Using Magnetic Stripe Escapes - DataCard select series User Manual

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You do not need to specify which syntax or manufacturer's escape sequence you will
use. When you enable Mag Stripe Escape Compatibility, the SmartDriver will
recognize any of the escape character sequences listed on page D-5.

Using magnetic stripe escapes

To use magnetic stripe escapes, do the following:
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– For Windows 2000 and XP, select Printing Preferences. On the Printing
Preferences dialog box, click Advanced to display Advanced settings.
– For Windows NT, click Document Default Settings. Click the Advanced tab to
display Advanced settings.
– If you have the Printer Toolbox open, you can click the Properties (9x),
Printing Preferences (2000 and XP), or Default Document Properties (NT)
button on the Status page to open the Properties or Advanced dialog box.
Mag Stripe Escape Compatibility
Locate the
– On Windows 9x, choose the Mag Stripe tab.
– On Windows 2000, XP, and NT, scroll through the settings list to locate the
Mag Stripe Escape Compatibility setting.
Choose Enabled for the setting.
Locate the Mag Stripe Encoding Format setting.
– If you will encode IAT (ISO) format, choose IAT for the format.
– If you will encode a variation to IAT (ISO) format, choose "Use printer
settings" for the format.
Click Apply or OK to save the settings and close the dialog box.
Use an application in which you can enter and save text, and then edit it after
saving.
Before the magnetic stripe data, provide the escape sequence (such as ~1 or
~1?). The rest of the line of text will be encoded, up to an End Sentinel (if the
syntax uses one).
Use a Return or Enter keystroke to end a line.
Do not allow text to wrap to two lines. The text on the following line will print on the
card.
You might be able to send two lines of text to one track. Each line of text must
begin with the escape sequence. Test cards made with this method to see
whether the lines are encoded in the order in which the lines appear on the page.
Some applications do not support this method or produce unpredictable results.
Text to print can be on the same line as data to encode, but must be located
before the escape sequence.
Only one track can be encoded per line of text.
Magnetic stripe data will be converted to uppercase (capital) letters if necessary.
If you include not-allowed characters within the magnetic stripe data, the printer
will beep and a message will be displayed on the PC.
setting.
User's Guide for Select™ Platinum Series™ Printers