slow printer


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Old 11-26-04, 08:40 PM
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slow printer

I have a printer glitch that's driving me nuts. I'm running an Epson C62 thats only a few months old, on a iMacG3 with OS X. The printer works good on b/w, but when printing color pictures, it prints about 95% of the picture then just sits for about 2-3 minutes, then finally runs the last 5%. My wife says it's because our memory is to full. Any ideas anyone
 
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Old 11-27-04, 02:01 AM
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How much memmory do you have? On a computer running OSX, you need to have at least 128MB of memmory, but your computer may prefer 256MB. And if your doing big time video or photo manipulation, you need 512. Also make sure the software you use for your printer is updated.
 
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Old 11-27-04, 05:55 AM
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Terminator makes a good point. It is possible that your memory is low. How much do you have?

Throughout history, laserjet printers have used their own memory when spooling print jobs, which takes the load off the computer. Inkjets, however usually use the system memory.

Even though the newer inkjets have more memory than ever, this is still mainly true.

It could be several things, including a bad print driver and other things, but I would also guess low memory as the culprit.

Memory is cheap, so add a little more and see what happens.

Chris
 
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Old 11-27-04, 07:57 PM
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Thanks for your help guys. - System memory is not the problem , as I have 768 mb. The guy who refills my cartridges suggests that the printer has a built in memory card and it can't cope with a large coloured picture.
However the problem may be moot, as when I was out today I found a Lexmark 3150 printer (which is also a scanner and copier) on special in ******* for $89 . So, the Epson goes to the next swapmeet with me.
Thanks again for your help though
 
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Old 11-27-04, 10:52 PM
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Allways remember that virtual memory plays a part in printing and photo manipulation as well.
 
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Old 11-28-04, 05:35 AM
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Trading an inexpensive printer for another inexpensive printer might not solve your problem. Generally speaking, with printers, you get what you pay for.
 
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Old 11-28-04, 01:17 PM
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Bob,

True. With printers, you really have to keep in mind WHAT you'll be printing. For heaven's sake, if you're going to print a lot of pictures, get a reasonable photo printer. $100-$200 gets a good one for the home.

Chris
 
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Old 11-28-04, 01:43 PM
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Agreed, but you missed my point.

If his problems have to do with using an inexpensive printer that doesn't have enough of it's own memory then replacing it with another inexpensive printer that also doesn't have enough of it's own memory won;t solve the problem.

If his problem is that his printer is malfunctioning, then replacing it with an inexpensive printer may have him seeing the same problem a few months from now.

If, on the other hand, the problem is his system, then he may continue to have the problem no matter what he does to the printer (assuming he does nothing to the system).

I fully support using inexpensive printers, and have one myself. However, using one should be done with eyes wide open. When it breaks, it's often more cost efficient to throw it away. Quality is usually not the best. High volume usage should be avoided.
 
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Old 11-28-04, 11:36 PM
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Thanks for all the info guys - I didn't think the Lex3150 was actually a 'cheap' printer. It usually retails around 199-219. I just got it cheap as it was one of only three left in the store. (and it's supposedly specialist for photo printing. )
HOWEVER, since posting I've been researching both printers and found many disturbing things about Lexmark . Lots of nasty rumours about "spying " on users. check this link
www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/56693
also many others, surely all these people can't be paranoid (whadda ya mean , "paranoid" , I only padlock the beer fridge, not the other one )
I'd be interested in your opinions on this "spying" thing
Keeping on truckin' with Epson till I hear more. thanks all.
 
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Old 11-29-04, 05:26 AM
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Lexmark does "spy" on you. I used to work for them.

However, while it's technically spyware because they don't tell you up front, it is harmless to my knowledge. They are monitoring ink levels and usage, so they say.

Chris
 
 

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