Plastic card solutions for a changing world User's Guide for ImageCard® and UltraGrafix® Series Printers Express and Select Classes January 1999 Part No.
ii Contents Please note and heed the WARNING and CAUTION labels that have been placed on the equipment for your safety. Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training. Liability statement This DataCard product has been built to the high standards of DataCard Corporation. See Appendix A for the statement of liability. Regulatory compliance This DataCard product conforms to regulatory requirements as specified in North America and Europe.
Contents iii Contents Declaration of conformity Chapter 1: Introduction About this manual Required skills The printer and its features Parts of the printer Printer software requirements Card quality guidelines Card surface Card handling Card storage and maintenance Supplies Chapter 2: Getting started Choosing a site Environmental requirements and specifications Electrical requirements General requirements and intended use Connecting cables Loading supplies Loading blank cards Loading and replacing the rib
iv Contents Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Understanding messages General troubleshooting Making repairs and obtaining service Chapter 5: Advanced information Confirming the ECP parallel port configuration and assignment Re-installing the printer driver Installing a second printer (Windows 95/98 only) Replacing the printhead cartridge Printing on both sides of a card Printing on thick cards Printing bar codes Moving the printer from Windows 95/98 to NT Encoding magnetic stripe data from an application Notes on
Contents Declaration of conformity v
Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter contains introductory information on this manual and on the ImageCard® and UltraGrafix® series photo ID printers.
1-2 Introduction About this manual This manual describes the ImageCard/UltraGrafix print series. It contains procedures for basic operation of the printer, performing routine maintenance on it and troubleshooting problems.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 1-3 • Magnetic stripe encoding — This option offers the ability to record information on a card's magnetic stripe. This is available as an option on any ImageCard or UltraGrafix model. • Smart card encoding — ImageCard and UltraGrafix printers can record information on smart cards, which are plastic cards containing computer chips. This is available as an option on most ImageCard or UltraGrafix models.
1-4 Introduction Figure 1:-1 shows what the different versions of the printer look like: Express and S models for both the ImageCard and UltraGrafix lines, and the S2 model for both lines. ice0001 Express and S models S2 models Figure 1:-1 ImageCard/UltraGrafix printer models The S and S2 models are both part of the Select class.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 1-5 Parts of the printer This section describes the basic components of the printer. Top cover Printhead Swing arm Printhead cartridge Ribbon cartridge Manual card feed knob 74030d23 Figure 1:-2 Printer internal part names (Express and S models shown) Top cover – The top cover protects the internal parts of the printer from dust and debris.
1-6 Introduction Top cover Status light Card cartridge Exception card slot Card output stacker Ready button Power button 74030s1 Figure 1:-3 Printer front part names (Express and S models shown) Status light – The status light indicates that the printer is processing data, ready to receive data, or in an error condition. • When the status light is green, the printer is on. • When the status light blinks green, the printer is paused, or it is printing or receiving data from the PC.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 1-7 • To pause the printer, press and hold the Ready button for three seconds or less. The status light continues to blink green while the printer is paused. Press the Ready button again to resume printing. • To halt the current print job, first press the Ready button to pause the printer. When you hear an audible sound, press and hold the Ready button for between three and ten seconds.
1-8 Introduction Duplex module — On ImageCard S2 and UltraGrafix S2 printers, the duplex module contains the hardware for automatic dual-sided printing (see Figure 1:-5). This module is not present in the Express or S printers.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 1-9 Printer software requirements The printer must be connected to a PC that provides data to print on a card. The operator creates the card design on the PC, and the PC sends the information to the printer. The PC must have the following software: • Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0, Service Pack 3 or higher (not supplied with the printer). With NT 4.
1-10 Introduction Card quality guidelines Your cards must meet the following card quality guidelines for the printer to successfully print high quality graphics on them. Card surface Card stock must meet the following surface guidelines. • The card surface must be smooth and free of irregularities (such as bumps and scratches) so that the printhead and ribbons can maintain contact with the print surface.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide • Make sure that the magnetic stripe on one card does not come into contact with the magnetic stripe on another card. • Make sure that cards with magnetic stripes are stored away from magnets and other magnetic objects. 1-11 Supplies See Appendix B for information on the supplies to use with the printer.
