VersaWorks for SP300v

[cheryld]

My SP300v printer is having problems communicating with my Versaworks 5.5.1 software sometimes. If i restart it, it may connect or it may not and when my Versaworks starts up it no longer can find the website for updates. The AI help says Versaworks 6 will work with my printer but SP300v is not in the compatible list. SP300i is, will it work?

 

[Roland Certified Tech]

NO, VW 6 will not work.
if it has been working fine with the same computer, try a different USB port.
You can also try a different PC if you have the VW install disk as it is not downloadable, the updates are.
If you continue to have no connectivity issues, you will need to replace the main board which is not available anymore.
May be time for a modern Roland.

 

[Chuck Olson]

It could be your USB printer cable. Get a new. Worked for me!

 

[Philw]

My SP300v printer is having problems communicating with my Versaworks 5.5.1 software sometimes. If i restart it, it may connect or it may not and when my Versaworks starts up it no longer can find the website for updates. The AI help says Versaworks 6 will work with my printer but SP300v is not in the compatible list. SP300i is, will it work?

The larger SP-540V with ethernet had it's own issues but the 300V's as they age all suffer degradation around USB connectivity. I've often thought of trying to track the problem down but in the end just worked around the problem.

I've managed to keep 300V's going but the trick seems to be providing the most optimal USB connection - shortest length cable possible (ideally one of the early USB cables with lots of wire and typically shielding and ferrites), computer as close to the printer as possible, maybe check the USB on the computer (adding a card may help, not all are created equal), avoid cold like the plague (one of my SP-300V's if I open an outside door next to it in winter within 30 seconds it's lost the connection so I've placed insulation on the side panel around the USB socket) and the room's maintained at 22C year round.

I used to run my SP-300V's over some distance from the computer with powered USB cables from the computer to the printers but in the end placed a micro PC (no keyboard, monitor or mouse) right next to the SP-300V with a 250mm USB cable and remote onto the computers via RDP over the ethernet. This has kept my SP-300V's operational long after most of the others in my area have gone off to the scrap heap and they still crank out great work most days.

Good luck

 

[crgraphics]

Short USB cable has kept mine running...also need to start VW first before turning the printer on, otherwise I always get a no connection error. Didn't used to be that way tho.

 

[DiS]

i used to get bad communication issues - tried a better quality usb seemed to help

 

[netsol]

The larger SP-540V with ethernet had it's own issues but the 300V's as they age all suffer degradation around USB connectivity. I've often thought of trying to track the problem down but in the end just worked around the problem.

I've managed to keep 300V's going but the trick seems to be providing the most optimal USB connection - shortest length cable possible (ideally one of the early USB cables with lots of wire and typically shielding and ferrites), computer as close to the printer as possible, maybe check the USB on the computer (adding a card may help, not all are created equal), avoid cold like the plague (one of my SP-300V's if I open an outside door next to it in winter within 30 seconds it's lost the connection so I've placed insulation on the side panel around the USB socket) and the room's maintained at 22C year round.

I used to run my SP-300V's over some distance from the computer with powered USB cables from the computer to the printers but in the end placed a micro PC (no keyboard, monitor or mouse) right next to the SP-300V with a 250mm USB cable and remote onto the computers via RDP over the ethernet. This has kept my SP-300V's operational long after most of the others in my area have gone off to the scrap heap and they still crank out great work most days.

Good luck

We almost always kill the little usb interface chip.

SINCE YOU ARE ASKING BEFORE IT GOES BAD go to Walmart buy a usb hub in the aisle by the printers

double face tape it to the back of the roland
leave the cable plugged in to the printer, NEVER UNPLUG IT
use An a to a extension from the pc
a static charge or surge will kill the $10 switch not the ic that is so hard to change

 

[netsol]

The larger SP-540V with ethernet had it's own issues but the 300V's as they age all suffer degradation around USB connectivity. I've often thought of trying to track the problem down but in the end just worked around the problem.

I've managed to keep 300V's going but the trick seems to be providing the most optimal USB connection - shortest length cable possible (ideally one of the early USB cables with lots of wire and typically shielding and ferrites), computer as close to the printer as possible, maybe check the USB on the computer (adding a card may help, not all are created equal), avoid cold like the plague (one of my SP-300V's if I open an outside door next to it in winter within 30 seconds it's lost the connection so I've placed insulation on the side panel around the USB socket) and the room's maintained at 22C year round.

I used to run my SP-300V's over some distance from the computer with powered USB cables from the computer to the printers but in the end placed a micro PC (no keyboard, monitor or mouse) right next to the SP-300V with a 250mm USB cable and remote onto the computers via RDP over the ethernet. This has kept my SP-300V's operational long after most of the others in my area have gone off to the scrap heap and they still crank out great work most days.

Good luck

You know, Digi still makes a thing called USB anywhere. Like a usb print server would be, if it were smarter.
you assign an up and have 1, 2, 4’ 8’ 16 usb devices. Rock solid. I have seen these run for 2 years without a reboot.
we use them to virtualize a server where the program uses a dongle. (Think flexi, omega or one of the RIP’s in our industry.