Convert WF-3640 into a Chipless Printer OVER THE INTERNET

Today, I’d like to go over how to make a chipless WF-3640 printer remotely. However, I do have to give a disclaimer that this is not a general solution for just anybody to make a chipless printer.

This explanation is for customers who bought the solution from BCHTechnologies.com, and shows how to communicate and use it. If you are not a BCH customer and have not purchased this solution from us, you won’t learn anything from this article.

Important Background / Info

Before we get started, let’s quickly go over a few things. The WF-3640 is one of the earlier Epson printer models with chipless software. When this printer came out, there were many keys and other ways to make a chipless printer available.

However, there are two batches that Epson made. Toward the end of this printer’s production, they started making printers that no one could convert into chipless printers. As a result, all those companies offering chipless solutions stopped wanting to go through the trouble of doing so.

Due to this mass market withdrawal, it’s tough to find WF-3640 chipless solutions in the modern day. Fortunately, you can still find a WF-3640 chipless conversion solution by going to BCHTechnologies.com and finding the printer repair services section.

After using the motherboard conversion kit, putting it back in the printer, and returning it to the customer, it’s not uncommon for the customer to override the printer’s firmware.

Therefore, it’s a huge and often pointless hassle to do this physical conversion, so that’s why I felt the need for this article. I want to provide you with a way to fix this over the internet, rather than sending it to us, having us convert the motherboard physically, and then having trouble with it later.

Not for Beginners

I recommend this process for people with computer savvy who are comfortable setting up a VPN and installing and uninstalling programs. It also helps if you have relatively advanced knowledge of computers.

To figure out what kind of printer you have, look for the serial number on the back of it. Epson started making a lot of non-resettable printers, which have higher SEYB serial numbers. For example, an SEYYA serial number would be OK, and the SEYY5 serial numbers are usually resettable, and even most early SEYYB serial numbers (i.e., SEYYB1) would be OK. The issue is with the serial numbers that have things like SEYYB5, etc.

The SEYY5 serial numbers are ideal, as they have motherboards already optimized for resettability, which won’t need to be changed. If you buy a printer from BCHTechnologies, you’ll never have to worry about that.

Download TeamViewer

Next, you need to go to your computer and download a software tool called TeamViewer. Many people will already have TeamViewer installed on their computers or printers. If this is the case, you don’t need to re-download it.

All you have to do to get TeamViewer if you don’t already have it is go to TeamViewer.com and click the download button. After it finishes installing, go ahead and click on sign up. You’ll have to put in your email address so they can send you a confirmation email. You may have to check your spam folder if you don’t see the email within a reasonable timeframe.

Confirm your registration via their email, and your TeamViewer account will be active.

Install the VPN

Open TeamViewer and click the gear-shaped setting button in the upper right-hand corner of the window, then go to advanced options. Scroll down until you see the “advanced network settings multiplier” section and click “Install VPN.”

If you don’t have the VPN driver installed, you’ll only see two options: “Remote Control” and “File Transfer.” If you have the VPN driver installed, go through the same steps as previously explained and click install. Chances are it will freeze there. Restart your computer.

You should see it in the advanced network settings, so click on the install TeamViewer printer driver option. When you control a remote computer at this point, you should see a third option labeled VPN.

USB Redirector

Next, go to Google and search for the USB redirector in the search bar. The one you want is from IncentivesPro.com. Click on the download button. DO NOT click on the one saying download free client.

They will give you a fully functioning 15-day free trial with the regular download, which is why you don’t want the free client option. When you fire it up, you should see that it says that there are 15 days left. Click continue evaluation. You’ll then see a list of USB devices that you can share.

You’re supposed to mount your printer in service mode, so I’ll go over what an Epson WF-3640 printer looks like when it’s not in service mode. I’ll start the printer normally and explain what the USB redirector looks like.

The USB options include a microphone, mouse, storage, wifi card, keyboard, and Epson WF36-40 series. None of these are what we want. This device array means you’re in the regular WF-3640 mode, not service mode. We want the printer in service mode.

When the printer is in service mode, you’ll be able to tell because there will be an additional option listed that says USB2.0 Printer (High-Speed). It will not detect which model number or printer you use.

Put the Printer in Service Mode

To put the printer into service mode, start by turning off its power. Hold the button with the orange symbol, the button with the number one on the keypad, the home button, and the power button.

The LCD screen should be black with only a few lines of text, including one saying “program update mode.” If it does not look like this and the LCD comes on with the standard display, turn the printer off and try again. You also have to have your printer plugged into your computer with a USB connection for this to work, not a wireless Bluetooth connection.

At your computer, click the USB2.0 Printer (High-Speed) option, and you should hear your printer beep and start up. The first time you connect your printer to the USB redirector, it won’t automatically be sharing. All you have to do is right-click on it and select share.

Text BCH

Once you’ve made it this far, BCHTechnologies will give you a number to text when you’re done to let us know you’re ready. You’ll receive a text back containing your computer ID number and a password.

Next, go to the remote control panel on TeamViewer and type the ID number contained within the text. Make sure you’re on the VPN setting and click connect. It will ask for a password. This is not the personal password you set up for your account, but instead, the one we texted you.

After that, you’ll get a pop=up window with your IP. It will be empty at first, so wait until the box fills with your IP numbers. Take a clear picture of this and send it to us as a reply text to the one we sent you.

Don’t shut down your printer, USB redirector, VPN, or other software. I’ll be working on your printer remotely, which will take some time. I will text you when I’m done. If everything is successful, the LCD screen should display ROM1 and a checksum, followed by ROM2 and a checksum. Restart the printer, and it should now be chipless.

URLs:

0:40- Background

3:13- Step One

4:25- Step Two

6:40- Step Three

7:20- Step Four