topic Re: Epson 1520 in Installation & update

Epson 1520

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 18:29:06 GMT

Folks, I am trying to make use of a dinosaur - my Epson 1520. I am connecting via HP jetdirect 500x to Mac OS10.4.3. My laser printers are connected this way and work fine. I suspect the only printers that will work under these conditions are post script. Any ideas?

TIA

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 09:43:37 GMT

The 1520 was a troublesome machine (particularly with Macs) even when it was new (in 1997? - or am I thinking of the 1500?). I think you can expect more than the usual frustration in your efforts. To work with OSX I expect that you need GimpPrint and GhostScript (both open source free downloads I believe). Check these out. If they don't include drivers for the 1520 you are probably SOL. If they do you should be in good shape.

Re: Epson 1520

Thomas Holm — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 13:27:54 GMT

If you want to print in OSX you need gimp-print which you can find here: http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3

Epson has only MacOS9/Classic drivers for the 1520. howerver, they are better than the gimp-print drivers - faster and better control over quality options.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=14435&prodoid=10201&infoType=Downloads&platform=Macintosh

One way to work around this is to create PDFs from Archicad / PM in OSX and then print in Classic using a Classic-compatible (pre 6 I think) variant of Acrobat Reader (Get Info in Finder, select Open in Classic). Those are still available from www.adobe.com.

i'm not sure if these drivers handle the jetdirect network option. You might have to connect the printer's serial port directly to a host computer using an USB-to-serial adapter. (If I remember correctly, Kensington's "mac-compatible" adapter doesn't work in OSX, but Belkin's and other cheap PC-specific no-name-brands do!)

I may be wrong, but I believe that the only way to get this printer to work over the network is to install Epson's old software Postscript (Classic-only, but I don't think it's available anymore) on a host running Classic.

Then, it might work to share the printer using the system's Printer Sharing option. I did this with a stylus Photo EX. Very slow, cumbersome and error-prone solution.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:33:15 GMT

Hi,

The Epson 1520 can be fitted with an Epson Ethernet card. Details -

http://esupport.epson-europe.com/ViewFAQ.aspx?lng=en-GB&ID=KB020022EN&data=E6A4A83F081B56C823D1831C8BD30B5A1CD4FA5AA28838D90372D3C0D5E0CAD4

To drive the printer in OSX, Epson recommend using CUPs. Details -

http://esupport.epson-europe.com/ViewFAQ.aspx?lng=en-GB&ID=KB020176EN&data=E6A4A83F081B56C823D1831C8BD30B5A1CD4FA5AA28838D90372D3C0D5E0CAD4

However, I have not tried this!

Hope this is of interest.

Regards,

Nick

Re: Epson 1520

Thomas Holm — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 10:58:50 GMT

The native print system of OSX 10.4 (and 10.3) is CUPS. If the driver and ppd file is CUPS-compatible (and compatible with the Mac's processor), it should work to install the printer as you'd install any standard printer in OSX. No need to use low-level Terminal CUPS commands. The print setup of OSX is just a GUI (graphical user interface) to CUPS.

GIMP-print at http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3 (see previous posts) is a bunch of third-party printer drivers for CUPS, to use where no manufacturer's drivers are available. The 1520 is listed as "Fully supported" in the printer list. However, I'm not sure wether this means printing over a network is supported, see above. Direct connection (USB/serial etc) might be better. The printer sharing of OSX might work anyway.

There are other packages too. You'll find a lot of info at
http://www.linuxprinting.org/
where some OSX-compatible drivers beside GIMP-print reside at
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 23:19:52 GMT

I've used my Epson 1520 as a daily driver for about 9 years now, and it's still running strong! Although I have to babysit it; it doesn't like to load paper sometimes...

Since Mac OSX 10.3, I haven't had to install any additional drivers. Plug and play with an Epson USB adapter. It works on our network using print sharing.

