2009 USPS Postage Rate Change

[sagamore]

We have a K700 machine and can only connect to PB through the internet.  The instructions I get in the mail have absolutely no relevance to my machine and how we connect.  When I open my Mailstation Assistant it automatically connects and it's been two days now trying to download this update.  Help.

[PB-Jeremy]

Hi sagamore,

Thanks for your post, and sorry to hear the directions you received didn't work for you.  You should be able to find directions for your specific machine on www.pb.com/ratechange.  This thread should help you out:

Update my Postage Machine

Thank you,

Jeremy 

Related Threads:

How to Update Postage Rates on Your PB Equipment

[sagamore]

I have been to that site (it gives me the same instructions I got in the mail) and I read all the threads I could that I thought might apply before I posted.  As I said, all I do is open my software and it automatically connects and checks for updates - I don't get a chance to go to a menu or anything and choose.  We have fast internet, why is this update taking days?  It just doesn't make sense.  I go to the machine and tried to connect following the instructions, but we aren't connected to a phone line so it doesn't work.  And we can't connect to a phone line.  Something about our phone lines are all digital and none of the PB machines supported digital lines at the time (1+ years ago) so we had to get the K700 or KM70 which is connected to the computer and updates through the internet.  The last update in January also took days but finally went through.  This one is taking longer.

Honestly, no one else is having this problem with this machine?

[PB-Jeremy]

sagamore,

Okay, thanks for the details (that was very helpful).

This may occur when the software does not have direct access to the internet due to the firewall that is blocking the connection while trying to refill for postage.  You can try this first: 

• Using your web browser, launch your Internet home page
• Click on Tools at the top of the page and select Internet Options
• Select Connections
• Click on the LAN Settings Icon

 If “Use a Proxy Server” is checked, it is in use.  If this is in use, you will need to download the latest version of Mailstation Assistant software on your PC.  In Mailstation Assistant, click on Updates > Update PC Software.  After the download is complete, open Internet Settings and add the proxy settings.  You can do this in 2 ways: 

• Right click on the Mailstation Assistant Icon in the system tray and click on Internet Settings
• In Mailstation Assistant, click on File > Internet Settings

Choose to authenticate, or assign it manually.  

Also in your firewall, you will want to make sure you have ports 20, 21 and 80 opened.

Can you let me know if this is successful for you?

Thank you,

Jeremy

[sagamore]

OK, I checked for the proxy server setting and it is NOT checked.  So what is my next step now? 

I can't update my mailstation assistant because as soon as I open it, it starts downloading and the only way to stop it is ctrl-alt-del.  I have no control over the program at this point.

[PB-Jeremy]

Okay, let's try this next:

This is your decision because I cannot tell you to check "Use Proxy Server", because that is your PC and not our computer, but I would suggest checking this to see if it changes the way the Mailstation Assistant Program works.  Perhaps (hopefully) the program will not try to download upon opening, so you'd have some control.

If this doesn't make a difference, then my next thought would be Vista.  I have Vista at home and Vista is notorious for making life difficult for me.  If you do have Vista, let's have you go to www.pitneyworks.com/welcomek7m0.  At this web page, click on: 

Install the mailstation assistant software.
Download mailstation assistant™ version 1.01.0002.0001

Can you let us know how this works?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[sagamore]

I don't have Vista.

I asked about the proxy settings and decided to try your solution having that box checked.  So I checked the box and downloaded the mailstation assistant again.  At the end of the download the mailstation assistant opened up and is now "retrieving balances" which basically means it's downloading whatever from PB and is in update limbo.

So...  I right clicked on the icon in the tray and went to the internet settings anyway.  My options are:

Direct connection to the interenet (default) - and this one is chosen

Use Internet Explorer proxy settings

Manual proxy settings:

So which one do I choose?  And it asks for different things: http address, port, proxy authentication (name and password).  I'm not sure what to put in any of these fields?

Thank you.

[PB-Jeremy · Accepted solution]

Okay, this error is occurring because the Mailstation Assistant is trying to Retrieve the Balance and Update at the same time, which is causing it to get stuck.  This can be corrected in this way:

• Shut down the Mailstation Assistant program
• Unplug the USB cable from both the mail machine and your PC tower
• Wait a few minutes and plug the USB cable back in.  You will probably see an error on the mail machine.
• Reboot the Mail Machine
• Launch Mailstation Assistant (it should not automatically try to update now)
• Click on Updates and perform the update

Can you let me know if this works for you?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[postmistress]

I've been awaiting instructions for the rate change update for our mailstation 2 K7M0.  From what I've just read, it appears I should have already received them.  We hook our mailstation to a phone line only when we need to add postage.  I'm attempting the use of a Phonex Broadband Easy Jack, but it's use hasn't been that "easy."  Can I download the instructions from your website?  I haven't found that option anywhere.

[PB-Jeremy]

Hi postmistress,

This thread that you see here is more related to technical problems between the Mailstation Assistant Program and PC Settings (such as proxy, firewall, ports).  Can you take a look at this thread:

READ THIS FIRST – Answers to your most common questions

Under Need Directions could you check out difficulty downloading May 11th rate changes.  or Cannot Update K700 Machine .

Thank you,

Jeremy