Solving Problems

If your PictureMate Pal has any problems, see these sections for solutions:

•	Error Messages

•	Problems and Solutions

If you need to uninstall and then reinstall your software to solve your problem, see Uninstalling PictureMate Pal Software.

If the solutions here don’t solve your problem, see Where To Get Help.

Error Messages

If you see one of these messages on the PictureMate Pal screen, here’s what to do:

Message	What to Do
Not initial cartridge. Use initial cartridge.	You need to insert the initial photo cartridge that comes with PictureMate Pal the first time you charge it. Remove the installed cartridge and install the initial cartridge instead. See Removing and Installing a Photo Cartridge.
Print Pack is low. Replace Print Pack soon. or Print Pack is very low. Replace Print Pack soon.	Your Print Pack is running low. If you are trying to clean the print head, you must replace the Print Pack first. Purchase a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack and replace it. See Replacing the Print Pack.
Replace Print Pack now.	Purchase a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack and replace the photo cartridge. If the cartridge is new, make sure it is inserted correctly. See Replacing the Print Pack.
Paper out. Load paper and press OK.	Load paper, or remove and reload paper, then press OK to clear this message and resume printing. See Loading Paper for loading instructions.
Paper jam. Clear jam and press OK.	Remove any sheets behind the jammed paper and press OK to eject the jammed paper. Don’t pull out jammed paper from the top of PictureMate Pal. If your PictureMate Pal jams frequently, see Paper doesn’t feed correctly or jams in PictureMate Pal.
Close the cartridge door.	The cartridge door is not closed completely on the back of PictureMate Pal. Make sure the door clicks shut.
No cartridge installed. Insert cartridge now.	The photo cartridge was removed or not installed correctly. Install a new photo cartridge. See Replacing the Print Pack.
Cartridge not recognized. Replace Print Pack.	Install a genuine PictureMate 200 Series photo cartridge. See Replacing the Print Pack.
No photos on memory card.	No compatible photos are on the inserted memory card. Insert a card with photos or one with compatible file types. See Photo Image File Requirements.
Memory card not recognized.	Use a compatible memory card. Format the card with your camera, not a computer. See Compatible Memory Cards and the supported file types in Photo Image File Requirements.
Error in data. Printouts may be affected.	Data in your photo files may be corrupted and may affect your printouts.
Bluetooth adapter error.	Disconnect the adapter, then reconnect it to PictureMate Pal. See Printing Wirelessly From a Bluetooth Device.
The image is too large.	The image you are trying to print from a Bluetooth device is too large. Print the photo from a memory card or your computer instead.
The image is too complex.	The image you are trying to print from a Bluetooth device is too complex. Print the photo from a memory card or your computer instead.
External device not recognized.	An unsupported device is connected to the  port on the back of PictureMate Pal. Disconnect the device.
Printer error.	Turn off PictureMate Pal, wait a few seconds, then turn it on again. If the error does not clear, contact Epson as described in Where To Get Help.
Service required.	Parts inside PictureMate Pal are near or at the end of their service life. Contact Epson as described in Where To Get Help.

Problems and Solutions

For solutions to specific problems, see these sections:

•	Software Installation Problems

•	Printing and Operation Problems

•	Memory Card Problems

•	Print Quality Problems

•	Problems With Paper Feeding

•	Miscellaneous Printout Problems

Software Installation Problems

You’re having problems installing the PictureMate Pal software.

•

Carefully follow the installation instructions in the Basics book. Do not connect PictureMate Pal to the computer until you are instructed to. Then connect the USB cable securely to the PictureMate Pal and the computer. Also make sure your system meets the requirements listed in System Requirements.

•	Close other programs, including screen savers and virus protection software, and try installing again.

•	If you are using a Macintosh and you do not see PictureMate PM 200 listed in the Format for menu on the Page Setup window, you may need to set up PictureMate Pal in Print Center or the Printer Setup Utility. See the Basics book for instructions.

•	For Windows 2000, if you see an error message or your software doesn’t install correctly, you may not have software installation privileges. Contact your System Administrator.

•	Make sure your Windows system was not upgraded from Windows 95; the USB Printer Device Driver may not install correctly.

•	Make sure the USB Controller is working properly in Device Manager. See your Windows help system for details. If it’s not working, contact your computer manufacturer.

•	If you’re printing over a network, see Setting Up Network Printing for instructions on configuring your PictureMate Pal software for use on a network.

•	If you have a previous version of the PictureMate Pal software installed, make sure you uninstall it before installing the software for PictureMate Pal. See Uninstalling PictureMate Pal Software.

Printing and Operation Problems

The On light and photo viewer screen don’t turn on.

•	Press the  On button again to turn on PictureMate Pal.

•	Make sure the power cable and AC adapter are securely connected at both ends.

•	Make sure your power outlet works and is not controlled by a wall switch or timer.

