Z3100 Job Logs

[Gary Gray]

Okay, I'm going through my print logs on the HP Z3100, trying to calculate average print times per square feet from time stamps on each job in the log.  I notice the job print times appear to be off by about 7 hours, which indicates to me it's logging time by GMT, as Denver (where I live) is GMT -7 hours.

I'm using a Mac Pro desktop, the time and date are set correctly on the computer (this isn't rocket science).

Why aren't the logs showing correct times?  I can't seem to find a way to make it log the time in local time, strange.  Can't find it in the software anywhere.

Thx,
Gary

[JDBFreeheel]

Okay, I'm going through my print logs on the HP Z3100, trying to calculate average print times per square feet from time stamps on each job in the log.  I notice the job print times appear to be off by about 7 hours, which indicates to me it's logging time by GMT, as Denver (where I live) is GMT -7 hours.

I'm using a Mac Pro desktop, the time and date are set correctly on the computer (this isn't rocket science).

Why aren't the logs showing correct times?  I can't seem to find a way to make it log the time in local time, strange.  Can't find it in the software anywhere.

Thx,
Gary

I've noticed this as well on my z3100.  If I go into the settings section of the menu, the printer lists the date as one day past my current date (I haven't looked extensively at the print logs to see what the actual hour offset is).  I assumed it was running off of GMT too.  However, I have not found a way to adjust the printer time/date settings in the HP Printer Utility (which is where I would assume that setting would be located).  

I wonder if this is on purpose, so that all print jobs, logging, tracking of materials used is set to a common time with no adjustments allowed that might skew these type of results (almost like an odometer on a car).  Or maybe that's just giving HP developers too much credit and it's as simple as being an oversight.  Or, thirdly, perhaps I'm just dense and haven't figured out how to make the setting change.  

If anyone has actual knowledge versus my absolute speculation, it would be greatly appreciated.  Relatedly, for users of other systems, are there similar settings for Canon and Epson printers in the accounting/log sections?  I'd be curious how they do it.

[dct123]

I've noticed this as well on my z3100.  If I go into the settings section of the menu, the printer lists the date as one day past my current date (I haven't looked extensively at the print logs to see what the actual hour offset is).  I assumed it was running off of GMT too.  However, I have not found a way to adjust the printer time/date settings in the HP Printer Utility (which is where I would assume that setting would be located).  

I wonder if this is on purpose, so that all print jobs, logging, tracking of materials used is set to a common time with no adjustments allowed that might skew these type of results (almost like an odometer on a car).  Or maybe that's just giving HP developers too much credit and it's as simple as being an oversight.  Or, thirdly, perhaps I'm just dense and haven't figured out how to make the setting change.  

If anyone has actual knowledge versus my absolute speculation, it would be greatly appreciated.  Relatedly, for users of other systems, are there similar settings for Canon and Epson printers in the accounting/log sections?  I'd be curious how they do it.

Open the HP Printer Utility, select your printer and after the data for that printer loads, select the Support tab and then click on the Date & Time logo. This will open a browser window where you can set the date, time and time zone.

[howardm]

On many/most highend printers, you can telnet into the printer and have direct access to the printer's executive where you can set all sorts
of things like that.

did you try pointing firefox to the IP address of the printer?  HPs almost always have a builtin web browser interface to the settings.

[JDBFreeheel]

Open the HP Printer Utility, select your printer and after the data for that printer loads, select the Support tab and then click on the Date & Time logo. This will open a browser window where you can set the date, time and time zone.

On many/most highend printers, you can telnet into the printer and have direct access to the printer's executive where you can set all sorts
of things like that.

did you try pointing firefox to the IP address of the printer?  HPs almost always have a builtin web browser interface to the settings.

Yes, I've actually tried both of these options.  dct123, my HP Printer Utility does not have the "Date & Time" logo you are referring to underneath the Support Tab.  There, fromt top to bottom, I have: Printer Documentation, Print Quality Troubleshooting, Run Online Diagnostics, Browse Online Information, Contact a Support Specialist, and Firmware Update.  Nothing about Date and Time.  I am running HP Printer Utility 5.1 not the newest 5.3 because I've had so much trouble loading and unloading drivers and utilities, that this setup works and I'm nervous about "upgrading" to 5.3 which is the latest version on the HP website.

Howardm, I have also logged into the webserver successfully, where you can view every piece of information you've ever wanted to know about the printer, but there does not seem to be a date/time setting there either.

Hmmmm.

[Gary Gray]

Yeah, me too.   I can't find anything, anywhere, that will allow me to set the time.  I love this printer but HP's software is the most convoluted junk on the market.

I've resorted to downloading the files in xls format and just running a script to change the time and date on the log files.  

Yes, I've actually tried both of these options.  dct123, my HP Printer Utility does not have the "Date & Time" logo you are referring to underneath the Support Tab.  There, fromt top to bottom, I have: Printer Documentation, Print Quality Troubleshooting, Run Online Diagnostics, Browse Online Information, Contact a Support Specialist, and Firmware Update.  Nothing about Date and Time.  I am running HP Printer Utility 5.1 not the newest 5.3 because I've had so much trouble loading and unloading drivers and utilities, that this setup works and I'm nervous about "upgrading" to 5.3 which is the latest version on the HP website.

Howardm, I have also logged into the webserver successfully, where you can view every piece of information you've ever wanted to know about the printer, but there does not seem to be a date/time setting there either.

Hmmmm.

[howardm]

that's pretty surprising.

not even an entry for 'NTP' (would probably be found under networking) ?  (NTP = network time protocol)

Even my lowly Epson 3800 has that  

[kevk]

Many years and much hair-loss later ... I've found the answer in the "HP Designjet Z2100/Z3100/Z3100ps/Z3200/Z3200ps GP Photo Printer Series Service Manual" found online.

There is a "hidden" "Service Utilities Menu" accessed via the front panel of the Z3100:
- Press the "Menu" button as usual, then when the familiar set of icons appear...
- Press both the down arrow and the cancel button AT THE SAME TIME.
- This comes up with a "Service Menu", and the top item is "Service Utilities". Select it.
- Scroll down to "Set Date and Time" and select it.
- You then change the time and date fields one by one using the up/down arrows to change the value and "Ok" to move to the next field. At the end there are a couple more "Ok"s and then it tells you to turn off the printer and reboot it.

Yay!
(Then it told me to reseat my ink tanks and that most of my ink was out of date - I assume it got a fright going from January 2007 to July 2015 in one time warp.)

Happy Job Accounting at last!

Kevin