Solved: P4515x: After replacing the formatter the printer model repo... - HP Support Community

psherrill · ‎08-13-2022

P4515x: After replacing the formatter the printer model reports a 4015 instead of a 4515x. Tried initializing NVRAM from control panel, no joy. Used PJL to attempt to INIT NVRAM and rename printer and serial number. Rename of Serial Number and Model Number succeeded, but the product name was not updated. The printer Product Name continues to report as "HP LaserJet P4015" as the product (sb 4515x).

Repairatrooper · ‎08-13-2022

Did you install the new one first or refurbished? If you install a used .formatter, in most cases it will over write the backup data stored elsewhere on the printer. A new board takes the data from the printer. All new formatters bear the same part number for that reason.

There is no published method to change a board and based on age of the printer it is unlikely that HP would do that anyway.

As a side note, refurbished means nothing on used formatters, there is no method to return it to a blank slate.

If you find the information provided useful or solves your problems, help other users find the solution easier by marking my post as an accepted solution. Clicking "yes" on "was this reply helpful" also increases the chances that this solution will help others.
I am a volunteer, offering my knowledge to support fellow users, I do not work for HP nor speak for HP.

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Repairatrooper · ‎08-13-2022

Did you obtain a used formatter for replacement? If so, then the formatter was already tattooed as a 4015 and you cannot change that now. Other than losing a few pages per minute in speed, the two are functionally identical and you should have no operational issues.

If you find the information provided useful or solves your problems, help other users find the solution easier by marking my post as an accepted solution. Clicking "yes" on "was this reply helpful" also increases the chances that this solution will help others.
I am a volunteer, offering my knowledge to support fellow users, I do not work for HP nor speak for HP.

psherrill · ‎08-13-2022

Thanks for your quick response. One new, one purported to be ‘refurbished’. Same issue with both. Curiously, the Hp part numbers are identical.

We were an HP ASC for many years (no longer). I recall tattooing Mother Boards years ago.

Is there no procedure for flashing these formatters?

Thanks again for your insight.

Repairatrooper · ‎08-13-2022

Did you install the new one first or refurbished? If you install a used .formatter, in most cases it will over write the backup data stored elsewhere on the printer. A new board takes the data from the printer. All new formatters bear the same part number for that reason.

There is no published method to change a board and based on age of the printer it is unlikely that HP would do that anyway.

As a side note, refurbished means nothing on used formatters, there is no method to return it to a blank slate.

If you find the information provided useful or solves your problems, help other users find the solution easier by marking my post as an accepted solution. Clicking "yes" on "was this reply helpful" also increases the chances that this solution will help others.
I am a volunteer, offering my knowledge to support fellow users, I do not work for HP nor speak for HP.

psherrill · ‎08-14-2022

Again, thank you for your quick response. This explains the problem. Essentially the ‘new’ formatter was not ‘new’ and I have effectively turned a 4515x into a 4015n. I would need to find and rewrite the printer silicon or possibly replace the formatter with a used and positively identified 4515 formatter and follow the appropriate replacement instructions with the ensuing delays. But I am likely just SOL.

Thank you so much for your time.

Great answer.

Pat…

P4515x: After replacing the formatter the printer model reports a 4015 instead of a 4515x.

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