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======  Epson FAQ ======
=====  General Questions =====
====  In which **forum** should I ask Epson questions? ====

Forum: [[http://forums.openprinting.org/list.php?26|Printers from Epson]]
====  Where can I find a **table** of working Epson printers? ====

[[http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Epson|http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Epson]]
====  Why does using **''psnup -2''** and **''-4''** causes the image to "slide up?" ====

This is a known, unsolved problem. There is a simple
workaround, because CUPS has an internal 
function for N-up printing.[[http://www.cups.org/sum.html|http://www.cups.org/sum.html]] to see how N-up works under CUPS.
====  How do I print escape codes? ====

Many of the Stylus inkjets are purely raster graphics printers.
The do not support the standard Epson ESCP/2 command set of the
older 9/25 pin impact printers.  They also have new commands for
controlling ink drop sizes, 6 colors, etc.  Most of them will print
ASCII with a fixed width font.  Newer Stylus's (740 and onward)
need a special sequence before they recognize data on their inputs.
====  How do I monitor the ink levels in the printer? ====

There are two ways.

First, there is a new library and command line tool available here:[[http://freshmeat.net/projects/libinklevel/|http://freshmeat.net/projects/libinklevel/]]

Second, With [[http://xwtools.automatix.de/|mtink]], or you can also
try:
<code>escputil -iur /dev/lp0
escputil -iur /dev/usb/lp0</code>

The option **''-iur''** is for USB printers.  Use **''-u''** for
parallel printers.  If in doubt **''escputil --help''**
====  How do I get the TWAIN driver working? ====

TWAIN is a Windows driver.  We deal with 
GNU/Linux issues.  Goodbye!
====  Why is the output is shifted up and left on the paper? ====

This may be because you specify the paper size as A4, but at
some stage of the filtering, it is converted to Letter.
Configure both CUPS and your application for the same page size.

This behavior has also been reported when a text file is printed
from the command line without specifying paper size.
====  How do I print black without an installed color cartridge? ====

You cannot continue printing with one ink cartridge empty.
Before printing, replace the empty cartridge.

This is not a feature of the GNU/Linux driver, this is is a designed
behaviour with the Epson printers that cannot be changed in software.
====  How can I print with QuadTone inks? ====

[[http://www.harrington.com/QuadToneRIP.html|http://www.harrington.com/QuadToneRIP.html]]
====  How can I generate a test pattern? ====

There is a test pattern generator in the **''gimp-print''**
package, located in **''src/testpattern''**.  The program is
not built by default.  You should pass **''--with-testpattern''** on the
command line.  There is a script file for the pattern generator called**''testpattern.sample''**.

The test pattern generator in 4.3 can print 16-bit CMYK or printer-raw
images ("printer-raw" means that e. g. you can print in 6 colors on a
6-color printer) using a special file format.
=====  Epson ESC/POS for Point of Sale and Receipt Printers =====
====  Where can I get a sample program implementing ESC/POS? ====

You can[[http://www.openprinting.org//torsten/files/pos_main.c.html|see a sample program]]
or download it:[[http://www.openprinting.org//torsten/files/pos_main.c|pos_main.c]]

This is what it looks like.

#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
#include <config.h>
#endif

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

#include <unistd.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <fcntl.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[[http://www.openprinting.org/|[1]]])
{
 int fp;
 char cBuf[64], cOut[[http://www.openprinting.org/16|[2]]];

 printf("Hi, welcome\n Press <ENTER> to finish");
 fp = open("/dev/ttyS0",O_WRONLY);
 printf("fp = %i",fp);

 write(fp,"\n\n\n\n",4);
 write(fp,"Hello World\n\n\n\n\n",14);
 write(fp,"\x1D\x56\x01",3);
 close(fp);

 return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_Photo_820|Epson Stylus Photo 820]] 
====  Is the resolution 5760x720dpi supported? ====

There are no plans to support this resolution.  In practice, it would
offer no advantage over 2880x720; the 4 picolitre drops are plenty large
enough to create solid density at 2880x720 DPI, and packing more
resolution in already high resolution dimension isn't going to achieve any
visible improvement.

