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Core Skills Training

Firmware and Code Updates

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Course Introduction
• In order to resolve troubleshooting issues and gain new
technology and product features, software updates must
be downloaded to the printer or network adapter.
• In this course, the terms Firmware, Microcode, Basecode
and Engine Code will be covered.
• Knowing the differences will help when working through
troubleshooting steps to resolve issues.
• In this course, you will learn to:
– Identify the difference between Firmware and Microcode.
– Identify the current firmware/code levels
– Identify the best update path based on the connection type.
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Course Prerequisites
• This course has no prerequisites, but may used as a
prerequisite for other courses.

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What is Firmware?
Original Firmware Definition:
Firmware refers to read-only memory (ROM) chips that store permanent
instructions. Firmware boots up computerized or digital devices, as ROM
chips are non-volatile, meaning they do not require a power source to hold
their contents. This differentiates firmware from random access memory
(RAM), for example, which loses stored data at shutdown.

Firmware Example:
Perhaps the most familiar firmware is the basic input output system (BIOS)
chip. The BIOS chip on a computer motherboard holds instructions that,
upon powering up, initialize the hardware, ensure components are working,
and finally roll out the operating system to take over the rest of sequences.

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How to Apply Firmware?

Updating Firmware – Hardware vs Software:
Until the mid 1990s, updating firmware to a new version typically involved
replacing a storage medium containing firmware, usually a socketed ROM.
In recent time firmware upgrades have largely abandoned this approach in
favor of using firmware’s capability to overwrite itself in a convenient, purely
electronic operation. The concept of “firmware” has evolved to mean
almost any programmable content of a hardware device.

Lexmark Nomenclature:
When engaged in a conversation with Lexmark Technical Support Center,
the term “firmware” usually refers to Lexmark’s network adapter(s) (both
internal and external adapters). The term “basecode” is different in
meaning to “firmware” but often people use the terms interchangeable in
conversation during troubleshooting or updating hardware product.

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What is the Firmware Version?

Firmware Version on Settings Page:
The firmware version (sometimes called firmware level) can be found on
the printer’s Menu Settings Page for internal network adapters and on the
network adapter’s Network Settings Page for all Lexmark network
adapters. Review User’s Guide for printing instructions (Report Menu).

Menu Settings Page Network Settings Page

Firmware Version: NR.APS.N368

Firmware Version: NR.APS.N368
Network: NR.APS.N368
Network: NR.APS.N368

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What is Microcode?
Original Microcode Definition:
Microcode is a set of elementary instructions and resides in a separate
high-speed memory. Microcode functions as a translation layer between
the machine instructions and the circuit level of the computer. Microcode
enables the computer designer to create machine instructions without
having to design electronic circuits. Some hardware vendors use the term
microcode as a synonym for firmware.

Microcode Example:
All of the current Lexmark PSSD products have a operating system on-
board the printer and have upgradeable microcode called;
– Base Code (or Basecode) is the printer’s (base) microcode version -
affects the printer’s boot sequence, processor, control panel, etc…
– Engine Code is the printer’s engine microcode version – affects the
printer’s print engine mechanical timing, performance, quality, etc…

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What is the Microcode Version?

Microcode Version on Settings Page:
The microcode version for the printer’s base computer (basecode) and
printer’s engine operation (engine code) along with other microcode
version can be found on the printer’s Menu Settings Page under the
Device Information section. Review User’s Guide for printing instructions
(Report Menu). Menu Settings Page

Base: LR.FL.P224b - 0
Base: LR.FL.P224b - 0
Engine: LR.SK.E105 - 0
Engine: LR.SK.E105 - 0

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Which Level is Updated?

Comparing Firmware and Microcode Versions:
The firmware and microcode updates are based on an incremental
alphanumeric model. When comparing the firmware and microcode
versions, the lower progression in the alphabet and higher number in the
number sequence is the “newer” version of firmware and microcode code.
Older Version Newer Version
Firmware Version: NR.APS.N368 Firmware Version: ST.BRT.P701
Firmware Version: NR.APS.N368 Firmware Version: ST.BRT.P701

Facts to Remember when Updating Firmware and Microcode:

Important! It is a good practice when troubleshooting problems to verify
that the firmware or microcode was updated by printing another menu or
network settings page to compare against the original settings page.
Important! Never “update” the firmware and microcode with older
version(s). The older version of firmware and microcode could corrupt the
datastream variables.

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Getting the Keycode?

Keycode Web Address:
The Lexmark products have the network adapter’s firmware and printer’s
basecode and engine code on a webpage that utilizes a cryptographic
code. To acquire the keycode for the desired product, the customer should
contact the Lexmark Technical Support Center (1-800-LEXMARK). The
optional Lexmark network adapters are the only products that do not
require a keycode. The current optional Lexmark network adapters
firmware is available on the Lexmark website (www.lexmark.com) in the
DOWNLOADS section.

The Lexmark Keycode Web Page can be accessed through a web browser
by typing the URL;

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Downloading Current Version?

Entering Keycode and Downloading:
Once the customer gets the current keycode from the Lexmark Technical
Support Center and goes to the keycode webpage. The customer will
enter the keycode into the authorization keycode field (shown below).

