Digital BW, The Print

i have a problem with an Epson R260 that i'm using with third party inks and epson driver and also BO with QTR

Using either driver, it's printing random blocks and bars of mostly layered up solids with some graduation at the edges.

it even does this when i do a nozzle check

just now i tried to print an invoice as a test and it printed bars the length of the sheet at the edges starting out 1 inch wide down to about 1/4 inch in steps parallel to the left and right edges of the sheet

and underneath it all it printed the invoice

i'm running mac os x 10.8.5 on a macbook pro

i did just transport the printer 250 miles to the beach but it rode smoothly and i routinely do this 3 or 4 times a year with the same printer

ideas??