2 Chapter 2: Getting started This chapter contains information on installing the printer driver for the ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printer, loading initial supplies, setting up the magnetic stripe encoding (on printers with the magnetic stripe option), and printing test cards.
2-2 Getting started Choosing a site When choosing a location for the printer, consider the following environmental and electrical requirements.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-3 General requirements and intended use Consider the following general printer installation guidelines: • Keep all dust, dirt, food, liquids, etc. away from the printer at all times. • Keep the top cover closed at all times, except when changing supplies. • Store all supplies (ribbons, cards, etc.) in their original packaging until it is time to load them. • Do not use contaminated supplies.
2-4 Getting started Connecting cables Once you have chosen a location for the printer, you will need to connect various cables to it. Figure 2:-1 shows the locations of the printer's cable connectors for different printer models. ice0008 ice0007 Figure 2:-1 General locations of cable connectors Make the following cable connections (see Figure 2:-2 if your printer does not have the smart card option, or Figure 2:-3 if it does): • The power cable connects the printer to a power outlet.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-5 Interface Cable PC Smart Card Cable Power Cable 74030v21 Figure 2:-3 Connections for printers with the smart card option Loading supplies These are the printer supplies you will need to replace most often: • Blank cards • Ribbon You can also replace the printhead cartridge. See Replacing the printhead cartridge in Chapter 5 for instructions.
2-6 Getting started 3. Replace the card cartridge into the card cartridge cavity, setting the top in place and pushing the bottom toward the printer until it clicks into place (see Figure 2:-6).
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-7 1 2 iSEL007u Figure 2:-6 Replace the card cartridge (Express and S models shown)
2-8 Getting started Loading and replacing the ribbon The printer uses ribbon with color panels or continuous color. To order new ribbon, contact your DataCard-authorized service provider. See Appendix B for ordering information. Replace ribbon 1. Lift open the top cover. 2. Press down on the swing arm. The push latch releases the swing arm. Lift the swing arm until it is fully open. 3. Grasp the ribbon cartridge handle, and lift up to remove the ribbon cartridge (see Figure 2:-7). 4.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 74030c8a Figure 2:-7 Remove the ribbon cartridge Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 740030c8b Figure 2:-8 Replace ribbon on the ribbon cartridge Ribbon supply Ribbon take-up 74030c8c Figure 2:-9 Replace the ribbon cartridge 2-9
2-10 Getting started Installing the printer driver for the first time A printer driver is software that prepares data for the printer and manages the communication between it and a PC application. The printer driver requires a PC running Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT. You can obtain the latest copy of the printer driver from the DataCard Internet Web site (www.datacard.com) or by calling your DataCard-authorized service provider.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-11 For information on verifying your parallel port configuration and assignment, see Chapter 5. For computer configuration requirements, see Chapter 1. Install the printer driver on Windows 95/98 The following procedure applies only to Windows 95/98 systems. To install the driver on a PC running Windows NT, see Install the printer driver on Windows NT on page 2-12.
2-12 Getting started ! See Reconfiguring the printer driver in Chapter 3 for more information on setting up the driver. Select Settings and then Printers from the Start menu to display the Printers window. Figure 2:-10 Display the Printers window Install the printer driver on Windows NT The following procedure applies only to Windows NT. If you are installing the printer driver on a PC running Windows 95/98, see Install the printer driver on Windows 95/98 on page 2-11.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-13 • Select the "My computer" choice, and not the "Network" choice. If the "My computer" choice is not available, make sure you have logged on as the administrator. • Select the port to which you have connected the printer. • Do not select the "Enable printer pooling" choice when installing the printer driver. • When the Manufacturers list appears, insert driver diskette 1 and select the Have Disk button.
2-14 Getting started b) Highlight the printer driver icon by clicking on it once. The printer driver icon has the name you entered earlier when installing the printer driver. c) From the menu bar, select File and then Properties. The printer's Properties window appears. d) Select the Security tab. e) Click the Permissions button to open the Printer Permissions dialog box. f) For users or groups listed on the Printer Permissions dialog box, select the type of access for each user or group.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide • Duplex method (automatic or manual) • Ribbon type • Other values based on your card design 2-15 11. Print a Windows test page card from the PC to verify that the driver is installed correctly. See Print a Windows test page card on page 2-20 for instructions. ! See Reconfiguring the printer driver in Chapter 3 for more information on setting up the driver.
