Axim X5 & Sipix A6 Printer

Axzym · 03-13-04, 02:31 PM

I own and run a small business that, more often than not, requires me to do my work onsite. I wanted to be on the “cutting edge” of technology and offer my clients the convenience of reviewing and signing off on work orders and the ability to get a “working copy” right there on the spot. After several weeks of research I purchased a piece of software called LowFat Invoice for my Dell Axim X5 which worked beautifully (more info available at http://www.lowfatsoftware.com). After reviewing the list of printers supported by the software, I purchased the Canon BJC-55. It was pricey, but it would allow me to print via the infrared port from my X5 AND I could print from my laptop and even scan from it with the optional scanner module. It was relatively light (relative to the heavy Alienware Area 51M Laptop that accompanied it in a spacious backpack) and was functional –until it broke 6 months later.

And all the world grew dark.

Seemingly without reason, the infrared port on the BJC-55 stopped working. I bought the unit refurbed –a mistake I will not make again. I refused to fork over another 300+ for another Canon (which now has the i80 for around the same price) or pay 100+ to get it fixed. That would be like putting $1000 rims on a $2000 car –if you’ve done it, disregard that last sentence.

On impulse I bought the Sipix A6 printer, brand new, off eBay (for a mere 19 bucks!) after checking it’s compatibility with the LowFat Invoice software. However, I DID NOT check whether there were any known issues with the Dell Axim X5 and I was unaware of you wonderful people here at AXIMSITE.

Soooo, the unit arrives. I giggle. I Take it out the box, pop in the CD and there were only drivers for 2000/98/ME and Palm. %$!!&#! I’m running XP Pro and PPC 2002. I google and search for drivers. I found these: http://www.sipixdigital.com/support/.../drivers.shtml and I’m printing in XP – Woo Hoo! Load the CE drivers, attempt to print from LowFat – nuthin. %$!!&#! I made several attempts of removing and reinstalling the drivers, even changing the location (SD Card, main memory, built-in storage) –all, to no avail. Then I spot a thread response by zipidydoda that recommended removing all the expansion cards and reloading the drivers. So I:

1) Remove my SD Card and the compact flash card
2) Did a soft reset
3) Put it in the USB Cradle
4) Used ActiveSync to remove the Sipix Printer Driver (if you get an error stating that a file is still loaded in memory you may have to tap> Start> Settings> System> Memory >Running Programs> Stop all – however, doing a soft reset before this step should help you avoid any errors)
5) Did a soft reset (after taking it out of the cradle)
6) Put it in the USB Cradle
7) Reinstalled the driver (location provided above)
8) Turned Axim off (after taking it out of the cradle) –this was also part of the instructions provided by Sipix
9) Turned Axim on
10) Print from A6print (tap > Start>Programs> A6print –it is best to choose a small txt file for quick printing)
11) Voila !!

So I’m printing –Woo Hoo! I try it in Lowfat –same error as before “Unable to Establish Infrared Link”. What?!!? Just as I was about to chunk the thing –I thought long enough to calm down and approach it as if it were an error on a desktop. Since it’s the IR port that’s not jiving, I thought it could possibly be a transfer rate issue. I go into Lowfat> Tools> Print> Advanced> More Settings. There was no setting for IR Port Speed and the one for the Serial Port was defaulted at its lowest settings. I unchecked “Alternate IR Connection” and “IR Buffer Adjustment”. Prayed –attempted to print…

Thank God!!!!! I’m printing –not only can I print with the A6Print and A6Capture utilities but I can print from LowFat Invoice too!

Sorry this was so lengthy but I didn’t want anyone else to have to spend a whole business day trying to get theirs to work –or worse…give up. I hope this helps somebody.

God Bless,
Axzym

03-13-04, 02:54 PM

Thanks Axzym. I bought the A6 not knowing there were issues between the Ax/OS and the printer. After some frustration and some suggestions here I was able to make use of a decent printer at a great price. I know I'll refer back to this next time I have problems printing from an application.

P.S. the only place I've found to buy paper for the A6 is ebay and you'll pay a ridiculous shipping fee for mediocre delivery.

Axzym · 03-13-04, 03:23 PM

Just today, I purchased 18 rolls of the paper for $26 bucks and paid 9 bucks for shipping on Ebay (from seller sipixinc) which averages out to be 1.95 a roll. Not intolerable when you consider the $2.00+ you'd spend for a ream of regular printer paper. Yes... I understand that you get way more paper in a ream but you have to put those numbers into context. You wont have near the usage or page count on the Sipix as you would with your desktop printer (and you don't have to buy ink!!). Though compact, the Sipix is slow -averaging 2.5-3 pages a minute TEXT!! So, with average usage 18 rolls should last you a good minute.

I just use my Sipix A6 for printing signed documents, receipts and quotes.

Not to digress, but I've noticed that tearing paper from the A6 is messy -and I'm a serious neat-freak so I bought a small enevlope opener (the kind with the point and the blade on the inside) to carry in the pouch with my printer. One swipe and it cuts nice and clean.

