printer problems

ungua · 05-12-2005, 04:46 AM

still my printer won't work properly. if i, for instance, try to adjust the print head, i get this message that i don't really understand:

Quote:

Ausgabe
Usage: escputil [-c | -n | -a | -i | -o | -s | -d | -l | -M] [-P printer | -r device] [-u] [-q] [-m model] Perform maintenance on EPSON Stylus (R) printers. Examples: escputil --clean-head --printer stpex-on-third-floor escputil --ink-level --new --raw-device /dev/lp0 Commands: -c|--clean-head Clean the print head. -n|--nozzle-check Print a nozzle test pattern. Dirty or clogged nozzles will show as gaps in the pattern. If you see any gaps, you should clean the print head. -a|--align-head Align the print head. CAUTION: Misuse of this utility may result in poor print quality and/or damage to the printer. -o|--align-color Align the color print head (Stylus Color 480 and 580 only). CAUTION: Misuse of this utility may result in poor print quality and/or damage to the printer. -s|--status etrieve printer status. -i|--ink-level Obtain the ink level from the printer. This requires read/write access to the raw printer device. -d|--identify Query the printer for make and model information. This requires read/write access to the raw printer device. -l|--license Display the license/warranty terms of this program. -M|--list-models List the available printer models. -h|--help Print this help message. Options: -P|--printer-name Specify the name of the printer queue to operate on. Default is the default system printer. -r|--raw-device Specify the name of the device to write to directly rather than going through a printer queue. -u|--new The printer is a new printer (Stylus Color 740 or newer). -q|--quiet Suppress the banner. -m|--model Specify the precise printer model or head alignment.
Fehler
Printer alignment must be done with a raw device or else the -m option must be used to specify a printer.

also, what worries me a bit and has nothing to do with linux, i guess, even with a new (original!) black patron, it seems it dries out fast or something. i have to use "clean head" almost every day - else i have white horisontal lines on the print. today, this is not enough and i don't know how to fix it...

regards
ungua1

Simon Bridge · 05-12-2005, 06:53 AM

Your printer may just be getting old, or you are using ink-cartridge refills or cheap ink? (Or - longshot - is your ink running out?)

However: when you get an error message summarising the usage of a utility, it means you have not used it correctly. Do man escputil for details and read carefully.

It seems you have to do -m <printer> or specify the device (i.e. /dev/lp0) for the utility to do the right job.

ungua · 05-12-2005, 02:26 PM

where and how do i do so? logged in as root in some odd console...? the printer is an epson stylus color 660, almost ten years old, actually...

but, as i said, i used an original epson ink cartridge that i bought in august '04 and from then to january i didn't use it at all because of several problems with linux, like this one. i don't think the ink is running out, i would both see and smell it, won't i!?

regards
ungua

Simon Bridge · 05-13-2005, 06:38 AM

open a terminal as user and do

Code:

$man escputil

You will get the man page - follow your nose. There issome coreful reading to be done. For your perposes, and assuming you have the printer as lp0 (the only parralell printer directly connected to your computer)...

Code:

$escputil --identify
$escputil --list-models

This will tell you what the printer says it's make and model are ... just to be safe. Just 'cause it's written on the case don't mean it's correct... and the second one will list the models supported by your version of escputil.

Code:

$escputil -r=/dev/lp0 -i

... checks the ink level (your newish cartridge is probably full but there can be problems with things like shelf-life too ...whatever, best to check that the printer thinks it's full.)

Code:

$escputil -r=/dev/lp0 -n
$escputil -r=/dev/lp0 -c
$escputil -r=/dev/lp0 -a

... the first line checks the nozzel, it sounds like you have a clogged nozzel. A very clogged nozzel. The second line cleans the nozzel - you'll need to do this several times. If it keeps fouling, it may be that your ink cartridge has gluggy ink in it... shelf-life you see? The last line alignes the head. It is very important to get the model right because the wrong model can break the printer. You can make sure of this by using -m=<model> instead of -r=/dev/lp0, using the <model> from the --identify output.

There are other things like aligning the colour head and so on.
You do need read/write access to /dev/lp0 to use the -r option ... which will probably mean doing this as root.

ungua · 05-19-2005, 05:34 PM

thank your very much for this excellent reply! i am going to try this in early june - exam on monday and thursday, holiday from friday...

best regards
ungua

Simon Bridge · 05-20-2005, 04:56 AM

Cool - click the "thanks" button please - affero is always appreciated. (After all, we only do this for the fame and the coffee...)

ungua · 05-20-2005, 02:26 PM

how does this work, do i need to spend money?

regards
ungua

Simon Bridge · 05-21-2005, 07:36 AM

I know it looks like that - but no you don't "have" to unless you want to.

Just the thanks and a comment.

The best thanks is an acknowledgement and then pay it forward. The easy option for the wealthy is to give money - which will go to the organisations I support. But I'd rather you just answered some poor saps question who you would not normally answer.

ungua · 06-11-2005, 05:45 PM

okay, i'll try. i have to "fight" to survive from month to month (german student in norway), so paying rewards is not an option yet.

regards
ungua

Simon Bridge · 06-12-2005, 05:10 AM

lol

no worries.

Are you the sort who feels a debt when someone does you a favor?

It is more acceptable to repay a service with a service - I prefer you pay me "forward" rather than pay me back anyway: go find some poor sap struggling with some problem you know how to fix, and help them out. Or maybe, you know how to find out how to fix their problem - find out and tell them ... (this way you both benifit).

And it only costs you time.

ungua · 06-12-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Are you the sort who feels a debt when someone does you a favor?

yes, very much...!

can be stressing for both parts but i just can't turn it off...

btw, another "poor man's problem"...

have a nice summer!
ungua

p.s.: extremly cool signature, just saw it now!