Cannot update an overlay macro

[RobertHarris71]

My company uses four overlay macros on an HP LaserJet 4700DN.  I'm trying to update macro number 3, but I can't get the printer to accept the change.  It continues to print the old overlay.

I created testing tools to load, unload and print overlays.  I can load and print the new overlay using macro ID 5, a previousily unused ID.  But if I load and print the new overlay using macro ID 3, the ID I'm trying to replace, I get the old overlay.

I'm guessing that the old marcros are stored on the printer's disk, and what I'm doing is only affecting the printer's RAM.  If that is correct, how do I update the macros on the printer's disk?  Are there any tools to read/write the contents of those disks?

[dansdaduk · Accepted solution]

Try the Status Readback tool in the PCL Paraphernalia application (available via http://www.pclparaphernalia.eu) to check what is on the hard disk (if indeed your device has one).

It may take a bit of 'trial and error' to find what is there, if you don't already know - you'd need to find out the volume id (probably 0:)  first, then the folders (probably fonts and macros, may be sub-folders of PCL folder), then the files etc.

The tool should also allow you to retrieve (via PJL FSUPLOAD) an existing file, and download a new one (via PJL FSDOWNLOAD).

If the macro(s) are held on a hard disk, something within your setup must (at some stage every time that the printer is booted up, or perhaps with every job?) use an appropriate PCL escape sequence (i.e. the 'Alphanumeric ID' sequence <Esc>&n#W[data]) to associate a PCL macro identifier with the relevant file on the hard disk.

[Jim_Asman]

First, I am assuming that you simply downloaded the new macro as part of a pcl job. My experience is that if you download a macro to the printer and there is another macro with the indentical ID installed internally in NVRAM etc., then the internal macro will be the macro that is run. I can verify that the pclparaphernalia software that @dansdaduk mentioned will allow you to add/modify your existing macros.

[RobertHarris71]

Thank you very much for the help.

Using PCL Paraphernalia I was able to find the macros on the printer's drive (tool -> status readback -> pjl fs -> fsdrilist 0:\psl\macros).  Delete the old macro (tool -> status readback -> pjl fs -> fsdelete).  And download the updated macro (tool -> status readback -> pjl fs -> fsdownload).

Thanks again!

[dansdaduk]

@RobertHarris71 - Thanks for letting us know that you've managed to replace your disk-based macro using the Status Readback tool in the PCL Paraphernalia application - I trust that (with the assistance of the Help file) you found it reasonably straightforward to use.

@Jim_Asman - thanks for your verification (and your previous testing of the tool).