Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

"Configuring Epson Stylus Color 500 to work with Plug-N-Scan Scanners"

Description:

Scanning works correctly, but user is unable to print from any program when the printer is attached through the scanners pass through parallel port.

Solutions:

Option 1: Use Bi-Directional A-B Switch Box
               Customers who wish to purchase manual A-B switch boxes to switch back and forth between                                                  .              scanner and printer should be sure to purchase bi-directional switch boxes. Purchasing a low-cost .              unit which does not support bi-directional switching will not allow the printer or scanner to work      .              correctly.

Option 2: Only Plug the Scanner in when Scanning
               Customers who are not going to be scanning often also can switch the cable by hand to select      .    .              either the Mustek scanner or Epson Printer.

Option 3: Install A Non Bi-Directional Epson Printer Driver In Lieu Of The Stylus Color 500 Driver
              The best solution for using an Epson Stylus Color 500 Printer with a Mustek Plug-N-Scan
              Scanner is to replace the Stylus Color 500 driver with the Stylus Color ESC/P 2 driver.
              The printer utility which informs you when ink cartridges are empty will no longer operate.
              However, these are easy to determine by looking at the printout. Note: Substituting the
              Stylus Color ESC/P 2 driver does not affect print speed or print quality.

             Steps to Substitute the Stylus Color ESC/P 2 driver

                 1. Select START and choose SETTINGS

                 2. Click on PRINTERS

                 3. Double click ADD PRINTER

                 4. When the Add Printer Wizard appears, choose NEXT

                5. If you are prompted to choose Local Printer or Network Printer, choose LOCAL
                    and click NEXT (This only happens if your computer is on a network)

               6. From the Manufacturers list, choose Epson

               7. From the Printers list, choose Epson Stylus ESC/P 2 then click next

               8. From the list, choose the port your printer is connected to (normally LPT1) then click NEXT

               9. When asked if you wish to use this printer as the default, select YES and click next

               10. Choose whether to print a test page or not and click FINISH

                Your Epson printer will print fine now, though you will no longer be using the Epson Print Spooler