Expert with printers?Can anyone advise me?

Question

I am having a problem with Epson printers.The first one I purchased produced wonderful photos,on and off computor,but developed a fault within 5 months cutting photos in half.So I replaced it with another that was dragging and the photo colours were awful regaurdless of processess I went through via a helpline.So I got another one just superceed from my original one.This one the epson stylusdx5000 did several things wrong,the photo colours were awful yet again,it hummed loudly cut off A4 print outs from my computor,and would only work if I removed the plug to let the electric disipate before switching on. Is this just my bad luck?Can anyone recommend something that is a simple printer copier scanner and memory card features that prints good quality photos.Or am I asking too much?

Answer 1

Whenever I buy a new printer it comes shipped with a drivers disk.
These drivers may not be the latest ones so always visit the manufacturers website and download the latest ones.
There may also be a conflict of software drivers so remove all printer drivers and printers from your computer and re-install from scratch.
I have had good success from doing this in the past.
Hope this helps

Answer 2

Dear Helpless,

I agree completely with you that Epson printers print nice photos. But I also agree with you that they are not reliable machines.

You mentioned that you want a simple printer/scanner/copier that has memory card features for photos. Don't worry, you're not asking too much. The two most reliable companies out there right now are Canon and HP (Epson actually comes in third, according to PC Magazine's readers). Canon's, though, tend to be for people who are more tech-savy and thus are a little harder to use.

For an easy-to-use printer that is reliable, will do everything you want it to do (print, scan, copy, photos, etc) I would suggest the HP Photosmart C5180 All-In-One printer. Ink is rather cheap, photos are great, and it's an easy machine to use. This printer has received good reviews from everywhere. I've had one for 2 months and haven't had any sign of trouble. I paid around $160 which may seem a little high, but then this is the best printer I've ever owned. It sounds like Epson just isn't the right company for you. You might give this printer a try.

I've included a link that talks about this printer, ink costs, and other subjects of interests regarding this printer. I've also included a link to HP's website for more information.

Answer 3

Printing quality relys on several aspects...starting with the original pic you are printing.....then what program you are printing from...then what type of file you are printing....then paper quality and how much paper is in the printer, moisture in the air....ink levels and quality.....and what elese the pc is doing at the time....it does sound like you may have had a string of bad luck with the printer but if you also are aware of these other possibilities then you may be able to correct the poblms. I personally do not like the epson printers in general, I would go with either an hp printer or brother...lexmark and epson seem to be of about the same quality so spending a few dollars more for a higher end piece of equipment may be necessary to avoid the problems you have been having...with most peripherals as with just about everything else in this world, you get what you paid for.

Answer 4

Diagnosis at this distance without seeing the equipment in operation is virtually impossible.

Have you got someone else to install and try the printer on thier computer? It may be your computer or your software that's causing the problem, not the printer at all.

Have you tried printing the things you've had problems with on the Epson to another pirnter? Did they work OK?

Virtually all "all in one" printer -copier-scanner devices can cause problems with certain computer set-ups. The more complicated machines are, the more problems they can cause.

In general terms laser printers give far fewer problems than inkjets or dot matrix problems, partly because they're page printers -- the whole page is made up in memory before printing.

In general terms again, printers with significant memory of their own give far fewer problems than printers which rely on the computer to spool the material out to the printer in amounts that the printer can understand.

In general terms, as has already been pointed out to you, HP printer drivers are very good and give much less trouble than Epson drivers. Though more recent HP printers for the domestic and small office market have given some grief in terms of poor construction, And at the present moment I've got an Epson A3 laser printer (which I got for nothing, nearly new, when someone discovered the cost of a replacement cartridge and reckoned that they could get several complete printers fo rthat price -- though they didn't realise that each cartridge gives 15000 copies). It's remarkably good and has been trouble-free. The driver is at least workable, though nothing like as good as the average HP driver.

In short, my advice is to go for a colour laser printer(with plenty of memory) and separate scanner. The capital cost is a bit higher, but the running costs and hassle are much lower.

Answer 5

First thing is your printer under warranty? If so, wing it back to where you got it.
More likely, though, is a problem with the driver. Check to see you have the right driver installed, according to your operating system. If need be, go on line to Epson's website to download the right one.
Personally, I've been running a cheap little Epson CX3560 all-in-one for some time. Does everything I want, even photos (though not necessarily the very best) especially if I use photo paper.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Sounds like you may have software conflicts. Have you completely removed all of the previous printers, and further have you ensured that the latest printer is the default. You might also like to download their updates as I have sorted out friends by getting the updates.
I must confess to having had problems though myself with epson printers and eventually gave up and went to HP. since then all my printers have been HP and even the old ones still work from 1998.

Answer 7

Canon MP 450. Canon and Epson generally hold the crown as the best imaging printers.

THe multipass 450 is loaded with features including card reader, scanner LCD screen, scanner the list goes on. You can pick one up for around $150

http://www.canon.ca/english/index-products.asp?lng=en&prodid=862&sgid=20&gid=2&ovr=1

Answer 8

Unusual for Epson, but their after sales service is quite good, so take it back, ask for a full refund, it sounds like you do a lot of photo printing so why not got for a special purpose photo printer ? theres a good selection out there now,ps brought my r265 on their exchange your printer, and get £50 off , offer, just before the hols, and its the bollo
pps, had an issue regarding the shortage of the printers on offer, so got in touch with one of their top men heres his email good luck
Alan.

Answer 9

Try Canon PIXMA iP8500 Photo Printer. HP is ok too, BUT if you want good photo quality from HP printer, you will have to buy the photo ink cartridge (different from the normal colour cartridge), thus costing more.

For Canon’s PIXMA iP8500 Photo Printer review, check out: http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/scanners_printers/0705canon/

Answer 10

Stop buying Epson, thats your problem!

Buy an HP all-in-one printer. You won't be disapointed.