2-16 Getting started A higher electrical current is used to encode the high-coercivity cards than the low-coercivity cards. You cannot use high-coercivity cards with a card-printing application that uses the low-coercivity format, and you also cannot use low-coercivity cards with a high-coercivity application. Set the magnetic stripe values 1. Use the information above to determine the coercivity rating for the magnetic stripe cards you will be using. 2.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Figure 2:-11 Magnetic stripe settings tab in Windows 95/98 Figure 2:-12 Magnetic stripe settings in Windows NT 2-17
2-18 Getting started Printing test cards You can print three types of test cards on your ImageCard/UltraGrafix machine: • Printer test card – You can print a printer test card on the printer to confirm that it is working properly (see Figure 2:-13 and Figure 2:-14). • Windows test page card – You can print a Windows test page card to confirm that the printer driver is communicating correctly with the printer and that the printer is working properly (see Figure 2:-16).
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 74030s6 Figure 2:-13 Printer test card — Express class only ice0016s Figure 2:-14 Printer test card — S and S2 classes 2-19
2-20 Getting started Ready button Power button 74030s1 Figure 2:-15 Locating the power and Ready buttons (Express and S models shown) Print a Windows test page card The printer must be connected to a PC to print this type of test card. 1. Select Settings and then Printers from the Windows Start menu (see Figure 2:-10 on page 2-12). The Printers window appears. 2. Click once on the printer driver icon. The icon has the name chosen during installation. 3. Select Properties from the File menu.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Microsoft 2-21 95 Congratulat If you can read this information you have 74030s7 Figure 2:-16 Windows test page card, portrait orientation (Windows 95 version) Microsoft Windows 9 5 Win 95 Print 74030s97 Figure 2:-17 Windows test page card, landscape orientation (Windows 95 version) The Windows 98 and Windows NT test page cards look similar to these examples.
2-22 Getting started Click on the Print Test Page button on the General tab to print a Windows test page card. Figure 2:-18 Print a Windows test page card in Windows 95/98 Click on the Print Test Page button on the General tab to print a Windows test page card.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-23 Printing magnetic stripe test cards If your printer is equipped with the magnetic stripe option, you can create a magnetic stripe test card to verify that the magnetic stripe option is working correctly. Print a magnetic stripe test card The printer must be connected to a PC to create this type of test card. Be sure to use only magnetic stripe cards to create this type of test card. 1.
2-24 Getting started Click here to start a magnetic stripe test card.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 2-25 The basics of printing from an application You can use the printer to print cards from many applications. If you use DataCard's QuikWorks, see the user information for the application to learn how to do it. If you use an application in which you can save the result and edit it again, such as Windows WordPad, follow these guidelines to print cards: • In the application, select the ImageCard/UltraGrafix printer as the current printer.
Chapter 3: Day-to-day printer use This chapter contains information on checking the ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printer's status or changing its settings, cleaning and maintaining the printer, and configuring the printer driver.
3-2 Day-to-day printer use Accessing printer features You can check the status of the printer and change settings that affect how the printer works from the following windows: • Printer properties window • Default document properties window (Windows NT only) • Status monitor This section describes how to open and use these windows.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Select Settings and then Printers from the menu to display the Printers window. Figure 3:-1 Open the Printers dialog box Select the ImageCard/ Ultragrafix printer driver icon. Select File and then Properties to display the Properties window.
3-4 Day-to-day printer use Select the ImageCard/Ultragrafix printer driver icon. Select File and then Properties to display the Properties window.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-5 Using the default document properties dialog box (Windows NT only) This dialog box contains additional printer controls not found in the Windows NT printer properties window. Windows 95/98 has no default document properties dialog box. 1. Click on the Start button in the Windows taskbar. 2. Select Settings and then Printers (see Figure 3:-1 on page 3-3). The Printers window appears. 3. Click once on the printer driver icon.
