MicroBoards Technology GX-2 User manual

GX-2 Disc Publisher
For Microsoft Windows®Vista, XP, and 2000
Users Manual
Microboards Technology LLC Version 3.0

•Introduction
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC GX-2 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
GX-2 Disc Publisher Assembly.....................................................................................................................................6
INSTALLING INK CARTRIDGES...........................................................................................................................................7
Supported Ink Cartridges .............................................................................................................................................7
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges .............................................................................................................................7
LOADING DISCS.................................................................................................................................................................8
FRONT PANEL POWER BUTTON .........................................................................................................................................8
GX-2 DISC PUBLISHER INSTALLATION..............................................................................................................................9
WINDOWS COMPONENT PREREQUISITES ...........................................................................................................................9
CONNECTING TO A PC.......................................................................................................................................................9
WINDOWS VISTA HARDWARE INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................10
WINDOWS XP HARDWARE INSTALLATION......................................................................................................................10
SETTING PRINTER ALIGNMENT..............................................................................................................................13
ALIGNMENT.....................................................................................................................................................................13
PRINTING PREFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................14
PRINT QUALITY TAB .......................................................................................................................................................14
Printing Recommendations.........................................................................................................................................14
COLOR TAB.....................................................................................................................................................................15
Advanced Color Settings.............................................................................................................................................15
INK TAB ..........................................................................................................................................................................16
ALIGNMENT TAB.............................................................................................................................................................16
ABOUT TAB.....................................................................................................................................................................16
THE GX-2 DISC PUBLISHER SOFTWARE...............................................................................................................17
MICROBOARDS PRINTWRITE...........................................................................................................................................17
PRASSI ZULU2.................................................................................................................................................................17
ZULU2TEMPORARY FILES AND VISTA ............................................................................................................................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
Printing Labels...........................................................................................................................................................20
MANUAL SOFTWARE RE-INSTALLATION............................................................................................................20
DISC PUBLISHING SOFTWARE RE-INSTALLATION............................................................................................................20
SURETHING LABELER SOFTWARE RE-INSTALLATION .....................................................................................................21
TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................................................................................22
PRINTER NOT PRINTING: ..................................................................................................................................................22
DISK LOADING ERROR:....................................................................................................................................................22
LOW INK INDICATION:.....................................................................................................................................................22
DISCS NOT LOADING WHEN PRINTING FROM SURETHING ................................................................................................22
PRINTING SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................................................................23
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................................23

•Introduction
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC GX-2 DISC PUBLISHER
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Introduction
The Microboards GX-2 Disc Publisher is a single drive, 50 disc, print and record system. The GX-2 combines
industrial strength 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 GX-2 Disc Publisher system, the following items should be included:
•GX-2 Disc Publisher print and record system
•GX-2 Disc Publisher Quick Start Guide
•GX-2 Unpack Guide
•Print Sample
•Power Cord
•Blank Printable CD’s
•Users Manual (This document)
•Microboards Disc Publisher Install CD (Includes Windows 2000/XP/Vista 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 GX-2 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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Input Rods
Output Bin
System Requirements
The Microboards GX-2 Disc Publisher has the following minimum requirements and compatibilities:
Operating System
Microboards PrintWrite Disc Publishing software: Windows XP with SP2, or Windows Vista (32-
bit only).
Zulu2 Disc Publishing software is required for Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP4.
Processor
Pentium 4 (or equivalent) CPU, running at 2.0 GHz or faster.
System Memory
Minimum 512 MB of system memory. More memory is suggested for DVD recording operation.
Hard Drive Space
Only 10MB 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
GX-2 Disc Publisher Assembly
Remove the GX-2 Disc Publisher system from the shipping box and
confirm you received all of the items.
Place the GX-2 Disc Publisher on a stable, flat surface. You will
need room both in front and to the left of the system, as discs will be
accessed from both locations.
The input bin posts are pre-installed, with the wide post to the front.
The Reject Bin is pre-installed on the left side of the GX-2 Disc
Publisher. This bin, which slides out, should be emptied when you
know discs have been rejected.
Slide the 50-disc Output Bin into the channel between the feet at the
front of the GX-2 Disc Publisher, shown below.

