I have my 3800 and my 11880 both connected via ethernet. Recently, the 3800 has slowed to a crawl, even with no network activity or extra computer activity when printing. Basically the head moves across and back, then pauses ... does that for about 3/4 of the print, then finishes as normal.

I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling drivers, various things with the network (computer and printer both plugged into Time Capsule as the hub), without success. I finally moved the printer so I could use USB ... works fine. The 11880 works fine as well, no speed problems even with the very large files I'm sending to it.

Any thoughts?

running MacPro 8-core with 16gigs ram, 2TB and 1 TB raid, OS X 10.54

Which version of 10.5? I saw another thread about this issue somewhere, and I think the user had just upgraded to 10.5.5.

Still using 10.5.4.

Mine has been running fine (10.5.4) but it always takes 10-90 seconds before the printing actually starts. During that delay, my Mac is looking for the printer.

Wayne, which app(s) are you printing from?

CS3 and Lightroom 2.1

That is quite strange. I am printing from the same apps, same versions, to my 3800 without the funky pauses. I'm guessing you're using the latest Epson Leopard beta driver?

I would add that once printing has started, thre's no pause. I'm using the Leopard Beta drivers.

could be packet loss, check the cable. i'd swap it for the 11880 cable.

I have tried multiple cables, but after reading your suggestion decided to try experimenting with cables a little more.

It seems that the cable is not seating fully into the printer ... seems like the slightest strain on the cable causes problems. The printer works fine if I pull it away from the wall so the cable has no strain from bending. I think the printer's connector has some issues, hopefully something I can work around.

Thanks to all those with suggestions.

glad you got it sorted.

I came across this thread while I was experiencing the same problem: networked 3800, 10.5.5, excruciatingly slow printing where it pauses after every head pass. Although this thread was resolved, I thought I'd add to the thread since my solution turned out to be different. Perhaps it might help the next person who has a similar problem...

Anyway, I was having general networking problems, probably due to a recent logic board replacement, and had lost all communication with the 3800. I did a bunch of driver install/updates, printer add/delete, etc and finally got it working... except for the slow printing problem. I finally discovered that if I connected via Appletalk, I got the slow printing, but then if I added a new printer with the "Epson TCP/IP" version it printed fine. I had added the Appletalk version because the TCP/IP version wasn't showing up, and then did later for some reason. Anyway, something to check for...

j