Installing an EFPlus.com eForms SmartBOX

The eForms SmartBOX brings eForms image storage in a small external package to any Laser Jet compatible (PCL 5) printer. The SmartBOX offers:

very easy installation (no need to open the printer)
ability to update multiple eForms images (by unique ID number) remotely at a moments notice
not sensitive to the printer model and so printers may be swapped in and out as needed
external installation makes it unlikely that the BOX will accidentally be lost if a printer is returned for service

To use the eForms SmartBOX, the printer must...

...be near an electrical outlet for the power adapter which is included with the unit. The AC adapter provides OUTPUT: 6VDC 800mA on a 2.5mm plug with positive center which is required by the SmartBOX for reliable operation. Some printers (older IBMs especially) will provide enough power via the parallel port connector for the SmartBOX to operate in a minimal way without the AC adapter. This results in the loss of the adapter not being noticed if it happens to fall out or be unplugged. Be sure you have a working AC adapter before upgrading printers. Replacement units are available at or near cost.
...have a "centronics" parallel port connector. Please take care to verify that it is the standard "type B" connector rather than the much smaller "type C" (see: IEEE 1284 Connectors for pictures) If you do have the "type C" connector on the printer, a C to B adapter (rather than an A to C cable) will be required. Belkin 1FT IEEE 1284 B to C Par Printer Cent36F/Microcent36M Adapter Cable. Most modern HP printers (except the LJ 3005) can have a parallel port connector added via an EIO to 1284B adapter card (part number J7972G) which costs about $80 from HP.
...be connected directly to the workstation or to an approved external USB or network adapter using a true IEEE 1284-1994 printer cable which is included with the unit.

...if connected via the network or USB rather than by a workstation, be connected via an approved external adapter. The network or USB cable can not be plugged directly into the printer, it must be converted to a parallel connection which then connects to the back of the SmartBOX and the SmartBOX must then be plugged into a parallel port on the back of the printer. The printer MUST have a parallel port in order to work with the SmartBOX. Jetdirect printer servers may NOT be used except as noted. The following adapters are known to work:

Parallel cable: Ok!

Net cable: No. Use chips or NetBOX

Note: "connected to the network" does not mean "connected via the network". Many devices, especially printers, can be connected by a parallel cable to a local workstation and still be used by other workstations over the network. The only way to know how the unit is connected is to physically look at the connector.

Printers that are most often supported via the SmartBOX:

IBM InfoPrint 1222 / 1422
HP Laser Jet 2300 / 2420 / 2430

For printers connected by a network cable (looks like a telephone cord) use chips or a NetBOX.

Installation is very easy:

Power off the printer.
Disconnect the existing parallel cable from the printer and workstation and discard it. Please do NOT use the existing cable, even if you believe it to be compliant. Using the long cable provided with the SmartBOX, plug the end with the smaller connector into the workstation. Route the cable to the printer but do not plug it in.
Plug the SmartBOX's AC adapter into an available electrical outlet and connect it to the box. Verify that the light on the SmartBOX is BRIGHTLY lit. Please do this before connecting the box to the printer or workstation.
Connect the SmartBOX into the printer’s parallel port. If the port is under a cover, you may use the "pigtail" or short extender cable provided with the SmartBOX. Be sure to lock it in with the clips, so that it will not come loose when the printer is pulled out. If it does come loose, it can be very hard to figure out what is wrong since the cable is hidden under the cover.
Plug the long cable (from the PC workstation) into the connector on the back of the SmartBOX (with the clips).
Power on the printer.

Continue on to the next set of instructions for Electronic Forms Installation for your system

Future eForms changes can be instantly loaded into the SmartBOX!

In the future, if there is a change needed on your forms, including new logos, changes to service hours, phone instructions, advertisements, etc... those changes can be emailed to you from our office and updated in the SmartBOX at your site. Chip replacement is no longer necessary.

First, verify that the BOX has a small white sticker starting with PGEN 1.0... If you see a "Program 4.0" or "Program 5.0" sticker or no sticker at all, please be sure to klet us know when you contact our office for the changes.

The best way to change the forms is to fax us a sample of the existing form, with the changes you want to make marked up on that sample.

Also:

Other eForms options for network connected printers

Troubleshooting

When connected to a printer, the light on the SmartBOX will be:

Yellowish green or out during normal operation. Note: This does not assure that the AC adapter is working or that forms are loaded; please see below.
Reddish orange (solid, not blinking) to indicate that the printer is not ready or that the AC adapter is not supplying power. Please check the printer front panel and AC adapter as described below.
Red and blinking to indicate that the forms images need to be reloaded. Pressing the black button will clear the blink and allow printing, however, no eforms will overlay; please see below.

Because the SmartBOX runs the parallel cable faster than most printers alone, it is more sensitive to the length, quality and type of cable used and to the type of communication the workstation is using to talk to the printer. If the printer will not print when the SmartBOX is installed, try bypassing the SmartBOX by plugging the cable directly into the printer. If this allows the printer to print (with out the eForms of course) then the cable, AC power, and workstation configuration will need to be checked. If the printer is still not printing, after bypassing the SmartBOX, please contact your help desk for support on printing issues not related to eForms.

Since the SmartBOX tries to pull power from the printer for emergency operation, you may check for proper AC power ONLY while you have the SmartBOX disconnected from the printer cables. Start by also disconnecting the AC adapter. In other words, disconnect ALL the cables from the SmartBOX. Verify that the light on the SmartBOX is completely out. Now, plug in ONLY the little round black AC adapter cable. The SmartBOX light should be Reddish Orange for about 5 seconds and then turn green or go out. If you see a flashing light instead, the SmartBOX has been erased: Please contact us for an update email. If the light stays orange or red, please contact us for a replacement SmartBOX. If the light does not light up, the AC adapter is defective or has been unplugged at the other end. Please check, then contact us for a replacement AC adapter. AC power is required for reliable operation. The SmartBOX must light up when initially connected ONLY to the AC adapter originally supplied.

Next, check that the cable used between the workstation and the printer is marked ...IEEE 1284 - 1994... along the side of the cable. If not contact us for a replacement. You MUST use our IEEE 1284 -1994 cable as originally supplied with the SmartBOX.

If the cable is correct, the SmartBOX light is green, and the printer still doesn't print, the port in the printer driver is probably set to DOTx rather than LPTx. Click on Start / Settings / Printers... and then right click on the printer name you are using, and select Properties from the pop up menu. Go to the Ports tab and ensure that the LPT type port is selected. This same problem may be caused if the HP printer driver installs an HP printer port monitor. Some of the most recient PCL6 printer drivers from HP are doing this if the entire printing system is installed from the printer CD. If this happens, remove the HP printer driver and any HP printer related items from Start / Settings / Control Panel / Add / Remove Programs. Reboot and install only the standard printer drive using the Start / Settings / Printer... / Add printer wizard.

If you have another station that does print correctly, you can try swapping the SmartBOX, AC power adapter, parallel cable and printer to see which is causeing the problem.