Epson Stylus PHOTO 1290 User manual

R4C725/726 Setup Guide
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Printing Your
First Page Checking the
Package Contents
Unpacking
the
Printer
Attaching
the Paper
Support Adapter,
Roll Paper Holder
and
Paper Support
Plugging in and
Connecting
the Printer
Installing the
Printer Software
Installing
the Ink
Cartridges
4013020-01
xxx

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Checking the Package Contents
The illustration in this Guide show the EPSON Stylus Photo 1290; the EPSON
Stylus Photo 890 is a small type of the printer.
Unpacking the Printer
Remove all tape and protective materials from the printer.
paper support paper manuals
Daily Use
Setup
Guide
printer
printer software &
Reference Guide CD-ROM
The package contents may vary in certain locations.
black color
ink cartridges
power cord*
* The power cord may come
attached to the printer in
certain locations.
PhotoQuicker
paper support adapterroll paper holder protective film
roll paper
➀➁
➂

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Attaching the Paper Support
Adapter, Roll Paper Holder and
Paper Support
Hold the paper support adapter so that the arrows on the adapter facing
toward the front of the printer, and insert the adapter into the slot at the
rear of the printer.
Insert the roll paper holder into the slots at the back of the paper support
adapter, then insert the paper support into the slot at the rear of the paper
support adapter.
Note:
At this time you may mount the roll paper holder temporarily, by inserting it into
any slots at the rear of the paper support adapter. You do not need to actually mount
the roll paper.
➀➁
➃➂

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Plugging In and Connecting the
Printer
Your printer connects to your computer via the parallel or USB interface.
Macintosh computers can only be connected via the USB interface.
Depending upon your geographic location, you may need to obtain the
appropriate cable. See “Options and Consumable Products” in the Daily Use
guide for details.
Note:
In order to connect your PC via the USB interface, your computer must be a
Windows Me, 98 or Windows 2000 pre-installed model that comes with a USB port
or Windows Me upgraded from a Windows 98 pre-installed model.
Using a parallel interface for Windows users
To connect the printer to your PC, you need a shielded, twisted-pair parallel
cable. Follow the directions below.
1. Make sure that both the printer and the computer are turned off. Plug
the power cord into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
2. Plug the cable connector
securely into the printer's
interface connector. Then,
squeeze the wire clips
together until they lock in
place on both sides. If your
printer has a ground
connector screw to the right
of the interface connector,
connect the ground wire to
the ground connector screw.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer's parallel interface. If
there is a ground wire at the computer end of the cable, connect it to the
ground connector at the back of the computer.
Using a USB interface for Windows and Macintosh users
To connect the printer to a USB port, you need a standard, shielded USB
cable. Follow these steps.
Note:
❏For best results, you should connect the printer directly to the computer’s USB
port. If you must use multiple USB hubs, we recommend that you connect the
printer to the first tier hub.

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❏If your computer has more than one USB port, you may plug the cable in
wherever is convenient.
1. Make sure that both the printer and the computer are turned off. Plug
the power cord into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
2. Plug the appropriate end of the cable
into the USB port on the back of the
printer. (The end that fits the printer
has a different shape from the end that
fits the computer.)
3. Connect the other end of the cable to
the computer’s USB port.
Installing the Printer Software
After connecting the printer to your computer, you need to install the
software included on the “Printer Software for EPSON Stylus Photo 1290”
or “Printer Software for EPSON Stylus Photo 890” CD-ROM shipped with
your printer.
The printer software CD-ROM contains:
❏Printer software (printer driver and utilities)
The printer driver runs, or “drives,” your printer; use it to make settings
such as print quality, speed, media type, and paper size. The Nozzle
Check, Head Cleaning, and Print Head Alignment utilities help you
keep your printer in top operating condition. EPSON Status Monitor 3
(for Windows) or EPSON StatusMonitor (for Macintosh) notifies you of
printer errors and displays printer status information such as the
amount of ink remaining. The Status Monitor also guides you through
the ink cartridge replacement process.
❏EPSON PhotoQuicker
This utility lets you print digital photos using a wide variety of layouts
and effects with ease.
❏Online guides
The online Reference Guide helps you learn more about your printer.
If you wish to make a floppy disk version of the printer software on your
CD-ROM, you can use the driver disk creation utility included on the CD.
Refer to the appropriate section.
Printed in Japan 00.xx-xx
Copyright© 2000 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.

