MPC305 total freeze

[mrwho]

Good morning.

I'm trying to figure out a machine that completely freezes - doesn't print, panel doesn't respond to touch, web interface doesn't show up (but it responds to pings), and when I try to power it off on the main switch, the warning that it will take a couple of minutes doesn't show up and the machine doesn't power off - the only way is to yank out the power cord.

After cycling the power the machine can work nicely for some time (hours) before freezing again (according to the customer it's been three times do far).

The firmware is up to date (updated a couple of months ago, iirc) and I'm going to take out the dimm modules and give them a cleaning. There's no HDD installed.

Anyone got this symptom before on a Ricoh machine? I've had freezes before, but it's the first time for me that the power button gives no response...

The only recent sc code logged (all the others are from last year) is a 899, wich is too vague, but at least points to the controller board...

Cheers!

[DRichard]

Good morning.

I'm trying to figure out a machine that completely freezes - doesn't print, panel doesn't respond to touch, web interface doesn't show up (but it responds to pings), and when I try to power it off on the main switch, the warning that it will take a couple of minutes doesn't show up and the machine doesn't power off - the only way is to yank out the power cord.

After cycling the power the machine can work nicely for some time (hours) before freezing again (according to the customer it's been three times do far).

The firmware is up to date (updated a couple of months ago, iirc) and I'm going to take out the dimm modules and give them a cleaning. There's no HDD installed.

Anyone got this symptom before on a Ricoh machine? I've had freezes before, but it's the first time for me that the power button gives no response...

The only recent sc code logged (all the others are from last year) is a 899, wich is too vague, but at least points to the controller board...

Cheers!

Have you monitored your wall outlet? Dirty AC could cause the power supply problems and in turn cause the controller to lose its sh*t. This may account for the intermittancy of the symptom. Related to this, is there an appliance like a space heater or refrigerator on the same circuit? This too may cause corrupted power. Good luck.

[copier tech]

When you updated the fw did you update ALL modules?

I have had good sucess using this SP for didbling the controller going to sleep, worth a try.

Use SP 5-191 set to 0

[mrwho]

Have you monitored your wall outlet? Dirty AC could cause the power supply problems and in turn cause the controller to lose its sh*t. This may account for the intermittancy of the symptom. Related to this, is there an appliance like a space heater or refrigerator on the same circuit? This too may cause corrupted power. Good luck.

I don't have any way of monitoring the outlet output, but next time I'm there (if the customer calls again) I'll check for extra appliances connected to the same outlet.
How do you guys usually go about monitoring the outlets?

When you updated the fw did you update ALL modules?

We always update everything - we've had our share of trouble caused by partial updates...

I have had good sucess using this SP for didbling the controller going to sleep, worth a try.

Use SP 5-191 set to 0

I believe I already changed that SP sometime ago related to freezing when printing (but not as severe as the freezes now) and it seemed to solve it at the time, but I'll doublecheck next visit.

Thanks all.

[sturmtrooper]

I don't have any way of monitoring the outlet output, but next time I'm there (if the customer calls again) I'll check for extra appliances connected to the same outlet.
How do you guys usually go about monitoring the outlets?

Put your meter probes in the socket. Hot to neutral should be within 10% of 120V if you're in the US. If it's wacky even with no load that's a bad sign. You can buy power monitors that go between the wall and the machine and will tell you voltage under load. Sometimes voltage will look fine with no load then go to crap once something tries to pull power.

If you have a power conditioner already you can try plugging that in and see if the problem goes away.

[Phil B.]

I don't have any way of monitoring the outlet output, but next time I'm there (if the customer calls again) I'll check for extra appliances connected to the same outlet.
How do you guys usually go about monitoring the outlets?

we use the ESP XG-PCS-IC-1. which is a monitoring surge protector. I records all wave sign... volts..amps...cross voltages... ect..about 250$ and it can record over 30 days worth of data .. recording it every 30 sec.

but for simple checks use a multi meter

[DRichard]

...but next time I'm there (if the customer calls again) I'll check for extra appliances connected to the same outlet.

Remember. Those appliances don't necessarily need to be plugged into the same outlet to cause a power fluctuation. They could be in a different outlet but still on the same circuit.

[mrwho]

I once (not at this customer's) improvised a current analyzer by placing the multimeter on a fixed position with the terminals in the power outlet and my mobile phone camera filming the display - got about one hour of footage that showed there were no fluctuations during that time...

[slimslob]

I once (not at this customer's) improvised a current analyzer by placing the multimeter on a fixed position with the terminals in the power outlet and my mobile phone camera filming the display - got about one hour of footage that showed there were no fluctuations during that time...

Proves nothing. A multimeter is far to slow to respond for observing spikes, surges and sags.

[sturmtrooper]

Remember. Those appliances don't necessarily need to be plugged into the same outlet to cause a power fluctuation. They could be in a different outlet but still on the same circuit.

We have a customer that I'm about 99% certain has a pop vending machine and their MP 6503 on the same circuit. The power conditioner on that one gets a workout. It's a school so I doubt they will listen to us, but power surge damage is explicitly not covered by contract.