Apr 03, '02 12:24:35PM • Contributed by: macmedix
I was already able to print via USB to the Epson 740, but that is of course not what we needed. We needed to continue to use the 740 as a networked printer, via the Axis 1440 ethernet print server that has worked so well for several years with Mac OS 8 & 9.
This hint might also apply to other similarly unsupported printer models that are similar to a newer, supported model.
Downside: I seem to have lost the ability to print to this printer via Mac OSX USB. Oh well. It still prints ok from Classic mode ethernet, Mac OS 9 ethernet, and Mac OSX ethernet, so I'm not complaining. (I didn't test it with Mac OS 9 USB, but that ought to still be just as it was).
Read the rest of the hint for the details...
Install the Optional printer drivers from the Mac OS 10.1 update CD. This will include the USB drivers for the Epson 740 for Mac OSX. Install the Epson 900 drivers for Mac OSX.
Navigate to /Library -> Printers -> EPSON -> SC900.plugin -> Contents -> MacOS -> SC900. Note that packages (SC900.plugin in this case) are really folders in disguise; command-click and "show Package Contents" to open. The Epson SC900 file at this location is very similar to the one the SC740 uses. We can hack it and move it into the 740 driver to enable network use for the 740.
Use HexEdit (available thru Version tracker) to do a global find/replace (in the "SC900" file above) of all ASCII "900" with "740" and save that file as "SC740". Now move it to: /Library -> Printers -> EPSON -> SC740.plugin -> Contents -> MacOS -> SC740. Check that the file permissions are set the same way as the file you're replacing. You should save a copy of the original, too, in case you need it. Reboot -- not just log out and back in, but a full reboot.
Check the Print Center for a menu with "EPSON AppleTalk" on it. Select it. Hopefully, your networked Epson 740 shows up by name, and after selecting it, works as expected.
Other Findings:
- I can make an LPR printer via IP that MAC OS X will recognize and send data to, but when it actually prints onto paper, it's a garbled mess of Postscript junk. The Epson 740 is not a PS printer. It may be possible to use this as a text printer somehow...
- After installing the driver for the Epson 900N, some new menu choices appear in the print center; notably "Epson AppleTalk"
- This info might also apply to other similarly unsupported printer models that are similar to a newer, supported model. You'll need to work with a supported printer driver that is very similar in specs to the printer you have. Same number of ink nozzles, dpi, etc. Sometimes you can get a hint by which other printers your ink cartridges also fit.
- There is another way to print to unsupported printers in Mac OSX, via GhostScript intercepting the print job.
- Your mileage may vary, whatever happens - it's not MY fault.
I first heard of this concept from a thread on the Apple discussion boards. They were using a different print server, but it seem to apply to the Axis 1440 as well.
[Editor's note: I have not tried this myself, although I do have a print server connected to our Epson C90 ... but that's for the PCs in the house.]