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Installing Ink Cartridges
Supported Ink Cartridges
The GX-2 Disc Publisher uses a single color ink cartridge. The part number for this cartridge is GX-
300HC. If other cartridges are installed, the GX-2 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 GX-2 Disc
Publisher system. Use of these types of cartridges will cause the printer to fail. Use of these
types of cartridges will void the warranty.
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges
Cartridges can be changed while the GX-2 Disc Publisher is on, but it should never be turned on
without an ink cartridge in place.
The GX-2 Disc Publisher system ships with one Microboards GX-300HC color ink cartridge.
•Remove the front cover. The print cartridge cradle will be on the right side of the GX-2 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 print cartridge from its packaging and carefully remove the plastic tape.
Hold the print cartridge so that the copper strip is at the bottom.
•With the front of the new ink cartridge tilted down, slide the cartridge into the cradle.
•Tilt the front of the cartridge back up to lock the ink cartridge in place.
•Replace the front cover.
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 GX-2 Disc Publisher with output 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 GX-2 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 GX-2 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 Panel Power Button
The AC power switch located on the back of the GX-2 Disc Publisher must be turned on first in order
to supply power to the Front Panel.
The Power button on the front panel of the GX-2 Disc Publisher turns the GX-2
Disc Publisher Printer on and off. It may take a few seconds for the GX-2 Disc
Publisher Printer to turn on after you press the Power button. The green light at
the base of the Power button flashes when the printer is processing.
This switch does not affect power to the drive within the GX-2 Disc Publisher.

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GX-2 Disc Publisher Installation
The GX-2 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 GX-2 Disc Publisher. Performing the installation out of order could result in
an unsuccessful installation.
The GX-2 Disc Publisher Installation Quick Reference Guide will show you the order in which the
installation will occur.
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 GX-2 DISC PUBLISHER TO A COMPUTER BEFORE
RUNNING THE INSTALLER LOCATED ON THE INSTALLATION DISK!!
The connection between the PC and the Microboards GX-2 Disc Publisher is done with one USB
cable.
1. Confirm that the power is turned OFF on the GX-2 Disc Publisher and on your PC.
2. Plug in the AC power cord to the back of the GX-2 Disc Publisher. Do not turn on power to
the GX-2 Disc Publisher until an ink cartridge has been installed.
3. Connect the square shaped end of the USB cable to the back of the GX-2 Disc Publisher.
4. Connect the flat, rectangular end of the USB cable into a USB 2.0 port in
your PC.
USB Cable length exceeding 6 feet between the GX-2 Disc
Publisher and the PC is not supported!

•Assembly and Installation
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Windows Vista Hardware Installation
The Microboards GX-2 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 GX-2 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 GX-2 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 GX-2 Disc Publisher and PC.
Once the GX-2 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 GX-2 Disc Publisher system has been aligned at the factory. The factory alignment values are on
a label on the back of the GX-2 Disc Publisher. Follow these steps to enter the factory values:
1. Launch your Disc Publishing software
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 GX
Series icon.
6. Select Printing Preferences.
7. Select the Alignment Tab.
8. Select the Resolution of .1mm when
aligning the printer.
9. Enter the values listed with the GX-2
Disc Publisher into the Top and Left
Side boxes.
10. Click the Apply button. Do not close the Printing Preferences at this time.
11. Print a full image disc using PrintWrite or Zulu2. 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
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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 GX Series icon, then select
Printing Preferences.
Print Quality Tab
Print Quality
•Best
•Normal
•Fast
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

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Color Tab
Color Space defines the range of colors
that can be printed. sRGB/sYCC will be
the setting selected unless your image
specifically was created using the
AdobeRGB standard.
Click the Advanced color settings
button on the Color tab to access the
controls.
Advanced Color Settings
Saturation, Brightness and Color Tone allow you to fine tune your print image.
The individual colors levels can be manipulated using the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black slide
bars. Moving the slide bar pointers to the left decreases the color level, while moving the slide bar
pointers to the right increases the levels. You can also enter a specific value between -50 and 50 in
the number field to the left of the slide bars. Click the OK button when your changes are complete.
The default levels for all Advanced Color settings is 0.

•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 GX-2, the ink
level may not be reported
correctly. If the GX-2 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 GX-
2 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).
About Tab
The About tab provides you with contact information for the worldwide Microboards offices.

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The GX-2 Disc Publisher Software
Your GX-2 will use either Microboards PrintWrite or Zulu2 as the Disc Publishing software. If your PC
has Windows XP (Service Pack 2 minimum required) or Windows Vista as the Operating System,
PrintWrite will be installed as the default disc publishing software. If your PC is running Windows
2000 Operating System, you will only be given the option of installing and running Zulu2.
All printing and burning is done using either PrintWrite or Zulu2. Do not print using
SureThing, as SureThing does not control the loading and unloading process.
Microboards PrintWrite
PrintWrite is not supported on any PC running Windows 2000 as the Operating System.
The first time you launch PrintWrite, you will be asked to confirm the configuration of the GX-2 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.
Please refer to the Microboards PrintWrite User’s Manual for more information on configuring and
operating PrintWrite.
Prassi Zulu2
The first time the user launches Zulu2, the software will ask you to configure the GX-2 Disc Publisher
system. This only needs to be done the first time the software is used.
When launching Zulu2, the following screen appears:
When the GX-2 Disc Publisher is installed, Windows creates a
new COM port. This new port is used by the GX-2 Disc
Publisher. The new port can be determined by looking at the
device manager.
To view the device manager, right click on My Computer from the
Windows Desktop or the Start button menu and select Manage.
The Computer Management
screen will appear, as shown to the
right.
Click the + sign to the left of the
Ports (COM & LPT) selection to
show the details.
You will see an entry labeled USB
Serial Port (COMx) entry for each
GX-2 Disc Publisher you have
installed. The COMx will be the
COM port number to be entered
into the Configure screen.
Select the Comm Port as found on
the Computer Management
screen.
Next, select the Recorder Drive
and the Printer.

