User Guide

Formatter system
The formatter coordinates the major systems. It is responsible for the following tasks or actions:
●
formatting and controlling copies
●
receiving and processing print data from the device interface
●
monitoring the control panel and relaying device-status information
●
developing and coordinating data placement and timing with the print engine
●
communicating with the host computer through the bidirectional interface
The formatter receives print data from the universal serial bus (USB) interface in a compressed raster
format. The firmware decompresses the raster data and sends the data to the ECU. The ECU initiates
the printing processes to transfer the data to the page.
Central processing unit
The formatter incorporates an embedded Tensilica processor operating at 230 MHz.
Standard boot process
When the device is unplugged or the power is off, the firmware code is stored on the formatter in two
blocks. The first block of code is an executable boot block (about 64K of code). The second block of
code is a compressed version of the device control code.
When the device is turned on, the boot block decompresses the device control code and stores it in
RAM. Then the device performs a full startup with the control code running from RAM.
Device startup messages
The LCD display contains different messages depending upon the progress of the boot process:
Table 5-2 Device startup messages
Message Cause Solution
-blank- (Blank display for many seconds after
power-on.) Boot-block failure.
Use the power switch to turn the power
to the device off. Check all wire-harness
connectors and FFCs to make sure that
they are firmly connected.
Replace the formatter. See
Formatter
on page 94.
Contact Service Control-code failure. Replace the formatter. See Formatter
on page 94.
Hewlett Packard The device is starting up. Wait for the Ready message.
Ready......... Device startup is complete and the
device is ready for use.
Begin using the device.
46 Chapter 5 Theory of Operation ENWW