FW updates, when do you do it?

[buzz]

What determines your service department to initiate a fw update? Do you do it to all devices, all brands?

Also, if a machine was running fine mechanically for years, no issues, would you still initiate a firmware update?


Curious to hear some feedback. Thanks.

I

[Hansoon]

Definitely not (except of security issues) since I learned already in the old days: "Never Touch a Running System"

Will never forget that I once gave the nice working EP-5400 (yes, I'm THAT old) in my BIL's office a good clean out of courtesy. I left a bricked machine with a blade flip and a damaged selenium drum.

Hans

[wjurls]

Only if required to improve security, functionality, or bug fixes (new models particularly). If there is no problem otherwise, leave it be.

I once discovered one of my customers Bizhub 951's was at level 10 FW because I noticed that the "drum peculiarity package" setting wasn't in the service menu.

There were many significant improvements over the years to that series of machines so I gave the customer the low down and the requisite disclaimer and asked if I should proceed. He agreed and I successfully bumped him to level 52 and this machine behaves much more reliably now. YMMV

[rthonpm]

Like everyone else said, it depends on what the module is: if it corrects an issue or improves security, then it's getting installed. If it just corrects spelling if the machine is set to use Hungarian, then no need to worry about it.

Every now and then I have come across a machine where strange issues seem to be fixed just by a re-flash of the existing firmware. Sometimes those running systems aren't exactly running on the right tracks.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[blackcat4866]

Definitely not (except of security issues) since I learned already in the old days: "Never Touch a Running System"

Will never forget that I once gave the nice working EP-5400 (yes, I'm THAT old) in my BIL's office a good clean out of courtesy. I left a bricked machine with a blade flip and a damaged selenium drum.

Hans

+1 on that. I've seen plenty of machines bricked by firmware updates, and relatively few fixed by them. I have to have a reason to update, before I do. =^..^=

[tsbservice]

Yes will do them all. Doesn't matter if they are running smooth operations. They're going to be updated as soon as possible.
It's just my obsession of course nothing major 🤞

[adecanmin]

I update the machine to the latest in the shop before it goes to the customer. In the field only if it is critical (battery fix e series). Or some weird issue issue after I've tried everything else.

[BillyCarpenter]

I always update firmware at the first opportunity. However, I will always defer to blackcat and rthonpm simply because they have much more experience and knowledge.

[copier tech]

What determines your service department to initiate a fw update? Do you do it to all devices, all brands?

Also, if a machine was running fine mechanically for years, no issues, would you still initiate a firmware update?


Curious to hear some feedback. Thanks.

I

This is good practice at every visit all manufacturers will recommend this during training.

See attached for a reason this is so important

In The UK we call this a 'PM' visit or preventative mantenance.

Lexmark Security Advisory.pdf

[davidmtupper]

I update every machine before it leaves the shop and recommend that the techs do so whenever possible in the field, for a few reasons. I have seen firmware fix a multitude of weird errors. Many email issues can be fixed by upgrading firmware. The days of bricking the machine are (almost) gone, it's very reliable now. Finally, if you need to call manufacturer tech support, their first question will be have you updated firmware.