FW updates, when do you do it?

[buzz]

What determines your service department to initiate a fw update? Do you do it to all devices, all brands?

Also, if a machine was running fine mechanically for years, no issues, would you still initiate a firmware update?


Curious to hear some feedback. Thanks.

I

[Hansoon]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Definitely not (except of security issues) since I learned already in the old days: "Never Touch a Running System"

Will never forget that I once gave the nice working EP-5400 (yes, I'm THAT old) in my BIL's office a good clean out of courtesy. I left a bricked machine with a blade flip and a damaged selenium drum.

Hans

[wjurls]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Only if required to improve security, functionality, or bug fixes (new models particularly). If there is no problem otherwise, leave it be.

I once discovered one of my customers Bizhub 951's was at level 10 FW because I noticed that the "drum peculiarity package" setting wasn't in the service menu.

There were many significant improvements over the years to that series of machines so I gave the customer the low down and the requisite disclaimer and asked if I should proceed. He agreed and I successfully bumped him to level 52 and this machine behaves much more reliably now. YMMV

[rthonpm]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Like everyone else said, it depends on what the module is: if it corrects an issue or improves security, then it's getting installed. If it just corrects spelling if the machine is set to use Hungarian, then no need to worry about it.

Every now and then I have come across a machine where strange issues seem to be fixed just by a re-flash of the existing firmware. Sometimes those running systems aren't exactly running on the right tracks.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[blackcat4866]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Definitely not (except of security issues) since I learned already in the old days: "Never Touch a Running System"

Will never forget that I once gave the nice working EP-5400 (yes, I'm THAT old) in my BIL's office a good clean out of courtesy. I left a bricked machine with a blade flip and a damaged selenium drum.

Hans

+1 on that. I've seen plenty of machines bricked by firmware updates, and relatively few fixed by them. I have to have a reason to update, before I do. =^..^=

[tsbservice]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Yes will do them all. Doesn't matter if they are running smooth operations. They're going to be updated as soon as possible.
It's just my obsession of course nothing major 🤞

[adecanmin]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

I update the machine to the latest in the shop before it goes to the customer. In the field only if it is critical (battery fix e series). Or some weird issue issue after I've tried everything else.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

I always update firmware at the first opportunity. However, I will always defer to blackcat and rthonpm simply because they have much more experience and knowledge.

[copier tech]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

What determines your service department to initiate a fw update? Do you do it to all devices, all brands?

Also, if a machine was running fine mechanically for years, no issues, would you still initiate a firmware update?


Curious to hear some feedback. Thanks.

I

This is good practice at every visit all manufacturers will recommend this during training.

See attached for a reason this is so important

In The UK we call this a 'PM' visit or preventative mantenance.

Lexmark Security Advisory.pdf

[davidmtupper]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

I update every machine before it leaves the shop and recommend that the techs do so whenever possible in the field, for a few reasons. I have seen firmware fix a multitude of weird errors. Many email issues can be fixed by upgrading firmware. The days of bricking the machine are (almost) gone, it's very reliable now. Finally, if you need to call manufacturer tech support, their first question will be have you updated firmware.

[slimslob]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

I always tried to keep the latest Ricoh firmware updates loaded on my laptop along with at least 3 previous versions and the latest firmware history. When downloading firmware I always use the repository server, RFG-esource, and not TSRC because TSRC did not always have the links to Custom and Special firmware. Many of those were updates to SMB scanning and SMTP email problems for older models no longer in production. Many were not always available outside the US as they were written by Ricoh-USA engineers. Some were written for specific customers and vertical markets and you had to fill out a request form specifying why you needed it and who the customer was. If an update was mandatory we would schedule we would schedule a visit to load the update. The rest of the time I would check the Firmware history top see what was corrected by that update to decide if that customer needed it To try to do updates as they came out just because they were there was ridiculous, especially when the 03 color models came out. There were multiple updated modules almost every day.

[KenB]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

I always tried to keep the latest Ricoh firmware updates loaded on my laptop along with at least 3 previous versions and the latest firmware history. When downloading firmware I always use the repository server, RFG-esource, and not TSRC because TSRC did not always have the links to Custom and Special firmware. Many of those were updates to SMB scanning and SMTP email problems for older models no longer in production. Many were not always available outside the US as they were written by Ricoh-USA engineers. Some were written for specific customers and vertical markets and you had to fill out a request form specifying why you needed it and who the customer was. If an update was mandatory we would schedule we would schedule a visit to load the update. The rest of the time I would check the Firmware history top see what was corrected by that update to decide if that customer needed it To try to do updates as they came out just because they were there was ridiculous, especially when the 03 color models came out. There were multiple updated modules almost every day.

[techsxge]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

All my service-contract customers are getting their firmware auto-updated 1 week after release. The none-service contract ones i send them an email that there is a newer version out and if they would like me to upgrade it

[avecosat]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Only when necessary and in second-hand machines when they leave the workshop I like that they have the latest FW version

[buzz]

Re: FW updates, when do you do it?

Thanks to all the feedback! All good stuff.

I concluded that there needs to be a solid and concrete reason to update, this may be at the set up for some, or later on when you see fit for others. It really might depend on the customer needs and trouble that arises and the service department personnel to do so.

I am going to do a taboo thing and piggy back on this thread and ask where do you get HP firmware updates for old machines? I noticed its not there on the hp website support for older models anymore. O how I wish I saved the files over the years updating different HP models.