MPC 4502 - firmware-update

[Zeldaman]

[Counsel]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

I havent had that issue but as per the instructions i only put one model on one card at a time. I keep a folder on my laptop called firmware inside i label folders by the Code and seperate the machines, then all i do is plug in my sd to the laptop swap over the model i want and update then i just delete the files on the sd and keep it empty until the next update.

[mikadonovan]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

When Ricoh first made the transition from flash card to sd card for updates, they did say that more than one model can be loaded onto a card. These days the manuals say to only put one model onto the card. Too many problems with multiple models , I guess.

[KenB]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

When Ricoh first made the transition from flash card to sd card for updates, they did say that more than one model can be loaded onto a card. These days the manuals say to only put one model onto the card. Too many problems with multiple models , I guess.

I totally agree.

I've heard horror stories just like this one, including controllers getting lunched.

Best to keep just one model on the card at one time. Much safer!

When all else fails, you can update with a crossover cable, but you can only do one "frimware" at a time. (Technically, you can do it across the network, but if the connection gets broken or otherwise becomes unusable, you can be in a world of doo-doo.)

[paulg]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

In the UK we are told 1GB is the largest size SD card we should ideally use on recent models and on the older just the smaller 64MB cards. If your having problems have you reformated the card I have reformatted to both Fat 16 and 32 both seem to work on most of the current ranges.
I have noticed and heard many fellow techs mention how Ricoh Manuals often mention a useful tip and it fades away but yet it is still a good idea or should be mentioned. Do you disconnect the Network cable and Fax? Do you keep the door open thoughout Firmware updates on training courses in the UK we were always told to leave the door open or of its hinges to stop the copier running its pro con and other checks. The idea is to make sure for no reason the copier decides to do something and therefore confuse it self.

Never update the DF or Finisher Firmware unless you really need to and if you can help it keep the Firmware as the only one on the card it speeds things up for a start from experience. Many Firmwares span ranges now so it might confuse the copier to see two network support files which are the same but in different folders.

Recently a lot of Firmware has needed another Firmware to be at a certain level so read the Firmware release notes from current to at least a few generations back!!

[Iowatech]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Actually, a couple of years ago, we learned that it was important to have only one model's firmware on the SD card. If this issue was brought up before, I apologize for missing it.
Also then, we learned if you are going to do a multiple firmware update, it is important to do either the engine or controller firmware first and one at a time if they are needed. I know at least one of them needs to be done first, but I don't remember the exactly which one. Sorry about that. Still, since then I've done the engine first, then the controller, then I pack as many of the rest of the needed firmware updates onto the SD card as will fit, and I've never had any problems.

[Zeldaman]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Hi there!
Of course i remove the cables, but ricoh said it's not necessary to leave the front-cover open on the newer models. Normaly i let the cover open. Since the MPC 2500 you can use a 2GB-card without problems. For formating the card i use the Panasonic-formating-tool, which is offered from Ricoh.
One question by the way: it's said not to update the DF & finisher, why?
Greetings...

[Cipher]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

One question by the way: it's said not to update the DF & finisher, why?

Due to the Japanese tsunami Ricoh had some PCB supply problems.
As a temporary solution they sourced various boards from other vendors to keep production rolling.
The functionality of these PCBs was the same but some of the component chips used on the PCBs were different and required unique firmware to be pre-loaded.

So if you notice any firmware files that display a completely different number when updating from the old/loaded firmware do NOT update that module.

Example
OLD B2231234A ---> NEW B2231234B = OK to update.
OLD 12345678A ---> NEW B2231234B = Not good to update.

[Zeldaman]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Hi there!
Cipher thank you very much for this information, i`ll keep it in mind (no more brain-RAM-clear)
Greetings...

[paulg]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Hi there!
Of course i remove the cables, but ricoh said it's not necessary to leave the front-cover open on the newer models. Normaly i let the cover open. Since the MPC 2500 you can use a 2GB-card without problems. For formating the card i use the Panasonic-formating-tool, which is offered from Ricoh.
One question by the way: it's said not to update the DF & finisher, why?
Greetings...

Who said when you say Ricoh not to open front cover? DO you mean Technical support for your country or the manuals not arguing just intrested if something offcial has been written or said .
I have heard keep the Front cover open said by UK technical support and other Engineers I work with to keep front cover open even on new models and have always done it myself since I started doing and had touch wood very very few problems. it just seems to stop the model doing anything else once the door is open and lets it concentrate on the matter in hand which is Firmware updates. it also while thinking about it stops any of the door switches on the copier sending random signals which might possibly be having some issues and I think we all know door swtiches on Ricoh copiers like playing up sometimes.
Maybe its not in the manuals anymore but how often do you look at a newer model manual and see they have missed in one of the older versions a step or mention something and then it reappears in a later manual? I get the feeling the manuals are a lot of cut and pasting in places and things get missed out or left out.

In the UK the offcial advice is that Ricoh Japan via a Bulletin on our local manuals and mentioned by Technical support when you ring up is only the offcial 64GB and 1GB cards are supported but of course they know not all of us use and say keep the size of card down as much as possible. Now as it can use 2GB cards like you, I have also used a 2GB card but not often it works but does seem to be quicker on some MFP's I go to when I use a smaller card like a 1GB card. It does seem the longer the MFP takes the more likely something not so good like a error code is to happen.

Cipher mentions the main reason but I and other Engineers I work with have avoided updating the Firmware on the DF or Sorters in many cases unless really really crucial as even if the correct firmware on some it takes a long time to do and then there is a possible chance the Firmware will get corrupted. Possibly as the Firmware has to be transmitted to the actual sorter or Df board which seems to be done at a very slow rate. Maybe its the copiers in the UK but its not often you see the earthing plates on the model are missing and look how often Sorters have harness problems, where some random signal might occur at the wrong time.


From my experience and a lot of other Engineers I have worked with it is also a good idea to be cautious with updating Firmware, yes I always do it when I can on the newer models especially but always very cautious when doing.

[Cipher]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

I always open the front and side covers when updating firmware and unplug any network, USB and fax cables.
That was the procedure on the older mono machines and it still makes sense today to prevent the print engine from operating and doing any automatic process control adjustments.
Plus you can start minor PM maintenance tasks like changing feed rollers, cleaning the reg roller etc while the update is in progress instead of standing there like a lemon just waiting.

[Zeldaman]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Hi there!
Since this fw-update i let the frontdoor open also on the develop/konica-minolta-machines. The size of the card gets a littlebit tricky, in Germany you really get problems to get a new card smaller then 2GB. I have some old 128 MB- cards from Ricoh but the newer fw's are larger, therefore you have to make 2 updates. I thank everyone fo the really good advises about fw-updates. Like this for very much.
Greetings...

[Cipher]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

I picked up some used 256Mb SD Cards off ebay for a few euros (they work fine).

[Zeldaman]

Re: MPC 4502 - firmware-update

Hi there!
Thank you cipher. worth a try!!!!!
Greetings...