3-6 Day-to-day printer use Using the status monitor The status monitor displays the status of the communication between the printer and its printer driver. It also allows you to perform cleaning operations and diagnostic tests.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-7 Opening and using the status monitor You can use the status monitor window to do the following: • View detailed status monitor information • Start a cleaning cycle • Suspend and resume the status monitor • Exit the status monitor • Start or quit diagnostics You can do one of the following to display the status monitor window: • Right-click on the status monitor icon in the lower-right corner of the screen, and then select Displ
3-8 Day-to-day printer use Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Figure 3:-5 The status monitor and its status information Starting a printer cleaning cycle To begin a cleaning cycle, select the Printer button in the Cleaning section of the status monitor window, or right click on the status monitor icon and select Clean printer now from the popup menu. For further information see Performing a cleaning cycle on page 3-12. In diagnostics mode you cannot select the Printer button to perform a cleaning cycle.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-9 Cleaning the duplex module If you have an ImageCard S2 or UltraGrafix S2 printer, you can clean the printer's duplex module. To do this, select the Duplex button in the Cleaning section of the status monitor window, or right click on the status monitor icon and select Clean duplex from the popup menu. For further information, see Cleaning the duplex module on page 3-19.
3-10 Day-to-day printer use DataCard Magnetic Stripe Test Card Track 1 (IATA data, max. 76 chars): !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>@ABCDEFGH IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_ !"#$%&'()*+, Track 2 (ABA data, max. 37 chars): 0123456789:;<=>0123456789:;<=>0123456 Track 3 (TTS data, max.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-11 Using What’s This help (Windows 95/98 only) What’s This help provides information about specific items or areas of the printer driver without interrupting your work (see Figure 3:-8). Press the What's This help button, and then select the field you want help on. The system displays What's This help about the element you chose on the screen: in this case, the Portrait field.
3-12 Day-to-day printer use 3. To close What’s This help, click anywhere on the screen or press the ESC key on your keyboard. ! Performing a cleaning cycle The rollers on the printer should be cleaned whenever the print quality decreases. Typically this will be after printing from 5 to 50 cards, depending on the environment in which the printer is used. For ImageCard and UltraGrafix Express printers, the default is 20 cards; for the S and S2 models, it is 40 cards.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-13 5. Insert the cleaning card near the bottom of the card cartridge cavity (see Figure 3:-13). 6. Start a cleaning cycle by doing one of the following: • Click the OK button when the printer driver displays a message requesting that you clean the printer. (If you do not click OK at this point, the message will redisplay before printing each card until you run a cleaning cycle.
3-14 Day-to-day printer use scclean Figure 3:-9 Cleaning card, oriented for printers with the smart card option and no duplex module clean Figure 3:-10 Cleaning card, oriented for all printer models except those with the smart card option and without the duplex module Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 74030c8a Figure 3:-11 Remove the ribbon cartridge
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Ribbon supply 3-15 Ribbon take-up 74030c8c Figure 3:-12 Insert the ribbon cartridge Figure 3:-13 Insert the cleaning card: All models except those with the smart card option and without the duplex module Figure 3:-14 Insert the cleaning card: Only for models with the smart card option and no duplex module
3-16 Day-to-day printer use Cleaning the printhead A decrease in print quality indicates the printhead may be dirty. Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean the printhead. Do not use a cotton swab. The fibers from the cotton can stick to the printhead. Clean the printhead 1. Power off the printer, and disconnect it from the power source. 2. Moisten a lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol. 3. Press down on the swing arm. The push latch will release the swing arm.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-17 Cleaning the magnetic stripe head The printer's magnetic stripe head should be cleaned whenever you receive multiple read errors or rejected cards while attempting to encode a magnetic stripe. Generally, you should clean the magnetic stripe head once every 2000 cards. Use the magnetic stripe head cleaning card (part number 590408-002; see Figure 3:-15) to do this.
3-18 Day-to-day printer use 4. Remove the cleaning card from the card output stacker after the printer has completed the cleaning cycle. 5. Discard the used magnetic stripe head cleaning card. ! Click here to clean the magnetic stripe head.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-19 Cleaning the duplex module This procedure applies only to ImageCard S2 and UltraGrafix S2 printers. If you have an S2 printer, you might want to clean the printer's duplex module if you have problems with jammed cards. Clean the duplex module 1. Remove the card cartridge. 2. Remove the ribbon cartridge. a) Lift open the top cover. b) Press down on the swing arm. The push latch will release the swing arm.
