Author Topic: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..  (Read 8390 times)

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« on: July 15, 2011, 10:09:09 PM »
I output my high end seps on a epson r1800 but have a screenwriter 4 for most other designs. I recently upgraded my art computer and am running windows 7 ultimate. I have done everything to download a driver for the xante that works with no luck. Called xante 10 times with no call back. can anyone help? I will probably need kindergarden step by step instructions as i dont think the driver is readily available..
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency


Offline screenxpress

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2434
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2011, 12:48:21 AM »
I nosed around and nothing jumped out at me.  Here's an option, not one you probably want, but it is an option.

Assuming you have an XP Install CD, you could modify your setup for front slide-in drive bays (I have 3).  One bay would always be for boot up.  Pick up a new harddrive (Fry's has them around $40) and install XP fresh on it.  Then one drive with 7, one with XP, and one as a slave (data drive).  You would put your art to the slave drive for Screenwriter.  Power down, swap the 7 and xp drive, boot up and print.

You could even set up a new partition on the current harddrive and install xp there in lieu of buying a new drive.  You still would have to shut down and reboot to swap between them.

Like I said, it is an option, when you cannot get a 7 driver for the device.   

By the way, you are not alone (sounds like out of X-files) - http://www.t-shirtforums.com/screen-printing/t118497.html

My guess it that the 4 is not a very current machine, even though it was expensive, and Xante just has no vested interest in providing drivers for older equipment to run on newer operating systems. 

Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man; we never get to vote on what he is to do.  Will Rogers

Offline squeezee

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 227
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2011, 08:56:28 AM »
Microsoft did an XP mode for the business version, it was to help legacy products.  It runs in a separate window.
I think that it is discontinued but is still on my PC?
It will run a printer on a native XP.

Or dual-boot  :)
imagesetters for screenprinting  A Troll-free zone :-)

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2011, 01:01:56 PM »
guys i asked for KINDERGARDEN step by step...lol     THANKS FOR THE INPUT
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2011, 01:06:12 PM »
Kindergarten version:
Keep an XP machine at your output station.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2011, 06:42:54 PM »
thats what i am going to have to do. have 2 opreating systems on this one computer..how will that effect the usb ports and all considering im running the epson with the rip also? ... i have one more call into xante. lets hope that works out.. i'll post the outcome.  thanks
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6366
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2011, 02:28:04 PM »
thats what i am going to have to do. have 2 opreating systems on this one computer..how will that effect the usb ports and all considering im running the epson with the rip also? ... i have one more call into xante. lets hope that works out.. i'll post the outcome.  thanks

the somewhat easy solution might be to get another computer and use it as a print server. You should be able to get a an old XP box for $99 or less. then network them together and share the printer. If you are not comfortable with computers, have somebody else set it up, but it should only take about 5 min or so to get them talking to each other.

Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline Sbrem

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6055
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2011, 03:23:04 PM »
Kindergarten version:
Keep an XP machine at your output station.

Ditto. Even though I'm a Mac guy, I'm running one with OS9 just to drive my plotter, same idea.

Steve
I made a mistake once; I thought I was wrong about something; I wasn't

Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2011, 03:30:30 PM »
Pierre's networked XP print server is a little more elegant, but still the same basic idea
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2011, 05:23:47 PM »
thanks..il let you all know how it works out... rick
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6366
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2011, 06:58:17 PM »
thanks..il let you all know how it works out... rick

Rick, if you get the computer and make sure everything is working on it, I can try to walk you through it.
pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2011, 08:59:07 AM »
I networked my plotter, the print server thinks it's a laser printer.  Hehe, i dunno how I figured that one out.  Sometimes I get lucky.

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2011, 09:05:50 PM »
ok after 3 hours with jarid from screeners choice helping me out last night via team view HE CONCLUDED that i may have a bad usb connection.today i went and bought a crossovr ethernet cable and we are going to try that..  thanks
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2011, 11:10:42 AM »
ok.im hooked up via crossover ethernet cable. talked to xante. there is a problem with windows 7 and the usb port but conected via hub and ethernet or straight crossover ethernet works. the printer is up and running with no glitches with windows 7. karen at xante has emailed me a sheet on how to do it if anyone needs it. basicly what we didnt do was change the auto config number in the printer to be the same as the operating system.. oh, and the screenwriter 4 also works with any mac operationg system also. if anyone needs a copy please email me at tshirts@rocketmail.com and ill send you it.. thanks again for everyones help.  RICK
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline squeezee

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 227
Re: Help with a Xante Screenwriter 4..
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2011, 06:52:39 PM »
Yeah, that's what I meant to write  ;)
imagesetters for screenprinting  A Troll-free zone :-)