Konica c252p Jig Software

[Synaux]

Hi everyone,

I recently acquired a Konica c252p printer (no usual display or finisher/scanner) with an extremely low print count.

Being a "professional," I need to be able to calibrate the printer like one would with any real copier/printer. To allow technicians to do this Konica created "Jig Software" or an "External Panel Control" where one must connect a computer via serial port, run the software and get the typical konica control panel on their computer screen, etc.

Anyways, I have the software, the field service manual and the troubleshooting guide, a serial cable, and computers, but cannot get the blasted thing to cooperate.

Here is my predicament:
I am able to connect via serial port (it will give an error it does not connect or you select the wrong com port); however, the "External Control Panel" never presents itself in the program--it just stays on the intro screen (see c252p manual page 89-95). And yes, I have the 252 set in "trouble reset" mode, and have tried various sequences.
(The program displays question marks on the bottom left--if that means anything to anyone....)

I can send anyone who is interested the debug and message logs in a .zip file (as well as the other files it created when it was closed).
The most interesting is the following in the debug log:

"FILC_BaseDir::makeContents = ERROR
Invalid MagicNumber: 14
Invalid MagicNumber: 13
Invalid MagicNumber: 12
Invalid MagicNumber: 0"

(I guess I don't have the magic number.)


The manual is extremely and frustratingly vague:

"9.1 Calling the Service Mode to Screen6. Start the Jig software and check to make sure that the Start screen will change to the
Panel screen.
7. Click the Utility key.
8. Click Details key.
9. Press the following keys in this order:
Stop → 0 → 0 → Stop → 0 → 1
10. Service mode will be displayed."

I have tried multiple computers (all running winXP), and even tried all the different address for the serial port in BIOS (just to be thorough).

Any ideas??

Thanks in advance!
Nick

[TheOwl]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Try changing your serial port speed.

This can be done by:

1. Right Click My Computer
2. Click Manage
3. Click on Device Manager
4. Expand Ports
5. Right Click on Communications Port (COM1) or your assigned serial port number
6. Click on Properties
7. Click on the Port Settings tab
8. Try changing the port speed from the default 9600 bits to something faster or something slower.

Not sure which speed to recommend, but one of them may help you out.

[Synaux]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

TheOwl,

Thank you for your reply! I will try this soon very soon
(because my laptop is fried making it a bit of a production to move a desktop).

Also do you know if a straight cable or cross cable is supposed to be used?
All I have at this time is a mystery cable from Radio$hack.

(Why the heck aren't USB ports are not more prevalent for such things....lol)

[TheOwl]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

From memory (which is getting pretty poor these days) you will need a null modem cable. But if you also have a straight through serial extension cable, I would take that as well.

[Synaux]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Owl, again thank you for your insight.

Unfortunately, changing the speeds did not appear to have any effect (I played with various settings for about an hour).

As for the cable type I dug around more and found some conflicting information (that I already read but apparently ignored):

The trouble shooting solution guide it states:

"Solution ID TAUS0801112EN* Solution Usage Description: What type of cable to use with the SimWin Panel Jig software.

Solution: TheField Service Manual addendum for the bizhub C250P indicates a serial cable but does not indicate how the cable is terminated. The bizhub C450P manual indicates that the cable is aRS-232C D-Sub 9-pin cross cable....Solution contribution by Ken Walker, Workgroup/SSD and Jim Behrends, Production Print/SSD"

Whereas in the field manual it clearly states to use:

"Straight cable

SOooo, I am going to go to Altex tomorrow and get BOTH types of cables or the parts/tools to make them (I will even get a null modem cable if they know what I am talking about--heh).

If its not a cabling issue, I am out of ideas.

[TheOwl]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Let me know how you go, but I think that you will find that the "cross cable" is a null modem cable.

Basically for anthing to communicate correctly, information must be sent and received by the correct method. For a null modem cable, the main pins in question are:

2. Receive Data
3. Transmit Data

On one end of the D-Sub, pin 2 should be wired to pin 3 on the other side. This would means that your side on pin 2 would be wired so when the other device sends data through pin 3, you can receive that data and vise versa for when you transmit and the other side receives.

Remember to make sure that you get the right connectors (male or female) for your computer and the printer. I'm pretty sure that you will need a female connector for your PC, but I can't remember what the machine has. It might be safer to buy 2 different gender changers to suit the D-Sub 9 connector.

Any good electronics store should know what a Null Modem cable is, so you shouldn't have too many troubles.

[Synaux]

[Synaux]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Owl, wow you are quick

It if ever comes in handy: it is a female-to-female configuration for a generic c252p/computer comm port.

I will update with any progress (or otherwise).

--Nick

[Synaux]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Let me know how you go, but I think that you will find that the "cross cable" is a null modem cable.

Basically for anthing to communicate correctly, information must be sent and received by the correct method. For a null modem cable, the main pins in question are:

2. Receive Data
3. Transmit Data

On one end of the D-Sub, pin 2 should be wired to pin 3 on the other side. This would means that your side on pin 2 would be wired so when the other device sends data through pin 3, you can receive that data and vise versa for when you transmit and the other side receives.

Remember to make sure that you get the right connectors (male or female) for your computer and the printer. I'm pretty sure that you will need a female connector for your PC, but I can't remember what the machine has. It might be safer to buy 2 different gender changers to suit the D-Sub 9 connector.

Any good electronics store should know what a Null Modem cable is, so you shouldn't have too many troubles.

TheOwl, I FINALLY for a null modem cable (which the tech at that store claimed was the same thing as a cross-cable) and success!

You had mentioned earlier to lower the transfer speed in the device manage for the com port. Well, the service manual says the computer must support 19,200bps (which I failed to notice until today--my bad). Ironically, Windows XP on both my machines only go up to 12,800bps, so god only knows, and I have yet to test various speeds. Either way, with my current setup, 12,800 bps is successful...lol

Anyways, I said I would give an update, so here I am.
Thank you for your time and support Mr Owl

[Synaux]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Also, I got a straight cable, with a null-modem-adaptor and a male-to-male adapter for a mere 18.00 at a local electronics store.
Beats the hell out of Radio Shack (of course) and I have all the various connection options I may need in the future

[TheOwl]

Re: Konica c252p Jig Software

Good to hear that everything worked out for you.