Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering an executable file stored in a random access memory on a designated interactive network having a local area network interface comprises activating a LAN communication program. The communication program operates to broadcast an inquiry through the local area network for the designated interactive network board, to receive location information of the designated interactive network board in response to the broadcast inquiry, and to establish communication with the designated interactive network board. The executable file is downloaded into RAM on the designated interactive network board through the local area network interface. A verifying step verifies a checksum value of the executable file against a checksum value in a checksum packet attached to the executable file. In the case that the verifying step is successfully completed, execution of the executable file may be commanded remotely, e.g., across the LAN interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting image data from row format into column format and a printer incorporating the same. A conversion circuit, which is responsive to writes to a first address space, is provided for converting the image data from the row format into the column format. A CPU writes the row format image data to the first address space whereupon the conversion circuit converts it to the second format. The CPU then writes image data to a second address space. In accordance with an unwind flag set by the CPU, either the converted image data or the original image data is stored in a memory. After the data has been written to memory, the CPU initiates a DMA transfer of the image data to a printer engine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing an interactive network board having a local area network interface, a Small Computer System Interface, and a test interface comprises supplying power to the interactive board, and performing a power-on self-test program within the interactive board. At the completion of the power-on self-test, a test program is loaded into a RAM on the interactive network board through the test interface, and the test program resident in the RAM is activated. The test program is executed and checkpoint test results are outputted after completion of the test program. A test computer is provided to receive the checkpoint test result and may script additional tests in accordance with checkpoint test results. Preferably, at the completion of the test program, ROM-resident firmware is downloaded into the RAM on the interactive board, and the firmware is loaded from the RAM into a ROM on the interactive network board.