ink button is pressed *after* the cartridges are inserted, to begin charging the heads. However, once that carriage parks itself hard to the right and all the pretty red lights go on, there's nothing I can find that will persuade the carriage to come out far enough even to allow the cover flap to be lifted, let alone to load the cartridges. Maybe a large crowbar would help? (I'm considering taking one down to Epson Canada.)

I've just sent a rather pointed e-mail message to the warranty rep I've been dealing with, so I'll let you all know what happens next.

cheers,
Terry

[O/confusion]

It's deja vu all over again, folks---I called Epson Canada warranty rep (Linda) this morning as a follow-up to the e-mail I sent last night, and she told me I would be getting a call from Tech Support to explore the problem.....

Techie (Mike) called just before noon, went over the issue with me, and said he would recommend an exchange to the warranty rep, who then e-mailed yet another set of return shipping instructions late this afternoon. Mike also said he would personally check out the replacement before it shipped--so at least I know who to dump on this time around if it, too, turns out to be a dud.

So...now I've packaged up the second printer, ready for shipping tomorrow.
Lord, please let this be the end of all the hassle--I'd really like to just be able to concentrate on the photography and enjoy looking at some decent printed output for a change!

I'll let you know in a few days how it goes down--assuming I haven't slit my wrists after getting another bum printer, that is.

regards,
Terry

[O/confusion]

Breathing immense sigh of relief now. Printer arrived back from Epson Canada yesterday afternoon, and now appears to be working as advertised!

I chatted with the technician who was working on it on Wednesday, and he was baffled because it seemed to work fine when he started it up; but when he talked me through the start-up process before I sent it in, nothing either of us could come up with would induce it to cooperate--not even moving it to another room to try a different power outlet to see if it liked that flavour any better. He checked it out thoroughly, in any event, and sent test prints back to show that it was now working properly. There must be some kind of as-yet unidentified sub-atomic particle that specifically generates random screw-ups in electronic equipment, I guess.

Anyway, I'm happy as a clam to be able to get to some printmaking at last.
I have to report that I cannot fault Epson Tech Support on their efficiency or service in the course of this warranty repair; turn-around time was less than three days, door to door to door, and they covered all shipping charges up front.

Thanks to those of you who took the trouble to monitor this thread, and who posted your advice. Much obliged!

Cheers,
Terry

[mdaddyrabbit]

I am so glad you are printing now, I have the same printer and I have really enjoyed it. I know how it feels I went through this with the Epson 785EPX a couple of years ago, but my ink would run out while the printer set idle I was buying a black ink cartridge every other week and then tring to keep the ink wiped up. Good luck on this working printer how you lots of happiness.