OT: Problems printing DVD's on Epson R200. SOLUTION

Liam_Vegas wrote on 10/23/2004, 3:38 PM
[EDIT] Found solution!!!
My problem was the first R200 I bought came with version 1.10 of the CD/DVD printing software. This is what I installed. I had the problem. Took back the printer got a replacement. I did not install the software from the new CD (as the software was already installed). When I tried one-last-effort to get it working on a third machine - of course I had to install using the newer CD in the new printer. That was the critical difference. This installed version 1.20 of the software.

Panic over


I know quite a few here have the R200 printer for printing onto DVD's so I thought I would pose this question here.

I have been using an Epson 900 for printing DVD's but was having a few quality issues with it (it is nearly 2 years old) so I decided to try out the R200 as it's replacement.

Now... as someone who has printed approaching 1000 DVD's on my 900 I'm not exactly new to this game but the R200 has me (and Epson support) totally stumped.

I load the DVD into the tray exactly as described and then print from their supplied software (that I have been using with the 900 as well). The only requirement is to select the manual option - a4 paper and the CD/DVD media option. I do all that... and load the DVD into the tray as indicated (I can't believe I am doing any of this wring... it looks pretty simple).

The printer proceeds to pull the DVD tray into the printer - in and out a few times (presumeably to verify the alignment of the disc) and then it pulls the tray in finally to start printing and thinks the DVD is somewhere else completely. It starts printing as if the DVD is almost off and to the upper left of the actual place it is. This results in ink going onto the plastic tray with just a small part of the DVD actually getting printed on at all.

After calling Epson support - and getting no luck - I took back the first printer - as I thought something this basic must be a hardware problem - but the replacement does exactly the same. I installed the drivers + software onto another computer - and I get the same problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thanks
p.s. There is a clear path both in front of and behind the printer - so there are no obstructions getting in the way of the DVD tray.

Comments

MisterPat wrote on 10/23/2004, 3:47 PM
Here's a thought. Make sure that your orientation in your printer settings is set to "portrait".
Liam_Vegas wrote on 10/23/2004, 4:05 PM
Yes - set to portrait. THX :-)
JJKizak wrote on 10/23/2004, 4:25 PM
My guru buddy just bought one and it works fine. There is a new Epson driver for that model. Make sure the bottom dingus is in the correct position or it will give you a bunch of red lights. Are you using the software that came with the 200? I use the 960 without any problems. I think (not sure) my buddy said it goes in the front and comes back out the front.

JJK
nickle wrote on 10/23/2004, 4:31 PM
Sounds like it is printing to your old printer? Make sure you set it as the default printer with the correct drivers.
Liam_Vegas wrote on 10/23/2004, 4:38 PM
Yes - using the software that came with it. The same software I used with my 900.

I downloaded the latest driver from their site. It made no difference.

I have no red lights flashing...

BUT

I installed everything to a third computer... THIS time it prints OK. I am doing nothing different physically. BUT there is one minor difference I noticed in the driver setup. The print setting page has the options for Tray 1 and Tray 2 greyed out (with Tray 2 selected). On my other 2 computers this area is "accessible" and I tried selecting both options tray 1 and 2 - but it made no difference. The fact there is this slight difference between the one cmputer that works.. and the two where it does not.. means that clearly something is up with the software/setup on the other two computers.

Computers not working
Win XP Pro - SP1
Win XP Home - SP2

Computer working
Win XP Pro - SP1 Dell

Nothing jumpos out at me on the O/S side to indicate some SP1/SP2 or Xp/Home issue is intrinsically at fault.

Darned if I know what to do. I guess I'll start witjh trying to uninstall/re-install all the Eposn software / drivers on those other machines... see if I can get it to work.

Very curious.
Liam_Vegas wrote on 10/23/2004, 4:43 PM
Sounds like it is printing to your old printer?
Nope... .how would it do that? The old printer is not connected. The driver clearly says "R200". The printer I am selectiung clearly says R200.

One of the 2 PC's that I originally tried to get it to work on has never had the old printer hooked up to it. it was a clean install of this epson software/driver.

Make sure you set it as the default printer with the correct drivers.
Setting this up to be the deafult printer could be a convenience but surely NOT a requirement. Many people - have multiple printers and the default printer status should not interfere with basic operations like this.

Also... how do you suggest I configure the printer to be uising the correct drivers? I don't exacly have a loit of control over this. The system installs the drivers from the CD_ROM... This printer is listed as expected... the drivers are listed as the correct ones. Just curious what you would actually do here?
nickle wrote on 10/23/2004, 5:02 PM
You mentioned using the same software as the 900 which usually installs with the drivers and I smelled a possible conflic as if it was still set to print to the 900.

If none of that is the case, I can only ask if you used different usb cables on the one that worked, or the same cable? Other than that I have no other ideas. Correct drivers/correct software/correct settings/good cable.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/23/2004, 5:27 PM
Glad you found the problem! :)

I've got the R200. I've printed about 200 discs on it so far and it's still ticking! :)
wolfbass wrote on 10/23/2004, 6:25 PM
Do any of you have the problem where the printer doesn't pull the disc transport through? I have to give mine a little help along to make sure it feeds in every time.

Andy
B.Verlik wrote on 10/23/2004, 9:58 PM
I push mine in about a 1/2 inch further than the mark and it works fine. Sometimes when the tray starts to move, I hear the motor pulling it but the tray stops about 1/4 inch after it starts. I just give it a little push and the printer takes over and apparently readjusts everything and still works fine. It's printed every disc perfectly since I got it. (except for one, when I set the wrong dia. for a new type of disc.) I didn't install any software, except the 'Epson Print CD' portion, I just started using it right out of the box the way it came and it's worked easy and printed much better than I expected. I even started spraying the dried discs with clear acrylic enamel and it does give it a nice pro sheen that looks great.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/24/2004, 4:13 AM
i get the cd tray stopping too. I think it has something to dowit the little plastic piece at the feed end of the tray.

But, a shove solves it.
briang wrote on 10/24/2004, 4:30 AM
Wolfbass

I have the same problem. Can be very frustrating when you are very busy.

I nudge it in to help it along, but it does not always work, and I have to re-set the printer.

I get the same feeling as an earlier post that the plastic feed-in might be the problem.

BrianG
Randy Brown wrote on 10/24/2004, 7:09 AM
I get the CD tray stopping but also get the motor trying to keep pushing the tray out (once it's finished printing) until I pull the tray out. I guess it's hard to complain too much though, considering the price.
Randy
stepfour wrote on 10/24/2004, 1:23 PM
When you push the CD magazine in, try pushing the white triangle on the side of the magazine a little bit past the matching dark triangle on the printer CD tray. I see fewer misfeeds doing it that way.