TechJET Color 175i MX Plotter Firmware Upgrade Instructions via Parallel Port:
Technical Support Hot Line (800) 451-7568 Updated: 10 July 1996
Hardware Connection Requirements:
PC Host Computer with a working parallel port (i.e. lpt1).
Parallel cable, Centronics connector.
CalComp 53xx Plotter must be connected to a PC directly for this
configuration.
NOTICE:
* The latest firmware for the TechJET Color plotters is available from
the CalComp BBS (714/236-3045 or 714/821-2359). The firmware files are
located in the Plotter Drivers & Utilities file directory.
* The MINIMUM firmware version for this model is 1.42.
Do NOT attempt to download prior firmware versions to these models.
Procedure for Upgrading the Firmware:
* To install the firmware, please refer to Appendix E of the user's
guide for this option. If you did not previously have the PostScript
capability in your TechJET Color plotter, installation will require
that the right hand cover be removed in order to install a berg jumper
and the Font ROM.
* If you already have the PostScript Option, the letter "P" will be the
second to last character of the version displayed on the control panel
during the power-on process. If this is blank, then you do not have the
PostScript option and must perform the full install.
* Put the plotter into download mode by pressing and holding the + and
- keys while turning the power on the plotter. Hold the two keys until
the plotter initializes. The plotter will display "Awaiting download
file".
* Install the floppy diskette containing the firmware in the disk
drive.
* At the DOS prompt, type the appropriate drive designation, either A:
or B: and press enter.
* At the DOS prompt, type:
UPGRADE 1 <Enter> (if the plotter is connected to LPT1).
UPGRADE 2 <Enter> (if the plotter is connected to LPT2).
UPGRADE 3 <Enter> (if the plotter is connected to LPT3).
Information Since the Printing of the User's Guide.
New Windows Driver.
The latest version of the Windows driver is 4.11 at the time of release
of this version of the PostScript Language Compatible Option firmware.
If you have an earlier version of the Windows driver, you may wish to
upgrade to the latest version. Colors from applications that use CMYK
colors (like Corel Draw) will be improved when using the "Auto Color"
driver option.
The latest Windows driver is available from the CalComp BBS
(714-236-3045 or 714-821-2359). Modem setting should be 8 data bits,
1 stop bit, no parity. You also may download files from our
web site at http://www.calcomp.com (If you cannot access the BBS or
the web page, our Technical Support Hotline can ship an update
diskette).
Windows Communication Problem.
Windows does not communicate correctly using the serial (COM) ports from
the driver. In the Control Panel/Printers/Connect menu, select LPT ports
instead of the COM ports. The data transmission is quicker than serial
communication and is more reliable.
Image Area -- Loading Media
Since the PostScript language is a page description language, many
applications will generate PostScript data that selects the intended
page size. Since the margins of the TechJET Color plotter are larger
than many printers, the application and "driver" software must use
the imageable area as specified in the "PPD" files provided with the
Windows driver, and on the MacIntosh diskette. Most applications will
access the margin information from the driver or the PPD automatically.
See Section 4 of the user's guide for information on using the PPD
files with Aldus Page Maker.
The driver has no way of determining how the media is loaded in the plotter.
In order for the margin and page dimensions provided to the application
to be correct, the media must be loaded with the shortest edge of the
media (left to right) across the plotter. If the shortest edge of the media
is less than 11 inches (279mm), then the driver assumes that the media is
loaded with the longer media dimension across the plotter.
In order to be able to actually print with margins as specified in the
user's guide, the paper must be loaded with the edge of the rubber "pinch"
roller aligned to the edge of the sheet of paper. If you think that
part of the plot is missing from the edge, use a larger sheet of paper,
or re-load the same size sheet with the rubber pinch rollers farther
out toward the edge of the sheet.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.