How to properly update or upgrade the engine code

Important guidelines

When updating the engine code on an X850, X852, X854, X860, X862, or X864 printer, it is important to adhere to the following guidelines:

Update the engine code only if you are experiencing problems or issues with the printer. If the printer is functioning as normal, there is no need to update the engine code. NOTE: The only exception would be if you plan to add a booklet finisher option to the printer.

If the engine code is being updated, the base code should also be updated, and this update should be performed first. If the engine code only is updated, the printer will have new engine code but old base code, and this combination has not been tested by Lexmark. New engine code is only tested with new base code.

Always update the engine code to a higher version/level. Never install an engine code lower than the version that is currently loaded on the printer.NOTE: If you require any assistance with updating the printer's code or if you encounter any problems while performing the steps below, please contact Lexmark Technical Support.

How to check the current base and engine code levels

Step	Action
1	With the printer at the Ready state, enter **411 on the key pad. The SE menu should appear.
2	Select 1. Code Levels. (Click here for image.)
3	Check the Base and Engine code levels displayed. (Click here for image). Alternatively, you can choose to print off a Menu Settings page. Look for Device information on the page. The current Base and Engine codes will be listed there. -The Base code will look something like LC4.BE.xxxx-0. (The xxxx sequence represents the code level. For example, LC4.BE.P450-0 indicates that the printer's base code level is P450.) -The Engine code will look something like 11.xx.77-yy. (The 'xx' sequence represents the code level. For example, 11.35.77-45 indicates that the printer's engine code level is 35.)

How to update the engine code

Before you begin, pleasetake note of the following:

Additional help on copying code files over to the printer can be found in this downloadable instruction file: Code_Update.txt

Each level of engine code has two parts: an “eng” file and an “nvm” file. For each level of code, copy/send the “eng.pjl” file to the printer first. The printer should reboot after the file is sent. When the printer has booted up fully, send the corresponding "nvm.pjl" file to the printer. Once both the “eng” and “nvm” files have been copied to the printer, the engine code will update.

The engine codemust be updated in increments, as explained in the table below. IMPORTANT! Do not skip engine code levels 27, 38, 39, or 40. At these levels, the engine code changes the locations where the NVM settings are stored. If any of these levels are skipped, the engine code will use the wrong NVM settings, which can cause the printer to stop functioning and display a variety of error messages.

The printer should automatically restart when each update is complete. If the printer hangs, power it off and on when the programming status reaches 100%. If an error occurs while the engine code is being updated (900 error, “Programming failed, restart the printer”, or other) or after the printer has restarted, try the following:

Hold down the 3, 4, and 6 buttons on the keypad.

While keeping these buttons held down, power the printer off and then back on.

The printer will boot up into “Invalid Code” mode.

Let go of the buttons and send the same file to the printer again.

When proceeding with the update, start with the appropriate engine code level, based on the current level on the printer. Check the code level after each step and confirm that it is updating correctly. If the engine code does not update accurately, confirm that you are performing the procedure correctly and try again. If the engine code fails to change after two attempts, please contact Lexmark Technical Support for additional assistance.

Start by updating the printer's base code if it is below the current level. Note: To ascertain the latest base code level, please contact Lexmark Technical Support.

To download the necessary file, go to the firmware download page.

Enter the authorization keycode and save the file.

MFP	Keycode
X85xe	x85x
X85xe with Barcode	x85xbc
X85xe with Forms Card	x85xfm
X85xe with IPDS	x85xipds
X85xe with Prescribe	x85xpre
X85xe with PrintCryption	x85xpc
X86x	x86x
X86x Forms/Barcode	x86xfb
X86x Prescribe	x86xpre
X86x IPDS	x86xipds

You will need to unzip this file and extract the smaller files within it. If you need help with opening the .ZIP file, visit www.winzip.com.

Save these extracted files to a directory or folder of your choice. Important! Make a note of where you have saved these files.

Copy/send file ".fls" to the printer.

The printer should state that the code is being updated and restart. Allow the printer to reboot completely before continuing with the next step.

Now begin updating the engine code. If the engine code level is less than 27, update it to level 27.

If the engine code level is between 27 and 37, update it to level 38.

If the engine code level is currently at 38, update it to level 39.

If the engine code level is currently at 39, update it to level 40.

If the engine code level is currently at 40, update it to level 41.

If the engine code level is currently at 41, update it to the latest level. Note: At the time of writing, the latest engine code level is level 43.

LEGACY ID:HO3412

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How to properly update or upgrade the engine code

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