http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

This is something I stumbled across some time ago, and thought I might need at some point.
Well, I have an Epson (AAAAAAAARG!) stylus C88+ now, since it was recommended for sublimation printing, and as it turns out, it is plagued with a large number of lockout protocols.
So, I install the utility, and as it turns out it doesn't work right on Windows 10... or anything above windows Vista as research has revealed.

Now, I know what you are thinking: "Why in the hell would you talk about a tool that doesn't even work!?"
There is a way to make it work, but it involves installing a virtual machine.

I chose VMware, and installed Windows XP professional.
Once that process was out of the way, I told VMware to connect the printer to the Windows XP VM, instead of Windows 10.
After installing the drivers, I ran the tool, and was able to retrieve the data from the printer.
This, although seemingly simple, is a large step forward.
Note: I labeled this as a hack tool.

So, I checked the available options, for testing. the big one being with the Waste Ink Pad.
The values on that were already at 1100 of a possible 16000.
It would likely be thrown into lockout mode within a year at that rate.
Especially given that I need to print something EVERY DAY to keep the sublimation ink in my CISS kit from crystallizing in the print heads.

So, test: reset protection counter.
Result: Ink pad counter reset back to 0. Success
Permanent effect, though begins to count up again when run without the program active.

Now, there are a number of other options that will come in handy:
Remotely telling the printer to slide the cartridges to change position, cleaning individual color heads, and a powerful clean mode, where it will force-clean the heads as hard as possible.

More commonly used options though:
Options to reset ink levels back to 0, which is an excellent option when you can't find the reset button on a CISS kit.
Freezing ink levels (Kinda like a gameshark code, if you really think about it) This is also handy, for the same reason as above. preventing needing to use the option to reset the ink levels as often.

So, we are left with a double edge at this point:
1: I use it with Windows XP (VM) and never have to dink with it again.
2: I use it with Windows 10 (Host) and only start the VM when this thing decides I can't use it anymore for some reason.

So far, it seems like I'll be using the VM for all my printing on this thing.
Epson may be my sworn enemy, but it will be my best friend as long as I keep the mind control device in place at all times.
This is my choice, and my choice may not work for other people. so don't just follow my example, do what works best for you.

In somewhat related news:
I'm moving forward with my Coffee cup project, which is what I got this printer for.
Soon, I may have some photos of the results. provided I don't apply all 24 images backward. *Shot*

This is a useful workaround. I hate it when printers put artificial restrictions on your ink - mechanisms intended to prevent you from printing even when you still have plenty of good ink left. It's always a good feeling when you can get around such things.

I have a circa-1998 HP printer that I still love. I wonder if I could get that working in a VM - assuming the ink is still alive, of course.

It's possible, actually. provided the needed ports and such.
Considering that this thing is technically still running through Windows 10, and being funneled through that to Windows XP, and STILL works as intended, I see no reason why not at that point.
And this is just regarding the USB connection alone.

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Edited by: The_Shadow, Jun 6th, 2016 @ 6:10 pm