[Misc] MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

[sandmanmac]

Hi All...
Today I was at my machine Wholesaler picking up some equipment, and they had some MPC3503 Units that had just come in that they were going over.
They're pretty handy at unlocking them under most circumstances and are fully aware of Regular SP, and Factory SP modes, etc., but sometimes ask for my assistance as they did today.
Apparently they had a few units come in from a bank. I'm not sure exactly how many units, but at least 2 of the 3 machines they checked in while I was there behaved the same, and neither they nor I have seen this before:

As usual the HDD's had been removed, so they were obviously in an HDD error State (SC860). This usually doesn't matter to them or make a difference.
The machine boots up fairly quickly and icons appear on the screen. You can make a copy.
The Login credentials have been changed so making system changes is not possible. I was able to login as Supervisor in an attempt to reset the admin credentials, but when touching system settings it displays you do not have privileges.....
so resetting it is not possible in that way.
Fine........Next I try to login to Factory SP and do it that way.....Once accessed, none of the buttons function (System / Fax/ Printer, etc.). The machine just beeps.
The same is true when trying to access anything in regular SP mode.

I/ We did try installing an HDD but the behavior doesn't change. It still displays the SC code/ Address book error.

As I said, I've never run across this exact behavior before, and just wondering if anyone has any ideas (tricks) to get around it.
I suggested that it might be possible that there was some type of security /software that may have been installed on the specific HDD that was removed, but I have nothing to base that on

So while this is just a favour I'm trying to do for them, it's interesting to me too.

Thanks!!

[slimslob]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

The best way to change the administrator credentials is through WIM.

If you cannot login to Factory SP mode, Service Lock may be turned on. This is very common with machines from high security installs like banks and government offices. Also those type of customers usually have increased network security. Often when a machine is returned all the IT does is set the network security back to minimum. This makes a number of the settings inaccessible including Service Lock. Being able to login as admin is crucial.

You can always replace the NVram, but will lose all the stored counters. If you can print the current counters maybe someone knows how to input them to a new NVram.

[CopyBats]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

Hi All...
Today I was at my machine Wholesaler picking up some equipment, and they had some MPC3503 Units that had just come in that they were going over.
They're pretty handy at unlocking them under most circumstances and are fully aware of Regular SP, and Factory SP modes, etc., but sometimes ask for my assistance as they did today.
Apparently they had a few units come in from a bank. I'm not sure exactly how many units, but at least 2 of the 3 machines they checked in while I was there behaved the same, and neither they nor I have seen this before:

As usual the HDD's had been removed, so they were obviously in an HDD error State (SC860). This usually doesn't matter to them or make a difference.
The machine boots up fairly quickly and icons appear on the screen. You can make a copy.
The Login credentials have been changed so making system changes is not possible. I was able to login as Supervisor in an attempt to reset the admin credentials, but when touching system settings it displays you do not have privileges.....
so resetting it is not possible in that way.
Fine........Next I try to login to Factory SP and do it that way.....Once accessed, none of the buttons function (System / Fax/ Printer, etc.). The machine just beeps.
The same is true when trying to access anything in regular SP mode.

I/ We did try installing an HDD but the behavior doesn't change. It still displays the SC code/ Address book error.

As I said, I've never run across this exact behavior before, and just wondering if anyone has any ideas (tricks) to get around it.
I suggested that it might be possible that there was some type of security /software that may have been installed on the specific HDD that was removed, but I have nothing to base that on

So while this is just a favour I'm trying to do for them, it's interesting to me too.

Thanks!!

Slim chance but do you know for a Fact if the HDD you installed into the machine was functional? General rule of thumb of that beeping noise is always privileges / restrictions or invalid function.

With HDD missing, I have had 90% of cases where the machine does not let me go past the regular SP mode and enter into system settings. Machine also has double sided copying greyed out in the classic screen in this state.

Normally regardless of machine status, whenever you install a new HDD and turn on the copier, there is always a prompt saying HDD has been detected/installed and the machine needs to format it. Did that screen come up?

