Problems with Mac OS X.3 and Fiery Rip Station

[Juliet]

My co-worker and I have recently upgraded to Mac OSX. Unfortunately, our printer (Epson Stylus Pro 5000) has no drivers for Opearting System 10. The Fiery which should work with the Mac for version 9 or above is having trouble getting past the 'Loading System' stage of our reboot. Has anyone had issues with using a Rip station after updating to OSX? We thought that we could nix the RIP station and print directly from the Mac, but again since our printer doesn't have drivers for OS X- we were back to the drawing board. Does anyone have advice or experience with this sort of problem. We'd like to avoid purchasing a new printer if possible.

Thanks,
juls034

[sgb]

Go over to Epson's Site and Download a copy of the Fiery LX PPD (you can get it for Mac OS 9 or Windows, they're the same file). Make sure you get the correct version for your Fiery (either 1.1/2 or 1.3 on the bottom right of your Fiery's screen it says the version number). You may already have this PPD in your Classic/9 System folder. Look in System Folder:Extentions:Printer Descriptions.

Once you have that PPD drop it somewhere on your HD. I recommend either your Classic/9 System Folder:Extentions:Printer Descriptions folder or into the /Library/Printers folder on your OS X volume.

Assuming you connect to your Fiery via Appletalk, fire up your System Preference, click 'Print & Fax', then 'Set Up Printers...' button. Click 'Add' and select 'Appletalk' from the top list. A list of printers should show up, click on the Fiery. On the 'Printer Model' pull down select 'Other..' then browse to whereever you saved that PPD file.

Click 'Add' and you should be ready to rock and roll.

Let me know if you have trouble finding the right PPD.

- sgb

[Juliet]

SGB:

My co-worker and I figured it out thanks to your help....http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/worshippy.gif

Thanks so much!

juls034

[sgb]

No problem. I ran into this same problem when we started moving to OS X.

- sgb

[Alun]

Can anyone advise - I've been looking for an A3 printer that I can use for printing visuals and roofs etc. I use an eMac with Quark, illustrator, photoshop etc. and understand that I need a postscript printer.
Thing is, I've been offered an Epson Stylus Pro 5000 printer and 'RIP Station (PC)' by my local litho printer (who has just upgraded his proofing printer) at a very good price, but with no software. Not exactly sure what RIP is and if I need it or not, or can I just download a printer driver?
(Sorry if I appear as a complete idiot, but I've been out of the design business for a ew years and now coming back in - too many years on a PC, I know).

Help - Where do I start!?!?

[defjoe]

SBG,

I have been having this same issue. I did mostly what you said. I couldn't find a fiery LX PPD on Epson's site but I had a Fiery LX Pro5000_print PPD. Same thing? My puter sees it and the job spools but nada somes out. It goes from Busy to Idle on the fiery. Am I doing something wrong cause what you said makes sense.

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

[sgb]

Sith Mod -

Yeah, you should already have the PPD file. The name may be different depending on where/who the file came from. If you need it I can zip and send you our PPD.

Alternatively I've found sometimes the RIP needs a kick in the butt to get working. Every so often I need to clear it's print que/cache:

Try restarting the RIP using the hardware switch on the back. When the screen comes up saying 'examining EPROM' (or some such nonsense, it'll be the deal with a magnifying glass). Push any button, after a few seconds a message will appear asking you to push any button to enter set up. Then scroll down to 'Clear Server' and click on it (use the button next to the arrow). Use the scroll up button to change 'No' to 'Yes' then hit the button next to 'Ok' a few moments later it will ask you to select the language (just click 'Ok'). If your RIP doesn't continue booting click the arrow next to 'Start System.'

Also sometimes certain Printer specific settings can cause problems. Try printing a simple text-only file with the defaul settings.

Hope this helps.

- sgb

[TT Tim]

This made for interesting reading.

My RIP Station 5000 for some unexplicable reason just stopped working one day. It hangs on Start Up with 'Loading Sewttings' on the screen. I'd given up on it to be honest but having seen a client yesterday it seems that I'm going to need to produce some hi quality colour proofs soon, so it would be good to have it all up and running again.

I've read the above posting but my RIP won't get as far as the 'B' screen so I 'm unable to Clear the server.

I do not have any install CDs with the RIP so does anyone know how to get this working again?

All help and advise appreciated

Tim