Argox amigo series User manual

Amigo Series
Desktop Barcode Printer
User’s Manual
2
Proprietary Statement
This manual contains proprietary information of Argox Information Co., Ltd. It is
intended solely for the information and use of parties operating and maintaining the
equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced,
or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the expressed written
permission of Argox Information Co., Ltd.
Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Argox Information Co., Ltd. All
specifications and signs are subject to change without notice.
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by the following measures:
 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
 Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
 Connect the equipment into a different outlet on a different circuit.
 Consult the dealer or an experience Radio/TV technician for help.
This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded cables
must be used with the unit to insure compliance. The user is cautioned that any changes
or modifications not expressly approved by Argox Information Co., Ltd. could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Liability Disclaimer
Argox Information Co., Ltd. takes steps to assure that the company’s published
engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Argox
Information Co., Ltd. reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims any
resulting liability. In no event shall Argox Information Co., Ltd. or anyone else involved
in the creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including
hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business
information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or the results of use of or
inability to use such product, even if Argox Information Co., Ltd. has been advised of
the possibility of such damages.

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Table of Contents
Getting Started ..................................................................... 5
Unpacking............................................................................... 5
Package Contents.............................................................................6
Connecting the Power Supply................................................. 7
Getting to Know Your Printer ........................................... 8
Parts and Features ................................................................. 8
Controls and Indicators......................................................... 10
Loading Ribbon and Media .............................................. 12
Loading a Ribbon.................................................................. 12
Loading Media ...................................................................... 18
Standard Mode ................................................................................18
Peel Off Mode..................................................................................23
Cutter Mode.....................................................................................28
Configuration....................................................................... 33
Performing Calibration .......................................................... 33
Printing a Configuration Report............................................. 33
Resetting to Factory Default Settings.................................... 34
Computer Connections ..................................................... 35
Serial (RS-232) Interface Requirements ............................... 35
Parallel Interface Requirements............................................ 37
Serial and Parallel Cabling Requirements............................. 37
Communicating with the Printer.................................... 38
Before installation ................................................................. 38
Installing the Printer Driver (Label Dr.200) ............................ 38
Installing USB Driver (Windows 98 Only) .............................. 42
Installing Printer Driver (Windows 98 Only)........................... 45
Installing the USB Driver (Plug and Play).............................. 48
Installing the USB Driver in Windows Vista (Plug and Play) .. 54
Setting Parameters ............................................................... 60
For Win 98 .......................................................................................62
For Win 2000...................................................................................65
For Win XP ......................................................................................69
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For Windows Vista..........................................................................73
Troubleshooting......................................................................76
LED Diagnosis ......................................................................76
Miscellaneous .......................................................................79
Recovery...............................................................................80
Caring for Your Printer ......................................................81
Cleaning................................................................................81
Thermal Print Head......................................................................... 81
Media Sensor.................................................................................. 81
Replacing Thermal Print Head ..............................................82
Technical Reference .................................................................83
Technical Reference .................................................................84
General Specifications ..........................................................84
Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics Specification .......................86
Printer Programming Language B, PPLB .................................... 86
Interface Specifications .........................................................88
USB Interface.................................................................................. 88
Serial ................................................................................................89
Connection with host ...................................................................... 90
Parallel (Centronics) ....................................................................... 92
Auto Polling......................................................................................92

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Getting Started
Congratulations on choosing the Argox Amigo Series
desktop barcode printer. This user’s manual will help you get
to know your new printer. The manual includes a guide to
operating the printer as well as related information on
troubleshooting, maintenance, and technical reference.
Illustrations are provided to help you quickly become familiar
with the printer.
Unpacking
After receiving your printer, please check for possible
shipping damage:
1. Inspect the outside of both the box and the printer for
possible damage.
2. Open the top cover of the printer to see if the media
compartments are in order.
Note: If damage has occurred, contact your shipping
company immediately to file a claim.
6
Package Contents
 Printer
 User’s Manual
 CD Rom Disk
 Power Supply
 Power Cord
 Ribbon
 Sample Media

