On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
<fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my daughter's
> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I finally
> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It still
> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got it to
> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do cleaning
> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm not
> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still have
> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any ideas?
> Thanks in advance.

I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
became tired of the cloggs.

Al wrote:
> On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
> <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
>> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my daughter's
>> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I finally
>> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It still
>> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got it to
>> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do cleaning
>> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm not
>> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still have
>> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any ideas?
>> Thanks in advance.
>
> I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
> here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
> may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
> have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
> became tired of the cloggs.

The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter cable.

But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.

TJ
--
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

J.R.R.Tolkien

TJ <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Al wrote:
> > On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
> > <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
> >> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my daughter's
> >> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I finally
> >> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It still
> >> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got it to
> >> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do cleaning
> >> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm not
> >> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still have
> >> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any ideas?
> >> Thanks in advance.
> >
> > I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
> > here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
> > may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
> > have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
> > became tired of the cloggs.
>
> The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
> printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
> there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
> a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter cable.
>
> But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
> those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
> spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
> few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
> completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
> something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.
>
> TJ

That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that would
be the end of its life.

"Dale Allen" <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote in message
news:4ade6cf2$0$1592$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> TJ <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>> Al wrote:
>>> > On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
>>> > <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
>>> >> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my
>>> >> daughter's
>>> >> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I
>>> >> finally
>>> >> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It
>>> >> still
>>> >> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got
>>> >> it to
>>> >> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do
>>> >> cleaning
>>> >> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm
>>> >> not
>>> >> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still
>>> >> have
>>> >> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any
>>> >> ideas?
>>> >> Thanks in advance.
>>> >
>>> > I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
>>> > here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
>>> > may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
>>> > have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
>>> > became tired of the cloggs.
>>>
>>> The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
>>> printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
>>> there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
>>> a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter
>>> cable.
>>>
>>> But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
>>> those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
>>> spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
>>> few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
>>> completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
>>> something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.
>>>
>>> TJ
>>
>> That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
>> If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that
>> would
>> be the end of its life.
>
> Windows correctly identifies and installs the driver for the printer,
> otherwise I couldn't do cleaning cycles. The printer actually prints 4
> lines of text as well as the Windows color logo on the test page before
> stopping so it's not the cartridges plugging. I tried 2 different
> Centronics cables that work on another printer (a similar vintage Epson
> Photo 700) before trying the USB converter cable. What baffles me is that
> it repeatedly works as it should up to the point it just stops in the
> middle of the page.

Hi,

Good that you tried a couple different cables to verify that you've got
communication. One last thing that you could try is the item below. I've
copied it off the directions given to me from the tech I called at Epson
when a Stylus 740 was misbehaving probably ten years ago. It applies for the
600 as well. The EPROM reset is to default all the electronics back to
original settings on the printer.
If it doesn't work my thoughts are that something has gone amiss in one
of the CBs.

Good luck,

To perform a Master EPROM Reset:

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Disconnect the cable that connects from the computer to the printer.
3. With the printer turned off, hold down both the Paper and the Cleaning
Buttons at the same time.
4. Continue to hold the buttons and turn the printer on.
5. When the Paper Light begins to flash, release both the Paper and
Cleaning Buttons.
6. Immediately press the Paper Button once (All the lights will flash and
the printer will begin to charge).
7. When the Power light becomes steady, print.


--
Jan Alter
(E-Mail Removed)

Joel stated:

That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that
would be the end of its life.


Joel,

As much as you may not like Epson printers, your statement is very
rarely accurate in regard to the printer being at the end of its life
just because it has sat a while. The 600 uses dye inks which are water
soluble. Although it may take some time for the head ink to dissolve,
it can be done, and I have done so many times on older neglected
printers, using home made cleaning cartridges.

To the original poster, if you email me, I will send you a free cleaning
manual for your printer with lots of suggestions to get it printing
properly again. The manual does not deal with driver or connection
issues, if that is the problem, but it does deal with head clogs and
other related problems.

If you would like a copy, email me at the address below and indicate the
type of Epson printer you have and the problem.

