TechNote 170-01
microLaser 170 Printer Firmware Upgrade
12-08-99 Ed Palmer

SUMMARY: The mL170 printer firmware can be upgraded through a flash procedure.

This procedure should be performed only as directed by GENICOM Technical Support.

The latest code versions are located at:

ml170-fw.htm

Configuration Page:

After upgrading the printer code, menu settings will be set to the default. Before upgrading, print the Status Reports to obtain the present printer configuration:

• Press READY to take the printer offline.
• Press and hold SELF TEST until the display shows PCL PAGE CONFIG | START.
• Press ENTER- the PCL status report prints.
• Press and hold SELF TEST until the display shows PCL PAGE CONFIG | START.
• Press + - the display shows FPS CONFIG PAGE.
• Press ENTER- the FPS status report prints.

To determine the printer firmware revision:

• The firmware revision is shown on the PCL Summary Page under Firmware.

CAUTION: Failing to follow instructions exactly may result in a failure of the main logic board requiring the return of the printer to the GENICOM repair center.

The printer can be upgraded only through the parallel interface from a PC.

• Download the flash load file.
• Ensure the printer is connected with a IEEE-1284 compliant parallel cable with a length of six feet or less.
• If the printer is attached to any other source (network or serial), disconnect the input cables from the printer.
• Ensure the printer has 12 MB of memory installed (the PCL status report should show MEMORY(RAM): 12288KBYTES).
• Ensure the printer display shows READY.
• Press READY to take the printer offline.
• Press MENU repeatedly until the display shows SETUP MENU | PARALLEL MENU.
• Press ENTER.
• Press MENU until the display shows NPAP MODE | xxxxxx.
• Press + until the display shows NPAP MODE | OFF.
• Press ENTER- the printer goes online.
• Run the flash load file to extract the files. Note the folder the files are extracted to.
• The folder the flash load file was unzipped to will contain two files- UPGRADE.EXE and a .DAT file. Note the full name of the .DAT file.
• If running Windows, restart the system in MS-DOS mode.
• Navigate to the flash load file folder.

  CAUTION: Do not attempt to press any front panel keys or disturb the printer during the flash upgrade process. Do not attempt to remove power from the printer under any circumstances unless a successful flash upgrade has occurred or the one of the error conditions listed below.

• Start the upgrade utility by issuing the the command:

  
  UPGRADE

• The Upgrade utility shows:

GENICOM microLaser 170
Flash ROM Upgrade Utility

Main Menu -- Select operation

(1) Archive -> Rom data file
(2) Send Rom data -> printer
(3) Show archive file information

(4) Quit

• Press 2- the Upgrade utility shows:

  
  Enter Rom data file name:

• Enter the full name of the .DAT file and press ENTER. The Upgrade utility shows:

  
  Generating checksum...
  COMPLETION STATUS [******* ]
  Push 'k' key to stop.

  Checksum for file : xxxx.dat
  Checksum 1 Checksum 2
  
  00000000 9E7A9D92
  00000000 6185626E
  
  Press any key to continue

• Ensure the printer display shows READY and ONLINE is lit.
• Press ENTER- the Upgrade utility shows:

  
  Sending data ...xxxx.dat
  COMPLETION STATUS [*** ]
  Push 'k' key to stop.

• While sending the .DAT file, the display will show READY, POWER and ONLINE will be on, and DATA will be blinking.
• When the Upgrade utility has finished sending the flash file, the utility shows:

  
  Finished sending file: xxxx.dat
  Press any key to continue

• Press ENTER- the utility shows:

  Send file again ?, (Y) yes , (N) No

• Press N- the display returns to the main menu.
• Press 4 to exit the Upgrade utility.
• The printer then writes the the flash code. During the write, the display will show READY and the LEDs will cycle through this sequence:

  POWER	ONLINE	DATA	ERROR
  On	Off	Off	Off	Starting
  On	On	Off	Off	Checking
  On	On	Off	Off	Writing
  On	Flashing	Flashing	Off	Complete

• When POWER is on and ONLINE and DATA are flashing, the upgrade is complete.
• Turn the printer power off.
• Press and hold the + and - keys.
• Turn on the printer power- when the display shows TEST PRINT, release the keys.
• Press MENU until the display shows EEPROM CLEAR.
• Press ENTER- the display shows SELECTED!!, then EEPROM CLEAR.
• Turn the printer power off.
• Turn the printer power on.
• Refer to the Status Pages and set up the printer.

If the LEDs flash with all LEDs on, then some LEDS on, a failure has occured. The LED pattern (some LEDs on) indicates the cause of the failure:

POWER	ONLINE	DATA	ERROR	Cause and Resolution
On	Off	Off	On	Flash load file invalid- check setup and resend file
On	Off	On	Off	Not enough RAM- check status page for memory
On	Off	On	On	Flash load file checksum error- check setup and resend file
On	On	Off	Off	Flash ROM erase error- perform the flash error recovery
On	On	Off	On	Flash ROM write error- perform the flash error recovery
On	On	On	Off	Flash ROM verify error- perform the flash error recovery

If the display flashes the following on power up (the second line will show register values):

BadVAD >> ECP >> SR >> CR

This register dump indicates that the printer flash code is corrupt. Perform the flash error recovery.

To attempt to recover from a flash error:

• Turn the printer power off.
• Press and hold the + and - keys.
• Turn on the printer power- when the display shows TEST PRINT, release the keys.
• Press MENU until the display shows EEPROM CLEAR.
• Press ENTER- the display shows SELECTED!!, then EEPROM CLEAR.
• Turn the printer power off.
• Turn the printer power on.

If the error will not clear, return the printer for service.

Copyright © 2002 GENICOM, Specifications subject to change without notice. ® All trademarks are property of their respective holders at the time of this publication. If you have any questions or comments regarding this document, please contact TallyGenicom Technical Support. TallyGenicom has taken care to ensure that the information is complete, accurate and up-to-date. However, GENICOM assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions which may occur. All the information provided is subject to change from time to time at the sole discretion of GENICOM. This information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. GENICOM disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall GENICOM, or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if GENICOM, or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.