Epson TM on Windows XP with serial

Dec 03, 2008

- I am the administrator.

Dec 03, 2008

- I'm working with XP sp 2.
printer model tm-u295, which is the serial version.

Self-test prints the following info:

Baud rate : 9600 bps
Data bits : 8 bits
Parity : none
Stop bit : 1 bit or more
Handshaking : XON/XOFF
Receive error : ignored
Buffer capacity : 512 bytes

I've tried several different combinations with the DIP switches with no luck. Everything seems to be coordinated properly between the device and the port configs.

I'm not sure if there are any specific configurations I should consider for the serial model, since the manual(I've downloaded several) refers to both the serial and parallel versions of the printer.

Dec 03, 2008

- I've followed the windows troubleshooting instructions and tried printing from the command prompt but get the following error: Access is denied

Dec 03, 2008

- With driver version 3.02, the printer's status is "ready", even when the printer is not connected.

Dec 03, 2008

- Question: When I configure the settings of the printer using the DIP switches, I then configure the settings in the appropriate port through the "Printers and Faxes" window....

Should the configuration be identical for COM1 through the device manager window as well or is that irrelevant?

Dec 03, 2008

- Thanks for your response.

However I don't fully understand your suggestions.
The printer didn't come with a cable and its not listed in the box contents section of the manual. I bought a null-modem cable as well as a serial cable(rs232 capable). I've tried both.

I also downloaded epson drivers(Advanced Printer Driver Ver.2-4) for windows xp, which support my specific printer model.

I'm positive I can connect this to my XP computer based on research and varying results.

Why would I have to allow the USB to connect to the printer? I'm not familiar with Autoexec.bat. Do you mean an actual usb port?

Dec 04, 2008

- Thanks for your help.
I'm finding out how rare this cable is.
Do you have any advice on where to find detailed instructions on altering one of my commercial cables?

Please look at the screenshots I've attached. I downloaded this driver off the Epson-pos site. Are you 100% sure it won't work?

Dec 04, 2008

- I have a lot of serial cables lying around. Some seem easier to take apart and put back together than others. Do I have to start with a 9pin-25pin cable or can I add a 25pin end to a 9-9pin cable?

Dec 05, 2008

- If I start with a 25-pin cable, what do I do with the 16 other wires that don't connect to the 9-pin end? Do I just leave them? Do you know a good site with intructions to these things? Thanks again

Dec 05, 2008

- Is there anything I should verify about my serial port before going through this trouble? And is there absolutely no chance I could order this cable from somewhere?

Dec 07, 2008

- Should I connect the #8 and 22 pins to #1 and 9 respectively? They don't connect on the diagram and I've found diagrams where those pins aren't mentioned.
Thanks again for your help.

Dec 11, 2008

- I soldered the cable with the correct connections. Tested the conductivity of the corresponding pins and everything seems OK with the cable. It really didn't take very long and cost about 10$ total as I found a great electronics shop.

Thanks for that.

But now I'm stuck with the driver not working properly.
I'm running XP professional with sp2.
Version 3.x of the TM driver I downloaded from epson says mine is an appropriate environment. After I install the driver and before pluging in the printer, the printer's status is "ready". I don't think that's normal.

I plug in the printer anyways(after reboot), and try a test print but get an error. I try to test print from the properties window of the printer, and the "program" stops responding. I've tried every dip-switch configuration possible( with matching port configuration) but no difference. The self-test on the printer works fine.

You've been very patient thus far. Thanks
What should I do now, other than throw the printer in a snowbank?

Dec 11, 2008

- CORRECTION

driver V 4.02(not 3)

Dec 11, 2008

- It finally worked.
I inversed the numbers on one of the cable ends by accident.
The pinout instructions I was following were a little vague.
The soldering itself really wasn't very difficult and I'm happy I tried it.

It works perfectly with driver V4.02 on my system.
Thank you so much for your trouble.