HP firmware update?

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Level 2

476 points

HP firmware update?

Can't find another place to post this and HP support is useless...

I need to install a firmware update on my HP 2420 dn printer. The JetDirect utility only works in OS9.

Does anyone know how to apply the firmware update on a system running Tiger?

Thanks a bunch for help and suggestions.

Posted on Oct 10, 2005 4:39 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 10, 2005 4:50 PM in response to Jim Hall1

It appears you will need to try and run the HP software in Classic. If you don't have Classic OS 9 installed on your computer, you can install it from your Software Restore disks - it should be on the Additional Software disk.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86775

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Answer 2

Jim Hall1 Author

Level 2

476 points

Oct 10, 2005 6:31 PM in response to Jim Hall1

Thanks, Kappy, but as you will notice from my machine profile, I can't run OS9 on this box...

Is there a terminal command that will load the firmware?

Here's the kicker: HP actually makes an OSX version of the firmware updater, as recent as last month, but their installer needs OS9.

What's a guy to do?

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 11, 2005 7:56 AM in response to Jim Hall1

Not so, Jim. You cannot BOOT OS 9, but you can run Classic, which is the OS 9 emulation in OS X. Install the OS 9 software that came on the Software Restore disks as I recommended.

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Answer 4

Jim Hall1 Author

Level 2

476 points

Oct 11, 2005 8:34 AM in response to Jim Hall1

Thank you. Moot point

1. Perhaps things would go smoother if Apple Tech support was informed of this. To balance this criticism, it would also help if HP's instructions were clearer.

2. There is an obscure way to accomplish the firmware update without installing Classic:

Enter the printer's IP address into Safari. Hit enter. This takes you to the printer's internal software.

Click around until you get to the page that let's you "download" the update.

This is a bit confusing since you have presumably already "downloaded" the update to your desktop. In reality by clicking the "go" button you are uploading the update to the printer. Even "update" would be a better description for the button. Do not depend on finding this anywhere on HP's web site or in their manual. Do not depend on HP's customer support to help either.

And, just for the record, their JetAdmin software does not work in Classic.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 11, 2005 10:14 AM in response to Jim Hall1

I would be really surprised that an Apple tech would not know about running Classic on a G5. If that were really the case they should fire the person for gross incompetence.

When the G5s hit the market Apple stopped installing the OS 9 software at time of delivery because so few new buyers even use OS 9. However, there should be information in the printed material that comes with the computers to help with the installation information. There is also a short blurb about it in the online help.

Anyway, you solved your problem another way, so that's good.

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Answer 6

Jim Hall1 Author

Level 2

476 points

Oct 11, 2005 10:27 AM in response to Jim Hall1

The techie was quite clear about OS9 - even to the point of asking if I had a machine that ran it that could run the updater over my network.

That's all water under the bridge. HP is not much better, the Read Me that comes with the update does not talk at all about OSX, even though there is an option to download an OSX specific updater.

It was only through trial and error that I discovered the browser-based update path.

In any event, case closed. And if it happens to anyone else, hopefully they'll find this thread and know what to do.

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