Pc And Software Specifications - DataCard ImageCard Magna User Manual

Before you install

PC and software specifications

The Magna Class 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 Magna Class printer can deliver, the PC must
meet the following requirements:
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User's Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers
Have a 233 MHz (or faster) Pentium MMX-, Pentium II-, Pentium III-, or Pentium
IV-compatible processor.
Have at least 64 MB of memory (RAM).
Have 50 MB or more of hard disk space available to store the printer driver and
provide working space for preparing card data. Datacard recommends at least
100 MB of hard disk space before installing the printer driver.
The PC resources, including processor speed, memory, and available hard disk
space, can have a dramatic effect on card processing speed. For faster card
printing, use a 450 MHz or faster processor with 128 MB or more of RAM.
Have one of the following ports or connections:
– An ECP parallel port (any operating system)
• 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
• 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 "security key not found" messages, "parallel port data
error" messages, or might notice that the card creation application
operates slowly. If the security key requires a compatible-mode port,
obtain and install a separate parallel port so you have a compatible-mode
port for the security key and an ECP port for the printer.
• Some parallel communication devices use a cable with a plug that allows
another device to be attached, so that two parallel devices are attached to
one PC parallel port, known as a pass-through or piggy-back plug. The
printer and printer driver cannot communicate reliably through such a
plug. Install a second parallel port in the PC if needed.
– USB port (used with the Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or
Windows 98 operating system)
• The PC might have more than one USB port, or USB devices already
attached to the PC might provide USB ports to use.
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Datacard recommends using the Windows 2000 or XP operating systems if
you plan to connect more than one printer to a PC using USB ports or using a
USB port and other connection methods.
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