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Installing in Windows
Follow the instructions in this section to install the printer software and
EPSON PhotoQuicker.
Installing the printer software
Follow these steps to install the printer software.
1. Make sure that your printer is turned off.
2. Turn on your computer and start Windows. If the New Hardware
Found dialog box or any other Wizard appears, click Cancel.
3. Insert the printer software CD shipped with your printer in the CD-
ROM drive. The Installer dialog box appears. If it does not, double-click
the My Computer icon, click the CD-ROM icon, then click Open on
the File menu. Then, double-click EPsetup.exe. (For floppy disk users,
insert the disk in a disk drive and double-click the My Computer icon,
then the floppy disk drive icon, and then Setup.exe.)
4. Select Install Printer Driver/Utility, and
click . Then, click OK in the dialog box
that appears to start the printer software
installation. If Problem Solver is available
in your location, it is automatically
installed on your hard drive.
Note:
❏It is possible to install the Reference Guide
on your hard drive from the Installer
dialog box, as shown to the right. To
install the guide, click Online Guide
and then . Then, click Install Reference Guide and follow the on-
screen instructions. When the installation is complete, an ESP 1290 890
Guide icon appears in the EPSON folder. Double-click the icon to open
the guide.
❏The Problem Solver provides tips and instructions to help you solve most
problems that you may encounter when printing. The Problem Solver can
be accessed through the EPSON folder, Status Monitor 3, or the printer
software. For details, see the “Troubleshooting” section of your Daily Use
guide.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn on your printer.
For Windows Me and 98 users, the printer port configuration starts
automatically.

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For printers connected via the USB cable, the USB device driver
installation starts automatically at this point. When a message appears
asking you to restart your computer, do so.
If you are a Windows 2000 user and using parallel cable, click the Stop
Search button when the USB device driver installation starts, then
follow the on-screen instructions.
6. After turning on the printer, the Setup
utility opens automatically.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install
the ink cartridges, check the print head
nozzles, and clean the print head. When a
message appears informing you that the
setup is complete, click OK.
Note:
If the Setup utility does not start, proceed to section to install the ink
cartridges using the printer’s control panel.
7. When a message appears informing you that the installation is
complete, click OK.
Note:
If an error message appears, either the printer software or the EPSON USB
printer device driver is not installed correctly. See "Troubleshooting" in the
Daily Use guide for details.
Installing EPSON PhotoQuicker
1. After the setup is complete, the installer dialog box appears again.
Choose Install EPSON PhotoQuicker, click , then click OK. (If the
installer dialog box does not appear automatically, double-click the My
Computer icon, and double-click the CD-ROM icon, and then EPSON
PhotoQuicker.)
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. When a message appears informing you that the installation is
complete, click Finish.
After the setup is complete, proceed to section to print your first page.
Installing in Macintosh
Follow the instructions in this section to install the printer software, select
your printer in the Chooser, and install EPSON PhotoQuicker.

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?Caution:
Turn off all virus protection programs before you install the printer
software.
Installing the printer software
Follow these steps to install your printer software.
1. Turn on your Macintosh and insert the software CD in the CD-ROM
drive. The EPSON printer software CD-ROM opens automatically.
2. If the Install Printer Driver/Utility folder appears in the EPSON folder,
open it and then double-click the Installer icon.
Note:
❏It is possible to install the Reference Guide on your hard drive from the
printer software CD-ROM. To install the guide, click Install Reference
Guide and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation is
complete, a View Reference Guide icon appears in the EPSON folder.
Double-click the icon to open the guide.
❏It is possible to access Technical Support from the printer software
CD-ROM. Insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive and open the Install
Printer Driver/Utility folder in the EPSON folder. Then double-click the
Technical Support Web Site icon.
3. At the initial screen, click
Continue. The Installer dialog box
appears.
4. To install the printer software that
is included on your printer software
CD-ROM, make sure that the Install
Location box displays the correct
drive, then click Install.
5. When a message appears informing you that the installation is
complete, click Restart to restart your computer.
Selecting your printer in the Chooser
After you have installed the printer software on your Macintosh, you need
to open the Chooser and select your printer. You must select a printer the
first time you use it or whenever you want to sw itch to another printer. Your
Macintosh will always print using the last printer selected. Follow the steps
below to select your printer in the Chooser.

