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Author Topic: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?  (Read 3333 times)

Mark Potter

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Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« on: December 14, 2011, 02:39:56 pm »

I need to replace my formatter board TR12 Firmware 5.0.0.4 in my HP Z3100 24" printer. I few folks have directed me to Ever Print, a refurbished board is $1100 and a new is $1400 and they state their firmware is 5.0.0.0

I have found the same board running new elsewhere for $750 running Firmware 7.0.0.0 but cannot find out if I can use this board. The last version of firmware that my was running was this... TR12-MLV-U-7.0.0.3-5.FWM

QUESTION: Can I use the Formatter board that is running the 7.0.0.0 firmware in my 24" Z3100? Ever print list both as being used in the 24" Z3100 they just have different part numbers?
« Last Edit: December 14, 2011, 07:49:57 pm by Mark Potter »
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Mark Potter

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Re: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2012, 01:15:16 am »

BTW, The answer is YES.
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Rocco Penny

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Re: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2012, 09:01:02 am »

Hi Mark,
I think there is only one board for this machine, 24" or 44"
so either will work.
Also, there was a bad disc drive in the beginning,
many of them went belly up during initial deployment.
The ones left either were fixed or didn't suffer the defect.
The formatter seems especially prone to failure during downloads or any changes to the routine it runs.
So be careful when downloading updated firmware.
I believe the latest is the 7.xxx
First make the printer work again with the original config.
Make double sure of your connections and that there are no loose ribbon cables or connectors and clips.
Needs to be perfect.
I wonder if you would be blowing it to turn the machine off,
unplug everything,
release the residual charge from the machine by pressing the on button etc...
Then when I was sure,
unplug the formatter again.
This time be ready,
and don't push any buttons or omit any of the routine.
Turn the machine off on the front panel and run the service menu.
Do you see what I'm saying?
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Mark Potter

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Re: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2012, 11:00:14 am »

Hi Mark,
I think there is only one board for this machine, 24" or 44"
so either will work.
Also, there was a bad disc drive in the beginning,
many of them went belly up during initial deployment.
The ones left either were fixed or didn't suffer the defect.
The formatter seems especially prone to failure during downloads or any changes to the routine it runs.
So be careful when downloading updated firmware.
I believe the latest is the 7.xxx
First make the printer work again with the original config.
Make double sure of your connections and that there are no loose ribbon cables or connectors and clips.
Needs to be perfect.
I wonder if you would be blowing it to turn the machine off,
unplug everything,
release the residual charge from the machine by pressing the on button etc...
Then when I was sure,
unplug the formatter again.
This time be ready,
and don't push any buttons or omit any of the routine.
Turn the machine off on the front panel and run the service menu.
Do you see what I'm saying?

Yes, I was able to replace the formatter with the newer 7.0.0. and it got the Z3100 back up and running until I thought I would replace the belt, now I have a large paper weight... but it is on wheels and rolls nicely...
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Rocco Penny

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Re: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2012, 11:23:45 am »

Ok straight outta the box there should be no problem booting,
even if there is a error code present.  So instructing you to insert the print consumables shouldn't yield any discrepensy in operation.
Even if you don't go directly into the service mode you must be able to read a code.
So no code=bad connections or formatter continuous beep huh, haven't seen that
So if you get one fairly quick beep you have a good formatter?
No beep obviously bad, but a continuous beep?
Hmm,
send it back and state it won't allow you to enter the sevice menu.
That cannot be due to anything but a bad connection or faulty component.
Has to be the formatter(?) if you have all lines correctly hooked up.
All the places give a 30 to 60 day warranty
You didn't do anything wrong, you just put in the formatter and powered up,
return it if you know for sure you have all the proper connections made
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Mark Potter

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Re: Z3100 24" formatter board Firmware question?
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2012, 12:26:56 pm »

Ok straight outta the box there should be no problem booting,
even if there is a error code present.  So instructing you to insert the print consumables shouldn't yield any discrepensy in operation.
Even if you don't go directly into the service mode you must be able to read a code.
So no code=bad connections or formatter continuous beep huh, haven't seen that
So if you get one fairly quick beep you have a good formatter?
No beep obviously bad, but a continuous beep?
Hmm,
send it back and state it won't allow you to enter the sevice menu.
That cannot be due to anything but a bad connection or faulty component.
Has to be the formatter(?) if you have all lines correctly hooked up.
All the places give a 30 to 60 day warranty
You didn't do anything wrong, you just put in the formatter and powered up,
return it if you know for sure you have all the proper connections made

Rocco,

I didn't mean to confuse the situation, just so you understand in this thread I was answering my own question if it possible install a 7.0.0 formatter board into a Z3100 that originally had a 5.0.0. board and have since then I have installed the 7.0.0 board and was back up and running but also needed to replace my carriage belt but wanted to make sure all was good with the printer before attempting the belt replacement and it was, I had made a few last minute prints for Christmas and waited till last weekend to do the belt replacement and that's when I turned it into a paper weight. This is the thread for that http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=61007.0 you also tried to help me their - Thanks! Sorry if I confused the situation, I was just trying to let others know that might run into the same issue with 5.0.0 and 7.0.0 formatter boards compatibility.

I am taking the Z3100 to a HP service provider to see if it can be fixed and if it's cost effective to repair, and if not, I am going to try to return the formatter board to re-coop my $750 and maybe try and part-out the Z3100?
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