If you want to try 2880x1440 (which would at least
give you more vertical resolution), you can try using the Epson 925 driver.  If
you really want higher resolution, get the 960, which offers 2880x1440
with 2 picolitre drops; this really does offer visible improvement over
the 820, but even on that printer there's awfully little difference in
output quality between 2880x1440 and 1440x720, which is the next
resolution choice.  However, both the 780 and 820 are base model 6-color
printers; there's no reason to do this as an "upgrade".

The printer may not be doing 5760x720dpi in hardware anyway.  The Epson
web site always refers to "5760x720 optimized DPI"; there is no explanation as to what
"optimized" means here, but it is perhpas some kind of oversampling being
done in software.  This has been tried before, but yielded no positive results.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_Photo_830|Epson Stylus Photo 830]] 
====  How do I setup PDQ? ====

Using the following driver description file.
<code>driver "Raw-Printer" {
 # This PDQ driver declaration file was generated automatically by
 # foomatic-rip to allow raw (filter-less) printing.
 language_driver all {
 # We accept all file types and pass them through without any changes
  filetype_regx ""
  convert_exec {
   ln -s $INPUT $OUTPUT
  }
 }
 filter_exec {
  ln -s $INPUT $OUTPUT
 }
}</code>

Let this printer point to the port of your **''Epson Stylus ''**
Photo 830</tt>**. Call this printer **''Photo830raw''**. **
Now you have two definitions for your printer, your old one**''Photo830''**, which you set as the default 
printer, is for all jobs from KDE apps, the command line.
The new definition **''Photo830raw''** you use for the GIMP. Enter**''pdq -P Photo830raw''** as printing command there.

You may need to add **''-o raw''** to the command.
====  Which drive do I use? ====

Use the Stylus Photo 830U with the ijsgimpprint driver
for the Stylus Photo 830.
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_Photo_895|Epson Stylus Photo 895]] 
====  Does the flash card reader work with Linux? ====

As of Linux 2.4.21pre5 the card reader is recognised as a
USB mass storage device and appears as **''/dev/sd?1''**, typically**''/dev/sda1''** if you don't have other SCSI devices or 
USB mass storage devices.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_Photo_2200|Epson Stylus Photo 2200]] 
====  How do I configure for FireWire? ====

Check whether the printer appears as a SCSI device.
<code>cat /proc/scsi/scsi</code>

If so, you need a CUPS version with SCSI backend (the current 1.1.x has it):
Check for the existence of
<code>/usr/lib/cups/filter/scsi</code>

When you have this file (with or without update of CUPS), restart the 
CUPS daemon and do
<code>lpinfo -v</code>

If there is a SCSI entry, this is the entry for your printer. Use this 
URI when setting up your print queue.

If this does not help, please post on a Forum of CUPS:[[http://www.cups.org/newsgroups.php|http://www.cups.org/newsgroups.php]]

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_C42SX|Epson Stylus C42SX]] 
====  Why can't I print in **''Black and White''**? ====

In some versions of the printer driver (Gimp-Print) the grayscale and 
black-and-white are broken, print always in color mode, even if the 
document is black-and-white.

This is fixed in recent versions of Gimp-print.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_C60|Epson Stylus C60]] 
====  Why does the job stop and the ink light flash? ====

This is the typical behaviour when a cartridge is empty. Open the lid, 
press the leftmost button and see with which cartridge the printhead 
stops at the little arrow on the left. This is the empty cartridge. 
Press the button again, change the cartridge and then press the button 
to get the head back to the right. Now ink is filled into the printhead 
which can take some minutes. Do not interupt the electric power for the 
printer during this time. Pressing the </tt>**On/Off</tt>** buttonm is OK, as the 
printer finishes the ink filling before going off.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_C62|Epson Stylus C62]] 
====  How do I use higher resolution? ====

Use [[http://www.openprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=gimp-print|gimp-print]].  
The default resolution is 360 dpi. The C60 
driver will do 1440x720.  The C62 driver offers 2880x720.
====  Why are print jobs rotated 90 degrees? ====

Try using the lpadmin command as follows
<code>lpadmin -p Epson -m Epson-Stylus_C62-gimp-print.ppd -v parallel:/dev/lp0 -E</code>
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_C82|Epson Stylus C82]] 
====  Why does nothing happen when I try to print? ====

[[http://space.tin.it/computer/wvtberti/linux/stp_driver/gs_stp.htm|http://space.tin.it/computer/wvtberti/linux/stp_driver/gs_stp.htm]]
====  Why does **''escputil''** not print a pattern to align the heads? ====

