"All" firmware and SD cards

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • KenB
    Geek Extraordinaire

    2,500+ Posts
    • Dec 2007
    • 3946

    "All" firmware and SD cards

    Howdy,

    Has anyone tried to use the "All" firmware package on an MP C4503 (normal operation panel), and had success?

    I used an old trusty 1 GB SD card which has always worked OK (generic brand), but it fails with the C4503.

    The screen sticks on "Please Wait", and it beeps a series of 5 beeps, 2 times.

    I tried reformatting the card (Windows format) for Fat 16 and Fat 32, no love.

    Tech support tells me that only the SD card listed in the parts manual (and possibly very few others) will work unless the Engine and System / Copy are current, or very close to it. Kinda self-defeating, iff'n you ask me.

    I had an old 128 MB card that I flashed my demo C4503 (with Smart Panel), and it worked flawlessly... 13 minutes total. I can't use the same card for the normal panel machine, as the pkg file is about 140 MB, just a bit too big.

    I am responsible for getting a fleet of these little gems updated, and I am trying to put together a battle plan for the field. I thought that the "All" package may be the answer, but it looks like it won't.

    I have been pushing to get DMNX deployed, but that won't be for quite some time. @Remote isn't an option, as the machines are not allowed to be on the Internet to download the firmware.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
    “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins
  • Cipher
    It's not easy being green

    1,000+ Posts
    • May 2006
    • 1309

    #2
    Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

    256Mb SD cards.

    They seem to be the sweet spot between device compatibility and having enough free space on hand.
    • Knowledge not shared, is eventually knowledge that becomes lost... like tears in the rain.

    Fully qualified technician for Ricoh - Canon - Sharp - HP - Brother

    Comment

    • Tonerbomb
      AutoMajical Resolutionist

      Site Contributor
      2,500+ Posts
      • Feb 2005
      • 2589

      #3
      Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

      Originally posted by KenB
      Howdy,

      Has anyone tried to use the "All" firmware package on an MP C4503 (normal operation panel), and had success?

      I used an old trusty 1 GB SD card which has always worked OK (generic brand), but it fails with the C4503.

      The screen sticks on "Please Wait", and it beeps a series of 5 beeps, 2 times.

      I tried reformatting the card (Windows format) for Fat 16 and Fat 32, no love.

      Tech support tells me that only the SD card listed in the parts manual (and possibly very few others) will work unless the Engine and System / Copy are current, or very close to it. Kinda self-defeating, iff'n you ask me.

      I had an old 128 MB card that I flashed my demo C4503 (with Smart Panel), and it worked flawlessly... 13 minutes total. I can't use the same card for the normal panel machine, as the pkg file is about 140 MB, just a bit too big.

      I am responsible for getting a fleet of these little gems updated, and I am trying to put together a battle plan for the field. I thought that the "All" package may be the answer, but it looks like it won't.

      I have been pushing to get DMNX deployed, but that won't be for quite some time. @Remote isn't an option, as the machines are not allowed to be on the Internet to download the firmware.

      Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks!
      KenB the package requires the system to be one of the newer versions for the package to work. also the package doesn't always include some of the accessories firmware. And I've found that the current package may not have the latest files in it, compared to the individual files................

      P.S. I use cheap 1 gig cards bought on EBAY, they work just fine after formatting..................
      Last edited by Tonerbomb; 04-24-2015, 12:21 AM.
      Mystic Crystal Revelations

      Comment

      • zed255
        How'd ya manage that?

        1,000+ Posts
        • Dec 2009
        • 1025

        #4
        Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

        I always download the latest individual files as the package isn't always up-to-date or complete. I prefer to get a machine as current as possible, otherwise the effort is wasted. Note, and I'm sure you are already aware, the package update process is different from the usual method.

        I have done a package update via @Remote which has worked well, though a progress indicator would be welcomed.

        Comment

        • slimslob
          Retired

          Site Contributor
          25,000+ Posts
          • May 2013
          • 34919

          #5
          Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

          When I go to rfg-esource to download firmware, I look at the creation date of the package and if it is 7 days or more after the last module firmware listed, it usually has the most recent. One of the files in the .zip for the package lists the versions of all the modules it contains. I have actually had a package contain newer updates than the individual modules. One thing though is that the package only contains mainframe updates. Peripherals must be updated separately. I have been told, but don't know for sure, that the package processes the list before starting and only updates those modules that need to be updated.

          As for SD cards, I normally use a 512K card. I have used up to 4 GB cards on the newer models. Older models will only work with 1 GB or smaller. Not all manufacturers 1GB cards and some will not work. If you cannot find the size card you want, you can use a utility such as Minitool Partition Wizard to reduce the apparent size of a card. MiniTool Partition Wizard, the excellent magic for Windows.

