Epson r300 ink status monitor will not work don't know when int is running low. have not founr solution from either epson or microsoft. Printer was fine until i had a forced ch ange to vista. Everything else on the printer is working fine

What OS are you running? Did you install the full Epson software before you connected the printer to the computer? Is the Epson Status Monitor running on the computer?

If you didn't install the full software or installed a generic Windows driver, uninstall the printer. Then disconnect the data cable. Reboot the computer and go to http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1326618163.1304563464@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfkadfdhhmeimgcfngcfkmdhjidfmh.0&cookies=no&oid=58606&prodoid=56291067&infoType=Downloads&platform=All . Download and install the appropriate file from the section marked Drivers and Utilities Combo Package.

If you have a Windows OS, if the Epson Status Monitor is running, the icon for it should be present in the lower right hand corner of the screen (status/Notification area). In Windows 7, it may not be immediately visible, click on the double arrow symbol. Then double-click on the Epson Status Monitor icon and the status window should appear with the ink level indicators in the bottom half of the window.

For a Mac OS, open the Applications folder, then select Epson Printer Utility. Select your printer and click OK. Then select the Epson Status Monitor to get the ink level window.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(this is generally faster than using the No Ink spot inside the printer. However the ink levels are approximate.)

Your Printer's Status Monitor tells you when the ink in your ink cartridge is about to run out. However, the Status Monitor is not always accurate. If, you turn off the status monitor, the only sign that will tell you that your ink has run out is that if your printout has white streaks or lacks the other colors.

I found this on the Epson Web Site. If you find this information helpful, pls rate me.
You can download the Reference Guide with pictures and all.

http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/r220__/r220__rf/index.htm

Windows
You can check the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridges using EPSON Status Monitor 3 or the progress meter. Refer to the sections below for details.
EPSON Status Monitor 3 Access EPSON Status Monitor 3 in one of the following ways.

• Double-click the printer-shaped shortcut icon on your Windows taskbar. To add a shortcut icon to the taskbar, see the section below.
  See Monitoring Preferences

• Open the printer software, click the Maintenance tab, then click the EPSON Status Monitor 3 button.

A graphic displays the remaining amount of ink.

If any of the ink cartridges installed in the printer is broken, incompatible with the printer model, or improperly installed, EPSON Status Monitor 3 will not display an accurate calculation for the amount of ink remaining in any of the ink cartridges. Be sure to replace or reinstall any ink cartridge indicated by EPSON Status Monitor 3.

Pls rate me. Thanks and Good Luck.....

This link.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?oid=26322&prodoid=37368458&infoType=Downloads&platform=Windows

will lead you to the site to download this driver. Printer Driver v5.5bAs

It says it has the ink monitoring program in it.

Best bet is to uninstall the printer from your computer and reinstall it with this new printer driver.

I have the same problem with my stylus C88. Epson never did provide Vista drivers so I have never found a way to get the Epson software to work with Vista. The print driver does work so you will be able to print but you'll have to clean the nozzle manually by pushing the button on the printer rather than using the Epson Monitor. Sorry.

Download the status monitor from the Epson web site if it is available for Vista. If you have 64bit Vista chances are it is not available.

For the Epson R200 here's how I got it to work with Vista Business 32bit ...

#1 Disable AV software

#2 Open the CD for the printer software

#3 Find the launcher, right-click it and select Properties, then select the Compatibility tab

#4 Choose XP SP2 compatibility mode and Run As Administrator, then click OK.

#5 Double-click the launcher to start the program, select Custom then then choose only the Driver and Status Monitor applications.

Worked for me, hopefully will do too for you. :o)

In reply to SOLUTION #1 by Basti i have vista and have forced it to work with this status monitor 3 software i will post how i did it now.

First i downloaded the status 3 monitor so that i could fiddle with the programs and files inside from this link here

http://driverscollection.com/?file_id=24410

Ill skip right to the part on how to fix it you extract the file you just downloaded open the folder it went to right click E_SIINS2 with a bandaid icon goto properties then click compatibility at the top of the new window that opened check the box run this program in compatibility mode for: then in the drop down box below that windows xp (service pack 2) also i checked at the bottom run this program as an administrator and boom it worked i can see my ink and everything.

I ve been having the same problem with my Epson 1290 and Windows Vista! It works fine but I cant get the status info on my ink levels. Its so annoying when u run out of ink the LED on the printer goes on but you dont know whick cartridges to replace! I hope Microsoft and Epson get this sorted out because it so annoying and I end up spending more money on inks than needed! I read someone had similar problem, installed the 1290 M driver (via Vistas set drivers) but it didnt work for me!

any other suggestions?

If you're getting gaps in the nozzle checks and cleaning isn't resolving it, it is possible a nozzle is blocked with dried ink. You can get cleaning cartridges which contain a solvent that disolves the clogged ink.
I'll not suggest any brands, but talk to your local friendly computer shop, or do a search. Something like epson r300 cleaning cartridge should work.
When you say the status monitor is greyed out, is this on the computer or the printer? And I'd hope you're not using HP inks... It's an Epson printer ;) But on a serious note, I've not yet had any problems using non-Epson inks.

HTH,
Neil