I noticed today Epson (U.S.) has once again posted the 7900 Macintosh driver version 9.17. This version is larger (87.1 megabytes vs. 76) than the previously posted (and removed) version 9.17. Like the earlier file, this "new" 9.17 is dated 1 November, 2013. Also like the earlier file, this one is named "epson15900.dmg."
And as with the earlier edition, Epson provides no clue what's changed since the earlier version or its predecessor, 9.04.
I'm having no problems printing with the earlier 9.17 driver with Mac OS X 10.8.5; I won't be changing that. However, I am slowly, as time permits, building up a 10.9 (Mavericks) "clean" system on a separate hard drive. I can boot into either version of the OS as needed.
Since this is my "money machine", I'll continue to get work done with the 10.8.5 system. I've just taken on a photo restoration project that likely will take a week or so. That work, and the printing, will be done on the 10.8.5 system with Photoshop CS6. I'll slowly build up the Mavericks drive, adding and testing my critical applications and utilities one at a time. A bit tedious, but it's my normal process for OS upgrades. It's unlikely I'll do any serious work with the new OS until 10.9.1 is released.
I will probably install Photoshop CC on this new system. TBD.
--Jay
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Mac Driver Version 9.17 Pulled From Epson U.S. Site
In my last two postings I mentioned a new Mac OS driver, version 9.17, from Epson. This replaced the previous version, 9.04. I noticed a couple of days ago that version 9.17 had been removed from Epson's U.S. site. Version 9.04 is once again the current version.
I emailed Epson's support:
As always, I waited several days after the new (9.17) driver was posted, giving me time to browse the Web to learn of any issues the early adopters might have had. I found none, so went ahead with the installation. Perhaps I should have waited longer.
--Jay
I emailed Epson's support:
This morning I received a response:
Checking now, I see that version is gone, and the previous release, 9.04, is shown. What's up? Was 9.17 pulled? Is there a problem with that? Should I uninstall and return to the older version?
As mentioned in my 8 November posting, after resolving an installation problem I've printed without issues with the 9.17 driver and OS X 10.8.5, Mountain Lion. As long as that continues I'll leave things as they are. I'd not be surprised to see a newer driver from Epson, a bug-fix for whatever issues they found with 9.17 on OS X 10.9, Mavericks.
Thank you for contacting Epson regarding your Epson Stylus Pro 7900. It is my pleasure to respond to your inquiry.
It is ok to run the 9.14 version of the driver. They pulled this version off the site becacue they found issues with it when used with 10.9, the new Mavericks OS. It is ok however with the older systems.
As always, I waited several days after the new (9.17) driver was posted, giving me time to browse the Web to learn of any issues the early adopters might have had. I found none, so went ahead with the installation. Perhaps I should have waited longer.
--Jay
Friday, November 8, 2013
Mac Driver (9.17) Installation Follies
For the past couple of weeks I've been making prints every three-to-four days, getting things ready for the holiday season, preparing smaller pieces for local galleries. Nothing interesting to report; when used with some regularity the printer has exhibited zero ink-delivery (clogging) problems.
Having a little time on my hands last evening, I installed the new Mac driver, described in my last posting, for the 7900. I installed simply by running the installer package, which means the new driver installed "over" the previous version (9.04). I've done this with earlier versions without issue. There's nothing on Epson's drivers page to indicate this is a bad (or good) idea. Perhaps, this time, not so good.
Although the Mac almost never requires a reboot, after the driver installed I rebooted. I then launched Photoshop CS6 (I haven't drunk the CC Kool-aid yet, but likely will before the end of the year). I opened a random jpeg and printed. I'd no intention of printing that file; I simply wanted to have a look at the PS print set-up dialog to see if there were obvious changes. There were:
I found garbage characters in the labels (captions) for many of the drop-down lists, and unpopulated (blank) drop-downs. Most of the drop-down lists for things like selecting a profile, setting the paper size, etc. didn't respond to mouse clicks. And then Photoshop crashed (exited). The OS wanted to let Apple know about it, and then an Adobe dialog wanted to let Adobe know.
I rebooted, repeated the test, this time with a .psd instead of a jpeg. Same result.
To resolve the problem, I removed the printer from OS X's printers control panel. I then followed Epson's instructions (posted on the driver page) to remove the driver. After rebooting, I ran the same installer package that started this mess. Printing has worked perfectly since. No odd behavior, and no obvious differences, beyond the displayed driver version number.
This wasn't a terrible hassle, but it took a bit of my time to sort out. Since I've still no clue what changes version 9.17 introduces over 9.04, I may have been better off doing nothing, keeping the older version. Your experience may be different (better, I hope).
For the record: 2008 Mac Pro (3,1) with dual quad-core 2.8 GHz processors, OS X 10.8.5. Photoshop CS6 with all updates. The 7900 has the latest firmware.
--Jay
Having a little time on my hands last evening, I installed the new Mac driver, described in my last posting, for the 7900. I installed simply by running the installer package, which means the new driver installed "over" the previous version (9.04). I've done this with earlier versions without issue. There's nothing on Epson's drivers page to indicate this is a bad (or good) idea. Perhaps, this time, not so good.
Although the Mac almost never requires a reboot, after the driver installed I rebooted. I then launched Photoshop CS6 (I haven't drunk the CC Kool-aid yet, but likely will before the end of the year). I opened a random jpeg and printed. I'd no intention of printing that file; I simply wanted to have a look at the PS print set-up dialog to see if there were obvious changes. There were:
I found garbage characters in the labels (captions) for many of the drop-down lists, and unpopulated (blank) drop-downs. Most of the drop-down lists for things like selecting a profile, setting the paper size, etc. didn't respond to mouse clicks. And then Photoshop crashed (exited). The OS wanted to let Apple know about it, and then an Adobe dialog wanted to let Adobe know.
I rebooted, repeated the test, this time with a .psd instead of a jpeg. Same result.
To resolve the problem, I removed the printer from OS X's printers control panel. I then followed Epson's instructions (posted on the driver page) to remove the driver. After rebooting, I ran the same installer package that started this mess. Printing has worked perfectly since. No odd behavior, and no obvious differences, beyond the displayed driver version number.
This wasn't a terrible hassle, but it took a bit of my time to sort out. Since I've still no clue what changes version 9.17 introduces over 9.04, I may have been better off doing nothing, keeping the older version. Your experience may be different (better, I hope).
For the record: 2008 Mac Pro (3,1) with dual quad-core 2.8 GHz processors, OS X 10.8.5. Photoshop CS6 with all updates. The 7900 has the latest firmware.
--Jay
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Mac Driver Update, to 9.17
Epson's U.S. Web site posted Mac driver version 9.17 on 1 November 2013. I've downloaded it, but have not yet installed it. Other than specifically including Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) in the compatibility list, the U.S. site gives no clue what changes were made since the previous Mac driver update, 9.04, released in September, 2012. I had a look through some of Epson's European sites, as those sometimes provide release notes, or at least a bit more information than the U.S. site.
No luck this time, I'm afraid. If you've found release notes or other comments about the changes, please post them, or a link, in the comments here. Thanks!
--Jay
No luck this time, I'm afraid. If you've found release notes or other comments about the changes, please post them, or a link, in the comments here. Thanks!
--Jay
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