TechNote
40U-034
4000
Series
4000 Series - Kiwi Upgrade
10-29-97 Ed Palmer
Models:
Summary:
Flash code upgrade for KIWI interface board.
Resolution:
The newer 4000 series of printers use the Kiwi (MIPS) board as the interface controller. Depending on the Kiwi microcode, the printer can have QMS/IGP, SCS, IPDS, coax, twinax, parallel, serial or any combination of interfaces and features.
The Kiwi board comes in two models- the Kiwi (AKA Kiwi Senior), and the Kiwi Junior (AKA Peewee). The Kiwi can be upgraded by a flash load, the Kiwi Junior cannot.
To identify the type of Kiwi board installed in the printer:
- Print a status page:
- Take the printer off-line.
- Press FUNCTION.
- Press PREVIOUS OPTION- the display shows STATUS.
- Press ENTER- the status page prints.
- Press QUIT to exit Function Mode.
- Near the end of the status page is a section titled Controller Status Report. This is the Kiwi status. The Kiwi will have an entry near the end of the report for Upgrade- the Kiwi Jr will not.
To upgrade the flash code on the Kiwi board:
- Requirements:
IBM PC or compatible computer with a parallel port
A standard or IEEE-1284 parallel cable.
Kiwi upgrade file.
At least 1 Megabyte of available hard disk space on the PC.
NOTE: The upgrade cannot be performed from a floppy.
- Disconnect all inputs to the printer: parallel, serial, coax, twinax, and network.
- Connect the printer to the parallel port on the PC.
NOTE: Ensure that the LPT port is *not* redirected. The port may be redirected if the printer is on a network. If Windows is running, exit Windows before performing the upgrade.
- Place the printer on-line and verify communications between the printer and the PC. From the DOS prompt, type:
DIR >LPT1
If the directory does not print properly, turn the printer power off and on, and verify communications again.
CAUTION: If there is a problem with communications between the printer and the PC do *not* proceed until the problem is resolved.
- On the PC, change to the folder in which the the upgrade file is located.
NOTE: The upgrade file has a file extension of LOD. If the file was distributed in EXE format, run it to extract the LOD file.
- Place the printer in upgrade mode:
Take the printer off-line.
Press the PROGRAM key.
Press PREVIOUS OPTION- the display shows CONTROLLER.
Press ENTER.
Press NEXT OPTION until the display shows UPGRADE.
Press ENTER.
Press QUIT.
Press ONLINE- the display shows UPGRADE READY.
- From the DOS prompt, type
COPY /B xxxxxx.LOD LPT1
WHERE: xxxxxx is the name of the upgrade file.
NOTE: Substitute LPT2 for LPT1 if needed.
CAUTION: Do not turn off the printer power or interrupt the upgrade process.
- The printer display will show the status of the upgrade.
- When the upgrade is complete, the printer will reboot.
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