It may be that the C82 uses a "soft" head alignment
procedure that we don't support yet.  
You can try the [[http://xwtools.automatix.de/|mtink]] utility.
====  What are good CMY values to make a good gray? ====

You're going to have a lot of difficulty getting a really accurate gray
with 4.2.  You could try boosting the magenta a bit.  You might also want
to try 4.3.10, if you're printing from the GIMP; there are additional
(linear) color balance sliders that might give you enough control.
====  Why do blacks have green tones? ====

The green cast in  dark black tones can be reduced, but only by
cranking up the magenta so much that the rest of the image (skin tones
in particular) gets very bad.

You can do a test print.

Make a 20:1 wide:tall aspect ratio horizontal grayscale
ramp.  Print it the width of your paper at the top of the page.  If
it's tinted green, add magenta, and so on for the other primaries 
Repeat by printing farther down on the same
piece of paper.  Five or six iterations should do it, and -- until you
change type of paper or ink -- you're all set.  Total expense: Half a
page of paper and the corresponding amount of ink.

Each print has to be should be separately proofed.
====  Why is the output very stretched out? ====

Change resolution from 1440x1440 to 2880x720 or 2880x1440.
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_Pro_9600|Epson Stylus Pro 9600]] 
====  Do i have to purchase the RIP option? ====

No, Gimp-print with either CUPS or Foomatic will take care 
of the Postscript.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_CX3200|Epson Stylus CX3200]] 
====  What kernel version do I need to print? ====

You need at least kernel 2.4.21 (or the current

2.4.21preXX version). Alternatively you can fix your current kernel as 
shown on the[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_CX3200|Epson Stylus CX3200 printer entry page]]
on openprinting.org.
====  Why doesn't the patch on openprinting.org work? ====

The original author did not specify the kernel version.
It is probably 2.4.20 or newer (an early 2.4.21pre<something>).
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-Stylus_CX5200|Epson Stylus CX5200]] 
====  What are the steps to get it working? ====

These steps worked for one person.

1) Go to Epson Website to download their Photo Image Print System[[http://www.avasys.jp/english/linux_e/pips_e.html|pips]]
Download the rpm: **''pips-sc82s-cups-2.6.2-1.i386.rpm''**

2) Unpack the rpm **''rpm -Uvh pips-sc82s-cups-2.6.2-1.i386.rpm''**
You may get messages about libcryto
and libssl 0.9.6 dependencies failing.  If the libraries are in**''/usr/lib''** then force install the RPM
<code>rpm -Uvh --nodeps --force pips-sc82s-cups-2.6.2-1.i386.rpm</code>

Upon installing, it will automatically modify the**''/etc/service''** and add an entry for the epson status
monitor **''ekpstm''**.
<code>----Start of Modification to **''/etc/service''** -----				
# written for pips-sc82s-cups	
cbtd     35586/tcp				
# pips-sc82-cups  end			
------End------</code>

This is for the epson status monitor **''ekpstm''**.

3) On some systems, you may need to make sure your usb daemon is running.
<code>/etc/rc.d/init.d/usb start</code>

\\ 
3) To setup the printer, run **''/usr/local/EPKowa/SC82S/setup''**
It will ask for the connection type and the printer name
used by CUPS.  Answer with the following:
<code>	Connection type: **''/dev/usb/lp0''**</code>

	Printer name: **''Epson_CX5200''**
4) Now connect the USB cables, and then turn on the printer.  Then load
the printer module:	**''modprobe printer''**

5) Goto the **''/dev/usb''** directory, and you should see **''lp0''**
which was automatically created.
<code>ls -la /dev/usb/lp0
crw-rw----    1 lp       sys      180,   0 Dec 31  1969 /dev/usb/lp0</code>

6) Launch Epson Status Monitor under X: **''ekpstm''**
A status window comes up and it should read all the ink cartridge level
(black, cyan, magenta and yellow).   In the status field, it should say **''Ready to print''**

7) Download EPS ghostscript filter from [[http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=18073|http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=18073]] 
Download: **''ghostscript-7.05.5-0.i386.rpm''** and **''ghostscript-cups-7.05.5-0.i386.rpm''**.
Install them:
<code>	rpm -Uvh ghostscript-7.05.5-0.i386.rpm
	rpm -Uvh ghostscript-cups-7.05.5-0.i386.rpm</code>

