Epson Pro 3800 and unwanted software modifications

[Harry Briels]

I would like to know whether there is a way to protect the 3800 against unwanted software modifications? If Epson wants to adjust isoftware in my 3800 then I do not like this to happen with my acceptance.

 

[3dogs]

Only way I know is not to update your printer drives, Epson hide their little nasties in there.
Others may correct me.
I just dont update till the drive no longere works, then I panic.

Andrew

 

[pharmacist]

Harry,

I already answered you about this problem: The Epson Pro 38x0 cannot be firmware upgraded without an active intervention by the user him/herself. You will actually have to install this particular software by selecting it actively when installing the drivers. And even you did, the firmware must be searched for on the epson website actively before it can be installed.

 

[Sherden]

What do you mean exactly with "unwanted software modification"?

Printer drivers update? firmware change? or what?

 

[Harry Briels]

Sherden:
your question: "What do you mean exactly with "unwanted software modification"?
Simply, a modification by e.g. Epson, in the software of my 3800 printer, without asking my permission.

 

[Sherden]

Hi Harry,
the software of your printer is made of different pieces: the driver, the bundled programs (e.g. with my Canon I got "CD label print" and "Easy Photo Print") or the printer firmware.

I don't have direct experience with Epson software, but usually drivers must be updated manually, going to Epson site, searching for it etc... Depending on the OS you have, the OS could suggest the printer drivers update as a system update (at least it does it for the GFX card).

RE. the firmware, I agree with Pharmacist. It is impossible without user active intervention

To avoid any unwanted update, as a rule of thumb, you should for first check if there any Autoupdate option in the software and disable it and, depending on your OS, disable automatic system updates

Then, if you are concerned about this, you can use a security suite or a free software firewall like e.g. COMODO firewall or ZONE Alarm that monitor network connection and unwanted software modification. They require some network knowledge but can be used in automatic mode.

This way you can spot if the Epson software is "calling home"

Hope this can help

 

[Harry Briels]

Sherden:
Thank you for the extensive info.
I regret that my software knowledge does not suffice for e.g. checking to see whether there are any Autoupdate options in the software etc.
I will just keep away from updating Epson software for my 3800.

 

[Sherden]

I did a further little research and it seems that the Epson's Pro 3800 has no automatic driver update: on Epson's site online user guide https://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/pro38_/pro38_ug/softw_10.htm#S-00200-01200-00100 no automatic update option is shown, only a manual procedure.

 

[3dogs]

I did a further little research and it seems that the Epson's Pro 3800 has no automatic driver update: on Epson's site online user guide https://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/pro38_/pro38_ug/softw_10.htm#S-00200-01200-00100 no automatic update option is shown, only a manual procedure.

That was what I found too. Some three months ago my printer would not talk to my computer after replacing the main drive. It became clear that the Printer driver was the issue.
I run cone carts with Epson OEM chips.
Contacted Jtoolman to confirm that I could update the driver without alerting Epson to the fact that I had 3rd party carts installed. Joe said that the new Driver would see OEM chips and be quite happy. With that I updated and there has been no issue.......so far

However, this event above caused me to think about the problem of software updates, and in a recent thread related to the data volume required for updating lightroom a poster suggested that they downloaded from the internet onto a 'stick' then shared the stick between friends, that ensured that there was only 900mb of download and the 'friends' got the benefit of the data without the cost of the data download

What IF

a person did a driver download to a stick then stored that for future use, so that if the active driver corrupted, one could just bring out the trusty backup stick and reload the original driver that had no OEM messin about to beat us on it???

Is that just silly thinking?

Cheers

 

[The Hat]

Practically all updates whether there’re driver or firmware related are willingly installed by the guy sitting in front of their computer and not by any tricky on the part of the software itself.

It’s amazing just how many guys when their printer plays up will first uninstall all of the software and reinstall it again and when that doesn’t work go and install every new upgrade they can find on the printers website and when that doesn't work will seek help from one of the many printer forums.

It’s a sad fact that many guys especially Epson printer owners fall victim to this and end up with all of their cartridge chips not working.

At least @3dogs had the sense to contact @jtoolman FIRST before he did anything which then had a good ending for him.