I currently have Windows Vista installed for testing purposes using a dual boot system to see if I can safely switch over to it. The main reason I want to switch over to Vista is its support for much larger RAM sizes. I have another 2GB of RAM sat here just waiting to go back into my PC and be gobbled up by PS & Lightroom
I have been testing Vista for about 2 months now and everything seems to work flawlessly except for my Epson 4000/2100 print drivers. In fact, to be more specific, the existing drivers seem to work fine but the Epson Status Monitor 3 that allows bi-directional communication with the printer fails to install which prevents monitoring of ink levels and the use of various tools.
Epson have been very quiet about Vista drivers and are only just acknowledging that some of their existing Large Format printer drivers are Vista compatible. No official word on the 4000 yet but a FAQ (see below) on Epson.com indicates the current state of drivers. Surprisingly it also states
"A Windows Vista-compatible version of Epson Status Monitor 3 will be available at a later date." but gives no time frame at all
So I was wondering if anyone had any more news / inside info about being able to use our printers in Windows Vista with a new version of the Epson Status Monitor?
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Edit: Can't link to the Epson FAQ as the link expires so here is an exert:
To see the full FAQ
go here, click on "Windows Vista Compatibility" on the right then scroll down to "Wide Format Printers" and click on the FAQ link below the table.
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Q: Is my Epson Stylus Pro printer supported in Windows Vista?
A. The drivers on the printer CD that came with your printer will not work with Windows Vista. However, the latest Windows XP or XP 64-bit Edition printer drivers for the following printers are compatible and are now available. Click on your printer below to download the driver:
Stylus Pro 3800
Stylus Pro 3800 Professional Edition*
Stylus Pro 4800*
Stylus Pro 4800 Professional Edition*
Stylus Pro 7800*
Stylus Pro 7800 Professional Edition*
Stylus Pro 9800*
Stylus Pro 9800 Professional Edition*
* A Windows Vista-compatible version of Epson Status Monitor 3 will be available at a later date.
Drivers will be posted in mid February, 2007, for the following printers. We will link you to them as they become available.
Stylus Pro 4000
Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition
Stylus Pro 7600 Photographic Dye Ink
Stylus Pro 7600 UltraChrome Ink
Stylus Pro 9600 Photographic Dye Ink
Stylus Pro 9600 UltraChrome Ink
Stylus Pro 10600 UltraChrome Ink
Epson will not release Window Vista compatible drivers for the following printers:
Stylus Pro 5000
Stylus Pro 5500
Stylus Pro 7000
Stylus Pro 7500
Stylus Pro 9000
Stylus Pro 9500
Stylus Pro 10000 Archival Ink
Stylus Pro 10000 Photographic Dye Ink
Stylus Pro 10600 Archival Ink
Stylus Pro 10600 Photographic Dye Ink
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