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HP Designjet 500 and 800 Series Printers - Detailed System Software Upgrade

Introduction
Updating an HP Designjet 500 or 800 series printer
Downloading the System Maintenance utility
Troubleshooting
Other operating systems

Introduction

The System Maintenance utility keeps HP Designjet 500 and 800 series printers up to date with the latest system software (firmware).

Updating an HP Designjet 500 or 800 series printer

If this utility is running on Windows or Mac OS, follow the instructions under the "System Maintenance utility" section to update the printer's system software.
If the System Maintenance utility fails to update the printer's system software, or to upgrade the printer from any other operating system (such a UNIX or DOS), see the "Other Operating Systems" section below.

Downloading the System Maintenance utility

  1. Ensure that all of the printer(s) requiring the update are turned on. Also, ensure that the computer running the System Maintenance utility has the appropraite driver installed and the proper connection selected.
    note:
    If the driver or connection is not available, the tool will not find the printer to perform the update.
  2. Click here to download the System Maintenance Utility from HP at http://www.Designjet.hp.com/PreSalesHome.html?ticket=UHLDTpwei7&pageseq=66783596. Use the following path to access and download the utility from the Web:
    1. From the main page, select Technical support from the left-navigation bar.
    2. Select the appropriate HP Designjet 500 or 800 series printer.
    3. Select System maintenance (listed under Self Support).
    4. To download, click System Software under the appropriate Operating System (OS).
  3. When prompted, save the installation application in the temp file on the C: drive.
  4. When the download is complete, click Open when prompted. Ensure the language selection is correct and click OK. All necessary files will be installed. The application will then analyze each of the printers that are configured for the computer and report on its current state.
  5. If any of the printers are out of date, the application will prompt an update. The update process sends a special file to the printer.
  6. Double-click the printer that needs to be upgraded, then click Next.
  7. Once the update is complete, a descriptive drawing showing the printer being unplugged will be displayed on the front panel. When this picture is displayed, unplug the printer. Wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This will delete all pending print jobs; therefore, do not print during the upgrade process.
    note:
    The update process may take several minutes. Do not turn the printer off before the drawing showing the printer being unplugged appears on the front panel display. If there are any problems during the upgrade, or if the upgrade does not work, it may be necessary to upgrade using the "Other Operating Systems" section below.
Once the printer is upgraded, the new firmware revisions should report on the front panel. To view and confirm the firmware revisions, do the following:
  1. Highlight the Setup menu on the printer front panel display, and press Enter.
  2. Highlight Printer Info, and press Enter.
  3. Select View, and press Enter.
  4. Using the Arrow keys, scroll down to view the printer's current firmware revisions. The current firmware revisions may include the following:
    • Engine F/W: A.02.xx
    • Formatter F/W: A.02.xx (only in the HP Designjet 800 series and HP Designjet 500 with HP-GL/2 accessory card)
    • Hard disk F/W: D.02.xx (only in the HP Designjet 800 series)

Troubleshooting

Cannot find the printer

The printer must be configured to print from the computer that is running the System Maintenance Utility. If the printer receives prints but does not appear in the list, select All Printers in the View menu. If it still fails to appear, perhaps the printer is not turned on or cannot be contacted. Try printing a simple page to see if the computer can connect to the printer.
If the printer is not found, select File, then New from the menu bar and enter the IP address. Continue the upgrade as above.
note:
If the printer is connected via an external HP Jetdirect box it will be necessary to connect directly via parallel cable and choose System Emergency from the menu bar. Continue the upgrade as listed above.

Restoring the old revision of firmware

If the behavior of the printer is less preferred than before it was upgraded, it is possible to downgrade the printer by selecting Downgrade in the Version menu. A prompt will allow a choice from a list of previous firmware versions.

