enx magazine

Over the years while writing this column for ENX magazine I have received many requests for help on reprogramming or downloading software in the Xerox 5090 and Docutech family of copiers. My suggestion to the field was when you think that it is absolutely critical to reformat and / or reprogram the hard disk, make sure you have a valid and current copy of the software. Software and licensing can be purchased from the manufacturer for any Xerox copier or printer. The biggest complaint I hear is the licensing and software is very expensive. Although that might be true, try to keep in mind that the copier or printer that you are trying to service is an income-producing device for the owner. This is a normal business expense and has to be dealt with in a professional way.

However there is another way to reprogram your Xerox 5090 or Docutech family that is acceptable and the cost is minimal. The Xerox 5090 and Docutech family of copiers and printers is almost at the end of their service life and used parts are plentiful in the field. Check with your local parts distributor and ask them if they have a used hard drive that will work on the particular model you have.

Once the hard drive arrives at your machine location, replacing the hard drive is a cinch. I have outlined the procedure in 10 easy steps. The procedure requires two formatted blank disks and the Diagnostic Disk.

NOTE: If it is at all possible, format the disks on your (existing) 5090. If you try to format the disks on your office computer they will not work on the Xerox product. The 5090 family of copiers use a low-density format type of system; the office computer employs a high-density system and is totally incompatible with the copier system.

If the hard drive is totally down, and you can’t boot up then you have no alternative but to skip steps one and two. It’s actually rare when you get to this point where the machine refuses to boot up. One machine that I serviced would constantly roll over and it took over one hour before it finally booted up to a point where I could use the format portion of the software to format a new disk.

This procedure requires two blank formatted disks and a Diagnostic Disk!

(1) Enter Diagnostics and follow the procedure for dc 325, Save Critical Disk Files. Follow the procedures in the General Procedures manual section 6, page 110. This Diagnostic program is critical because it saves NVM and HSFI information.

(2) Record all meter readings if possible before you swap out the hard drives.

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