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

Joel wrote:
> TJ <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Al wrote:
>>> On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
>>> <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
>>>> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my daughter's
>>>> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I finally
>>>> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It still
>>>> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got it to
>>>> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do cleaning
>>>> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm not
>>>> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still have
>>>> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any ideas?
>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>> I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
>>> here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
>>> may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
>>> have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
>>> became tired of the cloggs.
>> The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
>> printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
>> there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
>> a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter cable.
>>
>> But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
>> those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
>> spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
>> few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
>> completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
>> something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.
>>
>> TJ
>
> That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
> If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that would
> be the end of its life.

I believe the Stylus 600 allows you to do a print test without it being
connected to the computer, through some front panel presses, This
usually is shown in the manual.

It is under "self-testing". You remove the printer from the computer
cable, with both the printer and computer off.

The instructions I have are for the 800/850 but probably are similar for
the 600.

Hold down the load/eject button to do a 360 dpi test, or the black
cleaning button (for a 180 dpi test) and press the power button, Hold
down the buttons until the power light starts to flash, then release them.

Make sure there are several pages of paper in the printer.

The first page will get only one line on the top and bottom of the page,
the next page will print a nozzle test, and then the third page will
begin printing all the internal fonts in different colors. It will
continue to do this until the printer is turned off using the ON/off switch.

If this works, the printer is "probably" fine and the problem is a
computer, software or communication problem. If this doesn't work
properly, it is probably a firmware problem in the printer.

Art

If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

Dale Allen wrote:
>
>
> "Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> TJ <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>> Al wrote:
>>> > On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
>>> > <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
>>> >> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my >>
>>> daughter's
>>> >> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend
>>> I >> finally
>>> >> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It
>>> >> still
>>> >> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I
>>> got >> it to
>>> >> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do >>
>>> cleaning
>>> >> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops.
>>> I'm >> not
>>> >> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still
>>> have
>>> >> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any
>>> ideas?
>>> >> Thanks in advance.
>>> >
>>> > I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
>>> > here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
>>> > may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
>>> > have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
>>> > became tired of the cloggs.
>>>
>>> The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
>>> printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
>>> there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
>>> a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter
>>> cable.
>>>
>>> But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
>>> those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
>>> spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
>>> few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
>>> completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
>>> something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.
>>>
>>> TJ
>>
>> That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
>> If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that
>> would
>> be the end of its life.
>
> Windows correctly identifies and installs the driver for the printer,
> otherwise I couldn't do cleaning cycles. The printer actually prints 4
> lines of text as well as the Windows color logo on the test page before
> stopping so it's not the cartridges plugging. I tried 2 different
> Centronics cables that work on another printer (a similar vintage Epson
> Photo 700) before trying the USB converter cable. What baffles me is
> that it repeatedly works as it should up to the point it just stops in
> the middle of the page.

"Dale Allen" <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:

> "Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > TJ <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> Al wrote:
> >> > On Oct 18, 7:31 pm, "Dale Allen"
> >> > <fokker671@don't.send.me.spam1.excite.com> wrote:
> >> >> I have an old Epson Stylus 600 printer that was hooked up to my
> >> >> daughter's
> >> >> computer. This spring it suddenly just quit printing. This weekend I
> >> >> finally
> >> >> got around to hooking it up to another computer to diagnose it. It
> >> >> still
> >> >> will not print using the regular Centronics parallel cable but I got
> >> >> it to
> >> >> be recognized using a USB to parallel cable. I can get it to do
> >> >> cleaning
> >> >> cycles and about 4 lines of a printer test page before it stops. I'm
> >> >> not
> >> >> sure what to make of this. I know it's an old printer but I still have
> >> >> several cartridges for it that I'd like to use if possible. Any ideas?
> >> >> Thanks in advance.
> >> >
> >> > I think it's just an ink problem. The heads are clogged. Many posts
> >> > here have addressed that problem. By the way, those old carts you have
> >> > may be dried up even if still apparently wrapped tightly in foil. I
> >> > have pitched several 600 and 650s that I was given when the owners
> >> > became tired of the cloggs.
> >>
> >> The OP doesn't specifically say whether "quit printing" means that the
> >> printer tries to print and nothing gets to the page, or if it just sits
> >> there. However, his attempts at diagnosis imply it just sits there with
> >> a Centronics cable, but will at least communicate using the converter
> >> cable.
> >>
> >> But you're right about those carts, and the printer. I bought one of
> >> those at a garage sale for $5 several years ago. Most foolish $5 I ever
> >> spent. It was clogged, but I managed to get it open and working. For a
> >> few days. In the year that I stubbornly used it, I never did get it
> >> completely unclogged, and it would fully clog if I didn't print
> >> something at least once a week. Eventually, I went back to HP.
> >>
> >> TJ
> >
> > That will do it! cuz Epson printers have print-head built into printer.
> > If you don't print for long period of time the ink will dried and that
> > would
> > be the end of its life.
>
> Windows correctly identifies and installs the driver for the printer,
> otherwise I couldn't do cleaning cycles. The printer actually prints 4 lines
> of text as well as the Windows color logo on the test page before stopping
> so it's not the cartridges plugging. I tried 2 different Centronics cables
> that work on another printer (a similar vintage Epson Photo 700) before
> trying the USB converter cable. What baffles me is that it repeatedly works
> as it should up to the point it just stops in the middle of the page.