PictureMate Pal is on, but nothing prints.

•	If you’re printing from your computer, make sure the USB cable is connected securely at both ends and that the cable meets the requirements in System Requirements.

•	If you’re printing on a network, see Setting Up Network Printing for instructions on configuring your PictureMate Pal software for use on a network.

The photo viewer screen goes blank.

The screen turns off after 13 minutes if PictureMate Pal is not used. Press any button to turn it back on.

PictureMate Pal sounds as though it is printing, but nothing prints.

•	PictureMate Pal may be preparing to print.

•	The print head nozzles may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality.

•	PictureMate Pal won’t operate properly if it’s tilted or at an angle. Place it on a flat, stable surface.

•	Make sure paper is not jammed and is loaded correctly, and make sure the handle is not resting on the paper; see Loading Paper.

PictureMate Pal makes noise when you turn it on or after it has been sitting for awhile.

PictureMate Pal is performing routine maintenance.

Printing is too slow.

•	It takes PictureMate Pal a few moments to process your images before printing them.

•	If PictureMate Pal is in a hot or sunny location, move it to a cooler place and try printing again.

•	If you are printing from a computer, make sure your system meets the requirements in System Requirements.

If you’re printing a high-resolution image, you may need more than the minimum requirements listed. You may also need to:

•	Clear space on your hard drive or run a defragmentation utility.

•	Close open programs that you’re not using.

•	Increase your system’s memory (RAM).

For the fastest printing, try these tips:

•	Photos with borders print faster than borderless photos.

•	Before you print directly from PictureMate Pal, press Menu, select Color Effect, and set it to None.

•	When you print directly from PictureMate Pal, JPEG files print faster than TIFF files.

•	Before you print from your computer, select No Correction (instead of Auto Correction) in your print settings. See Printing From Your Computer for instructions.

•	If PictureMate Pal is connected to a USB hub, disconnect any USB devices that you’re not using.

Memory Card Problems

•	Insert only one card at a time.

•	Make sure you’re using a compatible memory card; see Compatible Memory Cards.

•	PictureMate Pal recognizes and can print the first 999 photos on a memory card.

•	Photos must be JPEG or uncompressed TIFF format and taken with a DCF-compliant digital camera (a camera that complies with the Design rule for Camera File system).

•	PictureMate Pal can’t read progressive-scan JPEG files or RAW files.

•	If you access the card from your computer and delete files, the card may not work correctly with your camera. Always delete pictures using your camera.

•	Make sure to format your memory card in your camera.

•	If you copy files from Adobe Photoshop to a memory card, save them as RGB images using the standard save option (non-progressive). Files saved in the CMYK format may not print with the colors you expect.

•	Make sure you follow the instructions in the Basics book to install the PictureMate Pal software.

•	Remove the memory card and insert it again, then restart your computer. If you’re using Windows XP, XP Professional x64 Edition, or Windows Vista, you may need to install your Windows storage device driver. See your Windows help for more information.

Print Quality Problems

You see banding (light lines) in your prints.

•	The print head may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	Make sure the glossy side of the paper is face up.

•	The Print Pack may need replacing; see Replacing the Print Pack for instructions.

•	The print head may need aligning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

Your photo is blurry or smeared.

•	Use PictureMate Pal photo paper to ensure proper saturation, absorption of ink, and quality.

•	Make sure the glossy side of the paper is face up.

•	Make sure your paper isn’t damp or curled, or loaded face down (load it glossy side up). If it’s damp or curled, load new paper.

•	The print head may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	The print head may need aligning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	Remove each photo from the output tray after printing. Let each photo sit for a minute before handling it.

Your photo is grainy.

•	The print head may need aligning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	You may need to increase the image resolution or print it in a smaller size; see your software documentation.

Your photo is faint or has gaps in the image.

•	The print head may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	The photo cartridge may be old or low. See Replacing the Print Pack for instructions on replacing it.

•	Make sure your paper isn’t damaged, old, dirty, or loaded face down. If it is, load new paper with the glossy side up.

Colors in your photo are wrong or missing.

•	If you are printing directly from PictureMate Pal, press Menu and make sure Color Effect is not set to Sepia or Black and White. See Printing Photos in Black and White or Sepia.

•	If you are printing from your computer, make sure the Color Option is not set to Black and White or Sepia. See Printing From Your Computer.

•	The print head may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

•	The photo cartridge may be old or low. See Replacing the Print Pack for instructions on replacing it.

•	Colors may change slightly after your print dries. Wait for 24 hours and check your photo again.

•	Make sure your software is set for color printing.

•	If you copy files from Adobe Photoshop to a memory card, save them as RGB images using the standard save option (non-progressive). Files saved in the CMYK format may not print with the colors you expect.

Problems With Paper Feeding

Paper doesn’t eject fully or is wrinkled.

The paper may be damp. Load new paper.

