Epson Stylus Color 980 problems

Epson Sytlus Color 980 problems
Just purchased an Epson Stylus Color 980, installed the drivers, went to the web page to update the drivers and thought I was doing fine. It will print text without much problem (although I don't think the quality of the print is as good as my HP Deskjet 970 at work). However, every time I try to print anything with graphics it begins to print and then the whole systems locks up...can't move the mouse, can't type anything, can't do anything except reboot. Any suggestions out there????

I'd remove all drivers.  Then just install the ones on the CD and see how that works first.  If that doen't work delete all drivers related to the printer and just install the ones off the WEB.  Also just double check that the new printer is set as the default.  I've kicked myself to many times for something that simple.  Good Luck.

[quote author=Savage link=board=hardware&num=993470579&start=0#1 date=06/25/01 at 06:09:21]
I'd remove all drivers.  Then just install the ones on the CD and see how that works first.  If that doen't work delete all drivers related to the printer and just install the ones off the WEB.  Also just double check that the new printer is set as the default.  I've kicked myself to many times for something that simple.  Good Luck.
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Savage...thanks for the info.  One of the perplexing things is that when I load the drivers it seems to put two icons into control panel with one of them as the default.  Still cannot figure that one out.  Any suggestions?

Can't say I've seen then add two icons before, but I don't normally use epson printers. Just personal preference.  Let me know how it goes though.  Also what cable are you using.  Parellel or USB.  I know that Infra Red communication chokes on graphics at least for me.  If you can you might wanna try a diffrent type of interface (swap from USB to parellel)  Ya never know.

I'm presently using a USB cable, but I took the old parallel off of my old Epson printer...I'll give that a try.  Thanks.

Just curios how much farther you've got on your printer problem.  If it went away when you ditched the USB cable there's a few things you might be able to do.  Check and see if there is any updates for your motherboard.  If anything references USB pay particular attention.  I beleive there has been a few revesions to the standard and maybe some updates to the way your Motherboard handes USB.  Definately could make an impact on the way it handels graphics.  Text is usually pretty simple at least compared to intensive graphics and could let an old standard operate somewhat until you start pushing graphics through.  Also in refrence to the two icons are they identical.  Some HP printers have two icons and one is a toolbox that let's you get information, see how much ink it estimates is left and run some low level diag.  Ain't sure about Epson though don't normaly use them.  Hope all is well now.

[quote author=Savage link=board=hardware&num=993470579&start=0#5 date=06/28/01 at 12:30:06]
Just curios how much farther you've got on your printer problem.  If it went away when you ditched the USB cable there's a few things you might be able to do.  Check and see if there is any updates for your motherboard.  If anything references USB pay particular attention.  I beleive there has been a few revesions to the standard and maybe some updates to the way your Motherboard handes USB.  Definately could make an impact on the way it handels graphics.  Text is usually pretty simple at least compared to intensive graphics and could let an old standard operate somewhat until you start pushing graphics through.  Also in refrence to the two icons are they identical.  Some HP printers have two icons and one is a toolbox that let's you get information, see how much ink it estimates is left and run some low level diag.  Ain't sure about Epson though don't normaly use them.  Hope all is well now.
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Savage:  I removed all the drivers...replaced the USB cable with a standard printer cable, hooked everything up and pretty much followed the printed instructions for setup of a new Epson printer.  I reinstalled the drivers from the CD and waa-laa (is that the way they spell it???)  everything seems to be working fine now.  

I am working with an Abit KT7A-RAID motherboard.  I do have a keyboard and moust plugged into the USB ports (MS Internet Keyboard Pro and MS Intellimouse Optical).  I have also used my Handspring cradle on the USB and everything has worked fine so far.

As for the two icons...they are in the printer file (My Computer, Printers, etc...).  Since I did what I stated above there is now only one icon in the file.  

Am I losing that much by going with the standard printer cable vice the USB???  Everything seems to be working great now....  After all the trouble, I hate to "upset the apple cart."

I forget the numbers but I'm almost sure you lose some speed and you have lost the "ease of set up for devices using USB" :'( But hey if ya got it working that's the main thing.  With all those other devices on there I don't think you got a USB problem with the Motherboard.  Just some strange compatiblity problem.  Very odd.  Hope it works well for ya.  

Thanks for keeping up with me on this.  If I decide to retry the USB or upgrade the drivers I'll post the results.  thanks again and I look forward to reading more from you in the future.