Another note: I read on another site (http://http://www.adriansrojakpot.co...Printer_02.htm) that A6 paper is exactly half the size of A4 paper. So, just get a normal A4 fax roll and cut it down to size! The author warns to make sure you do it properly. If not, you'll get a lot of paper jams!

j.gilbert · 07-24-04, 03:33 PM

Axzym,

You saved me time and money with your post. I've been looking into developing my own invoicing program to do exactly what you just did because I was hesitant to buy LowFat for certain reasons. Thanks to your post, I bought the SiPix afterwards and followed your trail. Now I'm invoicing with my Axim and printing it to the SiPix without fail. I didn't have to remove my CF card etc. luckily, and I went straight to changing the IR settings to what you showed. Had no problems printing. Worked within 5 minutes. Thanks for taking the time to write. It was worth it to me, another self employed bill by the job associate in the field!

Kudoz.

n5emj · 01-25-05, 07:43 AM

I just recieved my printer yesterday. I tried it out by connecting it to my desktop computer running windows xp. Installing it like I was using windows 2000 as per instruction the printer work great.

However following the instruction that Axzym subjected here I couldn't get it to work. I tried installing the new drivers that I download on my Axim X50v. With threw all the steps as Axzym wrote out. still didn't work.

I was thinking that since I am using the Think outside Ir keyboard that maybe this is causing me some problems. I made sure that the Ir setting is in the share mode and made sure that the keyboard was disable. Still didn't work.

Does anyone have any idea?

I had also had problems getting the Axim X50v to work with the remote control program in the past. There I just give up.

The only other thing that I can think of, I have the beam setting check so it will recieved all in coming beams.

I even downloaded a program called Print Pocket CE Still no luck.

I am at a lost on what to do next.

Please Help.

n5emj · 01-25-05, 08:32 AM

Just don't understand this. Last night I couldn't get the printer to print if my life dependind on it with the Axim X50v.

This morning it printing fine.

Go figures.

01-25-05, 11:47 AM

Go buy a lottery ticket. It must be your lucky day since it is tough to get the Sipix printer working most times.

denisek · 01-30-05, 12:15 PM

I've been using the Sipix printer with my X5 for about a month now and haven't had any problems with it other than the initial setup. It works excellent with LowFat Software.

Denise

j.gilbert · 02-02-05, 01:48 AM

Just a follow up... Sorry I have no time to troubleshoot, but I'm still invoicing with the SiPix printer and Axim X5. Have been fortunate I guess to have no problems with it. My job is troubleshooting others' technical problems, so I don't waste alot of time troubleshooting my own stuff. For me, the printer just worked. I tried walking a client over the phone (different State) with theirs on a Axim X30, and it didn't print from LowFat, but did print from the pocketCE drivers. So he bought a HP Portable and has been printing with it from LowFat ever since. Guess I just got a SiPix that worked out the box. Good luck to others.

n5emj · 02-02-05, 06:17 AM

The other day I just installed to new rom version of AO2 on my Dell X50v. Then I re-installed all my software.

I was able to get the Sipix software on and then uninstalled it and reinstalled it and now it works.

However I am having the same problem as before.

With the A6print software. When I click over the the email area. It empty under the activesynce section. No emails showing up there.

I made sure that I am even in the Inbox sections.

However when I open up my Email program on my Axim X50v it shows around 10 emails in my inbox.

Does anyone know how to get this sections to work?

I also download a program called Printpocketce and there the email does show up. Right now I am just using the trial version of that. That program cost is over my budget and I was wondering if maybe there is a cheeper program out there that may do the same.

Paul

SubaruWRX · 06-28-05, 03:00 PM

someone help I just got this printer as well, and for the love of god I can't print with IR period, keeps saying it can't find the device.

ok I got it to work but I need to find another printing program.

SubaruWRX · 06-28-05, 03:57 PM

Print outs

TomL_12953 · 07-02-05, 10:51 PM

I'm trying to get my A6 to print from my X5 with WM2003. No luck. I followed your instrictions exactly (except for Lowfat which I don't have) and I get "Failed to connect to printer. (Err 10060)" every time.

SubaruWRX · 07-02-05, 11:15 PM

yeah it's stupid how you have to get it to print.. let me find the tread for you.

SubaruWRX · 07-02-05, 11:16 PM

Follow this Order STEP BY STEP.... This is how I got mine to print.

1) Remove my SD Card and the compact flash card
2) Did a soft reset
3) Put it in the USB Cradle
4) Used ActiveSync to remove the Sipix Printer Driver (if you get an error stating that a file is still loaded in memory you may have to tap> Start> Settings> System> Memory >Running Programs> Stop all – however, doing a soft reset before this step should help you avoid any errors)
5) Did a soft reset (after taking it out of the cradle)
6) Put it in the USB Cradle
7) Reinstalled the driver (location provided above)
8) Turned Axim off (after taking it out of the cradle) –this was also part of the instructions provided by Sipix
9) Turned Axim on
10) Print from A6print (tap > Start>Programs> A6print –it is best to choose a small txt file for quick printing)
11) Voila !!