3-20 Day-to-day printer use d) Close the swing arm, pressing it down until the push latch clicks into place. e) Close the top cover. 9. Discard the used duplex cleaning card. ! dupclcrd Figure 3:-18 Duplex cleaning card Reconfiguring the printer driver Upon installation, the printer driver is automatically configured to fit your system. When you have completed your card design or if you change your system, you may need to reconfigure the printer driver.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 3-21 Reconfigure the printer driver 1. Open the appropriate window: Windows 95/98 users: See the instructions in Using the printer properties on page 3-2. Windows NT users: See Using the default document properties dialog box (Windows NT only) on page 3-5. If necessary, click on the plus sign (+) next to Document Options and Printer Features to display the entries beneath these headings. 2.
3-22 Day-to-day printer use (Any time you change the ribbon in the printer, you must power off and power on the printer.) You may find that the printer uses more print ribbon with the auto-detect feature, since the printer advances the ribbon for several panels at power-up until it has identified the ribbon type. This may not be much of a problem unless you frequently power the printer on and off.
4 Chapter 4: Troubleshooting This chapter contains information on troubleshooting the ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printer, identifying and fixing errors, and obtaining service for the printer.
4-2 Troubleshooting Understanding messages The printer driver displays a message when the printer is unable to process and print a card correctly. If a condition occurs that you can fix, the message displayed will contain brief instructions on how to fix it (for an example of this type of message, see Figure 4:-1). You can also click on the Help button in the message window for more detailed instructions on fixing the problem. Click on this button for help with the problem.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 4-3 General troubleshooting The purpose of this section is to help you fix print quality problems. Often print quality problems result from dirty or dusty equipment. To diagnose and fix print quality problems, follow the troubleshooting procedure below. In your troubleshooting, it may help to look in Chapter 5 to see if there is a section that discusses the problem you're having. Troubleshoot and fix print quality problems 1.
4-4 Troubleshooting Symptom card is blank. No image is printed on the card. Printed cards look faded. Possible Cause may not be installed properly. Solution (see Replacing the printhead cartridge in Chapter 5). Cards may not meet specifications or may be dirty. Obtain and use a different supply of cards (see Card requirements in Appendix B). The swing arm may not be latched properly. Open the swing arm fully and then close it. Be sure that the swing arm latch clicks into place.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 4-5 Symptom Possible Cause Solution Chapter 3). If cleaning does not solve the problem, contact your DataCard-authorized service provider. Part or all of the printed image is expanded (see Figure 4:-3). The printhead is not properly installed. Remove and replace the printhead cartridge (see Replacing the printhead cartridge in Chapter 5). The printer driver is not properly installed.
4-6 Troubleshooting 74030s95 Figure 4:-3 Expanded test card 74030s96 Figure 4:-4 Compressed test card
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 4-7 Remove torn or jammed ribbon Do not place the ribbon cartridge on a dirty surface, such as a table top, floor, or chair. Particles from such a surface may stick to the ribbon and damage the printhead in the printhead cartridge. 1. Lift open the top cover. 2. Press down on the swing arm. The push latch will release the swing arm. Lift the swing arm until it is fully open. 3.
4-8 Troubleshooting Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 74030c8a Figure 4:-5 Remove the ribbon cartridge Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 740030c8b Figure 4:-6 Replace ribbon on the ribbon cartridge Ribbon take-up Ribbon supply 74030c8c Figure 4:-7 Replace the ribbon cartridge
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 4-9 Remove jammed cards ! In this procedure, you may have to remove the ribbon cartridge. When you do this, do not place it on a dirty surface, such as a table top, floor, or chair. Particles from such a surface may stick to the ribbon and damage the printhead. 1. ImageCard S2 and UltraGrafix S2 printers only: Open the duplex module cover (see Figure 4:-8) and look for a jammed card in the duplex module.
4-10 Troubleshooting iSEL001u Figure 4:-8 Opening the duplex module cover 74030d14 Figure 4:-9 Remove a card jammed on the card transport track
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 4-11 Making repairs and obtaining service For repair assistance, contact your DataCard-authorized service provider. Before contacting the representative, get the serial number for your printer. It is located on a sticker shown in Figure 4:-10.
Chapter 5: Advanced information This chapter contains advanced information on working with the ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printer and its driver. To perform the procedures in this chapter, you should know how to use the printer to print cards.