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1. Choose Chooser from the Apple
menu. Then, select the icon for your
printer and the port that your
printer is connected to.
2. Select the appropriate
Background Printing radio button
to turn background printing on or
off.
When background printing is on,
you can use your Macintosh while it is preparing a document for
printing. In order to use the EPSON Monitor3 utility to manage print
jobs, background printing must be turned on.
3. Close the Chooser.
Installing EPSON PhotoQuicker
1. After setup is complete, the installer dialog box appears again. Double-
click the EPSON PhotoQuicker, then double-click the Installer icon
inside it.
2. The installer dialog box appears. Click Install.
3. When a message appears informing you that installation is complete,
click Quit.
Installing the Ink Cartridges
This printer uses ink cartridges equipped with IC chips. The IC chip
accurately monitors the amount of ink used by each cartridge, so even if a
cartridge is removed and inserted again, all of its ink can be used. However,
some ink from both color and black ink cartridges is consumed each time a
cartridge is inserted because the printer automatically checks reliability.
Be sure to use the ink cartridges packed with your printer the first time that
you install ink cartridges.
Refer to the appropriate section.

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Using the Setup utility for Windows users
The Setup utility should open automatically when your printer software
installation is complete. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you cannot
access the Setup utility, refer to the next section, “Using the printer’s control
panel”.
Using the printer's control panel
If you are a Macintosh user or cannot access the Setup utility, use the
printer’s control panel to install the ink cartridges.
Before installing the ink cartridges, note the following.
MWarning:
The ink cartridges are self-contained units. Under ordinary use, ink will
not leak from a cartridge. If ink does get on your hands, wash them
thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them
immediately with water.
Note:
Do not open the ink cartridge packages until just before you install them; otherwise,
the ink may dry up.
Follow the steps below to install the ink cartridges.
1. Lower the output tray and open the
printer cover.
2. Turn on the printer by
pressing the 2power
button.
The print head moves to
the left, which is the ink
cartridge installation
position. The 2power
light flashes and the error
light comes on.
?Caution:
Do not move the print head by hand. Doing so may damage the printer.

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3. Push back the release tabs and lift up the ink
cartridge clamps.
4. Open the ink cartridge
packages. Next, remove only
the yellow tape seals from
each cartridge.
?Caution:
❏You must remove
the yellow tape seals
from the cartridges before installing them; otherwise, the cartridges
will become unusable and you will be unable to print.
❏If you have installed an ink cartridge without removing the yellow
tape seal, you must remove the cartridge and install a new one.
Prepare the new cartridge by removing the yellow tape seal, then
install it in the printer.
❏Do not remove the blue portion of the tape seal from the cartridges;
otherwise, the cartridges may become unusable.
❏Do not remove the tape seals from the bottom of the cartridges;
otherwise, ink will leak.
❏Do not touch the green IC chip on the side
of the cartridge. Doing so may prevent
normal operation and printing.
❏Do not remove the green IC chip from the
side of the cartridge. If you install an ink
cartridge without a chip, the printer may be
damaged.
5. Align the tabs on each ink cartridge so that
they are resting on the tabs protruding from
the base of the opened ink cartridge clamps.
Do not apply excessive force to the cartridges.
Do not touch this part.

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?Caution:
Make sure that the ink cartridge tabs are not under
the tabs protruding from the base of the opened ink
cartridge clamps, as this can damage the clamps.
Note:
Install both ink cartridges. If either of the cartridges is not
installed, the printer will not work.
6. Lower the ink cartridge clamps until they lock into place.
7. Press the Aink cartridge replacement button. The printer moves the
print head and begins charging the ink delivery system. This process
takes about two and a half minutes.
?Caution:
Always press the Aink cartridge replacement
button to move the print head. Do not move the
print head by hand. Doing so may damage the
printer.
While the ink is charging, the 2power light
flashes and the printer produces a variety of
mechanical sounds. These sounds are normal.
When the ink delivery system has been charged, the print head returns
to the home (far right) position and the 2power light comes on.
?Caution:
Never turn off the printer while the 2power light is flashing.
8. Close the printer cover.
Checking the printer
Before printing your first page, you need to make sure that the printer is
working correctly by loading paper, then printing a nozzle check page and,
if necessary, cleaning the print head. Refer to the appropriate section below.
Loading paper
Follow the steps below to load plain paper in the printer.
1. Lower the output tray and slide out the extention. Next, slide the left
edge guide so that the distance between the edge guides is slightly
wider than the width of your paper.
2. Fan a stack of paper, then tap it on a flat surface to even the edges.