7
Connecting the Power Supply
Connect the power supply as below.
WARNING: Do not operate the printer and power supply in an
area where they might get wet.
Make sure the power switch is in the "O" position, and be
careful not to touch the 36-pin parallel connector.
1. Insert the barrel connector of the Power Supply into the
power jack on the back of the printer.
2. Insert the separate power cord into the Power Supply.
3. Plug the other end of the cord into an AC electrical outlet.
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Getting to Know Your Printer
The illustrations that follow describe the Amigo’s parts, features,
controls, and indicators.
Parts and Features
Top Cover
Power Switch
Power Indicator
Ready Indicator
Feed Button

9
Ribbon Pick-up Holder
Release Levers
Media Hanger
Ribbon Supply Holder
Thermal Printhead
10
Controls and Indicators
The printer’s controls and indicators are shown in the diagram
below. The following table explains control and indicator
functions.
Top Cover
Power Switch
Power Indicator
Ready Indicator
Feed Button

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Control /
Indicator Function
Power Switch
 On turns on normal operation
 Off turns off power
Note: Turn power off before connecting or
disconnecting cables
Power Indicator
 Green light shows printer power on
 Light off shows printer power off
 Blinking light indicates error has occurred
Ready Indicator
 Green shows printer is ready to operate
 Blinking light indicates printer is paused or
receiving data
Feed Button
 Press to advance the label media to the
first printing position
 Press to take the printer out of "pause"
 Press and hold while turning on the power
to print out a configuration profile
12
Loading Ribbon and Media
This section describes how to load ribbon and media in the Amigo
Series printers.
Loading a Ribbon
Note: This section does not apply to direct thermal printing.
1. Lift the top cover to expose the media compartment.
2. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the two purple
release levers on the sides toward the rear.
3. Turn over the print head module to expose the ribbon supply
holder.

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Ribbon Supply Holder
Media Compartment
Release Lever
Print Head Module
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4. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll and
the bare core.
5. Attach the edge of the ribbon on the bare core and wind it a
little bit onto the core.
6. Insert the ribbon roll into the supply holder. (First snap in the
right side and then the left side.)
Ribbon Roll

15
7. Turn back the print head module and then insert the bare core
into the pick-up holder. (First snap in the right side, then the left
side.)
16

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8. Turn the wheel of the print head module to ensure the ribbon is
tightly wound.
9. Press down the print head module on both sides firmly till you
hear a snap.
Wheel
Print Head Module
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Loading Media
The Amigo Series printers offer three different loading modes:
standard, peel-off, or with a cutter.
 Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
 Peel-off mode peels backing material away from the label
as it prints. After the label is removed, the next label prints.
 Cutter mode automatically cuts the label after it prints.
Standard Mode
1. Lift the top cover to expose the media compartment.

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2. Remove the media hanger.
3. Load the media roll onto the hanger.
4. Unlatch the print head module.
5. Open the peeler cover to allow the labels through the slot.
Media Compartment
Media Hanger
Ribbon Roll
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6. Lead the labels through the media guides with the other hand.
The media guide adjusts centrally to fit with different label
widths.
Media Guides

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7. Press the print head module down firmly on both sides until you
hear a snap.
Print Head Module
22
8. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the feed
button if the printer is already on.
Feed Button

23
Peel Off Mode
1. Unscrew the two screws behind the peeler cover.
2. Remove the peeler cover.
Screw
24
3. Plug in the dispenser connecter.
4. Mount the dispenser module.
Dispenser Connecter
Dispenser Module

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5. Secure the two screws behind the peeler cover.
6. Lead the labels through the media guides and dispenser.
Media Guides
Dispenser
Screws
26
7. Press down the print head module firmly until you hear
a snap.
8. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the feed
button if the printer is already on.
Feed Button

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9. Press the feed button and the label backing paper will come out
from the slot under dispenser.
Note: The feed button does not make the printer peel. Peeling
occurs only when the software is properly set.
Label
Backing Paper
Feed Button
Label
Backing Paper
Feed Button
28
Cutter Mode
1. First plug the cutter baby board into JP29 on the main board.
2. Unscrew the two screws behind the peeler cover.
3. Remove the peeler cover.
Peeler Cover
Screw

29
4. Unscrew the screw on the printer module.
5. Remove the tear off bar.
Screw
Tear Off Bar
30
6. Plug in the cutter connecter.
7. Secure the screw of cutter module.
Cutter Connecter
Cutter Module
Screw

