DataCard ImageCard IV, User Manual, Page: 15 / 204

Overview
1-9
User’s Guide for the ImageCard® IV Printer
– The full-color images are printed using a dye-diffusion, thermal-transfer
printing process. True-black images such as monochrome images or
barcodes are printed using a mass transfer process.
– If both sides of the card are printed (duplex printing) the card moves to the
turret, which turns the card and moves it back into the print station.
– When printing is complete, the card moves to the turret, which delivers it to
the next station.
– Topcoat, if used, is applied over the personalized information on the card by
the topcoat station.
– Laminate, if used, is applied over the personalized information on the card
and over topcoat if it is used, by the overlay station.
6 When all processing steps are complete, the turret moves the card to the card
output tray where it is stored until it is removed.
PC and software specifications
The ImageCard IV printer must be used with a PC that runs the printer driver. The PC
also runs a card creation application that captures and organizes the data to appear
on each card.
To support the printing speed that the ImageCard IV printer can deliver, the PC must
meet the following requirements:
•
Have a 233 MHz (or faster) Pentium MMX-, Pentium II-, Pentium III-, or Pentium
IV-compatible processor. Datacard recommends a 500 MHz (or faster) processor.
•
Have at least 128 MB of memory (RAM). Datacard recommends 256 MB or more
of memory.
•
Have 60 MB or more of hard disk space available to store the printer driver and
provide working space for preparing card data. (Additional components, such as
Acrobat Reader, might require more space.) Datacard recommends at least 100
MB of hard disk space before installing the printer driver.
The PC, including processor speed, memory, operating system, applications
running, and available hard disk space, can have a dramatic effect on card
processing speed. The operating system or applications can require more or
faster resources than the printer driver. Meet the most demanding requirements
for the operating system, application, and drivers running on the PC.
•
Have one of the following ports or connections:
– An ECP parallel port
• The port should be configured as an ECP port (using the PC's BIOS). If
the existing parallel port is not ECP capable, obtain and install an ECP
capable parallel port for printer use. For information on configuring the
parallel port,
“PC port settings” on page C-1 .
• If your card creation application uses a security key, put the security key
on a different parallel port, if available. The security key can be on a
compatible-mode (IBM AT-mode) port. The printer data cable must
remain on the ECP parallel port (usually LPT1). You might receive
i