5-2 Advanced information Confirming the ECP parallel port configuration and assignment For optimal performance, the printer should be connected to an ECP parallel port. ECP stands for extended capabilities port. It differs from a "standard" parallel port in that it enables two-way (bi-directional) communication between the PC and the printer. It is also capable of much faster data transfer depending on the particular communication method being used.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Select Settings and then Control Panel from the Start menu to display the Control Panel window. Figure 5:-1 Display the Control Panel dialog box If you see ECP Printer Port here, your ECP parallel port is available.
5-4 Advanced information Verify the ECP parallel port configuration — system query 1. Close all open applications. 2. Reboot the PC. 3. Enter the PC BIOS setup program following the instructions that display early in the reboot sequence (or see the documentation that came with your PC for information on entering this program). 4. In the PC BIOS setup program, check to see that the parallel port mode is set to ECP. If it is not, set it to ECP. 5.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-5 Re-installing the printer driver You can get the most current copy of the printer driver from DataCard’s Internet Web site (www.datacard.com) or from your DataCard-authorized service provider. When you re-install the printer driver, be sure to read the installed read-me file for information on the latest changes and for any new installation instructions.
5-6 Advanced information 8. Restart the PC by selecting Shut Down from the Windows 95/98 Start menu, then selecting Restart the computer and clicking Yes. 9. If the printer driver you want to install is on diskettes, insert the first diskette into the disk drive of the PC to which the printer is connected after the PC and Windows 95/98 have restarted. 10. Select Settings and then Printers from the Windows 95/98 Start menu. The Printers dialog box appears. 11. Double-click on the Add Printer icon. 12.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-7 If the installation procedure does not finish without error and you want to remove the DataCard files installed, use Windows Explorer to go to the c:\windows\system directory and delete all dcci*.dll files. Re-install the printer driver in Windows NT The following procedure applies only to Windows NT. If you are using Windows 95/98, see Re-install the printer driver in Windows 95/98 on page 5-5.
5-8 Advanced information 12. In the Printers dialog box, double-click on the Add Printer icon. (Only the administrator can use this icon to install the printer on the PC.) 13. Follow the instructions on your screen and the guidelines below to complete the installation. • Select the "My computer" choice, not the "Network" choice. If the "My computer" choice is not available, make sure you have logged on as the administrator. • Select the port to which you have connected the printer.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-9 17. If the PC attached to the printer has other users, set user permissions to support printing or to prevent access to the printer. To change access for other users, make sure you have restarted Windows NT and then do the following steps. a) From the Windows NT task bar, select Start, then Settings, and then Printers. The Printers dialog box appears. b) Highlight the printer driver icon by clicking on it once.
5-10 Advanced information n) Follow instructions to update the printer firmware if prompted. 18. Select the correct value for the following document default settings to enable printer features. These items are in the Default Document Properties dialog box. See Using the default document properties dialog box (Windows NT only) in Chapter 3 to find out how to open this window.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-11 Installing a second printer (Windows 95/98 only) On a PC running Windows 95 or Windows 98, you can connect two ImageCard/UltraGrafix printers (Express, S and S2 models) to the same machine. You cannot connect two ImageCard/UltraGrafix printers to a PC that runs Windows NT 4.0. Look for a file called README.RTF on your installation diskettes for important information on which types of printers can be connected to the same PC.
5-12 Advanced information Configure the PC for a second printer The hardware settings must match the settings you choose in the Resources tab. 1. See the documentation that came with the port hardware to set the jumpers. 2. Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop and then select Properties from the popup menu. 3. Select the Device Manager tab. 4. Select View devices by type. 5. Click the + next to Ports (COM and LPT) to display the entry for LPT2. 6.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-13 Replacing the printhead cartridge The ImageCard/UltraGrafix series printers use an operator-replaceable printhead cartridge. To order a replacement printhead cartridge, contact your DataCard-authorized service provider. For more information on the cartridge, including its part numbers, see Printhead cartridge in Appendix B. Replace the printhead cartridge ! Do not touch the printing edge of the printhead in the printhead cartridge.