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Media Guides
8. Lead the label through the media guides and cutter slot.
9. Press down the print head module firmly on both sides until you
hear a snap.
Print Head Module
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10. Close the top cover and turn on the printer, or press the feed
button if the printer is already on.
Note: The feed button does not make the printer cut. Cutting
occurs only when the software is properly set.
Feed Button

33
Configuration
This section discusses calibration, printing configuration and
resetting the printer to factory defaults.
Performing Calibration
1. Press and hold the feed button while turning on
the power, until the printing motor is activated.
2. Calibration is performed while the printer automatically feeds
the label stock for a certain length.
Important! You must always carry out calibration when
changing media. Failure to do so will result in improper detection
by the label sensor.
Printing a Configuration Report
1. Press and hold the feed button while turning on the power, until
the printing motor is activated.
2. After feeding 12-inch blank media, the printing motor suspends
for one second and then prints out a configuration profile. The
profile includes firmware version, ROM checksum, RS-232,
thermal transfer/direct thermal settings, hardware configuration,
and font types.
3. At PPLB emulation, the printer enters character dump mode.
To exit from dump mode, press the feed button again. (If you
accidentally print the label without exiting from dump mode in
advance, you need to turn on the printer again to print
normally.)
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Resetting to Factory Default Settings
1. Turn on the printer and wait for 5 or more seconds.
2. Press the "Feed" button for 10 seconds, and the "Ready"
indicator and "Power" indicator will go off in order.
3. After two LEDs relight, release the feed button.
4. The printer will feed a label length, and resets to the
factory default settings.
Note: All settings are stored in non-volatile E2PROM and are
retained even after turning off the printer.

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Computer Connections
Note: You must insert the power supply’s barrel connector into
the power jack on the back of the printer before
connecting communication cables.
This printer comes with a nine-pin Electronics Industries
Association (EIA) RS-232 serial data interface, a standard
Centronics parallel interface and a USB interface (except the
A-150 model). You must supply the required interface cable for
your application.
Note: This printer complies with FCC Rules and Regulations,
Part 15, for Class A Equipment, for use with fully shielded
six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables or unshielded
cables may increase radiated emissions above Class A
limits.
Serial (RS-232) Interface Requirements
The required cable must have a nine-pin "D" type male connector
on one end, which is plugged into the mating serial port located
on the back of the printer. The other end of the signal interface
cable connects to a serial port on the host computer.
For technical and pin-out information, please refer to the
Technical Reference, Interface Specifications in this manual.
36

37
Parallel Interface Requirements
The required cable must have a standard 36-pin parallel
connector on one end, which is plugged into the parallel port
located on the back of the printer. The other end of the parallel
interface cable connects to the printer connector at the host
computer. For pin-out information, please refer to Technical
Reference, Interface Specifications in this manual.
Serial and Parallel Cabling Requirements
Data cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with
metal or metalized connector shells. Shielded cables and
connectors are required to prevent radiation and reception of
electrical noise.
To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:
 Keep data cables as short as possible (6 ft or 1.83m
recommended).
 Do not tightly bundle the data cables with power cords.
 Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.
Notes:
1. Centronics allows a much higher communication speed
than serial.
2. The printer automatically detects parallel or serial port.
No need to set a switch or send a command.
3. Default settings are included in the configuration report.
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Communicating with the Printer
The bundled printer driver can be applied to all applications under
Windows 98/2000/2003/Windows XP and Windows Vista. With
this driver you can run any popular Windows software
applications such as MS-Word and print out to this printer.
Before installation
1. Check the contents of the driver to ensure it is complete.
2. Make a backup copy of this driver.
Installing the Printer Driver (Label Dr.200 or Label
Dr. 300)
1. Double click the driver file
(Label Dr. 200 or Label Dr. 300)
to execute in Windows.
2. Click "Next".

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3. Select a driver for your
printer and click "Next".
For 203 dpi modes with 4
inches print width, you
should select Label
Dr. 200 (4 inch model).
4. Select the port of the
printer and click "Next".
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5. After the related files
have been copied to
your system, click “Next”.
6. After the installation
is complete, click “Finish”.
7. Click “ Yes”.