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One of the merits of the P4014 against a new printer is the low cost of good re-manufactured cartridges.


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Error Message 79 for HP P4014, P4015 and P4515 Series Printers.

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79.XXXX ERROR

79 Error is said to be a "critical hardware error" which sounds bad. In practice it probably just means the firmware crashed and that could be an odd combination of events the software engineering team didn't forsee, so the printer might recover by just turning it off, waiting ten seconds and then turning it on again. But before you turn it off note down the "XXXX" part of the number. The number is either the address or an error-trap where the problem occurred.

If the address is unstable that suggests bad memory is causing random events. If the address is constant something has gone definitely and continually wrong and in principle HP could say what; in practice they probably won't because printer software is proprietary.

The problem sounds like it's could cost either a new DC controller or formatter. Unfortunately HP don't give a clue which. This is what the Service manual says: ...

79.XXXX ERROR To continue turn off then on

The product detected a critical hardware/ firmware error.

Press the stop button to clear the print job from the product memory. Turn the product off and then on.

Try printing a job from a different program. If the job prints, go back to the first program and try printing a different file. If the message appears only with a certain program or print job, contact the software vendor for assistance.

If the message persists with different programs and print jobs, try these steps.

  • Turn the product off.
  • Disconnect all cables to the product that connect it to the network or computer.
  • Remove all the memory DIMMs or third-party DIMMs from the product.
  • Then reinstall the memory DIMM.
  • Remove the EIO device from the product.
  • Turn the product on.
If the error no longer exists, follow these steps
  • Install the DIMM and EIO device one at a time, making sure to turn the product off and then on as you install each device.
  • Replace the DIMM or EIO device if you determine that it causes the error.
  • Reconnect all cables that connect the product to the network or computer.

Remedies

So basically HP say strip things down to a minimum then build up again.

If the error persists try printing from a different program. If the error occurs with applications that used to work try turning off, removing expansion DIMMs and the EIO devices and see what clears down the error.

If the printer driver has recently been changed (or the PCs causing the problem are new) then the problem might relate to that.

Given the lack of direct information about what the error actually is it might be worth trying anengine test using the hidden button in the right hand side. In fact, if other measures have not worked, it might be an idea to try it out both with the formatter in and out of the printer. An engine test doesn't need the formatter.

If the engine test does work then the problem relates to the formatter - and is likely to be either:

  • A newly added DIMM is getting passed by memory test but it then giving an error. Take out anything that has been recently added (use static protection)
  • Some sensor wrong but not reported properly in firmware, try working through the diagnostics.
  • Bad content in NVRAM, that should have been caught by "68 error" but perhaps in specific circumstances that doesn't happen. Try printing a configuration page (to preserve user settings) then resetting NVRAM.
  • Flash based firmware has gone corrupt, you could try downloading the latest firmware (with the P4014 series later revisions of firmware usually are better.
  • Bad power -plug the printer straight into the wall, not into an extension or UPS. Try metering the 5 Volt and 3.3 Volt rails on the Intermediate board between the DC controller and formatter.

It all seems very like the"49 error" - we don't know what the distinction between them is.

Web Research

If HP won't say directly what a problem is then others on the Web will have researched what is going on as their customers and sites experience it. With error messages there is, of course, a right answer and the "wisdom of crowds" might not reveal it.

I tried querying Google with P4015 "79 ERROR" in quotes and got a suggestion of About 4770 results; once more implying a popular topic.

  • fixya contributor Paul Douglas (LasersPlus) with the sensible suggestion to ugrade the flash and saying that if firmware is corrupt a firmware recovery DIMM is available from HP.
  • fixya again (Seeker5211) but for the LJ-M2727 but its probably relevant. Turn off, wait 30 seconds, turn on. Don't use a surge protector. If a new DIMM was recently added try taking it out.
  • fixya LJ-3330 this time, same answer as the first in the list.
  • fixya LJ-3330 same answer as the first in the list.
  • hp.com 5Si Series Numerical Control Panel Error Messages. Not really relevant but it does say The numbers (xxxx) following the error indicate the specific error. Record the error message including the number in parentheses (XXXX)
  • hp.com LaserJet 2800 Numeric Control Panel Error Messages - again not fully relevant but does confirm that error 79 should clear on cycling the power and if not it gets dealt with by firmware re-installation.
  • electronicwerkstatt.de very old page for 4P, 4Si etc.
  • liberty-parts list of HP LaserJet Printer Repair Articles. Not directly relevant this time.
  • liberty-parts rather odd index page using lots of drop-downs, quite interesting layout.
  • univision.com nothing but an advert for onsite printer services using spam-text
  • univision.com and another
  • after some more guff we get to
  • liberty-parts "49/79 Error in HP LaserJets" a one-page article specifically on the subject.
  • fixyourownprinter mainly on 49.FF04 error on LJ-2250

The "49 error" happened a great deal with the P4014 series because there were issues in the firmware. Judging by the pages seen the "79 error" seems less common. The problem is addressed in the same way: strip the printer down to a minimal configuration with no add-ons and hope the message disappears. If it doesn't try the NVRAM reset and cold reset. If nothing clears the message up then either try"baking" the formatter ( bare formatter board, 180 centigrade, 6 minutes) or just buy another.