          When formatting an SD card do not use the Microsoft format function. The Panasonic format utility is recommended. I have also used the Toshiba utility that came with my work laptop and the Acer utility that came with my Windows 8 laptop at home. I have only had trouble on cards formatted with the Microsoft utility.

          Comment

          • KenB
            Geek Extraordinaire

            2,500+ Posts
            • Dec 2007
            • 3946

            #6
            Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

            Thanks for all the replies.

            Actually, the focus is to get the System / Copy, Scanner, and Engine current.

            These are required for the latest Java versions to work.

            The account has several hundred machines running Streamline, and Java needs to be updated before we can update to version 2.3.

            I'm just trying to find the most efficient way to do this without a lot of errors, complaints, or wasted time.

            I am not a fan of using Streamline ADM to update the firmware. IMHO, it's not exactly optimal for the task. (Translation: it kinda sucks at it.)
            “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins

            Comment

            • slimslob
              Retired

              Site Contributor
              25,000+ Posts
              • May 2013
              • 34919

              #7
              Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

              This is exactly what @remote firmware update was intended for. Pushing firmware over night to multiple machines.

              Comment

              • KenB
                Geek Extraordinaire

                2,500+ Posts
                • Dec 2007
                • 3946

                #8
                Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                Originally posted by slimslob
                This is exactly what @remote firmware update was intended for. Pushing firmware over night to multiple machines.
                Unless it's blocked, which it is. No MFP has Internet access, and proxy servers aren't allowed.

                @Remote Enterprise Pro or DMNX would work, but the customer doesn't won't allow it on their network, at least not for a while yet. (Long story on that one...).

                What a PITA.

                BTW, we have a total of just under 850 machines to update. Ugg.
                “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins

                Comment

                • Zeldaman
                  Senior Tech

                  500+ Posts
                  • Mar 2011
                  • 946

                  #9

                  Comment

                  • Iowatech
                    Not a service manager

                    2,500+ Posts
                    • Dec 2009
                    • 3933

                    #10
                    Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                    For SD cards, if the place you work for takes machines back in trade, and if any of those machines are going to be tossed into the hopper, see if you can harvest the SD cards from those machines to use for firmware updates.
                    I have been using the same four SD cards that I got in that way for years, and they have always worked for me. It doesn't matter how old the SD cards are or what they were originally purposed for as far as I can tell. And they are free.

                    Comment

                    • copier tech
                      Field Supervisor

                      5,000+ Posts
                      • Jan 2014
                      • 7874

                      #11
                      Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                      I've been using the newer SDHD cards, they're cheaper to buy too, I used a 4GB one without any issues, I keep the package firmware & the indididual files on the card that way if the package FW fails I can update the conventional way.
                      I update the card once a month.

                      SanDisk 4GB SDHC Secure Digital Card: Amazon.co.uk: Hi-Fi & Speakers
                      Let us eat, drink, and be merry, because tomorrow we may die!

                      For all your firmware & service manual needs please visit us at:

                      www.copierfirmware.co.uk - www.printerfirmware.co.uk

                      Comment

                      • ruben
                        The New Guy

                        1,000+ Posts
                        • Oct 2012
                        • 1204

                        #12
                        Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                        I always update individual firmwares and not the whole package. Recently, My Ricoh have been updating their firmware lists, now they are kept on a single page (called "Deep Links") and can each be downloaded with a single click.

                        Comment

                        • slimslob
                          Retired

                          Site Contributor
                          25,000+ Posts
                          • May 2013
                          • 34919

                          #13
                          Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                          Originally posted by copier tech
                          I've been using the newer SDHD cards, they're cheaper to buy too, I used a 4GB one without any issues, I keep the package firmware & the indididual files on the card that way if the package FW fails I can update the conventional way.
                          I update the card once a month.

                          SanDisk 4GB SDHC Secure Digital Card: Amazon.co.uk: Hi-Fi & Speakers
                          Older machines will not take anything larger than 2GB. Some will even error on some 2GB cards. Most of the older machines do not like to see firmware for ore that model line, takes too long to read the directory.

                          If you need to update the Droid OS on a Smart Operation Panel, you will need a card between 128MB and 1GB.

                          Comment

                          • anothertech
                            Service Manager

                            Site Contributor
                            1,000+ Posts
                            • Nov 2007
                            • 1707

                            #14
                            Re: "All" firmware and SD cards

                            Ken, the System needs to be ver 1.12 or higher for the package firmware to work. I like to use the package firmware, it's one step, easy, and i can go do something else while its loading, don't need to babysit it.

                            Comment

                            Working...