[Misc] how do you input serial number

[yourownfree]

I need to input a serial number for these machines, HP LJ 1200, p2015, and 1320. I am told HP toolbox.
Which is as far as I know just the embedded server. I didn't see anywhere where I can change it when I was looking at the 2015 or the 1320. So how is this done? I had replaced the formatter boards.
Thanks

[Bolivia]

Yes, usually on these printer you do it thru the HP toolbox...

[yourownfree]

Do I need HP toolbox installed on my computer for each machine or is it just their embedded server, such as just open a browser and type the IP in it? In other words do I have to have any program to do it or just open a browser. I have just opened the browser say for instance on the 1320, and I see the machine etc, but I dont see anywhere to input the serial number. I guess I am not clear on exactly what the tool box is. Is it just a fancy name for embedded server? I have used the browser to change jet direct items with no special program. Even telnetted into a jetdirect card. Can a person telnet into a printer? Haven't tried that yet.
Thanks

[prntrfxr]

Changing Serial Number P2015/1320

HP Toolbox is with the driver CD that came with the product, or you have to download the driver that says "full print solution" from HP's website. Either of those will have it. Some people have reported that they could not change it.

There is supposed to be a way of entering commands from the PC, but I've never had to do it (Thank God! Doing it for a 2200 back in the day was bad enough, since HP had one of the command lines in their service manual wrong and it took me a while to find it out.) and don't know about sending it via USB vs parallel port (didn't think you could do it via USB, but I don't know everything). Additionally, it is possible to do it through Web Jetadmin. I think I saw instructions via HP's forum site. Try putting "change serial number p2015" in Google. Below is what I found:

Changing page counts: HP Community - P2015 PJL command for resetting Page count - Enterprise Business Community | HP Online Forum

Changing serial number: HP Community - Laserjet p2015 serial number, page count,service i... - Enterprise Business Community | HP Online Forum

[yourownfree]

This great news, Thanks. I see now how I can do it, with commands. Thanks so much, I will continue and see what I can do and get back with results. Might take a day or two to get it together and go try it.

[yourownfree]

I haven't done it yet as I haven't found the right command yet. But thanks to the info it is PJL for printer job language. Somewhere in that mess has to be a way.

[prntrfxr]

I posted this recently and it does apply here as well:
I found this set of commands for serial number & page count. I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it works. Please reply either way to help us:

%-12345X@PJL JOB
@PJL SET SERVICEMODE = HPBOISEID
@PJL SET SERIALNUMBER =
@PJL SET PAGES =
@PJL SET SERVICEMODE = EXIT
@PJL EOJ
%-12345X

or

%-12345X@PJL DEFAULT SERVICEMODE=HPBOISEID
@PJL DEFAULT SERIALNUMBER=XXXXXXXXXX
@PJL DEFAULT SERVICEMODE=EXIT
%12345X

Also these commands must be sent via USB not FTP. They can be sent via LPR command to the IP address. For more information to understand how to implement these codes, it is possible to download the PJL Reference Book (google it). Please reply whether or not it works and what you did, so it will benefit others.

[yourownfree]

wow thanks, I cant wait. I might even try that today.
I will share the results. I can see a visual basic ap for this now.

[yourownfree]

well the board has a usb and parallel. The usb doesn't work at all to print to as the board is bad on that section, but the parallel works. I tried using the command screen prompt to send the commands, but no go. Not sure if its because it is not true DOS in XP or just doesn't recognize the command. Maybe be easier to find a way to reset the serial to just xxxxxxxx. I did try the JPL enter code first etc. but it says in DOS that the command is not recognized. I also tried to send it as a print job. say from notepad, but still no luck. I have other printers here to play with so I can experiment. I downloaded the PJL manual and more info to try and figure this out. I think some of the machines just dont recognize the commands, since some machines are not programmed to accept them, and other commands are. I do believe there must be a magical HP command that probably will do any machine. How do they get the serial in the boards at the factory? I will continue to try commands on an HP 4000 I have here that I can do anything to I want to.
Let me know if you have any other ideas.

[prntrfxr]

did you enter the escape character in front of % symbol on the first line of code you enter?
(there is no key for it)

according to the HP 2200 sm page 52 it is the following:

Lotus 1-2-3 (type)\027 027 (appears on the screen)
word perfect for DOS (type) <27> <27> (appears on the screen)
MS-DOS Edit (Hold down) Ctrl-P (then Press) Esc <-- (appears on the screen)
MS-DOS Edlin (Hold down) Ctrl-V, (release, then press) [ ^[ (appears on the screen)

I hope that helps you. If it's different, I don't know it.

[yourownfree]

good point. no i didn't do that. I did try to enter the esc character but couldn't figure it out without using gbasic and chr$. Hey that might be a good thought, use gw basic to make a program for it. So I will try that and see what happens with the proper keys pressed and report back. thanks. I just copied the example that I saw and pasted it into word. That was the wrong way so nobody try that. I will do as you suggest and it will probably work.

[blackcat4866]

A simple way to get those characters is to sent a PCL print-to-file. Then open the resulting print-to-file in an application like TextPad, and you can delete all the unnecessary stuff, and retain the special characters that you can't type on an ASCII keyboard.

Another approach is to download a free version of XVI32 Hex Editor. Each special character is encoded so you can type in the parallel screen. I know that sounds confusing. It will make more sense when you see it.

Alternatively, you can just cut/paste the text from his attached txt file. Remember, you need to edit the text to indicate the desired serial number.

The forum seems to be unable to hold the null characters.
Does that help?

[yourownfree]

cut and paste didn't work, I am writing a gwbasic program as we speak to just send the info to the printer. I am only writing it for the serial number. If it works I can add other stuff later. I can just send it to the lpt port. I should be finished with it shortly. The program will ask for serial number then ask if it is correct, then press a button and you have it. Simple enough.

[yourownfree]

so far no luck using an HP4000 as a test machine. I tried the text file attachment too. I tried my gwbasic program with no luck. It did send it to the printer. I will re examine and try and figure out why it doesn't work. I also tried "set" and "default" even tried "enter". Eventually it will happen, still working on it. Thanks for all the info.

[yourownfree]

Re: how do you input serial number

I have succeeded in changing the serial number and page count finally. Test machine was an HP 4000. I did this with using my PC not the display on the printer. Since my home computer is running windows 7 it is a bit harder. I am writing a program now as I speak to do this using visual c#. When I did it I used ms-dos editor. worked like a charm. The hard part is getting the escape character to print. open the ms-dos editor press control-p then let go and then press the esc key. then type in the rest of the code as was given here earlier. Then just send it to your printer as a text file. Save your editor file as a text file for instance printer.txt. The program I am writing will ask for serial number, page count etc then do all the work for you. Trying to make my life easier. At least now you know how to do it. Yes it has taken me this long to figure it out. Oh do not try the cut and paste method, doesn't work. If you think you can cut and paste into word, or notepad,forget it, wont work. It encodes the esc key differently where it looks like a small square. It has to look like an arrow symbol.