MX 4501 N: Occasionally Freezes Print Jobs

[Guest]

I love the quirkiness on new copiers, really I do.
/end sarcasm
Hello again guys and gals,
We've had this copier for almost a month and a half; new with a lease. Occasionally, the printer will stop receiving print jobs.

(This happens anywhere from twice a day to eight times a day with no real correlation to the number of jobs printed that day. There are only 6 computer connected to this machine: 3 Macs and 3 PCs. the issue has happened with each machine.)

The printer icon appears on the computer screen and the Data light on the copier blinks, but nothing happens. To make matters worse, this keeps any later jobs from reaching the printer as well. We found that when this happens, all we can do is power the machine down and then power it back up.
The technicians we have our contract with say that they've heard of this happening, but it's more of a network issue so they won't touch it.
If I could figure out WHY this is happening I could then take steps to prevent this issue in the future. I'm only guessing, but it DOES sound network related, as if the machine is losing the connection.
Any ideas or thoughts or places I should check out that might offer a solution?
My eternal thanks,
Chris@DesignLab

[blackcat4866]

What print driver emulation are you using? From experience I've had less problems with lockups when using PCL. =^..^=

[Chris-DesignLab]

I have no clue, currently. I'm learning everything about this copier on the fly. How can I find out?
And thanks. =)

[OMD-227]

If the data light on the copier starts flashing when receiving the print job, but then stops, there are a few things to try.....

Do you have User Authentication activated (pin number login etc)??
If so, the machine will remove any print jobs from the queue if the users pin number is not installed into the PC driver (same pin number as login number). This is the security feature of user authentication. It will not let unidentified users print.
If user authentication is activated, make sure the correct pins and permissions (color, print etc) are setup for that user.

There were also several firmware updates about 1 year ago for the MX machines locking up while printing. This was mainly to do with the whole machine locking up, eg... touch panel & all buttons seemed dead.
You have more of an issue with the machine removing the jobs from the queue.

Faulty Dimm2 on the MFP can also cause machine lockups.


Make sure you are using the latest drivers. You will need the PS kit and drivers for the Mac users. Make sure firmware is updated.

[OMD-227]

Also.... are there any maintenance codes on the display??
If there are, and you have SMNP activated on the port setup within the driver, windows spooler will stop print jobs going through, unless you restart the machine, then the first few will be allowed through, then the same issue starts again.

If you have a maintenance issue, get a tech to fix it, clear the codes and then you will be OK.

Or...

Try disabling SMNP within the ports setup, so windows spooler will ignore any maint requests from the machine, and will allow print jobs to proceed properly.

When you have the latest firmware installed, change sim 55-03 sw9, bit 5 to disable SMNP access to the machine. Any maint codes will be ignored.
You will still have to log a call and have the service done though...

[mtech]

If you can find it in network settings, you could enable byte counting to try to prevent corrupt data packs messing up the machine. Definately update your drivers and get whoever services your machine to upgrade the firmware to the latest version.

[tmaged]

Another quick, easy thing to try is stick a switch in between the machine & your switch/router. Sometimes devices can drop off the network for no apparent reason. Can you Ping it or get to the web page when it's locked up?

[user245470]

hate to tell the tech but he is wrong

the way to fix this problem is there is new frimware out to fix this problem sharp corprate has it. also delete your job log. if this do not fix you have to have your tech rp your mfp and all mem chips they are getting stctic charge build up causing them to lock up
if you dont believe me call sharp hotline they know ll about the problem
your friendly neighborhood gold master tech

[djv]

the way to fix this problem is there is new frimware out to fix this problem sharp corprate has it. also delete your job log. if this do not fix you have to have your tech rp your mfp and all mem chips they are getting stctic charge build up causing them to lock up
if you dont believe me call sharp hotline they know ll about the problem
your friendly neighborhood gold master tech

Had the same problem on 2 machines in 2 locations and the above mentioned is correct both were fixed with the firmware upgrade.

[tmaged]

The last firmware is 11 dated 9/2008 ? I didn't see anything in the PDF though. Is it newer.

[user245470]

call sharp

They had ther new firmware up then took it down so the only way to get it is to call them and ask for the beta firmware

[OMD-227]

Um.... not totally correct.

Many, many, many months ago, Sharp released version 02n09J0. This included a fix for 'intermittant lockups & ripping problems for jobs within the job status queue'. 02n09J0 was a minor update from 0209J0 which was originally released in Oct 2007. I was to understand that the 'n' within the file name represented 'Network' as the fixes in that version were for network related issues.
A few months back (Nov 2008), Sharp released 0210J0. This of course was an update from 02n09J0. All proven firmware updates that work in the field are of course incorporated into the next newer firmware version. The latest version for the C-Jupiter is 0210J0 and is freely available from Sharp. It has not been removed from the Sharp websites at any stage. If you are not upgrading to this version, go get it to prevent any network ripping/locking up issues.
The only Sharp firmware recalls I can think of recently is on the Pastel1 series which was version 0117mP0, which failed to allow direct USB prints of JPEG files (quickly changed to 0117oP0, currently 0118P0) and the C-Dragon PCU file 0108D0 which led to excessive K overtoning & changing of K toner density correction control table values. This was upgraded to 0109D0 in July 2008 and has been current since.

[tmaged]

Solution

Tech 245470 is correct. You have to call the hotline to get the firmware version that Wazza said. 0210J0 is the new version. Not sure why it's out everywhere but the US, but I installed it today. It takes care of locking up when printing from PS & PCL at the same time.

[OMD-227]

Appologies to 245470. Was not aware that it was taken away from you guys. It was a standard release here in Australia and has been current since.
It definitely works. Is a standard procedure installing this version now (as it should be anyways).