MicroBoards Technology G3 Auto Printer User manual

G3 Disc Publisher
For Microsoft Windows®7, Vista, and XP
Users Manual
Microboards Technology LLC Version 2.0

•Introduction
2

MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................5
What’s Included...............................................................................................................................5
System Requirements .....................................................................................................................6
Assembly and Installation...................................................................................................................6
Assembly Instructions......................................................................................................................6
Installing Ink Cartridges...................................................................................................................7
Supported Ink Cartridges .............................................................................................................7
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges ..............................................................................................7
Loading Discs..................................................................................................................................8
Front Control Panel..........................................................................................................................8
Output Bin Sensor ...........................................................................................................................8
G3 Disc Publisher Installation..........................................................................................................9
Windows Component Prerequisites.................................................................................................9
Connecting to a PC..........................................................................................................................9
Windows 7 and Vista Hardware Installation ..................................................................................10
Windows XP Hardware Installation................................................................................................10
Setting Printer Alignment..................................................................................................................13
Alignment.......................................................................................................................................13
Printing Preferences .........................................................................................................................14
Color Tab.......................................................................................................................................14
Advanced Tab................................................................................................................................15
Diameter Settings Tab...................................................................................................................15
Ink Tab...........................................................................................................................................16
Alignment Tab................................................................................................................................16
Print Quality Tab............................................................................................................................17
Printing Recommendations ........................................................................................................17
About Tab......................................................................................................................................17
The G3 Disc Publisher Software.......................................................................................................18
Microboards PrintWrite Configuration............................................................................................18
The Microboards Printer Toolbox......................................................................................................18
Print Test Disc ...............................................................................................................................18
Exercise Belt..................................................................................................................................18
Cleaning.........................................................................................................................................18
Using SureThing Disc Labeler..........................................................................................................19
Creating New Labels..................................................................................................................19
Printing Labels............................................................................................................................19
Manual Software Re-Installation.......................................................................................................19
PrintWrite Software Re-Installation................................................................................................19
SureThing Labeler Software Re-Installation..................................................................................20
Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................21
Printer not printing: ........................................................................................................................21
Disc Loading error: ........................................................................................................................21
Low Ink indication:.........................................................................................................................21
Printing Specifications.......................................................................................................................22
Technical Support.............................................................................................................................22

•Introduction
4

MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
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Introduction
The Microboards G3 Disc Publisher is a single drive, 50 disc, print and record system. The G3 combines
professional quality printing and recording into a single, easy to use duplicator. The system includes one high
speed DVD recorder. Microboards and HP co-developed the printer technology, allowing up to 4800 x 1200
dpi printing. The Microboards PrintWrite software is a dynamic interface for both beginners and power users.
Easily record DVD Video, DVD data, Audio CD’s, Data CD’s, Video CD’s and much more.
Other features include:
•Asynchronous print and record function
•Creation of audio CD’s from MP3, wma or wave files
•Full support for CD Text, Pre-Gap, UPC and ISRC
•Batch mode, allowing multiple masters to be used at a time
•Integrated print function with prn or SureThing print files, including merge data
What’s Included
When unpacking your G3 Disc Publisher system, the following items should be included:
•G3 Disc Publisher print and record system
•G3 Disc Publisher Quick Start Guide
•G3 Unpack Guide
•Power Cord
•Blank Printable CDs
•Users Manual (This document)
•Microboards Disc Publisher Install CD (Includes Windows XP/Vista/7 drivers, Disc Publishing
software, and SureThing Label software)
•Microboards GX-300HC Color Ink cartridge (14ml)
•USB Printer Cable
•Input Bin rods (already installed)
•50 disc output assembly
If any of these items are missing, please contact your distributor or Microboards Technology
Technical Support department at 952-556-1639.
The G3 Disc Publisher installation disc includes an
Installer that will walk you through the process
step by step. Please perform the installation in
order as specified in the Installer before
connecting to a computer.

