Thursday, January 26, 2012

Solved syntax error when printing a pdf file to HP Laserjet 8150 printer (Rev: 1.1)


When printing a pdf file entitled "On the concept of 'tractor beams'" (by S. Sukhov and A. Dogariu*)  to HP Laserjet 8150 printer using the "HP LaserJet 8150 Series PS" drivers, the hardcopy printout shown the below syntax error:

ERROR: syntaxerror
OFFENDING COMMAND: Copyright

STACK:

/Notice

-dictionary-
/FontInfo
-dictionary-
false

The pdf file has the below properties:
PDF Producer: Acrobat Distiller 6.0.1 (Windows)
PDF Version: 1.3 (Acrobat 4.x)

In order to update the printer firmware, I have locally connected the HP Laserjet 8150 printer through the parallel port to a computer running Windows XP Professional SP3 Operating System. The HP Laserjet 8150 printer original Firmware Datecode is 20010426 MB7.92.

I downloaded the latest "HP LaserJet 8150 printer firmware for single/multiple printers - Windows operating systems" version MB7.119 16 (Dec 2004). After extracting the download printer firmware file, I open a command prompt and send the firmware upgrade file, lj8150fw_MB7.119.rfu directly to the printer through the printer parallel port using the below COPY command (/b indicates a binary file):

copy /b lj8150fw_MB7.119.rfu LPT1

The HP Laserjet 8150 printer shown a "Receiving upgrade", "Upgrading printer" status. After that, the HP Laserjet 8150 printer automatically recycle itself, load the program, initialize and boot up. The HP Laserjet 8150 printer new Firmware Datecode is 20041013 MB7.119. The pdf file entitled "On the concept of 'tractor beams'" has print successfully after updating the HP Laserjet 8150 printer firmware.



[JackNg: Updated on 31 Jan 2012] The update Firmware Datecode 20041013 MB7.119 also solved the below stack underflow error:

ERROR: stackunderflow
OFFENDING COMMAND: exch

STACK:

{--pop-- --pop-- ct_str1 --exch-- 0 --exch-- --put-- ct_str1 show {_ct_na _ct_i --get-- } --stopped-- {--pop-- --pop-- } {_ct_x _ct_y --moveto-- 0 --rmoveto-- }--ifelse-- /_ct_i _ct_i 1 --add-- --def-- --currentpoint-- /_ct_y --exch-- --def-- /_ct_x --exch-- --def-- }

The pdf file that had produced the stack underflow error has the below properties:
PDF Producer: Acrobat Distiller 7.0.5 (Windows)
PDF Version: 1.4 (Acrobat 5.x)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Solved Acronis True Image Home 2011 "Failed to start Try&Decide" error (Rev: 1.0)



When running trial Acronis True Image Home 2011 update 3 (build 6942) "Try & Decide" in Windows XP SP3 Operating System (OS), I click the "Try & Decide is off. Click to start" to start "Try & Decide". The below message pop up:

Try&Decide and Nonstop Backup cannot work simultaneously. Nonstop Backup suspends working while Try&Decide is on. You will have to start it manually after Try&Decide completion. Do you want to proceed ?

-> I click the "Yes" button.

After that, another message pop up:

You are about to start Try mode

Note: please do not run Disk Error Check (chkdsk.exe) or Disk Defragmenter (dfrg.msc) system utilities, when the mode is on. And do not convert, format or resize your disks and partitions as well. This may cause your computer to become unbootable. Also, backups of the system partition and rescue media were not created. It is strongly recommended to do that before starting Try&Decide. If you want to continue click OK, otherwise click Cancel.
-> I click the "OK" button.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 update 3 (build 6942) produces a pop up error: "Failed to start Try&Decide."


Solutions:

To solve the "
Failed to start Try&Decide." error, the processes and services shown below need to be running/start before we start to run "Try & Decide" in Acronis True Image Home 2011 update 3 (build 6942):
  1. Please ensure that the below processes are running:

    • Acronis Scheduler2 Service
      "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
    • TrueImageMonitor.exe
      "C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImageHome\TrueImageMonitor.exe"

    You can ignore the below process:
    SAOB Monitor
    C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImageHome\OnlineBackupStandalone\TrueImageMonitor.exe

  2. In Windows XP SP3 OS, kindly click Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management. Under "Services and Applications" -> kindly click "Services". Please ensure that the below services are started:

    • Acronis Nonstop Backup Service
      "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\CDP\afcdpsrv.exe"
    • Acronis Scheduler2 Service
      "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe"

    The below Acronis service need not be started:
    Acronis OS Selector activator
    "C:\Program Files\Acronis\DiskDirector\OSS\reinstall_svc.exe"