Epson 7900 and 9900 Firmware should be upgraded immediately

The Epson Stylus 7900 (24") and Epson 9900 (44") initial firmware should be upgraded as soon as possible to avoid the printer entering an endless cleaning loop that will not stop until one of your inks is empty. This appears to be a problem with the initial version of the firmware Epson provided, also furthering the ink conspiracy many have alluded to on the internet.

We recommend you upgrade your Epson Stylus Pro 7900 or Epson Stylus Pro 9900 to at least Firmware Version HW00812100. You can download it from --

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?oid=119098&prodoid=63079720&infoType=Downloads&platform=Windows

The Epson Automatic Head Cleaning can be disabled if you don't have the latest version of the firmware. Several people have have commented on this online, you can read more at:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t29823.html

We did have firmware version 1.0 ... and as of this posting they seem to have fixed the problem via a firmware upgrade.

Epson 3880 Coming Soon

Epson 3880 will be coming soon. It is rumored to have very similar specs to the Epson 3800 but with Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta Inks. More info should be available at Epson3880.com

New Firmware for HP Z2100 and HP Z3100 (Finally)

HP has released (April / May 2008) a new version of firmware (Version 6) for both the HP Designjet Z2100 and the HP Designjet Z3100. This is the first significant update I have seen for the Z2100, it is definitely worth the upgrade. The firmware can be downloaded from HP's website.

Make sure you download the latest drivers as well to interact with the printers correctly after you have updated the firmware. Download the drivers here - HP Designjet Drivers.

How do I know when my 9600 is dying?

I common question I've been getting recently is...
How do I know when my 4000 is not fixable?
When is my 7600 need to be replaced?

Epson printers and their permanent print heads come with both advantages and disadvantages. Advantage being they're perfectly calibrated when they leave the factory. Disadvantage being they cost more to replace then the printer is worth. Typically, after three to five years, depending on print volume, noticeable quality loss we begin to appear on your 4000/7600/9600. Replacing printheads will cost at least $1,000. Having a certified technician visit your place of business: $500 minimum.

This $1,500 is not worth it to save one of these printers, even for a 9600. Time to upgrade. Maintain your current workflow by getting a 4800/7800/9800, or consider a 12-ink from the HP Z series line.

Once quality begins to decline, expect to start doing a LOT of head cleaning. You can still get up to a year or so of use out of the printers from this point on before they really eat the dust. I recommend upgrading at the first sign of quality deterioration and saving you old printer for banners/posters/signage (anything that can get away with a little less than perfect output).