Epson Stylus Photo 1290 Head Replacement

[brian_mk]

I just tried to use the Epson Printer Adjustment Program to check that the head id in the EEPROM matches that on the print head.
Unfortunately it looks like this program only runs under Windows 98. Under WIndows XP, it gives a "Communication Error" message.
This happens even if you run the program in Win 98 compatibility mode.
Is there a workaround or another version of this software that runs under XP?
If not, then that scuppers any thoughts of replacing the print head.

I made sure SSC was not running.
I tried unchecking LPT1 for the printer in case it was somehow being marked as 'in use' by the printer driver.
I tried disabling the ECP printer port driver.

 

[brian_mk]

I'm thinking it's probably time to dump the printer in the skip.

 

[The Hat]

I'm thinking it's probably time to dump the printer in the skip.

It probably would be the kindest thing to do after 14 years of faithful service.
Not to mention the cheapest option...

 

[akramjef]

some of the adjustment programs for older printers works only in earlier date . so change the date of your computer to earlier years and try to open the program again. i tried it several times and it works.

 

[brian_mk]

I think I also read about the date change issue in a forum somewhere.

I suspect in this case it may be a problem with the parallel port driver.
Windows XP uses a driver that uses ECP mode (Extended Communication Port) for the parallel port.
I think the Printer Adjustment Program for Win 98 requires a driver that uses SPP mode (Simple Parallel Port).

I also read a post in another forum that suggests there is another version of the Printer Adjustment Program for the Epson 890 / 1280 / 1290 that does work under Windows XP using the ECP driver. If anyone has a copy or a link, I would be interested.

 

[akramjef]

this is the service manual .may be will help

 

[Ionlab]

I think I also read about the date change issue in a forum somewhere.

I suspect in this case it may be a problem with the parallel port driver.
Windows XP uses a driver that uses ECP mode (Extended Communication Port) for the parallel port.
I think the Printer Adjustment Program for Win 98 requires a driver that uses SPP mode (Simple Parallel Port).

I also read a post in another forum that suggests there is another version of the Printer Adjustment Program for the Epson 890 / 1280 / 1290 that does work under Windows XP using the ECP driver. If anyone has a copy or a link, I would be interested.

If the problem is in the port you can usually change the way the parallel port behaves at the BIOS. SPP/ECP/SPP+ECP are the usual options...

 

[brian_mk]

I tried changing the parallel port mode in the BIOS:-
I tried changing it from ECP to 'Normal' which I assume means SPP.
I also tried 'BiDir'.

I got the same problem.

I suspect the XP ECP driver configures the port mode and overrides the BIOS setting.

I'm wondering if I could install the driver from Win 98 in place of the XP ECP driver?

 

[brian_mk]

Just found a version of the adjustment program that runs under XP available to download here ($9.96):-
http://www.2manuals.com/product_info.php?products_id=230

 

[brian_mk]

Incidentally, I found this in another forum:-

"Parallel port access changed significantly between Win95 and WinNT - in '95 it was possible for user programs to directly twiddle parallel port bits but NT made that impossible (only a driver can directly interface with the parallel port now)."

That may explain the issue with the Win 95/98 version of the adjustment software.