•Assembly and Installation
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System Requirements
The Microboards G3 Disc Publisher has the following minimum requirements and compatibilities:
Operating System
Windows XP with SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. 32-bit or 64-bit Operating Systems
Pentium 4 (or equivalent) CPU, running at 3.0 GHz or faster.
System Memory
Minimum 1 GB of system memory. More memory is suggested for DVD recording operation.
Hard Drive Space
Approximately 110MB of free space is required on the system hard drive for the applications and
drivers. For storing disc images, temporary space is needed for the full disc dimension. That could be
up to about 800MB for CD or about 5 GB for DVD.
A separate internal 7200 RPM hard drive is recommended for storing your data. Using the same
hard drive as the operating system can cause the system to perform slowly.
USB Connection
USB 2.0 is required. USB 1.1 is not supported, as using USB 1.1 will result in significantly longer
recording times and the potential for recording failures.
Assembly and Installation
Assembly Instructions
G3 Disc Publisher Assembly
Remove the G3 Disc Publisher
system from the shipping box and
confirm you received all of the
items.
Place the G3 Disc Publisher on a
stable, flat surface. You will need
room both in front and behind the
system, as discs will be accessed
from both locations.
The Input Bin posts are pre-
installed, with the wide post to the
right.
The 50-disc Output Bin is shipped in
place under the front cover. Lift the
cover to remove the packaging tape
from the Output Bin.

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Installing Ink Cartridges
Supported Ink Cartridges
The G3 Disc Publisher uses a single color ink cartridge. The part number for this cartridge is GX-
300HC. If other cartridges are installed, the G3 Disc Publisher will not function. These cartridges are
available from any Microboards reseller.
Refill kits or non-Microboards ink cartridges are not recommended for use in the G3
Disc Publisher system. Use of these types of cartridges will cause the printer to fail
and will void the warranty.
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges
Cartridges should be changed while the G3 Disc Publisher is on. The cartridge can be replaced
during printing.
The G3 Disc Publisher system ships with one Microboards GX-300HC color ink cartridge.
•Lift the front cover with the power on. The print cartridge cradle will move to the right side of
the G3 Disc Publisher, as shown below.
•Tilt the old cartridge forward to release the cartridge from the cradle, as shown in the inset
below.
•Lift the old cartridge out of the cradle.
•Remove the new GX-300HC ink cartridge from its packaging and carefully remove the plastic
tape. Hold the ink cartridge so that the copper strip is at the bottom.
•With the front of the new GX-300HC ink cartridge tilted down, slide the cartridge into the
cradle.
•Tilt the front of the GX-300HC ink cartridge back up to lock the ink cartridge in place.
•Lower the front cover.
•The new GX-300HC ink
cartridge will be initialized
by the printer.
The Microboards GX-300HC
Ink Cartridge must be used
or the printer will not
function.

•Assembly and Installation
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Loading Discs
The next step is to load your G3 Disc Publisher with discs. The system will accept CD or DVD 120
mm (12 cm) inkjet printable discs. If the disc does not have an inkjet printable surface, the ink will not
adhere to the surface of the disc. The G3 Disc Publisher will only accept 12 cm discs. Business card
or 8 cm discs are not supported by this system.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Load the first 5 or 6 discs flat, as seen in figure 1.
Load the rest of the discs at an angle, against the wide input rod, as seen in figure 2.
The G3 Disc Publisher will hold a maximum of 50 discs. DO NOT load more than 50 discs in the
system, as this may cause the discs to feed incorrectly.
Front Control Panel
The AC power switch located on the back of the G3 Disc Publisher must be turned on first in order to
supply power to the Front Control Panel.
The Power Button on the front panel of the G3 Disc Publisher turns the Printer on and off. It may
take a few seconds for the Printer to turn on after you press the Power Button. This does not affect
power to the drive within the Publisher.
To turn off the power to the printer using
the Control Panel, press and hold the
Power Button for 3 seconds. Once the
Ink Light, Media Light, and Power Light
begin flashing, release the Power Button.
The green Power/Activity light flashes
when the printer is active, either while
printing or initializing.
The Cancel Button can be used to
discontinue printing. When using PrintWrite, this will only affect the current disc being printed. When
printing through SureThing, this will either cancel the entire print job or just the current disc,
depending on the label being printed.
If a disc is not detected during printing, the Media Light will flash. Verify that you have discs in the
input hopper and press the Media Light to load and print the next disc unless you are printing using
PrintWrite.
The Ink Light will come on if the ink cartridge is low or empty.
Output Bin Sensor
The G3 Disc Publisher is equipped with an output bin sensor to warn you when the output bin is full.
If the bin is full, the Media Light will stay on and you will not be able to print another disc until the bin
is emptied.
Power Button
Cancel Button
Ink Li
g
h
t
Media Light
Power/Activity
Li
g
h
t

