Ricoh firmware update preferences.

[Free-coh]

Looking for some input from the all the other Ricoh toner monkeys out there. We just inherited several hundred more machines to service (lucky us), they have been poorly maintained and all are way behind in firmware (among other things). I have been updating firmware on just about every machine I encounter now and am still doing it the "old fashioned" way in slot #2 rear machine. I remember when the 04 color series came out we tried to upload firmware through the panel but ran into some complications. At that time Ricoh just recommended going back to the old way and I have never attempted to update through panel since. Would like to hear how most everybody is updating firmware manually now, through panel, controller slot #2, SD card, USB, etc. T.I.A.

[copier tech]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

Looking for some input from the all the other Ricoh toner monkeys out there. We just inherited several hundred more machines to service (lucky us), they have been poorly maintained and all are way behind in firmware (among other things). I have been updating firmware on just about every machine I encounter now and am still doing it the "old fashioned" way in slot #2 rear machine. I remember when the 04 color series came out we tried to upload firmware through the panel but ran into some complications. At that time Ricoh just recommended going back to the old way and I have never attempted to update through panel since. Would like to hear how most everybody is updating firmware manually now, through panel, controller slot #2, SD card, USB, etc. T.I.A.

If you network each device turn on DHCP etc you should be able to update the firmware via service mode.

Since you have "several hundred devices" I would suggest it would be easier to update each model via SD card.

[Tony in Oz]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

I have started using the recently released Ricoh Firmware Update Tool (RFUT), put on a usb, as long as machine is on network, jump on a pc & run the tool, works great so far, works on '02 models onwards i believe

[emiliorsg]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

Looking for some input from the all the other Ricoh toner monkeys out there. We just inherited several hundred more machines to service (lucky us), they have been poorly maintained and all are way behind in firmware (among other things). I have been updating firmware on just about every machine I encounter now and am still doing it the "old fashioned" way in slot #2 rear machine. I remember when the 04 color series came out we tried to upload firmware through the panel but ran into some complications. At that time Ricoh just recommended going back to the old way and I have never attempted to update through panel since. Would like to hear how most everybody is updating firmware manually now, through panel, controller slot #2, SD card, USB, etc. T.I.A.

Starting with the 04 series, most of the time I do a scheduled update through the panel and that way I don't waste time in front of the machine. Except in one in particular that I did have problems in the rest not a problem.

[Gift]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

I would just continue the way you already do it (=update during regular service visits) because there is obviosly no urgent need or reason to update them kind of "ASAP". In case the machines are reachable through the network you could perform a "mass fw rollout" with the ricoh update tool but image something goes wrong with just ~5% of the MFPs. Of course it takes a little handling on site for single updates but a smart tech can do some cleaning or administrative work during the update (lazy ones just sit it out^^).

[satins]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

I have started using the recently released Ricoh Firmware Update Tool (RFUT), put on a usb, as long as machine is on network, jump on a pc & run the tool, works great so far, works on '02 models onward i believe

RFUT has been a good development but I have encountered that sometimes the devices are not captured for an unknown reason/s.
Other reason has been that special firmware up gradation which are missing with RFUT.
In my opinion, if you can optimize /upgrade it via RFUT for all those devices showing in the IP window of RFUT and the missing (if any) with only option, to do it SD CARD way, will be the best way to go.
Thanks.

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

Looking for some input from the all the other Ricoh toner monkeys out there. We just inherited several hundred more machines to service (lucky us), they have been poorly maintained and all are way behind in firmware (among other things). I have been updating firmware on just about every machine I encounter now and am still doing it the "old fashioned" way in slot #2 rear machine. I remember when the 04 color series came out we tried to upload firmware through the panel but ran into some complications. At that time Ricoh just recommended going back to the old way and I have never attempted to update through panel since. Would like to hear how most everybody is updating firmware manually now, through panel, controller slot #2, SD card, USB, etc. T.I.A.

there will be varied models, between old and new, keep it up, which is better.

[DRichard]

Re: Ricoh firmware update preferences.

Looking for some input from the all the other Ricoh toner monkeys out there. We just inherited several hundred more machines to service (lucky us), they have been poorly maintained and all are way behind in firmware (among other things). I have been updating firmware on just about every machine I encounter now and am still doing it the "old fashioned" way in slot #2 rear machine. I remember when the 04 color series came out we tried to upload firmware through the panel but ran into some complications. At that time Ricoh just recommended going back to the old way and I have never attempted to update through panel since. Would like to hear how most everybody is updating firmware manually now, through panel, controller slot #2, SD card, USB, etc. T.I.A.

If it were me (and I know it isn't) I would update the SOP-equipped machines as they are run through the shop. Have your SD card(s) formatted with the recommended SD card formatter tool and each card with a "package" folder containing as many fw files as you will need. I have no trouble using the sd slot on the side of the panel and it really doesn't take very long to update. I usually just move on to another machine and let it go until it is completed. Good luck.