arm2hpdl

wrap an ARM ELF printer firmware image with HP download header/trailer

TLDR

Convert an ARM firmware image to an HP `.dl` download file

$ arm2hpdl [sihp1005.img] > [sihp1005.dl]

Enable debug output

$ arm2hpdl -D [1] [firmware.img] > [firmware.dl]

Pipe the result straight to the printer device

$ arm2hpdl [firmware.img] | lp -d [printer]

SYNOPSIS

arm2hpdl [-D level] arm-binary.img > hpdl.dl

arm2hpdl reads an ARM ELF binary firmware image for an HP laser printer (typically files named `sihpXXXX.img` distributed by HP) and writes to stdout the same image framed with the HP download header and trailer expected by the printer's firmware-loader. If the input already carries an HP header the file is copied through unchanged.The resulting `.dl` file can be sent to the printer over USB, parallel, or network as a normal print job to flash the firmware.

PARAMETERS

arm-binary.img

Input ARM ELF firmware image.

-D level

Set debug level (default `0`). Higher levels print parsing details to stderr.

CAVEATS

Specific to HP laser printers driven by the foo2zjs/QPDL family of tools. Flashing incorrect or mismatched firmware can brick the printer — verify the model and revision before sending the `.dl` file. Output is binary; always redirect to a file (or pipe directly to the printer device), never to a terminal.

HISTORY

arm2hpdl was written by Rick Richardson as part of the foo2zjs printer driver project, which reverse-engineered HP/Samsung QPDL and ZjStream protocols for Linux.