Color management help

I am trying to install a legacy puck (DTP94) and app (Monaco EZ-Color) on a new win 7 pro 64 desktop and cannot get it to work. Software installs ok, but not the puck driver. Sometimes plugging the puck into the USB causes a windows BSOD.

Funny thing is that I got it to work on another win 7 pro 64 machine a couple years back. Still working - I calibrated last night.

Can't figure out why it would work on one but not the other. Unless there is a difference in win 7 pro 64's from 2012 and 2014. Both are SP1.

The one it works on is a custom built with a good Asus MB. The one it will not work on is a Dell Inspiron.

I'm wondering if power on the USB might be the problem. Also, if the Inspiron is known to have underpowered USBs.

I would really like to get it to work. The DTP94 is considered by many to be the best puck ever made. Help appreciated.

Edit: I have searched the net and found the support. Using it is what allowed me to get the first machine working. However, the same procedures do not work with the new PC and I can find nothing newer online than around 2011.

Large manufacturers like Dell have custom versions of OS's, but I have no idea whether it could be related to that.

I also have Monaco EZ Color and a Huey colorimeter dedicated to a Samsung XL-20 wide gamut monitor. I did some searching about a year ago and don't recall finding any drivers for W7 x64. I seems like I recall that there were drivers for the 32 bit version.

Bill Boehme wrote in post #17189933
I did some searching about a year ago and don't recall finding any drivers for W7 x64. I seems like I recall that there were drivers for the 32 bit version.

Hi, Bill. Thanks for the reply.

I found this about two years ago:
http://www.photocitize​n.com …rk-with-64-bit-windows-7/

It's a workaround, but it worked. I have the puck and EZ color running on a Win 7/64 now.

I found some additional info since I made the post. The USB power is probably not the problem. The Dell PCs do not put out any less than others. I'm told that all manufacturers pretty well stick to the 5V / 500 ma USB standard. But I also learned that Dell may customize the OS so that could be the problem.

Funny thing is that when the device does not cause the BSOD, in Device Manager the device shows working on a usb port. But when viewing properties, it says no driver is installed. But then when I click update driver, the windows message is that windows has determined the latest driver is already installed

I'm very disappointed. It's a good puck and EZ color is great. I'm good with computers, but this one has me stumped. I can get a powered USB hub for under $15 so I think I'll try that. But if it don't work, I guess it's the end of the line for the old trusty dtp94.

I was in the same boat. Turns out the DTP94 isn't good for LED monitors. After a lot of research I ended up purchasing a Spyder 4.

I don't know if his would be of any use to you, but you can install a full version of XP x64 running as a virtual machine on your W7 x64 system. Go to Microsoft Windows 7 support and search for XP Mode. It's free, so don't say that Microsoft never gave anybody anything for free. This is one way of running older applications that won't run in compatibility mode -- the only things that I can imagine would be aps that need device drivers.

Thank you all for your help.

I got it working. It turns out it was an underpowered USB port. A hardware support technician told me straight out that was not the problem. Said all USB ports are 5v / 500ma standard. Turns out he was wrong.

I went out and for $12.99 purchased a powered USB hub - power supply output was 2A. Puck worked instantly, device driver was recognized.

Moral of the story? We know more about the computers than the manufacturers own technicians. Side note - no other devices were powered on the USB bus except the keyboard and mouse which should not drain enough.

Tim, guess it's a matter of opinion. I have had two master printers from two well-known labs both tell me the dtp94 puck was the best ever made. The secret with EZ color is to profile only, and to not calibrate and profile. My prints are spot on perfect on my epson 3800 and also to every lab they go thru. Not much to say other than I have seen the evidence with my own two eyes.

Thanks again, all. I am ecstatic that I only had to spend thirteen bucks and not hundreds for a new calibration system.

I still have a DTP94, and yes it's meant to be fantastic. I had someone very knowledgeable about color tell me it didn't work well with LED monitors, and I had trouble calibrating my Dell LED monitor with it, so I believed them. If you got it working with an LED monitor I'd love a detailed description of how you did it - driver, calibration software, etc.

Not sure the software that came with my DTP94 works on W7. Pretty sure it doesn't.

Tim, glad to help.
You didn't say OS. I'm Win 7 Pro/64. The info link is in Post #3 above. There are links in the article to other OSs such as xp and vista. (God help your soul if you're on Vista).

The software I'm using is Monaco EZ Color v2.6.5 - also circa 2007. Installed on Win 7/64 without a hitch. My problems were with the puck driver.

I use two machines, both same OS. Both IPS panels. One a HP LP2475, the other is a Dell U2410. With EZ color the settings I use are: profile only, LCD, gamma 2.2, native white. I also put the monitors in native res when profiling (1920 x 1200). Lum target values will be your own, but with my Epson 3800 usually between 90 - 100 produces spot-on prints. I profile both panels at ~95. I never adjust image brightness when sending to labs. The calibration seems to work for them, too. Substrates printed are: prints, canvas, metal and acrylic. All come out ok. I think that covers it. Hope that helps.

Interesting, thanks. Mine came with software called "Monaco Optix", which from memory I had trouble install on W7 pro 64. I did find drivers at one point, but in the end I gave up and bought the spyder with newer software.

I should really sell the DTP94, but not sure if anyone would want it without working software.

Tim,

I do not know if this is presently true, but a couple years back I was told the dtp94 was such a desired puck that any sold online usually went the first day. May not be true now, tho. because drivers and software to make it work are that much older. My dtp94 is also called a Monaco Optix XR. You might check ebay for both to see if there is a market.

Seems to be some market, might get $50 - $80 for it. Might try to sell it here on POTN. If there was a moderately priced software package that would work with it I'd probably have just bought it and kept using it, but have the Spyder now which works fine.

Hey, why not! Don't know about your personal finances, but an extra 50 jingles in the pocket for me would be nice! Not familiar with NZ, but here in the states $50 will get you a decent dinner for two at a nice restaurant, a half cart at the supermarket, or a cup of coffee at Starbucks!

When you own a house and have a mortgage that kind of money is a small drop in a very large bucket!