imageprint problems near end of print job

[madmanchan]

Hi, I just started using ImagePrint Lite 6 on Windows.  Near the end of every print job, the ink starts to fade off.  That is, for the last quarter-inch or so from the last line of ink put down, it's as if IP is putting down less and less ink.  The rest of the image is fine.

When I print the same image through the Epson driver in PS, the full image is printed with no fading of ink at the end.  

Any idea what's wrong?

Thanks.
Eric

[genesplitter]

This is a well known problem with an easy fix. The solution is to uncheck "Enable Bidirectional Support" in the Epson printer driver dialog box. You'll see it on at the bottom of the Ports tab in the Epson driver.

http://www.donaldlee.net

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

This is a well known problem with an easy fix. The solution is to uncheck "Enable Bidirectional Support" in the Epson printer driver dialog box. You'll see it on at the bottom of the Ports tab in the Epson driver.

http://www.donaldlee.net
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But Imageprint uses its own driver, not the Epson driver, so the Epson settings should make no difference.

Eric (the other one)

[genesplitter]

You are correct. IP does not use the Epson driver, but if you go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ImagePrint/ like I did when I experienced the identical problem that you have and read about this exact same problem that is one of the top 3 most common problems that IP users have and implement the fix, you will find that it works.

Since IP bypasses the Epson driver I don't know why it should work. Maybe someone else does?

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

You are correct. IP does not use the Epson driver, but if you go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ImagePrint/ like I did when I experienced the identical problem that you have and read about this exact same problem that is one of the top 3 most common problems that IP users have and implement the fix, you will find that it works.

Since IP bypasses the Epson driver I don't know why it should work. Maybe someone else does?
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That is weird! It sounds as if IP uses parts of the Epson driver but not the whole thing. I will now turn off bidirectional printing in my Epson driver, even though I haven't experienced this problem with IP (yet, anyway). Thanks for the tip.

Eric

[Montelle]

The issue with "Enable Bidirectional Support" is only with the 2200, apparently; it doesn't occur with the larger model printers (7600, etc.).  Be aware that when you disable "Bidirectional Support" you will also lose ink monitoring and the ability to run nozzle checks and head cleaning cycles.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

The issue with "Enable Bidirectional Support" is only with the 2200, apparently; it doesn't occur with the larger model printers (7600, etc.).  Be aware that when you disable "Bidirectional Support" you will also lose ink monitoring and the ability to run nozzle checks and head cleaning cycles.
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Well, I've been happily using IP with my 2200 for about a year now, and I haven't met this problem yet, so maybe I'll wait until I do before turning off bidirectional printing. I suppose you could simply turn it back on when you need to do nozzle checks or head cleaning. But that could be a real nuisance.

Here's a thought: Suppose you have two Epson drivers installed, one with bidirection turned on and the other turned off. I an fact have something like that. I have an HP Laserjet 1200 and my Epson 2200 both on USB ports, and the Epson ink monitor doesn't like to coexist with an HP printer apparently. So for some time I have used the SSC Service Utility to monitor ink levels (this is a free download from a Russian site). Recently I installed the 2200 on a Firewire port as well (the printer name includes "1394" so I can tell which is which.) SInce I installed the second instance the Epson monitor seems to work, though I do regular printing either through the USB Epson port or through ImagePrint, which is also on a USB port.

I wish I knew what was really going on. But my printer prints nicely and I can do nozzle checks and head cleaning, and I don't see smoke coming out of it.    

-Eric

[madmanchan]

Hi Eric,

On genesplitter's advice I went to the Yahoo ImagePrint group and looked up all the threads where people were reporting and solving this issue.  Later I found it also in the ImagePrint troubleshooting FAQ on their web site.

You're right, since IP bypasses the Epson driver, the setting shouldn't matter.  However, apparently leaving the bidirectional support checked causes a communications issue, i.e. the Epson driver unwittingly interferes with ImagePrint while IP is trying to finish the print job, which leads to the fading.

This is only an issue with the latest Epson driver for Windows; apparently earlier versions of the driver didn't interfere.

Eric