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HP Printer Firmware Upgrade

Robert Moore, DCC Psychology

What is a Printer Firmware Upgrade ?

• The HP Firmware Upgrade allows the administrator to upgrade the firmware in HP Printers. These upgrades address performance (rather than security) issues.
  • This should not be confused with updating the printer drivers.
  Drivers reside on the print server or more commonly on the clients (the users computer.) Driver updates address functionality from the user's end.
  • Similarly, this should not be confused with updating the network interface (the HP JetDirect card) which is updated using HP Download Manager. This note is concerned only with upgrading the printer firmware.

What is the Problem?

These printers are just devices on a network with memory, programs, and (sometimes) hard drives. They really are a computer in between the user and the print engine. This computer has two parts. From the user looking in with control over who can do what and what things there are to do. And from the Print Engine looking out and finding instructions on how to do things.

Who should be doing Firmware Upgrades?

There are two types of networked printers on campus: (i) Those running on the Novell System and maintained by the Netware group in CIS, and (ii) all the others. If you fall in the first category, you need to do this until some group within CIS can assume that responsibility. If you fall in the second category, you need to do this. Period.

How do I find out what version of the firmware I am running ?

Print the printers configuration page. You will find an entry that reads "Firmware Datecode:" Make a note of that.

How do I find out if there is downloadable firmware for my printer ?

Go to here for a complete list of printer driver versions and firmware versions. Unfortunately this information is nearly two years old. Consequently it can only advise you that your versions are seriously out of date. However it DOES tell you if a firmware upgrade is possible by download (RFU) or if that would require replacing a module (DIMM).

Some earlier printers, such as the 4050 or 4100 can be upgraded only by replacing a DIMM module. Later printers such as the 4250, 4600, or 4650 can be upgraded only by RFU.

How do I find these upgrades?

• go to the HP web site
• Go to Software & Downloads
• Enter a printer model name, e.g., "laserjet 4650"
• Enter a model, e.g., "4650dn"
• Under the heading "Select operating system" there is sometimes an entry for "Cross operating system (BIOS, Firmware, Diagnostics, etc.)" If so, then you MAY find downloadable firmware updates for applying from Macintosh, Unix, or Windows operating systems.
• The downloadable file is an executable. It will expand into the upgrade file and a documentation file. The documentation file includes instructions on various methods which may be used to apply the upgrade. It also includes a summary of the specific problems addressed by the upgrade.