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G3 Disc Publisher Installation
The G3 Disc Publisher installation disk includes an Installer that will walk you
through the process step by step. Please use the Installer and follow the
installation steps in order.
The following installation sections are intended only as a reference for the installation process, not as
a guide to installing the G3 Disc Publisher. Performing the installation out of order could result in an
unsuccessful installation.
Installation should always be done when logged in as a user with full Administrator rights.
Windows Component Prerequisites
During the installation process, your PC will be checked to determine if 2 required Microsoft Windows
components are present. If not, these components will be installed. You cannot continue the
installation without installing these necessary Microsoft Windows components.
Connecting to a PC
DO NOT CONNECT YOUR G3 DISC PUBLISHER TO A COMPUTER BEFORE RUNNING
THE INSTALLER LOCATED ON THE INSTALLATION DISK!!
The connection between the PC and the Microboards G3 Disc Publisher is done with one USB cable.
1. Plug in the AC power cord to the back of the G3 Auto Printer.
2. Confirm that the power is turned ON to both the G3 Auto Printer and on your PC.
3. Connect the square shaped end of the USB cable to the back of the G3 Auto Printer.
4. Connect the flat, rectangular end of the USB cable into a USB 2.0 port in
your PC.
5. Turn on the G3 Auto Printer.
USB Cable length exceeding 6 feet between the G3 Disc
Publisher and the PC is not supported!

•Assembly and Installation
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Windows 7 and Vista Hardware Installation
The Microboards G3 Installer should always be run when logged in as user with full Administrator
rights. This is required for the driver pre-installation to be successful. Once the G3 is plugged into
the PC via the USB connection, the hardware will automatically be found and installed on your PC.
During the driver pre-installation, you may need to verify that you would like to install the drivers.
If the Installer is run by a user without full Administrator rights, or you do not verify that the drivers
should be installed, the hardware will need to be installed using the Hardware Wizard. Please follow
the directions below.
Windows XP Hardware Installation
If you are installing the hardware while running the G3 Disc Publisher installer, this process will occur
automatically. The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard will appear during any hardware
installation when not using the Installer. Please follow all directions in the order in which they appear.
Turn on power to the G3 Disc Publisher and PC.
Once the G3 is connected, the operating system will next display the following windows if you are not
running the Installer:
1. Select No, not this time and click
Next.
The following screen will appear:
2. Click the Next button and the files will
be copied from the CD.
3. Click Continue Anyway if this
message should appear.
4. Click Finish for the next step to
appear.

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5. Select No, not this time and click
Next.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Continue Anyway.
8. Click Finish for the next screen.
9. Select No, not this time and click
Next.
10. Click Next.
11. Click Continue Anyway.
12. Click Finish for the next screen.

•Assembly and Installation
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13. Select No, not this time and click Next.
14. Click Next.
15. Click Continue Anyway.
16. Click Finish.

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Setting Printer Alignment
Alignment
The G3 Disc Publisher system has been aligned to 0.1mm precision at the factory. You may need to
fine tune the alignment settings for full surface coverage depending on the media brand and print
surface type. Follow these steps if alignment modification is needed:
1. Launch PrintWrite and configure the Disc Publisher if this has not already been done. (see
page 17).
2. Place inkjet printable media into the input hopper.
3. Click on the Start Button on your Windows computer.
4. Select Settings and then Printers.
5. Right click on the Microboards G Series icon.
6. Select Printing Preferences.
7. Select the Alignment Tab.
8. Select the Resolution of .1mm when aligning the printer.
9. Enter the alignment changes into the Top and Left Side boxes, using the graphic instructions
on the right side as a guide to moving the print image on the disc.
10. Click the Apply button. Do not close the Printing Preferences at this time.
11. Print a full image disc using PrintWrite or SureThing. Please refer to the user manuals for
details on doing so.
12. A disc will be dropped onto the belts and then printed. Once printing is complete, the disc will
be ejected into the output hopper.
13. Examine the printed disc to determine if the alignment is correct. If not, adjust the Top and
Left Side alignment values in the Printing Preferences according to the graphic on the
Alignment tab and repeat steps 11 through 13 with a new disc.
14. Click the OK button on the Printing Preferences once the alignment is complete to close the
window.

•Printing Preferences
14
Printing Preferences
Access the Printing Preferences by clicking the Start Button on your Windows computer. Select
Settings and then select Printers. Right click on the Microboards G Series icon, then select
Printing Preferences. There are 7 tabs across the top of the window. Click each tab to see the
available settings.
Color Tab
The Color Tab allows
you to specify that the
entire image should be
printed in grayscale, or
printed in sepia. You
also have access to
More Color Options
from this tab.
More Color Options
Saturation, Brightness and
Color Tone allow you to fine
tune your print image.
The four ink settings allow you to
change the volumes used of
each specific ink cartridge.

