As it’s current and about Epsom drivers I thought I would tag this post on if that’s OK? 
I have just bought an Epsom Home XP-305 and have gone to the Epsom page here. Epson - drivers & downloads
The thing is I do not know which one to download and install. Can anyone help?
Which Linux distro/version/architecture are you running ?
If it’s Debian/Ubuntu based, you’ll want one of the 2 that end with .deb (.deb = debian package management)
if it’s 32bit and Debian/Ubuntu based, you’ll want the one that ends with i386.deb
if it’s 64bit and Debian/Ubuntu based, you’ll want the one that ends with amd64.deb
If it’s RedHat based you’ll want one of the 2 that end with .rpm (.rpm = redhat package management)
if it’s 32bit and RedHat based, you’ll want the one that ends with i486.rpm
if it’s 64bit and RedHat based, you’ll want the one that ends with X86_64.rpm
The last one that ends with source.rpm is the source code, for if you want/need to compile them yourself … for some reason they’ve chose to package it as an .rpm, but you can easily unpack it.
BTW, you may also want the scanner drivers from here:
http://download.ebz.epson.net/dsc/du/02/DriverDownloadInfo.do?LG2=EN&CN2=&DSCMI=21580&DSCCHK=ea245da3525f56d8ca2ab9408ed2d6d8b481d435
If you’re lost for which to get … just answer the question above
–
There is a website link for .deb (Ubuntu) drivers at http://www.driverlook.com/epson-expression-home-xp-305-printer-driver-windows-linux-mac-os-x/ (bottom of the page)
There are 32 bit and 64 bit drivers xp-305 drivers for the printer and the scanner. I have used driverlook.com in the past.
If you are intending to stick with Linux in the long term, I recommend HP since they provide Linux drivers for most of their printers and scanners.
Hi mint-user, and welcome to the forum
Thanks to both of you.
Yes, I knew Hp support Linux better. The problem was that the Epson had a much smaller footprint for the spec I wanted.
Now to have play with the drivers!
Problem is the WiFi only wants to talk to Windows or Macs.
Also the deb scanner driver lists an error through Ubuntu software setup…Dependancy is not satisfiable. iscan-data >:(
For wifi … make sure smbclient is installed:
sudo apt-get install smbclient
Then set it up through the CUPS interface:
http://localhost:631
and add it as a network printer using smb.
You need to install iscan-data_1.22.0-1_all.deb from this link:
http://download.ebz.epson.net/dsc/du/02/DriverDownloadInfo.do?LG2=EN&CN2=&DSCMI=21580&DSCCHK=ea245da3525f56d8ca2ab9408ed2d6d8b481d435
FIRST.
and add it as a network printer using smb.
How do I do that. :-[
Do you know the IP address of the printer ?
Have you given it a static IP address ?
No and no! 
I am having a nightmare. The damn thing will pick up all of my neighbours wifi except my laptop and Andriod device both 10" away!
Which OS are you using ?
Bit baffled by you saying "it will pick up neighbours wifi … a printer doesnt “pick up” wifi networks ?
Is there anything in the documentation about how to give it a static IP ?
Do you have a Windows PC ?
or
Do you have WINE installed on your Linux PC ?
Using Ubuntu 12.04 lts. The printer has a screen showing available wifi networks. I have Windows as a dual boot option, but hardly ever use it. Wine is installed but it gives me headaches!
Do you know the network name of the printer ?
It’s usually EPSONXXXXXX
(where XXXXXX is the last 6 digits of the MAC address)
See here:
http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/store/products/mainunits/faq/11536/1766
–
Hmmm. Can’t relate their menu instructions to this printer. Please hit me over the head with something blunt if this sounds stupid…but do I need the printer to run through a router? :-[
do I need the printer to run through a router?
YES … the printer becomes a “device” attached to the local wireless network … so it needs to be in the same IP range and connected (wirelessly) to your router.
(at least it does in infrastructure mode)
–
I know it must seem that i am a bit thick! :-[ :-[ :-[
I clearly am at fault for not providing enough information and apologise.
I do not have wired broadband hence…no router. I have a wireless or usb mobile tethered device which supplies me with (pretty quick) internet service. At the moment my mobile is tethered by usb.
Sorry if you have wasted time on this.
If your printer supports “ad-hock” mode, it may still be possible to get a wireless connection … but it will probably be easier just to plug it in by USB.
Does it work through USB now ?
Have you still got an old wireless router ?
Yes. it works but I have little control over things like ink levels and quality. To be honest I can probally deal with the usb side of things for the printer. The scanner is another thing though. I cant get simple scan or Xsane to recognise it.
OK, connect to it through USB … then post the output from:
sane-find-scanner
and
sudo sane-find-scanner
and
scanimage -L
and
sudo scanimage -L
First one
found USB scanner (vendor=0x04b8, product=0x0898) at libusb:002:025
found USB scanner (vendor=0x0fce, product=0x814f) at libusb:002:017
Second one
found USB scanner (vendor=0x04b8, product=0x0898) at libusb:002:025
found USB scanner (vendor=0x0fce, product=0x814f) at libusb:002:017
Third one
No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,
check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the
sane-find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation
which came with this software (README, FAQ, manpages).
Fourth one
No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,
check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the
sane-find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation
which came with this software (README, FAQ, manpages).
adamandmaureen@C:~$ sudo scanimage -L
No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,
check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the
sane-find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation
which came with this software (README, FAQ, manpages).