Z3100-3200 PC users what OS do you use?

[Mark Lindquist]

Just curious. 

If you run a Z3100, Z3200, or Z3200ps, etc., what OS do you use?

Windows XP?  Vista?  Windows 7?  Windows 8?

[Mike Sellers]

I couldn`t get the software to install on Win8 so had to go back to an older computer running Winxp and it runs flawlessly.
Mike

[Ian99]

Z3100  Win7-64

[chez]

A couple of Z3100 running on Win7 64-bit.

[Geraldo Garcia]

Win 8.1 64bit, Win 7 64bit, Win Vista Ultimate 64bit.
Today I only use the 8.1 64 bit, but I have successfully used on the listed O.S. in the past.

[Mark Lindquist]

Z3200, Z3200ps

XP, Win 7 64bit, Win 8.1Pro 64bit

All successfully running in VMWare Virtual Machines

[Mark Lindquist]

Is this all the Z Series PC users there are?

[robertDthomas]

I have an iMac and use Mac OS X Yosemite every once in awhile using Lightroom to print on the Z3200 44".  More frequently I use Windows 8.1 running on the same iMac with Parallels and I use Qimage to do most of my printing.  I do find that the Mac software is a bit more reliable with its continuous connection (Ethernet).  The Windows/Parallels system sometimes needs to be re-connected to the ethernet.  Wish Qimage ran on Mac software or a similarly priced Mac application.

[Mark Lindquist]

I have an iMac and use Mac OS X Yosemite every once in awhile using Lightroom to print on the Z3200 44".  More frequently I use Windows 8.1 running on the same iMac with Parallels and I use Qimage to do most of my printing.  I do find that the Mac software is a bit more reliable with its continuous connection (Ethernet).  The Windows/Parallels system sometimes needs to be re-connected to the ethernet.  Wish Qimage ran on Mac software or a similarly priced Mac application.

Man, no kidding.  If Qimage ran on Macs, I would be soooo glad.  Doesn't look like it's going to happen though, unfortunately.

[Phil Indeblanc]

I will be running it , I hope soon on a Windows7 64bit machine.
I downloaded QImage, but at first glance, it looks like it doesn't print PDF files, as I didn't see any in the folders list/Preview.

Looks like I'll be looking for a RIP that can handle such and prepress files!

[namartinnz]

I convert PDF files in photoshop and then save as tif/jpg and print through Qimage. May be a little bit of effort if using PDFs all the time but I'd be lost without Qimage. Using win 7 64 bit.

Neal

[aaronchan]

I used to use XP with Q-image for printing
But by somehow, it doesn't let me to use the Color Utility as some other mentioned.
I have said good-bye to my Z3200, and jumped back to my 9880.
The Z just gave me too much problems on both software and hardware.

aaron

[Mark Lindquist]

I used to use XP with Q-image for printing
But by somehow, it doesn't let me to use the Color Utility as some other mentioned.
I have said good-bye to my Z3200, and jumped back to my 9880.
The Z just gave me too much problems on both software and hardware.

aaron

You can fix the color center issue in XP easily, Aaron.  Here's how.

Go here:

http://http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=3737543

Then choose your product by search all hp products> just put in Z3200ps and your size printer>enter
Choose OS  XP>  then go to driver and select the one for your printer - revision A or B

Look on the back of your printer on the serial number tag to find the product number.  It weill end in A or B.
Choose the coresponding driver to download, then install that driver utility on your XP machine.  Do a search for printers through the driver, let it find your printer and install.  Go to color center in HP utility and see if paper preset manager, synchronize papers is grayed out.  It should be fine, however.  Click update to synchronize, and you should be good to go.  Update HP Utility only if it is not working, from the same page as the driver download.

Hate to see you abandon your Z series printer, unless it's already gone.

Mark

[Mark Lindquist]

I will be running it , I hope soon on a Windows7 64bit machine.
I downloaded QImage, but at first glance, it looks like it doesn't print PDF files, as I didn't see any in the folders list/Preview.

Looks like I'll be looking for a RIP that can handle such and prepress files!

You can print pdfs with a Z3200ps printer.  Make sure the PS drivers are installed.

You don't need Qimage to print pdfs.

See page 46 in the user manual.

For convenuence, go to page 46 here:

http://http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www/resources/HP%20Designjet%20Z3200ps%20Manual.pdf

The totally cool thing about printing from the embedded web server is that you can print your pdf file without using an application.  Once you know your printers address, you can just type it in your browser, for example:
192.168.0.5, and the embedded web server with all the printer controls comes up.  Follow instructions on page 46 and you're good to go.  Future jobs can be repeated as well.

[aaronchan]

You can fix the color center issue in XP easily, Aaron.  Here's how.

Go here:

http://http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=3737543

Then choose your product by search all hp products> just put in Z3200ps and your size printer>enter
Choose OS  XP>  then go to driver and select the one for your printer - revision A or B

Look on the back of your printer on the serial number tag to find the product number.  It weill end in A or B.
Choose the coresponding driver to download, then install that driver utility on your XP machine.  Do a search for printers through the driver, let it find your printer and install.  Go to color center in HP utility and see if paper preset manager, synchronize papers is grayed out.  It should be fine, however.  Click update to synchronize, and you should be good to go.  Update HP Utility only if it is not working, from the same page as the driver download.

Hate to see you abandon your Z series printer, unless it's already gone.

Mark

Sorry to disappointed you but yes, it's gone already.
Not just the software, but the hardware just keeps giving me headaches.
I know the quality is good, specially B&W, it's the most beautiful print compare to my other Canon 8300 and Epson(s)
But still........

aaron

[Phil Indeblanc]

What hardware problems did it give you Aaron?

[aaronchan]

What hardware problems did it give you Aaron?

First of all, it is too slow, way too slow.

Second, it does not cut canvas by itself. I do high volume once in a blue moon, rolls after rolls, if I have to cut everyone by myself, it would be a nightmare.

Third, I sometimes do print on traditional rice paper for special order, it comes in long sheet. Traditional rice paper is pain in the butt while you need to load it, because it doesn't come with straight edge. The size check gives me a huge headache while I need to print on it.

Forth, before I sold it, there was a feeding problem in the paper transport system. Even with a good roll of paper (Photo Rag), during printing, it will skew by somehow. The image looks fine but it's not centered or parallel to the paper edge. It's super weird.

The outcome is very fine like what I've said on my previous post, but due to my workflow and special demand, the Canon iPF8300 or even the old Epson 9880 just do a much better job than the Z3200.

aaron

[Mark Lindquist]

I can understand why you are soured on the Z's Aaron.  This printer may be slow, or not tailored to your specific workflow, but for many, the Z Series printers are a dream come true. 

I wouldn't be without one, and I have three. For an artist doing one-off and low volume printing, it's a complete package.

It's good you found a printer that fills your needs.  In my world, the Z is an awesome printer.  It can be finicky, but with patience and practice it makes awesome prints.