Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

[D Hook]

Been trying to update the firmware on a T770 24" printer and having no success. Have downloaded the FW several times, thinking it might be getting corrupted in the download process. Transfer to the printer using EWS "Update Firmware" feature and get same error message. So loaded the file onto a clean USB key and tried the emergency FW update process according to the service manual and same error message. (Different downloaded file used.) Used the process found in the service manual. I THINK the USB key is clean of any other software since it says "No files found" when selected.


I'm beginning to think the problem is on HP's end and that the file is corrupted on their end. As old as this printer is, I doubt they'll be fixing it if that's the problem.

I was wondering if others have run into this problem and if maybe there's a solution I haven't thought of yet or if there's something I'm doing wrong that causing the file to be corrupted. I've tried doing it from both a laptop and a desktop compter and no difference.

Any insight is much appreciated.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

What version firmware is the printer on currently? And what's the filename of the download you're trying to use?

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Hi Kiran:

Firmware on the printer now: TT6-TTAJ_8.3.1.2 OS ITER 0.0.9
That's the display on the panel right now.

Trying to update to: (easier to just post the link) HP DesignJet T770 Printer series Software and Driver Downloads | HP(R) Customer Support

I was trying to update to this:

HP Designjet T1200 and T770 Printer series Firmware Upgrade

TT6-TTAJ_08_04_00.1

There are a couple more firware updates on there that I've tried, thinking those have to be installed first but got the same "Invalid File" error on both. Tried different USB's and tried different computers. Nothing. What do you suppose I'm doing wrong?


I also have a T1200 and have tried using the EWS to update that firmware also and same problem. Different desktop used and different file download used.

TIA for any help.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

There's 2 files that have to be uploaded in order:

Two firmware need to be installed following this order

1. TT6-TTAJ_08_02_03.3.90_mvl40-x86-opt_B.fmw
2. TT6-TTAJ_08_04_00.1_mvl40-x86-opt_B.signed.fmw

Have you done this?

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

I'm pretty sure I did but let me try them again to be sure and get back to you.

Thanks!

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Tried installing both files as you indicated and used a different cable, used three different laptops, downloaded the files from HP using an ethernet cable instead of wireless connection, changed the OS to Windows 7 64bit and tried that as well as Windows 10 64bit and still getting the same error message. The smaller of the two files seems to go through though but nothing changes on the front panel of the printer as far as firmware file name. The larger file goes and then after about 3 minutes or so, throws up the "Invalid file" error on the printer and the laptop gives an update unsuccessful error and suggests the file is maybe not for this printer or is corrupted and to try again.

Weird.

But when I read the description of the update it says it's just to fix the EWS so the date will read past 2020. Right now, it won't go past 2020, even after all the download attempts. So what I'm saying is that maybe this 400-something FW update isn't that important after all. Seems like a pretty large file just to fix that date issue. The date on the printer panel reads just fine.

What do you think?

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

I'll see what I can find out because I want to know why this isn't working, too.

I'm also unsure what the >2020 date issue is with the EWS; seems trivial since few people even use it. I doubt it impacts the printer's usability.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Here's three screen shots of the error messages plus a screen shot of another file that downloaded by itself when I downloaded the first file:

Don't know what the "CRDOWNLOAD" file is. It only shows up when I download the other firmware files using Window 7 laptop. Doesn't appear on Win 10.

Also, I'm having exact same issue with my T1200MFP printer.

[rthonpm]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

I had a few HP printers in the past where I had to install an older firmware version in order to install the latest one. This was back when HP had a reliable and readily accessible FTP site to pull their files. Their website has consistently been terrible and just seems to get worse by the year.

Check the change history for the firmware and see if there are any dependcies where it requires a minimum version in order to install any of the mdoules.

Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Attached is the error log from when I first got the printer back in March of 2021. Shows firmware that's been used up to current firmware that's running now.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Did you replace the hard drive in this printer by any chance?

Kiran

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Also, if you would:

Get a picture of the 'invalid file' message, please.

Is that service print from March? Or is the date/time on the printer wrong? If so, set the right date/time on the printer and restart it.

Did you restart the printer after sending the first firmware file? If no, try sending the first file, restart the printer, then try the 2nd file.

What's strange is my contact at HP has never seen the version firmware your printer is currently running. We're curious if you replaced the hard drive at some point, but I doubt you did on both printers, so I'm guessing you haven't. Do you happen to have that firmware from updating it in the past?

Kiran

PS - One interesting note; the MD5 hash HP has for the firmware, doesn't match the actual hash of either firmware file.

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

Hard drive has never been replaced to my knowledge.

I brought the printer home in March and first thing I did was print those info sheets out. That's why they're dated March of 2021. Date on printer is correct now, as you'll see in the pictures.

The only date problem is on the EWS, which this fw update was supposed to take care of.

As far as having the fw from past updates, I've never been able to get this printer or my T1200 to take an update. Same error messages.

Yes, after sending the smaller of the two fw updates, the printer rebooted, did a count of percentage up to 100% as it should do after a fw update (large numbers filling the screen, not the boot sequence when normally starting the printer) then it started the regular boot process and came to ready state. Checked the fw number again on the "Info" menu and nothing had changed. Still read TT6-TTAJ_08.3.1.2

When doing the larger update of TT6-TTAJ_03_04_00.1 the panel would say "receiving" for about 10-15 seconds, then throw the error code of "Update failed: Invalid File". (See picture.)

Let me know if you need more. I think one of my posts showed the screen shot on the laptop of the error messages rec'd each time I tried to upload the fw updates to the printer.

Also tried this same procedure on a Macbook Pro a few days ago and same result.

BTW, the printer works just fine as it is. But a person who was looking to buy it asked if the fw updates were all done and I told them I was having trouble with this latest update. That's why I'm trying to make sure the fw isn't going to cause a problem for them down the road. If I have to, I'll buy a new hard driver from LPS Computer that sells hard drives with virgin software, never installed.

20211014_115558.jpg20211014_115742.jpg20211015_122553.jpg20211015_122531.jpg

[D Hook]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

BTW, does your friend have any idea about the "CRDOWNLOAD" file I took a screen shot of back on Page one? That one really baffles me because it downloads without asking and then never seems to complete the download. Maybe take a look at the screen shot?

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Firmware update "not a valid file" error message on Designjet T770

The CRDOWNLOAD is just a partial file download; that's Chrome's nomenclature. It's unrelated to HP.

Thanks for the information, I'll pass it along.

The MD5 of the larger of the two files is: 600ef5ee87ae29907a3d1a7242594625 if you want to verify your own download. There's a hash tool you can get from the Microsoft Store to calculate MD5 hashes. I doubt your download is the problem though.

Kiran