Downloading Firmware - Printronix P8000 Series Administrator's Manual

Downloading Firmware

There is 256 MB of FLASH memory on the controller board. The printer firmware which includes printer
control languages (the "emulations"), the engine control, and printer operating system software are
loaded into FLASH memory at the factory, but there are occasions when you may have to load this
software:
•
Firmware upgrade to a newer level
•
Changing to a different firmware (emulation) type
•
Replacing a controller or reloading firmware if FLASH becomes corrupt.
Different firmware types may be included on a CD-ROM for printer upgrades. The target firmware type
should be copied to a computer's hard disk. From there, you can employ one of the various download
methods presented in this section. Downloading firmware can be accomplished through any host IO
installed on the printer, but may not be valid for all methods.
NOTE: The target firmware must be consistent with the options present in the controller Security Key.
Otherwise, the firmware download will be prevented.
With exception to the manual two-key and manual three-key power- up sequences, downloading
new firmware does not require the user to put the printer into any special mode. Rather, most
downloading methods are employed when the printer is ONLINE and ready to receive data. This
makes the download procedure easy.
FLASH is used to store the firmware, but it also contains a file system that holds System and User Flash
Files. User Flash Files consist of downloaded fonts, logos, forms, setup files, feature files, CST files, and
files that are specific to the user's setup or application. These files are either preserved or deleted based
on the download method used as shown in Table 19 on page 224.
IMPORTANT Regardless of download method, any saved configurations will be erased. Before
starting a download procedure, be sure that you have printed or saved
configurations on your host computer so they can be restored after the download
process is complete.
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