8) Open a browser, and connect to [[http://127.0.0.1:631/admin|http://127.0.0.1:631/admin]]
Select the following choices:
<code>Manage Printers" --> "Add Printer"</code>

and input these:

\\ 

Printer Name: Epson_CX5200
Location: [[[http://www.openprinting.org/your|http://www.openprinting.org/your]] location here"
Description: Epson CX5200 MFP
Device: EPSON Inkjet Printer #1 (Photo Image Print System)
Make: EPSON
Model: EPSON Stylus C80, CUPS+GIMP-print v4.2.1-pre5(en)

9) Click **''Print a Test Page''**.

10) If it doesn't work, see the **''error_log FAQ''** 
to continue debugging CUPS.
====  How do I setup the scanner? ====

The CX-5200 Scanner part is equivalent to Perfection 1200U.

1) Download [[http://www.avasys.jp/english/linux_e/lsd_e.html|Image Scan]], 
which is a backend for SANE. Recommended: **''iscan-1.4.0-5.i386.rpm''**.

2) Install the RPM: **''rpm -Uvh iscan-1.4.0-5.i386.rpm ''**

3) Modify the scanner.c sources, and recompile **''scanner.o''** module
Become root or su and edit**''/usr/src/linux-2.4.19-16/mdk/drivers/usb/scanner.c''** as follows:
find the lines:

	if (dev->config[[http://www.openprinting.org/0|[3]]].bNumInterfaces != 1) {
	 info("probe_scanner: Only one device interface is supported.");
	 return NULL;
	}
	and change them so they look like this.
<code>/*	if (dev->config[0].bNumInterfaces != 1) {
*		info("probe_scanner: Only one device interface is supported.");
*		return NULL;
*	}
*/</code>

4) Add a line to **''scanner.h''** right after**''Perfection 1660 Photo''**, like this:
<code>	{ USB_DEVICE(0x04b8, 0x011e) }, /* Perfection 1660 Photo */
	{ USB_DEVICE(0x04b8, 0x0801) }, /* CX5200 */</code>

5) Create a new directory for the modules.
<code>mkdir /usr/src/modules</code>

and copy the newly modified "scanner.c" and "scanner.h" to this 
directory.
<code>cp scanner.c scanner.h /usr/src/modules</code>

6) Change to the linux source directory **''cd /usr/src/linux''** 
and make sure the following lines are set
to reflect your current Mandriva kernel version.
<code>VERSION = 2
PATCHLEVEL = 4
SUBLEVEL = 18
EXTRAVERSION = -8.1mdk</code>

7) Return to the new modules directory **''cd /usr/src/modules''** and compile 
the modules:
<code>gcc -DMODULE -D__KERNEL__ -I/usr/src/linux/include -include \
/usr/src/linux/include/linux/modversions.h -c scanner.c
	this will produce a module called **''scanner.o''**.</code>

8) gzip scanner.o,**''gzip scanner.o''**

9) Now copy the new modules into the modules directory
<code>cp scanner.o.gz /libs/modules/2.4.18-8.1mdk/kernel/drivers/usb</code>

10) Add some lines to **''/etc/modules.conf''**:
<code>alias char-major-180-48 scanner
options scanner vendor=0x04b8 product=0x0801
	11) You should now remove the old **''scanner.o''** **''modprobe -r scanner.o''**</code>

	but if that fails, you can simply reboot to force a reload.  After
	removing the old module or rebooting, then
<code>insmod scanner</code>

12) Change to the **''/dev/usb''** directory **''/dev/usb''** 
and check that **''scanner0''** is there.  It should be automatically
generated by **''usbfs''**
<code>root:~>ls -la /dev/usb/scanner0
crw-rw----    1 root     usb      180,  48 Dec 31  1969 /dev/usb/scanner0</code>

13) Edit **''/etc/sane.d''** so it looks like this:
<code>epson.conf: (only 1 line)
	usb /dev/usb/scanner0
dll.conf: (only 2 lines)
	net
	epson</code>

14) Run **''iscan''** from the Epson Image Scan rpm package. **''iscan''**
You can change Resolution to 300dpi and press SCAN button.
You should be able to scan. The scanner can't use
all of the resolution settings.  In addition, 
Preview does not work.