5-14 Advanced information 13. Print a Windows test page card to verify that the printhead cartridge is installed properly. (See Printing test cards in Chapter 2 for more information.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Printhead cartridge 5-15 Printhead cartridge slots Printhead cartridge cable 74030d4 Printhead cartridge pins Figure 5:-5 Printhead cartridge and related components (Express and S models shown) ice0012 Figure 5:-6 Attach and detach the printhead cable
5-16 Advanced information Printhead cartridge tab Swing arm notch 74030s42 Figure 5:-7 Replace the printhead cartridge Printing on both sides of a card ImageCard S2 and UltraGrafix S2 printers support automatic duplex (double-sided) printing. If you have one of these models, the automatic double-sided printing is the most effective and reliable method for duplex printing.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-17 Whether you will have automatic or manual duplex printing, keep data on one page if you want to print on just the front of the card. For a two-sided card, send a two-page document and enable a setting in the printer driver Properties dialog box to print on both sides: • Windows 95/98 users: Select Settings and then Printers from the Windows 95/98 Start menu. Select the printer.
5-18 Advanced information A sticker on this surface indicates the type of printhead cartridge. ice0006 Figure 5:-9 Printhead cartridge and sticker • Use the user diagnostics portion of the driver's status monitor to alter the printing voltages. (To learn how to open the status monitor, please see Using the status monitor in Chapter 3.) You will need to experiment by repeatedly changing voltages, printing a test card, and evaluating the resulting print quality, until you are satisfied with the quality.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-19 Moving the printer from Windows 95/98 to NT If you want to take an ImageCard/UltraGrafix printer connected to a Windows 95/98 PC and connect it to a PC running Windows NT, do so carefully. The Windows 95/98 printer driver can control settings inside the printer that are not available using the Windows NT 4.0 driver.
5-20 Advanced information With any application, test your card design to make sure you get the results you expect. Whenever you are encoding magnetic stripe data or programming smart cards, some cards may not be printed completely. Be sure to process incomplete cards according to your policy for handling the confidential data that might be on the card. Follow this procedure to encode magnetic stripe data in a general-purpose Windows 95/98 application: 1. Select the encoding format and topcoat pattern.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide 5-21 ♦ Track 1--Magnetic Stripe ♦ Track 2--Magnetic Stripe ♦ Track 3--Magnetic Stripe ♦ Track NTT--Magnetic Stripe (See Notes on NTT magnetic stripe encoding on page 5-21 for important information about using this font.) • The recommended size for Magnetic Stripe fonts is 3.5 or 4 points to allow characters to remain on the same line. Use this recommended point size.
5-22 Advanced information • Each time you start using Japanese-language characters, or stop using them, the driver adds a hidden character. Each hidden character reduces, by one, the number of characters you can encode. • Spaces between characters can be Japanese-language spaces or Englishlanguage spaces. Make sure that spaces are in the same language as the surrounding characters. • If you need to encode Kanji characters, please contact your DataCard Japan representative for more information.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide • 5-23 When you use the printer with a network-connected PC, be aware of the following: ♦ Look at the printer Properties dialog box for the PC with the printer directly attached to see current printer values. Also look at that PC for printer messages. The network-connected PC (the one without the printer directly connected) does not display messages or show current printer values.
5-24 Advanced information incomplete cards according to your policy for handling the confidential data that might be on the card. • The printer is installed with a default spool setting of "Spool printing so program finishes printing faster." Use this setting, not "Print directly to printer." The default setting is required to print multiple copies of the same card, print two-sided cards, and enable the Retry button in messages boxes on the PC.
Appendix A: Safety and compliance This appendix contains regulatory compliance information, safety information, and trademark acknowledgments for the ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printer.
A-2 Safety and compliance Emissions FCC notice (USA) This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If it is not installed and used in accordance with this instruction manual, it may interfere with radio communications. This equipment has been tested and found to be within the limits for Class A computing devices, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, designed to provide reasonable protection against radio interference in a commercial environment.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide A-3 acceptance of this system you hereby assume all liability consequent to your use or misuse of this equipment. DataCard Corporation assumes no liability for incidental, special or consequential damage of any kind. Equipment specifications, applications and options are subject to change at the sole discretion of DataCard Corporation without notice.
A-4 Safety and compliance Safe human interface • Use proper lifting techniques when moving or installing the equipment. • Use standard moving parts safety procedures when working on equipment with parts in motion or potential motion. • Obtain specific certified training before working on any piece of equipment. • Keep safety interlocks on covers or panels functioning. • Disconnect the equipment from facility power when performing procedures which require no power input.
