IT Support Staff
HP Printer Firmware Upgrade
In this document:
- Checking the current firmware version
- Obtaining the firmware update
- Very important – preparing for the upgrade
- Performing the upgrade
- Expected device messages during an upgrade
- Troubleshooting
Introduction
This document has been tested on a HP LaserJet 4345mfp with JetDirect (J7949E) firmware version V.28.63, using Windows XP. The process described is applicable for following HP Printers:
- HP LaserJet 2410
- HP LaserJet 2420
- HP LaserJet 2430
- HP LaserJet 4250
- HP LaserJet 4350
- HP LaserJet 9040
- HP LaserJet 9050
- HP LaserJet 4345mfp
- HP Color LaserJet 4730mfp
- HP LaserJet 9040mfp
- HP LaserJet 9050mfp
- HP 9200C Digital Sender
- HP Color LaserJet 9500mfp
Other HP printers use a similar process; please note however this is outside of the scope of this document.
If you are unsure about any of the steps within this document then contact a member of the Security & Compliance team in IT Services. HP also provides extensive documentation.
Checking the current firmware version
You can discover the current firmware version through the printer's web interface or by printing out a configuration page.
To view the web interface, point your web browser to the printer's IP address into your web browser. The firmware code is under the Capabilities section:
Alternatively, you can print out a configuration page at the printer. On this page, look under Device Information for the Firmware Datecode - for example 20060519 09.051.7 You can compare this to the firmware available for the printer on the HP support website (see Obtaining the firmware update).
Printing a configuration page
To print the configuration page on the HP Laserjet 4250 and printers in the family with a small display:
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Go to the printer's control panel.
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Press the green checkmark button.
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Use the arrow keys and select the Information selection on the control panel.
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Use the arrow keys and select the Print Configuration selection.
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Press the green checkmark button to print the Configuration Page.
To print the configuration page on the HP Laserjet 4345:
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Go to the printer's or MFP's control panel.
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Press the Administration icon on the touch screen.
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Select the Information selection on the touch screen.
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Select Configuration / Status Pages.
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Select Configuration Page.
Obtaining the firmware update
The latest firmware updates can be downloaded from the HP Website. At the time of writing, the process for this is:
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From the HP web site www.hp.co.uk, choose the Support and Drivers link.
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Click the Download drivers and software (and firmware) radio button, enter the product name for the printer you are upgrading (e.g. laserjet 4345) and press return, then choose the model you are upgrading, e.g. HP Laserjet 4345 Multifunction Printer.
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Click the Cross operating system link (BIOS, Firmware, Diagnostics, etc.)
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You are offered a choice of download formats – choose the one for the Windows Operating system (which is a self executing zip archive) and click the Download link to download the .exe file.
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Run the .exe file that you just downloaded and unzip it to an appropriate location e.g. c:\printerfirmware4345. Here you will find two files – the .rfu (the actual firmware upgrade) and the readme file with information about the upgrade and different ways it can be applied.
Very important – preparing for the upgrade
There are three points to consider before the upgrade:
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The printer must not be switched off during the firmware upgrade.
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It is useful to print a configuration page prior to performing any firmware update.
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It is also advisable to prevent users sending print jobs during the upgrade just to be on the safe side. Although the printers are designed to cope with print job request during updates, there are reports of this causing problems.
Performing the upgrade
The easiest way to apply the update is through the printer's web interface. Point your web browser to the printer's IP address (or hostname) and then choose Information > Print from the menu.
Under Option 1, click the Browse button and select the .RFU file you downloaded for the printer (e.g. lj4345mfpfw_09_131_1.rfu). Then click Apply. The update may take up to ten minutes to apply. Make sure that the printer is not switched off until the firmware update has applied. The printer will automatically reboot once the update has applied.
Expected device messages during an upgrade
The printer displays three messages during a normal update process:
| Printer message | Explanation |
|---|---|
| RECEIVING UPGRADE | Displayed from the time the device recognizes the beginning of an .RFU update until the time the printer has verified the validity and integrity of the .RFU update |
| PERFORMING UPGRADE | Displayed while the device is actually reprogramming the DIMM with the .RFU update |
| WAIT FOR PRINTER TO REINITIALIZE | Displayed from the time the device has finished re-programming the code until the printer reinitializes. |
Once the printer has rebooted itself, verify that the firmware update succeeded. To do this, print a Configuration page from the printer's control panel and verify the firmware datecode shown on the Configuration page is the same as the datecode of the .RFU file you downloaded.
Finally, you will need to check that the printer is has not lost its configuration settings.
Troubleshooting
There is detailed troubleshooting information in the readme file that is included with the update .rfu that was downloaded from HP's web site during the upgrade. HP also provide free telephone support – their Printers Helpline is 0870 842 2339. They will ask for the serial number.