Need help with an Epson TM-U950 Receipt Printer. HELP!!!

[welshslider]

Hi forum.

I really need your help. I've been trying for a number of days now to get an Epson TM-U950 receipt printer to work with a Windows 7 X86 Ent Machine. The problem lies with the use of a USB to Serial cable. I've installed all the software from Epson's website and also the USB drivers specific to Epson but I get no activity from the printer. I get a Code 10 in device manager and cannot add any printer via a USB connection. Does anyone have any step by step notes on how to get one of these printers to work with a USB connection? Thanks in advance

 

[Ralston18]

Are you using a RS-232 (25 M) to USB A cable?

Or something similar to one of these cables with an adapter to convert the 9 pin connector to USB?

http://www.semicron.com/tmu950.html

What is the source of the cable and/or adapters being used - Epson?

What Epson link did you use to download the USB drivers?

The question is that although you can make the physical connection between the printer and hosting device (computer?) the necessary handshake and communication signals may not actually be there.

Could be that a proprietary cable is needed. However there seems to be a a variety of DIP switches on the printer that are used to configure the printer's communications. So perhaps some communication can be established.

Is there some reason for not using the native cable: e.g., no serial port on the host device?

 

[welshslider]

Hi, I am using an RS-232 25M to USb cable (third party - Lindy) These are not official products. Couldn't see anywhere that said I had to use the official Epson cable. The USB driver I got from Epson's website https://download.epson-biz.com/modules/pos/index.php?page=prod&pcat=5&pid=49

I did look at the dip switches but again couldn't find any notes to show a USB config. The configuration is a laptop and a PC with only USB connections.

 

[Ralston18]

I have been looking at the various User Manuals/Guides and finding (or rather not finding) any real information regarding connecting/installing the printer.

I.e., "Take serial cable A and plug into computer port B...." instructions or diagrams. Not noting anything with respect to any cable connections - proprietary or not.

Basically I have not been able to convince myself that the desired USB connectivity is possible. If USB physical connectivity is viable the drivers must configure the USB port to emulate the necessary RS-232 connections. Which could be some proprietary configuration as well. Or some combination of the dip switch settings being involved to provide fine tuning.

Manufacturers are often very coy about statements or information regarding what will not work. You may get the impression that something should work and, sometimes rightfully, expect it to work. Not so sure in this situation.

Found this link:

https://download.epson-biz.com/epson/epson_public_document.php?name=usb610a_e.htm

Seems to me that if the desired USB connectivity was possible, Epson would be quite happy to be promoting and openly stating that to be the case.

Some many years back serial connections were often problematic and many techs had a drawer full of various adapters and connectors. We even soldered up some of our own adapter via Radio Shack plugs and pins to emulate proprietary cables. (Which could be quite expensive.)

The cable you purchased may be generic with respect to the pinouts. Phyiscally both ends fit in but the actual wire connections may not be what the printer requires.

Is it possible for you to at least set up the printer using the designated serial ports and ensure that the printer works? Get the USB variable out of the mix?

 

[welshslider]

Thank you so much for taking a look. Your answer kinds of cements my thoughts. A second opinion is much appreciated. Thanks again.