B Appendix B: Supplies This appendix shows the various supplies used with an ImageCard or UltraGrafix photo ID printers. It also has ordering information.
B-2 Supplies List of supplies Contact your DataCard-authorized service provider for information on ordering any of these supplies.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide B-3 Card requirements Card stock for printing should meet the following requirements. Size: CR80, 3.375 in. (85.725 mm) x 2.125 in. (53.975 mm) Type: PVC with glossy surface or composite with glossy PVC surface Thickness: • 0.020 in. (0.508 mm) to 0.050 in. (1.27 mm) plus or minus 10 percent, for regular or magnetic stripe cards when the smart card module is not installed • 0.020 in. (0.508 mm) to 0.030 in. (0.
B-4 Supplies The sticker is either a green dot or a decal that looks like either a color or monochrome ribbon. (Other stickers on this surface of the cartridge have bar codes or an illustration showing how to install the cartridge.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide B-5 Ribbon Order from among the following types of ribbons for the printer.
B-6 Supplies Cleaning supplies • Cleaning card (part number 557297-001) clean Figure B:-4 Cleaning card — side 1 scclean Figure B:-5 Cleaning card — side 2 • Magnetic stripe head cleaning card, if the printer has the magnetic stripe option (part number 590408-002) ice0014s Figure B:-6 Magnetic stripe cleaning card • Duplex cleaning card (part number 557668-001), if the printer has automatic two-sided printing dupclcrd Figure B:-7 Duplex option cleaning card • Isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide Ribbon cartridge • Ribbon cartridge (part number 555545-999) 555545 Figure B:-8 Ribbon cartridge Card cartridge • Card cartridge (part numbers appear in table below) Figure B:-9 Card cartridge Printer model Cartridge color Part number ImageCard Express ImageCard S ImageCard S2 UltraGrafix Express UltraGrafix S UltraGrafix S2 Green Smoked gray Smoked gray Green Smoked gray Smoked gray 555540-002 555540-003 555540-003 555540-002 55554
B-8 Supplies Interface cable • Interface cable (part number 806797-001) The printer uses an ECP parallel port interface cable. 74030c6 Figure B:-10 Interface cable Power cable • North American power cable (part number 556766-001) 74030c7 Figure B:-11 U.S.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide B-9 Power receptacle fuse • Power receptacle fuse (part number 804960-017) Power receptacle fuse 74030c93 Figure B:-12 Power receptacle fuse The power receptacle fuse is a 2.5 amp. slow blow fuse. Carrying case (Express & S models only) • Carrying case (part number 556741-001) 556741 Figure B:-13 ImageCard/UltraGrafix Express & S series carrying case No carrying case is available for ImageCard/UltraGrafix S2 printers.
B-10 Supplies Publications • ImageCard Express Operator's Tutorial CD-ROM (part number 555413-001) • If you want to develop PC software that works with the ImageCard/UltraGrafix series, you can order the DataCard Raster Printer Application Programming Interface (API). This contains the DataCard Software Developer's Manual for Desktop Raster Printers (526720002). (The document was formerly called the ImageCard Express Software Developer’s Kit, with the part number 526720-001.
I Index A AC receptacle, 1-7 acknowledgments (copyright, etc.), A-4 B bar codes, 5-18 C cable, interface, B-8 cables (connecting), 2-4 Canadian regulations, compliance with, A-2 card cartridge description of, 1-6 loading and replacing, 2-5 part number of, B-7 card output stacker, 1-6 card quality guidelines, 1-10 cards exception cards, 1-6 jammed cards, 4-9 loading and replacing, 2-5 maintenance of, 1-10 printing on both sides of, 5-17 requirements for, B-3 smart cards.
I-2 Index faded image, 4-4 ImageCard/UltraGrafix printers cable connections for, 2-4 connecting two printers to same PC, 5-11 enhanced printing speed feature, 1-3 error messages from, 4-2 explanation of names, 1-2 features of, 1-2 getting repair assistance, 4-11 options available for, 1-2 parts of, 1-5 printer driver for.
ImageCard/UltraGrafix (Express and Select Classes) User’s Guide R README.