Once the keycode is submitted, a dialog box

will ask the user what to do with the file. The
customer should click on the “Save” button to
save the file into a “known” directory on the
computer’s hard drive.

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Uncompressing the Downloaded File?

Extracting the Zip File to Update Products:
The customer can use Windows Explorer to access the downloaded zip
file. Once the zip file is extracted (hopefully in the same directory as the
downloaded zip file), the customer should notice two file types; update
firmware/code file (.fls) and how-to instructions file (.txt).

• The firmware/code file (.fls) is the package that is transmitted to the

Lexmark product to upgrade the firmware on the network card or
microcode on the printer. DO NOT open the firmware/code file. Opening
the file could cause corruption to the file’s integrity.
• The how-to instructions file (.txt) is a text file that can be viewed for
detailed instructions on updating the Lexmark product’s firmware or
microcode. The operating system should automatically open the file in a
text editor such as MS-Notepad or a word processor like MS-WordPad or
MS-Word.

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Network Adapter’s Webpage?

Updating with the Network Adapter’s Webpage:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through the network adapter’s webpage. Before beginning, the Lexmark
product should be “Ready” state;
– To access the network adapter’s webpage, the customer enters the printer’s or network adapter’s TCP/IP
address into the address window of the web.

– Once the webpage is loaded, the customer will click on the Settings link and then on the Update
Firmware link.

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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Network Adapter’s Webpage? (Continued)

Updating with the Network Adapter’s Webpage:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through the network adapter’s webpage. Before beginning, the Lexmark
product should be “Ready” state;
– Once the Update Firmware loads, the customer can click on the Browse… to locate and select the
firmware or microcode file.
– Clicking on the Open button will populate the Flash File field. Once the customer clicks on the Submit
button, the update file will be sent to the printer and began updating the firmware/code.

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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Network Attached Printer?

Updating Through a Network Connection:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through a Ethernet cable connection. Before beginning, the Lexmark
product should be “Ready” state;
– Customer opens a command window by clicking on the Start button and selecting Run…
– Customer types in the Open field of the Run window, cmd.
– Customer changes to the directory that contains the updated firmware or microcode.
– Once in the directory with the firmware/code files, the customer types FTP
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx is in place of the network adapter’s IP address).
– Customer gets a connected and ready message. Customer will hit the Enter/Return key
on their keyboard to log-in as a default user.
– Customer types the command bin to put the FTP session into binary mode.
– Customer types the command put and the filename they want to send to the network
adapter/printer.

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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Network Attached Printer? (Continued)

Example of FTP Update:
Open FTP screen and typing bin to put the FTP session into binary mode.
Connected to xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
220 ET000400555E3F Lexmark X646e FTP Server NC2.NPS,N211 ready.
User (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:(none)):
230 User default logged in.
ftp> bin
200 TYPE command successful.
ftp>

Using the put command to send the file and typing the bye command to
end the FTP session.
ftp> put <filename>
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening Binary data connection (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx,2088).
226 Transfer complete.
ftp> bye
221 Good-bye

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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USB Direct Port?

Updating Through the USB Direct Port:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through the USB Direct port on some printers. Before beginning, the
Lexmark product should be in a “Ready” state;
– Insert a recommended USB Flash Drive into the USB Direct Port that contains the code to flash.
– Depending on the printer and whether it is a single function or MFP, the operator panel will look similar to
this:

or

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USB Direct Port? (Continued)

Updating Through the USB Direct Port:
– Find the code file and follow the on screen information to flash it to the printer.

or

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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USB Attached Printer?

Updating Through a USB Connection:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through a USB cable connection. Before beginning, the Lexmark product
should be “Ready” state;
– Customer goes to the http://support.lexmark.com/printerfirmware/ website and enters the USB Utility –
GUI version’s key code to begin the download (usb_dos).
– Customer saves the file in a known location and the saved location must be the same location as the
update firmware file(s).
– Customer opens a command window by clicking on the Start button and selecting Run…
– Customer types in the Open field of the Run window, cmd.
– Customer changes to the directory that contains the updated firmware or microcode.
– Customer types usbutil filename.fls and press the Enter key
Command Line – USB Example
Microsoft ® Windows DOS
© Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001

C:\usbutil filename.fls

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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Parallel Attached Printer?

Updating Through a Parallel Connection:
The customer can update the Lexmark product’s firmware or microcode
through a parallel cable connection. Before beginning, the Lexmark
product should be “Ready” state;
– Customer opens a command window by clicking on the Start button and selecting Run…
– Customer types in the Open field of the Run window, cmd.
– Customer changes to the directory that contains the updated firmware or microcode.
– Customer types “copy filename.fls lpt1 /b (lpt1, lpt2, lpt3, etc… represents the parallel port which has a
parallel cable) and press the Enter key.
Command Line – Parallel Example
Microsoft ® Windows DOS
© Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001

C:\copy filename.fls lpt1 /b

FILENAME.FLS

1 File Copied

DO NOT POWER OFF MACHINE WHILE UPDATING FIRMWARE/CODE

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Firmware and Code Updates

This concludes the module on
Firmware and Code Updates.

You may review the study material again or continue to the

next phase of this course.

7/20/2010 Lexmark Confidential