I don't know about your specific model, but I am 110% sure that some model
of Epson printer allows you to do Cleaning Cycle without computer. Some
model even lets you do cleaning cycle of Color or Black cartrdige and of
course without computer.

OK, we have the Head Cleaning without computer taken care of, now we move
to the real problem, and we should do one-step-at-a-time

- Since you have the printer recognized by Windows and printed some text.
This means the DRIVER is installed and working fine.

- Why it stop right in the middle of printing is where you should pay more
attention. And we try to go step-by-step

- If the USB cable is OK then it could be the CONNECTION. If I have
another computer then I would try it on other system to make sure the
cable is ok.

- If you don't have another computer to test, and you know for sure that
the USB cable is OK. Then I would pay some attention to the CONNECTION
of either the computer (I would try different USB port, and directly from
the momboard is usually a good one).

a. If it prints fine then you know the connector is bad

b. If it still have the problem then pay attention to the USB connector
of the PRINTER

- OK, after you have tried all USB tricks and it still don't work, then I
would say the last trick is to connect to the Parallel Port to give it a
try. And make sure to have a correct Parallel Cable too else it won't
work. Or the Printer Cable may have (1) few Twisted wires (2) Straight
Wires (usually use for extending the length or through some BOX).

I re-read and read you mention you tried the Parallel Cable and still
have problem. Now, the only thing I can think of is the Printer Spool
(something not right with the system?)

BTW, we have so many different models here for me to remember which one
has the problem. But to me, if it's too much problem and since the printer
is so cheap these days, I would toss away to buy a newer one.

and Good luck!

"Ato_Zee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> On 26-Oct-2009, Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > > Windows correctly identifies and installs the driver for the printer,
> > > otherwise I couldn't do cleaning cycles. The printer actually prints 4
> > > lines
> > > of text as well as the Windows color logo on the test page before
> > > stopping
> > > so it's not the cartridges plugging.
>
> Have had this problem, not sure if it will fix it,
> but somewhere in printer properties you can
> choose spool, or print straight to printer
> (which locks everything up until it has sent
> everything). Printing straight to printer fixed
> it for me.
> Also try to print a long text file from Notepad.

So it sounds like there may be somethind wrong with the system. And in
your case I guess it could be that the system doesn't have enough disk space
to hold the data. Or if the system doesn't have enough real memory then
Windows will convert and use dish space to story the temporary data.

"Ato_Zee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> On 30-Oct-2009, Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > And in
> > your case I guess it could be that the system doesn't have enough disk
> > space
> > to hold the data. Or if the system doesn't have enough real memory then
> > Windows will convert and use dish space to story the temporary data.
>
> Plenty of memory 4GB in the system, and Intel Extreme processor
> has large on chip cache, also a fixed size large pagefile.
> Didn't dig in depth why it only printed first part of page because
> print direct to printer, instead of spool, fixed it.
> My guess was that it was a handshake problem.
> First part of page sent to printer, send me some more
> wasn't being actioned, result top bit of page only.

Very possible.

"SammyJankis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

> Hello, i'm having the same problem on my epson stylus 600. Whenever I
> try and print, a blank page comes out and the cartridge is full. any
> help will be much appreciated

Have you attempted to clean the printhead nozzles?
Advice can be got by email from e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org
The Stylus 600 was marketed 15 years ago and no one builds
inkjets to last so long.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)