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Advanced Tab
The Advanced Tab allows you to Enable Maximum dpi setting and adjust the amount of ink placed
on the disc using the Ink Volume setting.
Enabling the maximum dpi will result in longer times to process your print image, reducing
throughput.
To change the Ink Volume, click the drop-down
box and select Change. A window will open
with a setting bar for the option selected.
Changing the Ink Volume will affect how
quickly you need to replace your ink cartridges,
but also affects the quality of the printed output.
The default settings are the recommended settings and should be used unless absolutely necessary.
Diameter Settings Tab
The Diameter Settings tab allows
you to change the size of the print
image to accommodate the variety of
printable surface area available on
media.
The Outer and Inner Diameters will
change the size of the area to be
printed. To avoid excessive ink
buildup, these values should never
be set so that the G3 Disc Publisher
is printing off the media.
The Parameter Unit should remain
on the 0.1mm setting for maximum
precision.
You can also select one of the preset Mask Types to change the diameter settings.

•Printing Preferences
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Ink Tab
The Ink Levels show how
much remains of all 3 colors,
Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
NOTE: If you place a used
cartridge in the G3, the ink
level may not be reported
correctly. If the G3 can identify
the cartridge, it may report the
correct ink levels; if not, it will
assume that the ink cartridge is
new and will show ink levels of
100%.
Before each disc is printed, the ink levels are checked. If the level of any one color is has reached
10%, a warning message will be displayed on your PC and printing will be temporarily suspended.
You can either change the cartridge at this point and click OK, or click OK to continue printing using
the same cartridge.
If you continue with the same cartridge, printing will continue uninterrupted until the ink level reaches
5%. The low ink level warning will be displayed once more. Again, either change the cartridge or
continue.
Once the ink level reaches 3% or less, the warning will be displayed before each print.
It is strongly recommended that you replace the cartridge at this point.
The Ink Cartridge information includes the re-order part number for the cartridge.
Alignment Tab
Alignment values will move the print image on the disc. Use the graphic on the right side of the tab
as a guideline in how alignment values should be adjusted.
The Resolution setting should always be set at .1mm for best results.
The Outer and Inner Diameters will
change the size of the area to be
printed. To avoid excessive ink
buildup, these values should never
be set so that the G3 Disc Publisher
is printing off the media.
The default diameter settings are
1180 for the Outer and 360 for the
Inner when the Resolution is at
.1mm. For hub-printable media, the
Inner diameter should be reduced.
You may need to adjust the
alignment depending on the media
you are using (see page 13).

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Print Quality Tab
The Print Quality tab controls the print resolution.
Print Quality
•Best
•Normal
Print Modes
•Text and Graphics
•Photo
Printing Recommendations
Text and Graphics mode is used for printing mainly text information and small, simple graphics.
Below are some examples for images in Fast, Normal and Best Modes:
Text and Graphics – Fast Text and Graphics – Normal Text and Graphics – Best
Photo Mode should be used when printing on the entire
disc or when using detailed graphics. Here is an example:
Photo – Normal, Best,
and 4800x1200 Modes
About Tab
The About tab provides you with contact information for the worldwide Microboards offices.

•The Microboards Printer Toolbox
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The G3 Disc Publisher Software
Your G3 uses Microboards PrintWrite as the Disc Publishing software.
You can print directly from SureThing or other applications if you are only printing, but any
burning must be done using PrintWrite.
Microboards PrintWrite Configuration
The first time you launch PrintWrite, you will be asked to
confirm the configuration of the G3 Disc Publisher
system. This only needs to be done the first time the
software is used, or if there is a change to your hardware.
The Drive, Printer, and COM port will auto-detect your
hardware and enter the information. If the auto-detected
hardware is not correct, use the down arrows in each
listbox to select other available hardware. Use the Test
buttons beside each hardware entry to verify the correct
hardware has been selected.
The Name of the G3 will appear as Publisher by default.
This can be changed to any name you wish.
Please refer to the Microboards PrintWrite User’s Manual
for more information on configuring and operating
PrintWrite.
The Microboards Printer Toolbox
To access the Microboards Toolbox, double-click the toolbox icon located
in the tool tray.
Select the Microboards G Series and click the buttons to access each
maintenance function of the Toolbox for the selected printer.
Print Test Disc
Load an unprinted disc in the input hopper prior to clicking this button to print a Test Disc image.
Exercise Belt
This utility should be run if the printer has been idle for an extended period of time, and can be run
multiple times if necessary. The belts will run at high speed for a period of time to recondition the
belts. It is not necessary to load any media for this utility.
Cleaning
The printheads may require cleaning if the printed images show streaks of color. This may occur if
the Disc Publisher has been idle for an extended period of time.
You will need to place a disc on the belts below the input hopper prior to running the Cleaning.
Running this process more than once may be required if the quality does not improve after cleaning
one time.