15) To make it work inside GIMP, make a symbolic link of "iscan" to
~/.gimp-1.2/plug-ins
<code>ln -s /usr/bin/iscan ~/.gimp-1.2/plugins</code>

The copy function of CX-5200 should work by itself.

You can also try Xsane. It will give you more control over the scanner,
and  Gimp should be able to use it immediatly.
====  Why does the printer output the PostScript source text file? ====

Instead of using **''PostScript Level 2''**,  choose one of these

  *  **''Epson Stylus CX5200''**
  *  **''Epson Stylus C82''**
  *  **''Epson Stylus C80''**

If you choose **''PostScript Level 2''** for a non-PostScript printer, you 
have to remove the **''-oraw''** from the printing command.
====  Which PPD do I use? ====

The PPD file that you can download from openprinting.org
won't be correct if you're using the native CUPS driver.  You should use
the one in **''/etc/cups/ppd''**.  Try to use the native CX5200, 
C82, or C80 driver in the GIMP plugin.
====  How do I get Mandriva to load the printer and scanner driver after reboot? ====

1) Edit **''/etc/rc.d/init.d/usb''** around row 188:
<code>if [ "$MOUSE" = "yes" ];then
action "Loading USB mouse" /sbin/modprobe mousedev
fi
if [ "$KEYBOARD" = "yes" ];then
action "Loading USB keyboard" /sbin/modprobe keybdev
fi
if [ "$STORAGE" = "yes" ];then
action "Loading USB storage"  /sbin/modprobe usb-storage
fi
if [ "$PRINTER" = "yes" ];then
action "Loading USB printer"  /sbin/modprobe printer
fi
if [ "$SCANNER" = "yes" ];then
action "Loading USB scanner"  /sbin/modprobe scanner
fi</code>

2) Edit **''/etc/sysconfig/usb''**:
<code>USB=yes

KEYBOARD_AT_BOOT=no

MOUSE=no
KEYBOARD=no
STORAGE=yes
PRINTER=yes
SCANNER=yes</code>

3) Make sure the USB daemon is loaded.  This can be done with**''linuxconf''**.
<code>Control Tab -->  Control Panel --> Control Service Utility</code>

Find the **''usb''** daemon, and click on it.  When the**''Service usb''** window pops up, make sure**''Startup [[http://www.openprinting.org/checkbox|[4]]] Automatic''** is selected.
Click **''Accept''**.

4) Reboot.  The scanner and printer modules should be loaded.  Run **''lsmod''**
to check.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-AcuLaser_C2000|Epson AcuLaser C2000]] 
====  Which driver do I use? ====

The driver is Epson's[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=alc2000|alc2000]]
====  Is the **''alc2000''** driver already in GhostScript? ====

Look at the ghostscript drivers from the help output **''gs -h''**
If it is not there, then use a recent version of[[http://www.cups.org/ghostscript.php|ESP Ghostscript]]
====  Why do we use GhostScript with this PostScript printer? ====

There is no PPD for it on Epson's site, and with the GhostScript 
driver you have more control than with a generic Foomatic PPD.

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-EPL-5700L|Epson EPL5700L, EPL5900L, 6100L]] 
====  Where do I get the latest driver? ====

[[http://epsonepl.sourceforge.net/|http://epsonepl.sourceforge.net/]]

\\ 
[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Epson-LQ-2550|Epson LQ-2550]] 
====  Why is there print corruption 3/4 down the page? ====

The serial configuration problem where the printing
is corrupted 3/4 of the way down the page can be sovled by 
using the following stty entry in
the **''/etc/printcap.local''**
<code>:stty=parenb raw -echo -echoe -echok -onlcr crtscts:\</code>

Apparently doing this will suppress the unwanted output of extra
processing that changes the printer control sequences.

\\ 
=====  Epson LX-300+ =====
====  Does this printer work with Free Software? ====

Yes.  Follow the directions for the[[http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=IBM-ProPrinterII|IBM ProPrinter II]].

This printer uses the [[http://www.openprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ibmpro|ibmpro]] driver.

\\ 
=====  Epson LX-800 =====
====  How do I configure text-mode output? ====

There is a utility available to adjust cpi, font, and a couple
of other things.  It may work with other epson printers.

[[http://home.arcor.de/markusheinz/|http://home.arcor.de/markusheinz/]]
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