Other operating systems

note:
If the System Maintenance Utility has been downloaded correctly from www.hp.com, but problems arise while upgrading printer firmware via the System Maintenance utility, another download is not necessary. The files can be found in the default directory located in C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Designjet system maintenance. Proceed to the "Upgrade Process" section.
If the operating system is any other operating system (such as UNIX or DOS), perform the next two steps, then proceed with the "Upgrade Process" section.
  1. Download the appropriate system maintenance utility from www.hp.com. When prompted, save the installation application in the temp file on the C: drive.
  2. Open the folder when prompted, once the download is complete. Ensure the language is set to English and click OK. All necessary files will be installed.

Upgrade process

If the System Maintenance Utility is unable to successfully upgrade firmware to a printer, send the files by connecting the printer to a PC through the parallel port.
  1. Open a DOS session (by clicking Start, Programs, Command Prompt, then MS-DOS).
  2. Type C:, and then press Enter.
  3. Type cd Program Files, then press Enter.
  4. Type cd Hewlett-packard, then press Enter.
  5. Type cd HP Designjet System Maintenance, then press Enter. The location should now be C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Designjet system maintenance.

HP Designjet 500 series

  1. From the above location, type copy DJ500HPGL_Axxxx.FMW LPT1, then press Enter to send the formatter code image (the "xxxx" refers to the most current firmware revision). The formatter code image should be sent only if the printer has the HPGL/2 accessory card installed. The printer's front panel will display FMTUPGRADE (or similar) in the Job Management menu. Once the upgrade is done, the printer will return to a Ready state.
    note:
    If experiencing problems copying the file to the printer, try using the binary switch (/b) in the filename and resend (for example, copy /b DJ500HPGL_Axxxx.FMW LPT1).
  2. Type copy DJ500_Axxxx.FMW LPT1, then press Enter to send the engine code image. An image of the printer, with an arrow pointing to the control panel, along with a column of scrolling zeros and ones, will be displayed on the front panel display for a short period of time. Then, an image of an hourglass, followed by an image of the printer showing a power cord, and an arrow pointing away from the wall, will be displayed.
    note:
    If experiencing problems copying the engine code image file to the printer, try using the binary switch (/b) in the filename and resend (for example, copy /b DJ500_Axxxx.FMW LPT1).
  3. Remove the power cord from the back of the printer. Do not turn the power off with the power switch. Wait 30 seconds.
  4. Replace the power cord. The printer will re-initialize.
      caution:
    Do not turn power off or unplug the printer, until prompted, on the front panel display.

HP Designjet 800 series

  1. From C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Designjet system Maintenance, type copy DJ800DISK_Axxxx.FMW LPT1, then press Enter to send the hard disk image (the "xxxx" refers to the most current firmware revision). The printer front panel will display Upgrading to… (or similar). Once the upgrade of the hard disk image is complete the printer will display a message other than Upgrading to… (message will vary due to the printer's current state).
    note:
    If experiencing problems copying the file to the printer, try using the binary switch (/b) in the filename and resend (for example, copy /b DJ800DISK_Axxxx.FMW LPT1).
  2. Type copy DJ800PS_Axxxx.FMW LPT1, and then press Enter to send the formatter code image. The printer's front panel will display FMTUPGRADE (or similar) in the Job Management menu. Once the upgrade is done, the printer will display a message other than FMTUPGRADE (message will vary due to the printer's current state).
    note:
    If experiencing problems copying the file to the printer, try using the binary switch (/b) in the filename and resend (for example, copy /b DJ800PS_Axxxx.FMW LPT1).
  3. Type copy DJ500_Axxxx.FMW LPT1, then press Enter to send the engine code image. An image of the printer, with an arrow pointing to the control panel, along with a column of scrolling zeros and ones will be displayed on the front panel display for a short period of time. Then, an image of an hourglass, followed by an image of the printer showing a power cord, and an arrow pointing away from the wall, will be displayed.
    note:
    If experiencing problems copying the engine code image file to the printer, try using the binary switch (/b) in the filename and resend (for example, copy /b DJ500_Axxxx.FMW LPT1).
  4. Remove the power cord from the back of the printer. Do not turn the power off with the power switch. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the printer back in.
    The printer will initialize.
    The process is now complete.
      caution:
    Do not turn the power off or unplug the printer, until prompted, on the front panel display.

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