Epson 9600 with windows 8.1

[UnderPressureSP]

I recently pick up a epson 9600 with the hopes using it to output films for our large format flatbed press.  I was just informed by epson that they never update the driver for windows 8.1 and as a result the printer will not work with the operating system.  I could get a older computer and use that to output  the films.  I was just trying to find a easy solution vs having to buy a new printer.       

[cbjamel]

Is there a way to do like win 7 like they did for win 7/win xp, that is how I run my embroidery software that is xp only not win 7. Windows virtual pc like.
Might be available in pro not anything else.

Shane

[mimosatexas]

You should be able to install the vista driver.  You will probably have to install it in compatibility mode or select the "run without help" option, but it should work fine.

Here are some links related to the same issue:
http://www.fixel.com.au/resurrecting-the-dead-epson-7600-printer-on-windows-8/ (this one seems the most comprehensive)
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forum/helproom-1/solved-epson-7600-driver-windows-8-4518860/

[jsheridan]

It's better to have a separate computer for your RIP/Film needs rather than hog the resources on you main computer.

Get a cheap laptop on craigslist and load up XP SP 2, turn off updates and only load up the RIP software. Keep it as bare as you can to improve the performance as XP only uses 4 gigs of ram. 

If you're really computer savy, you could run a virtual box inside of Win 7.

[UnderPressureSP]

I think I am going to try to revive my old mac book pro that I shelf after the battery exploded in it. And have it dedicated to that printer.