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Downloading firware

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Wildwalker

New Member
Hi
Can I download and install the latest firmware for my Roland SG3-300 myself without installing DG Connect? Also for Versaworks 7.
 
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damonCA21

Active Member
Installing firmware when you don't know what you are doing is a very good way of permanently damaging your printer. If you really need it, get a qualified tech to do it for you. In most cases there isn't really much benefit in updating it anyway
 
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netsol

Premium Subscriber
damonCA21 said:
Installing firmware when you don't know what you are doing is a very good way of permanently damaging your printer. If you really need it, get a qualified tech to do it for you. In most cases there isn't really much benefit in updating it anyway
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Where were you last week when I made the mistake of discussing technical issues with a non-technical person?
 
  • Hilarious!
Reactions: 1 user
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Wildwalker

New Member
Thanks for the advice. I live in a remote area 500 miles from the nearest tech. When I do a google search there are what seems straight forward instructions on how to install the firmware yourself. My problem is I can't find the file on the Roland download site, all I can see is updating the firmware with DG Connect.
 
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netsol

Premium Subscriber
Wildwalker said:
Thanks for the advice. I live in a remote area 500 miles from the nearest tech. When I do a google search there are what seems straight forward instructions on how to install the firmware yourself. My problem is I can't find the file on the Roland download site, all I can see is updating the firmware with DG Connect.
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I was not criticizing you. But 50 years of doing this, you have to have your eyes open regarding the risks.
firmware updates go sideways & you end up buying a new formatted board (or whatever board holds the chip you upgrade.

I have seen all types of expensive equipment trashed by a bad, irreversible firmware upgrade.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user
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damonCA21

Active Member
One other thing. If the printer is working fine now, then leave it as there is no real need to update it. If there is a problem, a firmware update may not be the fix!
 
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Wildwalker

New Member
The reason why I have been considering updating is because I have had my printer for two years and I thought perhaps the latest firmware would be better but
I don't actually have any issues except my printer goes through so many cleaning cycles and I am not sure why. Printing is not my main business so I don't do a lot of printing, sometimes I go a week or so without printing so I was hoping new firmware would cut back on all the cleaning cycles. I realize that is nothing but a hope of course. I was told by a tech a while back that I shouldn't power the machine down but that is what I would like to do to save ink. Does that make any sense? Also can I update Versaworks without using DG Connect? My version is 6.22.0 Thanks everyone.
 
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netsol

Premium Subscriber
cornholio said:
Roland firmware updater is pretty foolproof.
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it certainly is, i was commenting on a thread from last week where someone mentioned using firmware from a different model to fix a fan problem.
worst idea i have ever heard. we have seen lots of equipment "bricked" by very minor problems with "close enough" firmware
 
P Wagner

P Wagner

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Wildwalker said:
The reason why I have been considering updating is because I have had my printer for two years and I thought perhaps the latest firmware would be better but
I don't actually have any issues except my printer goes through so many cleaning cycles and I am not sure why. Printing is not my main business so I don't do a lot of printing, sometimes I go a week or so without printing so I was hoping new firmware would cut back on all the cleaning cycles. I realize that is nothing but a hope of course. I was told by a tech a while back that I shouldn't power the machine down but that is what I would like to do to save ink. Does that make any sense? Also can I update Versaworks without using DG Connect? My version is 6.22.0 Thanks everyone.
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How much ink (per month) is being consumed in the various periodic cleaning cycles?
 
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Wildwalker

New Member
I don't know for sure but it always amazes me to see how much ink fills the ink bottle even when I don't print for a week. My best guess is 1000 ml ends up in the bottle for every 2000 ml ink for actually printing.
 
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VizualVoice

I just learned how to change my title status
Wildwalker said:
The reason why I have been considering updating is because I have had my printer for two years and I thought perhaps the latest firmware would be better but
I don't actually have any issues except my printer goes through so many cleaning cycles and I am not sure why. Printing is not my main business so I don't do a lot of printing, sometimes I go a week or so without printing so I was hoping new firmware would cut back on all the cleaning cycles. I realize that is nothing but a hope of course. I was told by a tech a while back that I shouldn't power the machine down but that is what I would like to do to save ink. Does that make any sense? Also can I update Versaworks without using DG Connect? My version is 6.22.0 Thanks everyone.
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If you have a stable, production machine and there isn't a definitive reason that upgrading will do a good thing, LEAVE IT ALONE! Don't mess with what's working.
Regarding the cleaning cycles, maybe you don't realize this, but that's what is keeping your machine "alive". If you turn it off and don't let it run its automated cleaning cycles, you're just begging for clogged head and $$$$ problems. A little bit of wasted ink is considerably cheaper than a print head and the labor to install it.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 users
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damonCA21

Active Member
Are you using oem inks? You can switch to jetbest inks that are cheaper and safe to use. This will offset the cost of the ink used in the cleaning cycles. You can also change over to a bulk feed system that will save you even more.

As an aside, why do you think changing the firmware will reduce the cleaning cycles?

Turning your machine off to save a bit of ink is a really good way to end up having to spend thousands on new heads. There is a good reason why the printer needs to be left on running cleaning cycles.

These printers are designed to be in use every day. They are not really hobby machines that can be left for a week without use.

Your problem is that you aren't printing much so it will use a lot of ink in cleaning compared to what you use printing. If you printed a lot more that ratio would go down a lot.

As others said as your printer is working fine and properly then don't mess with it. As you don't really know what you are doing you are asking for trouble.
 
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Reactions: 1 users
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Wildwalker

New Member
First thing to understand, I have a gravestone business, not a sign business so I don't know enough about this printer as I should. My printing is not a hobby but it's just a small part of my business. I had a Roland Versacamm printer for 10 years prior to this Truevis, and it didn't have all these automatic cleaning cycles and I never had to replace a print head in all those years. It was all manual cleaning when needed. When I bought my Truevis, I had no idea that it had these automatic cleaning cycles, and I don't recall the sales guy ever explaining that to me.

Yes I see now the Truevis is purely a production machine as opposed to the Versacamm which could be used as a hobby machine. Yes not printing enough is definitely my problem. For the next 3 months at least I will use far more ink for cleaning than for printing. My dilemma is I still need a printer for small things I do in my gravestone business.

Maybe this is crazy, but I would like to operate on a 3 day cycle. Power it off completely for two days and than power it on for one day and print a small job to keep the inks flowing.
 
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damonCA21

Active Member
The versacamm does also do regular head cleanings. Often these can be at night so you wouldn't see them.

Running a 3 day cycle is still risky as it isn't how the machine was designed to be used.

To be honest you may be better off getting rid of the printer and get friendly with a local sign shop and just outsource to them when needed. It will probably work out cheaper in the long run
 
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Wildwalker

New Member
I really appreciate your advice damonCA21. You are right the versacamm did cleanings at night but I am going by how much ink ends up in the drain bottle and there is simply no comparison between the two. As I said I had the versacamm for 10 years and never had to replace a print head because it was starved for ink.

Quite frankly when I realized how much more ink I am going through with the Truevis my reaction was Roland is in the business of selling as much ink as they can.

Outsourcing is not really an option for me, I live in a small village 150 miles from Saskatoon.

Keep in mind I really like the Truevis, the quality, speed and colour is awesome. I think I am stuck with a machine that I love and hate at the same time.

Thank you.
 
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