Upgrading Printer ROM
Some models of GCC printers feature flash memory that can be upgraded with new firmware.
Upgrading your printer may allow you to take advantage of bug fixes or new features. Upgrade files
can be obtained from the software download section for each printer.
GCC printers accept upgrade jobs the same way that they accept all print jobs. Upgrades can
be sent to the printer via any of the printer's ports. Once the printer has received the print
job, it will update its flash memory with the new firmware. It is important not to interrupt
the upgrade. If the printer is turned off or it loses power during the upgrade, the printer will
no longer work and it will need to be returned to GCC for repair.
Because upgrade jobs are already formatted such
that the printer can understand them, the operating system's printing mechanisms need to be bypassed.
Special software listed below is required to send the upgrade.
Instructions
- Download the upgrade file from the driver section of the printer's webpage and download and install one
of the programs listed below that will send the file to your printer.
- Turn printer off and then on to make it "fresh" for the upgrade.
- Send the file to the printer.
- On the printer itself you'll see the following messages:
- Upgrading.........DO NOT TURN OFF
Receiving SW
- Upgrading.........DO NOT TURN OFF
Erasing Memory
- Upgrading.........DO NOT TURN OFF
Programming
- Printer Upgrade Successful!
After a few seconds, the printer will automatically restart and you will
see it say "Initializing" followed by the new firmware version number.
- When the printer comes up to Ready, print
out a configuration sheet to make sure the OS has been correctly upgraded.
To print out a configuration sheet:
- Hit the MENU down button until the LCD reads "Information".
- Hit the ITEM down button until the LCD reads "Configuration".
- Hit the SELECT button to print out a configuration sheet.
Software
-
Macintosh
-
DropPS version 1.1.4 - A freeware program from Bare Bones Software that allows you to drag and drop PostScript files to a printer.
- Download from Bare Bones Software, Inc. (28 KB - HQX Macintosh Application) (FTP) (HTTP)
- Website
-
GCC File Send Utility for OS X - A Java program that can send a job to a network printer.
-
Windows
-
Free Raw Print - Freeware application by Frogmore Computer Services Ltd to send a job to any
installed printer.
-
DOS Parallel Port Copy - Send the file to a printer connected to the parallel
port with the following command line. This assumes that your parallel port
is lpt1 (consider lpt2, etc.) and the upgrade job, called "upgrade.upg", is in
the current directory.
-
GCC File Send Utility - A Java program that can send a job to a network printer. (Requires
Java 1.2 or later)
- Download and install the Java2 Runtime Environment (J2SE JRE) from java.sun.com if you do
not already have it installed. (~5MB) (Download)
- Download (46 KB - Executable Jar) (FTP) (HTTP)
- Instructions
-
Unix
-
Parallel Port Copy - Send the file to a printer connected to the parallel
port with the following copy command. You may have to become a super user or adjust
the permissions on the parallel port device. This also assumes that your parallel port
is /dev/lp0 (consider /dev/lp1, etc.) and the upgrade job, called "upgrade.upg", is in
the current directory.
-
GCC File Send Utility - A Java program that can send a job to a network printer. (Requires
Java 1.2 or later)
- Download and install the Java2 Runtime Environment (J2SE JRE) from java.sun.com if you do
not already have it installed. (~5MB) (Download)
- Download (46 KB - Executable Jar) (FTP) (HTTP)
- Instructions
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