Paper doesn’t feed correctly or jams in PictureMate Pal.

•	Make sure the handle is not resting on the paper.

•	If paper doesn’t feed, remove it, separate the sheets slightly, reload it between the edge guides, and make sure the guides aren’t too tight; see Loading Paper.

•	If multiple pages feed at once, remove the paper, separate the sheets, and carefully reload it.

•	Remove any sheets behind the jammed paper and press OK to eject the jammed paper. Don’t pull out jammed paper from the top of PictureMate Pal.

If your paper loads incorrectly or jams frequently:

•	Use new paper, loaded glossy or whiter side up and separate the sheets slightly.

•	Load a maximum of 20 sheets.

•	Don’t load plain paper; this may damage PictureMate Pal.

•	Make sure your paper is beneath the arrow on the guides.

•	Use only PictureMate Pal Photo Paper or Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy.

•	Store paper flat to prevent curling.

Miscellaneous Printout Problems

PictureMate Pal prints blank pages.

•	If you are printing from your computer, make sure PictureMate Pal is selected in your program or is the active printer in the Macintosh Print Center.

•	The print head may need cleaning; see Improving Print Quality for instructions.

The borders or layout are incorrect.

•	Check the Layout setting. See Choosing a Layout (if printing directly from PictureMate Pal) or Printing From Your Computer (if printing from a computer) for instructions.

•

When you print borderless photos, PictureMate Pal automatically expands your images. If too much of your photos are cut off around the edges, you can adjust the amount of expansion. See Adjusting Borderless Expansion (if printing directly from PictureMate Pal) or Printing From Your Computer (if printing from a computer).

•	Your photo size may not match the width/height proportions (aspect ratio) of PictureMate Pal photo paper or the layout you’re using. Photos may be cropped to fit the paper and layout.

The wrong photo is printed.

•	If your camera supports DPOF, you can pre-select photos so PictureMate Pal knows exactly what to print. See Printing Camera-Selected DPOF Photos for more information.

•	If your camera supports PictBridge or USB DIRECT-PRINT printing, you can connect it to PictureMate Pal and control printing from the camera. See Printing From a Digital Camera for details.

•	For instructions on selecting photos, see Choosing Photos and Printing.

Too many copies are printing.

Make sure that the Copies option in your software (printing from computer) or on PictureMate Pal (printing without computer) is set for the number of copies you want to print. See Printing From Your Computer or Printing Without a Computer for instructions.

Uninstalling PictureMate Pal Software

You may need to uninstall and then reinstall your PictureMate Pal software on your computer. This may be necessary when you upgrade your operating system, for example. However, you don’t need to uninstall ArcSoft PhotoImpression or this on-screen User’s Guide. Follow the steps in these sections:

•	Uninstalling From a Windows Computer

•	Uninstalling From a Macintosh

Note:
Do not turn off or disconnect PictureMate Pal while you are uninstalling the software.

Uninstalling From a Windows Computer

1.	Do one of the following:

Windows Vista:
Click and click Control Panel. Then click Uninstall a program under Programs.

Other Windows versions:
Double-click My Computer, then double-click the Control Panel icon. Then double-click Add/Remove Programs.

2.	Click EPSON Printer Software in the program list and click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Uninstall/Change.

3.	In the next window, make sure your EPSON PictureMate PM 200 printer icon is selected and click OK. Then follow the on-screen instructions.

Note:
With Windows Vista, click Continue, click Next, and continue with step 6..

4.	In Windows 98SE or Me, click EPSON USB Printer Devices in the program list and click the Add/Remove button.

5.	When you see the prompt asking if you want to reboot, click No.

6.	Restart your computer.

Note:
Windows Vista displays a message telling your that the uninstall is complete. Disconnect the USB cable before your computer restarts.

When you are ready to reinstall the PictureMate Pal software, follow the instructions for your operating system in your Basics book.

Note: Remember that you don’t need to reinstall ArcSoft PhotoImpression or on-screen User’s Guide, and you won’t see the license agreement.

Uninstalling From a Macintosh

Follow these steps to uninstall your PictureMate Pal driver:

1.	Insert the Epson printer software CD into your Macintosh

2.	Open the Epson CD-ROM desktop icon.

3.	Double-click the English folder, then double-click the OSX folder.

Note:
You may need to scroll down to see these folders.

4.	Double-click the Installer icon.

5.	When the Installer window appears, select Uninstall from the pop-up menu in the upper left and click Uninstall.

6.	Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the printer software.

Note:
If the name of your printer remains in the Print Center or Printer Setup Utility, select it from the Printer List and click Delete.

7.	Restart your Macintosh.

When you are ready to reinstall the PictureMate Pal software, follow the instructions for your operating system in your Basics book.

Note:
Remember that you don’t need to reinstall ArcSoft PhotoImpression or your on-screen User’s Guide, and you won’t see the license agreement.