•The Microboards Printer Toolbox
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To confirm you have made the correct selection, you can click on the Tbutton next to each item, as
follows:
•When the Tis pressed for the COM Port, the disc flippers will move up and down.
•When the Tis pressed for the recorder, the tray will open and then close.
•When the Tis pressed for the Printer, the belts will move in reverse.
If the actions listed above do not occur, or an error message appears, an incorrect entry was
selected. Change the entry and test again. Click the OK button when each test is successful.
The system will now initialize the GX-2 Disc Publisher. The belts will be cleared of any discs and any
discs in the recorders will be removed and rejected.
Once initialization is complete, the system is ready for use.
Please see the Zulu2 for Microboards Disc Publishers manual for more information on using Zulu2.
Zulu2 Temporary Files and Vista
Microsoft Vista includes a security feature called
the User Account Control (UAC), which is by
default on. Because of this security feature, the
location of any temporary files must be specified or
Vista will not allow the files to be stored.
Select Options under the Zulu2 Tools menu, then
click the Temporary Files tab. Select the This
specific folder option, browse to a location, then
click OK.
Temporary files are used by Zulu2 during
Streaming mode and Disc-to-Disc duplication.
The Microboards Printer Toolbox
To access the Microboards Toolbox, double-click the toolbox icon located
in the tool tray.
Select the Microboards GX Series and click the buttons to access a particular 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 GX-2 Disc Publisher and will be installed during the GX-2
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 to view the available label
templates if the dialog does not appear as shown to the right.
3. Highlight CD/DVD Printers in the Media Type column.
4. Highlight Microboards in the center 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 16).
6. Click OK to begin designing the label. For assistance in using SureThing, press the F1 key while
SureThing is open for help.

•Manual Software Re-Installation
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Printing Labels
In order for the robotics of the GX-2 Disc Publisher to load media, you must print from within either
PrintWrite or Zulu2. Attempting to print from any other application will cause the loading of the media
to fail.
Also, you can only print SureThing files or .prn files that have been created specifically for the GX-2.
When printing from PrintWrite, start a Print Only project. Follow the steps listed in the PrintWrite
User’s Manual for the Print Only project.
For printing discs using Zulu2, select Print Only from the Robotics menu.
The System cannot be changed. Enter the Number
of copies you wish to print. Click the Browse button
to locate the SureThing file you wish to print.
Double-click the file once it is located.
Once the file has been selected, the Print button will
be enabled. Load enough media for the number of
copies you selected and click the Print button to
begin printing.
The Cancel button will bring you back to the Zulu2
main window without printing.
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 GX-2 Disc Publisher using the Installer, it is
recommended that you do so. Installing the GX-2 Disc Publisher in an incorrect order could result in
an unsuccessful installation.
Disc Publishing Software Re-Installation
The Disc Publishing software that is used will depend on the Operating System of your PC. If your
PC uses Windows XP or Vista, Microboards PrintWrite should be installed. If your PC has Windows
2000, you must reinstall Prassi Zulu2.
PrintWrite is not supported on any PC running Windows 2000 as the Operating System.
There are 3 methods of reinstalling the Disc Publishing software should the need arise:
A. (Recommended) Insert the Microboards GX-2 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 Disc Publishing software, SureThing, and the Toolbox.
Using this method of reinstallation will automatically reinstall the correct software for
your Operating System.
Follow these steps once the Disc Publishing software installer launches:
B. The Disc Publisher installers are also located on the Installation CD.
a. To manually reinstall PrintWrite, browse to the Applications\PrintWrite directory on the
Installation CD and run setup.exe to reinstall PrintWrite manually.
b. To reinstall Zulu2, browse to the GX2 Installer\Applications directory on the Installation
CD and run Prassi Zulu2 for Microboards Setup (EFIGS).exe.
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\GX2 Installer\ Applications directory on your hard drive
and double-click setup.exe to reinstall PrintWrite.