[3ktlc]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

Had that happen on a machine I bought used. Ricoh support told me the only way to take care of it was NVRAM and no way to reinput the counters. Set everything to 0.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

The best way to change the administrator credentials is through WIM.

If you cannot login to Factory SP mode, Service Lock may be turned on. This is very common with machines from high security installs like banks and government offices.

Thanks Tim.
I can log into both SP modes, it's just that I can't select any of the options once I get there (it just beeps). Service mode lock wouldn't even allow me to get in (unless I'm mistaken?)
The tip to login as supervisor via the WIM to try and change the admin credentials is interesting. I know they were able to print off a config page, so I'm thinking that I may be able to hook up my laptop directly, and set a static IP that matches the range set on the machine, and access it that way.
I'll probably make another trip out there tomorrow and give that a try and see if it opens up any other features that I can try and unlock.

Slim chance but do you know for a Fact if the HDD you installed into the machine was functional?

Normally regardless of machine status, whenever you install a new HDD and turn on the copier, there is always a prompt saying HDD has been detected/installed and the machine needs to format it. Did that screen come up?

Yes, I'm aware of the 'usual' behavior when a new HDD is installed.
I'm 100% sure they were functional, and we tried several.
As I said, the machine booted right up to the home screen without recognizing the New HDD

[satins]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

Thanks Tim.
I can log into both SP modes, it's just that I can't select any of the options once I get there (it just beeps). Service mode lock wouldn't even allow me to get in (unless I'm mistaken?)
The tip to login as supervisor via the WIM to try and change the admin credentials is interesting. I know they were able to print off a config page, so I'm thinking that I may be able to hook up my laptop directly, and set a static IP that matches the range set on the machine, and access it that way.
I'll probably make another trip out there tomorrow and give that a try and see if it opens up any other features that I can try and unlock.


Yes, I'm aware of the 'usual' behavior when a new HDD is installed.
I'm 100% sure they were functional, and we tried several.
As I said, the machine booted right up to the home screen without recognizing the New HDD

However, if you are not able to trace the config page. Try putting up your laptop on dhcp mode before connecting to the device directly and use Smartnet monitor for admin to get the device IP to make the desired changes.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

Update.....but no Solution

Today I went back to try the direct connection idea, and while I was able to access the WIM, I was unable to save the new password because it kept saying the machine is in use by another function
I'm unsure if that was because of the HDD error or something else that may be running in the background - or at least preventing the change.
Anyway, the only reason it became an issue is because the 2 units have very low meters (less then 50K) so they still have decent value to some local dealers, otherwise they just end up in a container on their way to China, which these ones likely will be next week.
It seems the suggestion by 3ktlc to replace the NVRam may well be the only solution here, but neither they, nor I, need to travel down that road in this case.
As I mentioned, I was just trying to help because they do so much for me PLUS, I enjoy trying to find solutions to new problems.

Thanks all for your input.
Thankfully Fridays keep on coming, so Beer me again!

[Elmo]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

You could try and force the machine into sd restoration mode
swap the nv rams with 1s from another machine 03 or 04 this may force the machine into sd restoration
put the original nv rams back in and boot from restoration sd
this may initialize the setting to default
ive had it work a couple of times for me
it does not alter the counter data !! only the machine settings

[GIUBOSS]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

You could try and force the machine into sd restoration mode
swap the nv rams with 1s from another machine 03 or 04 this may force the machine into sd restoration
put the original nv rams back in and boot from restoration sd
this may initialize the setting to default
ive had it work a couple of times for me
it does not alter the counter data !! only the machine settings

By doing so I think other error codes will come out for incorrect serial numbers and initial settings.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP C3503: Cannot access SP mode or make System Changes

You could try and force the machine into sd restoration mode
swap the nv rams with 1s from another machine 03 or 04 this may force the machine into sd restoration
put the original nv rams back in and boot from restoration sd
this may initialize the setting to default
ive had it work a couple of times for me
it does not alter the counter data !! only the machine settings

I appreciate the input, but the situation being what it is in this case, I think we'll just let it be, and the machine may well be in a container on it's way to China by now anyway