Waste Ink – lings

As with Vista, Windows 7 will not run most adjustment utilities without some help.

This approach is currently untested as my Win7 machine is currently down for repair but hopefully it will prove useful and work…

Compatibility Mode – Windows 7

Note: In most cases you will want to run the program in Windows XP SP2 or SP3 mode

If anyone manages to successfully use their adjustment utility/utilities on Windows 7 using this or another approach please do post a comment with any tips

I will update this guide once my own Win7 machine is back up and working

Over the past few months there’s been a slow increase in the number of complaints and gripes about the fact that the only way to reset many of the newest printer models is to purchase the official adjustment utilities from stores like 2manuals.com or via one or two sites based in South America

The biggest complaint has been in relation to the way that the software has been locked down to specific computer hardware and a few people have hit problems when one or more components failed and had to be replaced. Usually this means the reset utility will no longer work…

I had an object lesson and reminder about software security today when someone posted up a series of links to adjustment utilities for printers that a lot of you are looking for (ie: TX100, TX200, TX400, T10).

A post on the SSCLG forum (the authors of the SSC utility) promised a number of “hacked” utilities that bypass the security built into the newer adjustment utilities for printers like the RX690 or T30.

Two new (one updated) modification guides have now gone on-line, on the OctoInkjet site. So, if you have any of the printers below you can now get them fitted with an external waste kit and reset them too

• Epson Stylus R240 – R250 (possibly R340 – R350 too)
• C64 – C68/D68 (same as below)
• C84 – C88/D88
• RX680, RX685, RX690

There’s still some resources pending including the RX680, RX685, RX690, and the R1900 so those will go online sometime next week, once I’ve resolved a few issues with image quality

Update: You may have noted I managed to sneak in the RX680-RX690 guide tonight too… The man is just smokin’ hot today I tell ya

I’ve been wanting to post this message for a VERY long time now so it’s a real sense of achievement and relief that I can unveil a new tool for locating detailed mod, waste ink and reset utility information for most (if not all) Epson Inkjet printers.

The Tool

This link will take you to the tool directly
QuickFind Tool

What Does it Provide

The new tool allows you to locate the key “waste ink” information relating to your printer, specifically:

1. Instructions for modifying your printer (if they exist)
2. A waste counter reset utility (if available)
3. Compatible waste kits
4. Even the sales zone the printer came from

The tool can now be found on its own page complete with introductory information and a guide on how to interpret the information it provides.

Unfortunately there’s no easy way to break this but the simple fact is that, at present, there are no reset utilities available that will work on a Mac or Unix/Linux/*nix operating system.

Epson Adjustment Utilities are notoriously complicated and about as user friendly as the small print for a pre-nup’. Well, let’s be honest they are not intended to be used by untrained end-users but some of the instructions provided with these things have left a LOT to be desired.

Until now!

I’ve realised that support requests relating to these utilities are increasing so I’ve finally managed to put together a screencast tutorial to fill the void.

The new tutorial shows a detailed run through of the whole process including date changing, clearing a few tell tale folders/registry entries, etc… I’ve even included a few “DO NOT!” warnings too…

Feel free to tweet, email or otherwise spread this link: http://bit.ly/Ko6Dm remembering to credit wasteink.co.uk please!… and if you have any feedback please let me know.. but no comments about the “Erms“, and “Ah’s“… This voice over stuff is not that easy!

AdjUtil TX200

Not too long ago I wrote an article regarding reset utilities and as part of that I mentioned a potential new “for a price” source of dubious origin.

Well, while it’s perhaps a welcome development, it seems that 2manuals.com have managed to broker some kind of deal with this source as they are now offering the same type of deal except by Credit card

Waste ink kits and modifications will help you keep your printer running more smoothly but unless you have a reset utility to deal with the waste-ink or protection counter your printer will remain a brick.

With this in mind I have been spending an inordinate amount of time looking for reset utilities, especially for the newer Epson inkjet printers. Some of the information I’ve developed is disheartening, while other intel’ causes outright concern, so it seemed appropriate to provide an update on what’s out there.

The trick to using Epsons adjustment utilities in Vista is apparently incredibly simple so just to share the solution.

1. Download the Adjustment utility as you would normally and set your systems date/time as required by the instructions
2. Right click on the “Adjprog” and select “Properties“
3. Choose “compatibility” and select “windows xp“.
4. Find and select “Run as Administrator” (if you have this option)
5. Click OK at the bottom

You then follow the instructions as normal to complete the waste counter reset.
Ref: http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/printer/57513#7