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This document provides instructions on using a null modem serial cable between your workstation and the serial port on an Intel® NetportExpress™ PRO or PRO/100 print server to update the flash memory software installed in the print server.
A serial flash update is recommended under the following circumstances:
- Under some circumstances, the flash memory of a NetportExpress™ print server may become corrupted. A serial flash update will clear the corrupted memory.
- If a password has been assigned to the print server, and lost or forgotten, preventing access to the configuration options. If you have a NetportExpress PRO internal, or the NetportExpress™ PRO/100 1-port print server, contact Intel Technical Support.
- As an alternate method of updating the software on your NetportExpress print server.
| WARNING: |
The serial port flash memory update overwrites the current configuration of the NetportExpress print server, and returns it to factory default settings. ALL CURRENT CONFIGURATION INFORMATION WILL BE DELETED! |
You will need the NetportExpress™ PRO or PRO/100 print server and power supply, a null modem serial cable, the PROFLASH.EXE program file, and the NPPRO.UPD flash code file. Download the current flash code file.
Steps to perform a serial port flash update:
- Turn off the power at the workstation. Attach the null modem serial cable to the workstation's COM port, and to the NetportExpress print server serial port.
- Power up the workstation. Do not power up the print server.
- Access a DOS prompt on your workstation. For Windows* 3.11 or Windows for Workgroups, exit from Windows and return to the command prompt. For Windows 95, you must restart in MS-DOS mode, or use F8 at boot and select Command prompt only. Do not use the MS-DOS prompt within Windows 95. Note: the PROFLASH.EXE program will not function properly under Windows NT.
- Change to the directory where the NetPort® Manager software is installed (C:\WNPMGR by default).
- At the DOS prompt, enter the following:
Where COMx is the COM port on your workstation where the null modem serial cable is attached (COM1 through COM4).
- Plug the power cable into the NetportExpress™ PRO or PRO/100 print server. Watch the screen for information about the status of the serial port update process. The update progress screen will report the percent complete for the update. Once the flash memory update is finished, the screen will return to the DOS prompt and display a completion message. At this point, you can return the NetportExpress print server to the original network location and reconnect it to the network and the printer. You must reconfigure the NetportExpress PRO or PRO/100 print server protocols in order to use again.
- If the update progress screen does not start, the most likely problem is with the null modem cable. Check the NetportExpress™ PRO or PRO/100 print server activity light. If the print server performs a normal power-on self test, check the null modem cable for correct pin configuration. Also make sure that you enter the command line at the DOS prompt BEFORE applying power to the print server. See the guide below for correct pin assignments.
Null serial cable specifications: A null modem serial cable is necessary to update the NetportExpress print server's Flash Memory through its serial port. This is not the same as a "regular" serial cable. The following are the pinouts required for a null model serial cable:
| PRO or PRO/100 print server |
PC serial port |
| DB-9M |
DB-9M |
| RXD 2 |
3 TXD |
| TXD 3 |
2 RXD |
| GND 5 |
5 GND |
| RTS 7 |
8 CTS |
| CTS 8 |
7 RTS | OR
| PRO or PRO/100 print server |
PC serial port |
| DB-9M |
DB-25M |
| RXD 2 |
2 TXD |
| TXD 3 |
3 RXD |
| GND 5 |
7 GND |
| RTS 7 |
5 CTS |
| CTS 8 |
4 RTS |
Note: Some PC to PC communications products, such as Laplink, come with an appropriately wired null-modem cable.
This applies to:
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