Formatter boards

[CowDoc]

The formatter board for my M476nw needs replaced.  There are three versions of the M476 printer (nw = network & wifi, dn = duplex & network, dw = duplex & wifi).  The three formatter boards have different part numbers (CF385-60001, CF386-60002 & CF387-60004).  There are also three "chinese only" versions of the boards (CF385-60002, CF386-60003 & CF387-60005).  All of the boards are the same  physically.  Same outline, connectors, chips, etc... exactly identical. 

Some vendors sell these boards as being interchabgeable.  I assume any firmware is installed when updating the printer.  I'm looking for confirmatiion that the boards truly are interchangeable before I purchase one.

Has any one out there actually replaced one of these boards with another?  Were there any issues?

[LAVANYA1 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

As i can see that you want to purchase the formatter board , with regrds to your concern.

The formatter board for the printer with model  M476nw , dn, dw  ,are interchabgeable, u can use the formatter of the dw with dn and with to nw. There is no issue with that, u can go for it.

I am an HP Employee

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[CowDoc]

Thank you for the confirmation Lavanya.  That puts my mind at ease and gives far more options for acquiring a  replacement.

[CowDoc]

I'd like to thank Lavanya1 and all the other HP people here for their outstanding technical support.  We've used quite a few printers from other manufacturers over the years, and they've never worked as well for us.  We've always ended up replacing them with an HP.

Obviously HP printers do break, as all printers can.  The customer service and technical support from HP has always been outstanding.  It's a huge help that HP personnel monitor and respond on these forums.  Thank you.

[LAVANYA1]

Thank you for your review, thats what HP as a company look forward from our customers.

[LAVANYA1]

Hi,

regards to the issue, after i gave a information, i have done some research on it considering  Color Laserjet M476nw printer sires had found the below formatter numbers for the different model nw and dn

CF385-60001  Formatter (main logic) PC board assembly - For used with the Color Laserjet M476nw printer sires 

CF386-60002  Formatter (main logic) PC board assembly - For used with the Color Laserjet M476dn printer sires 

it might work but, there wil be disperency with the functionality, so what i recommend you is not  to interchange the board for the better functionality of the printer.

[CowDoc]

Lavanya1,

My printer is up and running.  However, I urge you to look into this further since others may have a similar question.  Maybe the HP engineering department could provide clarification.

HP part lists specify the following formatter boards.  I'm not sure why some are China only.

M476nw:   FC385-60001or FC385-60002 (China only)

M476dn:    FC386-60002 or FC386-60003 (China only)

M476dw:   FC387-60004 or FC387-60005 (China only)

The printer in question is an M476nw with no previous repairs.

Upon disassembly, the printer had a formatter board labeled FC387-60001.  That number isn't on the list.  It's possible that is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) number and the others are replacements.  I'm guessing.

I purchased a used formatter board from a dead M476dn.  It was advertised as an FC386-60002.  What arrived was an FC387-60001.  Evidently, the OEM formatter boards are the same for the nw and dn.

Upon installation, the existing firmware in the printer automatically updated onto the new formatter board.  I do have a wireless connection and the auto feed (no duplex) works fine.  So, the FC387-60001 board does work in both printers.

All of the photos I could find online (regardless of how they were identified) were photos of FC387-60001 boards.  I believe the firmware, additional PC boards and additional equipment determine the final function (nw, dn, and dw).   There is really only one board.  The FC387-60001.