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3. Load the stack of paper in the sheet
feeder with the printable side up
and the right edge of the paper
resting against the right edge guide.
Then, slide the left edge guide
against the left edge of the paper.
Note:
❏Always load paper into the sheet
feeder short edge first.
❏Make sure that the paper stack fits under the arrow mark inside the edge
guide.
Checking the print head nozzles
Make sure that the printer is
turned off. Hold down the
>maintenance button (➀in the
illustration) and press the
2power button (➁in the
illustration) to turn on the
printer. Then release only the
power button first. When the
printer starts the nozzle check, release the >maintenance button.
Below are sample printouts.
If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily (for example, if any
segment of the printed lines is missing), then you should clean the print
head as explained below. If the printout is satisfactory, you are ready to
print your first page. See “Printing Your First Page” for instructions.
Cleaning the print head
Follow the steps below to clean the print head.
1. Make sure that the 2power light is on and that the >error light is off.
printable
side up
Segments are missing
Good sample Print head needs to be cleaned

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2. Hold down the >maintenance
button for three seconds.
The printer starts cleaning the
print head and the 2power light
begins flashing. Print head
cleaning takes about thirty
seconds to complete.
?Caution:
Never turn off the printer while the 2power light is flashing. Doing
so may damage the printer.
3. When the 2power light stops flashing, print a nozzle check pattern to
confirm that the head is clean and to reset the cleaning cycle.
If print quality hasn’t improved after repeating the nozzle checking and
cleaning procedures four or five times, contact your dealer.
Printing Your First Page
After making sure that your printer is operating correctly, you are ready to
print your first page. To familiarize yourself with the printer software, we
recommend printing one of the sample files provided on the printer
software CD-ROM. To print a sample file, follow the instructions for
Windows or Macintosh in this section.
If you choose to print your own document instead, open the document in
your application, then proceed to step 4 in the relevant section below,
making changes where appropriate.
Note:
❏See your software manual for details on how to use your application.
❏Depending on the type of document you are printing and the type of paper you
are using, you may have to make settings different from those described in this
section.
For Windows users
Follow the steps below to print the sample file.
1. Make sure that A4 or Letter size EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper is
loaded in the printer.

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2. Insert the printer software CD in the CD-ROM drive. If the Installer
dialog box appears, click Quit.
3. Double-click the My Computer icon. Then right-click the CD-ROM
drive icon and click Open on the menu that appears. Double-click the
sample.bmp file to open it.
4. To change the printer software settings,
click Print on the File menu. A Print dialog
box similar to the one on the right opens.
(This example is from Paint).
5. Make sure your printer is selected in the
Name list box, then click Properties. The
printer software opens.
6. Click the Main tab, then click anywhere in
the Media Type box and select Photo
Quality Ink Jet Paper.
7. Select Color as the Ink setting.
8. Select Automatic as the Mode setting.
When Automatic is selected, the printer
software optimizes other settings
according to the Media Type and Ink
settings that you make.
9. Click the Paper tab, then click anywhere in the Paper Size box and select
the paper size that is loaded in the printer.
10. Click OK at the bottom of the printer software. You return to the Print
dialog box (or a similar dialog box).
11. Click Close, Print, or OK to print. You may need to click a combination
of these buttons.
While printing, the EPSON Progress Meter is displayed, showing the
printing progress and the status of your printer.
Note:
If the sample file does not print correctly, see “Problem Solver” in the online
Reference Guide for solutions.
For Macintosh users
Follow these steps to print the sample file.
1. Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the printer.

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2. Insert the printer software CD in the CD-ROM drive.
3. Open the Install Printer Driver/Utility folder in the EPSON folder and
then double-click the README file.
4. Click Page Setup on the File menu. The following dialog box appears.
5. Select the paper size that is loaded in the printer from the Paper Size list.
6. Select Portrait as the Orientation setting.
7. After making your settings, click OK to close the Page Setup dialog box.
Note:
You cannot print from the Page Setup dialog box. You can only print from the
Print dialog box.
8. Click Print on the File menu. The Print dialog box opens.
9. Select Plain Paper from the Media Type list.
10. Select Color as the Ink option.
11. Select Automatic as the Mode setting. This causes the printer software
to optimize other settings according to the Media Type and Ink settings
that you make.
12. Click Print to start printing.
While printing is in progress, the EPSON Progress Meter is displayed,
showing the printing progress and the status of your printer.
Note:
If the sample file does not print correctly, see “Problem Solver” in the online
Reference Guide for solutions.