Epson TX100 New Windows 7 drivers does not work with Vista

In a previous post, I mentioned the release of new Windows 7 drivers for the Epson TX100:

http://nemesisv.blogspot.com/2009/10/epson-tx100-new-drivers-with-full.html

what I failed to notice was that the Epson scan program (v3.4.9) only list Windows 7 compatibility. So what happen to Vista? I tried to installed it and every time it started, it crashes. At first I thought it was me. So I uninstalled clean and reinstall it. Same thing happened.

I cannot find the download online anymore, but I managed to find my previous files. So, I reinstalled the older version for Vista (v3.4.3a) and it works perfectly. I guess in moving ahead, Epson either has branched out the codes or totally forgotten that they still need to support Windows Vista.

Do take note of this. If you had installed and crashed and needed a old copy of the installation, let me know, maybe I can put it online.

Epson TX100 new drivers with full support for Windows 7.

You can either download the driver using Windows Update on Windows 7 or get it via:
http://www.epson.com.ph/epson/drivers/driver_download.htm?dc=1&mode=3&m=false&catid=4&pid=1373

Epson Stylus TX100 Driver for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Version : 6.62
Date Posted : 2009-10-22
Download Url : SX100_TX100_101_106_109_W2K_662Es.exe

Epson Stylus TX100 Driver for Windows x64, Windows Vista x64, Windows 7 x64
Version : 6.62
Date Posted : 2009-10-22
Download Url : SX100_TX100_101_106_109_x64_662Es.exe

Epson Stylus TX100 Epson Scan for Windows
Version : 3.4.9.0
Date Posted : 2009-10-22
Comments : Support Windows 7, Windows 7 x64
Download Url : SX100_EXP_WIN_3490_31.exe

The Mac fiels are there too, but I do not really care.

Modding the Epson TX100 Inkjet Printer with CISS

CISS is very popular nowadays. In fact, it is even cheaper than to use 3rd party ink cartridges. However, printer makes like Epson would want to make life hell for you because they insist that 3rd party ink are pirated and they are losing money selling you printers at hundreds of dollars. Whether you believe this or not, CISS is the way to go.

This model I am particularly talking about is the Epson entry level TX100. The difficulties in fitting in CISS is that it has 3 closed compartments and moving in bettwen them doesn't give much room for the CISS tubes. In fact, Epson ensure you have make a mess by moving the printer head occasionally at high speed from left extreme to right extreme just to tear our your tubes. Plus, the 2 compartments have plastic blocking any 3rd party objects so that when the printer detects a lag in the movement of the print head, it will refused to print. Anyway, people who had modded this will know what I meant.

I had found a way to put in the CISS without cutting off any parts of the printer. Well, there are some ways that involves sawing off part of the plastic, but I will show you why you do not need to now.

Firstly, you will need to get cheap holders like the ones shown in the diagrams below. Make sure they stick well. Do not bother with expensive mounting tapes. I had tried 3M's super heavy weight, the tube just come out with the movements. Lets first identify the secret of how this is going to work. We are going to put the tube over this small hole as shown here :

Next, we will mount the first point as shown:

After putting in the first clip we need to put one or 2 more at the other side as follows :

I would suggest we have these 2 reversed holding. the inner one holds down (to prevent springing up) and the outer one hold up (to prevent falling into the rail track).

As for the remaining, just make sure you measure and allow or the print head to move in right and left extreme. Then tape the remaining as follows :

For the last portion, notice I did not use the clips because it will rise the scanner and you may find that you cannot close properly. Just normal mounting tapes will be good for this.

In addition, if you want to, you can find a compartment behind the printer. Open it and you will see a white tube. Take that out and connect it to a waste ink container (which you can make from CD cake box etc). However, even if you do so, the printer will eventually complain the waste ink is full. You will still need a software to reset it before you can use it.

Epson TX100 is supported by Windows 7

I tried to install the driver and scanner module and failed. But when I turn on the printer, guess what, it just got installed by itself. Without using the driver I downloaded from Epson. The above screen shows it detect it as a generic Epson AIO printer, but all the printing and scanning functions works perfectly fine. It was even detected as TX100.

Epson Printer SSC Utility

It you have an epson printer, then you need to have SSC Utility. Its a russian utility which gives you more control of your printer. You can see the exact usage of each of the ink (which is deliberately hidden by Epson) and also even control the cleaning by black only or color only.

Grab it at :
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

Although it did not say that Vista is supported, but I am using it happily.