Re: Epson 1520

Dwight — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 04:47:09 GMT

Clean the main feed roller with rubbing alcohol to make it puckery again.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 13:23:48 GMT

Both the 1500 series and the 3000 series Epson printers need their rollers cleaned and treated. We have found Rubber rejuvenator to be the ticket. It is made by Techspray. You can find them at

http://www.techspray.com

This has solved most of our paper handling problems. The only other thing that you need to do is keep your paper very, very, very dry. Any moisture in the paper will cause missloading.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 12:58:52 GMT

Hi,

I have an Epson 1520 printing via a Axis print server using Appletalk (non postcript) from OSX and OS9 classic on a OSX 10.3.9 G5

From OSX using Gimp print driver

From OS9 using the Epson OS9 Classic AT (Appletalk) driver.

So, Postscript not required.

Regards,

Nick

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 08:47:49 GMT

Can't help, sorry. I've had almost nothing but trouble from my 1520 since I bought it eons ago, and it's headed for the great recycling heap in the sky this week.

The problem, now, of course, is trying to even start to figure out what to replace it with. Pretty much anything would be an improvement, since I can't remember the last time I was actually able to get a print that wasn't pure gibberish out of the 1520. I have an $89 HP that beats the pants off of anything the 1520 ever could produce, even when it was still working. Its main failing, of course, is it won't print bigger than 8.5x11.

Wendy

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:12:43 GMT

Take a look at the HP Designjet Printer series. We have a 90r in the office here as a demo unit. Prints up to 18x24 via sheet or roll feed. Awesome color, decent B/W speed, and great value.

If you'd like a 24x36 printer, then get the 110. I recently ordered one of these for a client and he loves it.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:15:01 GMT

Thanks, Matthew. I've done some further research since I first posted that question, and I've discovered that while the HPs do look good indeed, they are unfortunately oceanic in size - far, far, far bigger than the space I have available, so it looks like I'll end up with another Epson of some sort just because it will fit on my desk. I'll just have to sacrifice the bigger print size <sigh>.

Wendy

Re: Epson 1520

Dave Jochum — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:28:21 GMT

Probably not much help now, but I've used a 1520 via ethernet since they first came out without problems--first under OS, what, 8? then 9, now 10. It works perfectly with GimpPrint. Rubber Rejuvenator is the only maintenance I give it. It's been a great workhorse. Not sure why you would have so much trouble, Wendy.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:55:14 GMT

Got me, Dave. Maybe I just got a bad one. I'm glad yours has worked well for you.

Wendy

Re: Epson 1520

Dave Jochum — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:28:56 GMT

Sorry--I didn't mean to "get" anyone. There was just a lot of confusion about compatibility of the 1520 in this thread, and for others I just wanted to relate my experience. It can be next to impossible sometimes to troubleshoot hardware/software issues--there seems to be no rhyme or reason why something works for one person and not another. There are just so many variables. I'm going through h*ll right now with an HD TV that has a lot of folks baffled--and me irritated! Anyway, good luck with your next printer.

Re: Epson 1520

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 08:51:43 GMT

Wendy wrote:
Thanks, Matthew. I've done some further research since I first posted that question, and I've discovered that while the HPs do look good indeed, they are unfortunately oceanic in size - far, far, far bigger than the space I have available, so it looks like I'll end up with another Epson of some sort just because it will fit on my desk. I'll just have to sacrifice the bigger print size <sigh>.

Wendy

I assume you are aware of the new Epson 3800. It doesn't do D-size but al least it goes up to 17" wide (A2 or Engineer's C-size).

The only Epson I've ever had any real problems with was the 1500 (I never used the 1520). I have used many others very happily.

A little O.T...

My favorite letter size printer lately is my Canon MP780 multifunction machine. Not only does it print, fax and scan very well; it also has two paper feeds, does excellent color copies, automatic duplex printing, and prints on CDs/DVDs. All for $250. (And it handles paper that would choke my HP 1220c.) It is truly amazing.