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Using SureThing Disc Labeler
SureThing Disc Labeler is included with the G3 Disc Publisher and will be installed during the G3
Installation. For more information on using SureThing, please refer to the SureThing Help menu.
Creating New Labels
Any label you create in SureThing must use the Microboards template to print correctly.
1. To create a new label, either click New Project in the Action window on the left, or select New
from the File menu.
2. Click the Select Label button on the lower left corner of the dialog that opens to view the
available label templates if the dialog that opens does not appear as shown below.
3. Highlight CD/DVD Printers in the Media Type column.
4. Highlight Microboards in the Manufacturer column.
5. Select from the options listed in the Label
Type column.
We recommend that you use the 17mm
inner hole template to ensure that your
image will fully cover the printable
surface on both hub printable and non-
hub printable media, adjusting the
Diameter Settings when changing
between media types (see page 13).
6. Click OK to begin designing the label.
Printing Labels
Select Print from the File menu while the label you want to print is open. Be sure that
you have selected the Microboards G Series and that CD/DVD Printer is selected in
the Print Using field before clicking the Print button.
If you are printing more than one copy of a label, enter in the number you wish to print
before clicking the Print button.
Manual Software Re-Installation
The information in this section will only apply to a manual re-installation of the individual software
packages. If you have not yet installed the G3 Disc Publisher using the Installer, it is recommended
that you do so. Installing the G3 Disc Publisher in an incorrect order could result in an unsuccessful
installation.
PrintWrite Software Re-Installation
There are 3 methods of reinstalling the PrintWrite software should the need arise:
A. (Recommended) Insert the Microboards G3 Disc Publisher Installation CD into the CD/DVD
ROM drive on your computer and select the Repair option when the installer starts. Click the
Disc Publishing Software button to reinstall. Clicking the Install All Applications button
will reinstall the PrintWrite software, SureThing, and the Toolbox.
B. The Disc Publisher installers are also located on the Installation CD. To manually reinstall
PrintWrite, browse to the Applications\PrintWrite directory on the Installation CD and run
setup.exe to reinstall PrintWrite manually.
C. The PrintWrite Disc Publisher software installer was also added to your hard drive in the
event that you need to reinstall but do not have access to the Installation CD. Browse to the
C:\Program Files\Microboards\G3 Installer\ Applications directory on your hard drive and
double-click setup.exe to reinstall PrintWrite.

•Manual Software Re-Installation
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SureThing Labeler Software Re-Installation
There are 3 methods of reinstalling SureThing should the need arise:
A. (Recommended) Insert the Microboards G3 Disc Publisher Installation CD into the CD/DVD
ROM drive on your computer and select the Repair option when the installer starts. Click the
SureThing Disc Labeler button to reinstall SureThing. Clicking the Install All Applications
button will reinstall the Disc Publishing software, SureThing, and the Toolbox.
Follow these steps once the SureThing installer launches:
1. Click Next to continue.
2. Once the User License screen
appears, select I Accept and click
the Next button.
3. If you wish to change the default
Install directory, it can be done here.
Click Next when completed.
4. Click Next to add a shortcut in the
Start Menu.
5. Choose to add an icon to your
desktop and/or a folder in the Start
Menu. Once selected, click Next.
6. Click Install to begin copying the
files.
7. Remove the check to launch
SureThing at this time, then click
Finish.
B. Alternately, you can open the Applications directory on the Installation CD and run
SureThing.exe to install SureThing manually. Follow the on-screen instructions as shown in
steps 1-7 above.
C. The SureThing installer was also added to your hard drive in the event that you need to
reinstall but do not have access to the Installation CD. Run SureThing.exe in the
C:\Program Files\Microboards\G3 Installer\Applications directory on your hard drive.
Follow the on-screen instructions as shown in the steps above.