MicroBoards Technology GX Disc Printer User manual

GX Disc Printer
For Microsoft Windows®2000 & XP
Users Manual
Microboards Technology LLC Version 1.0

•Introduction
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC GX DISC PRINTER
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................................5
WHAT’S INCLUDED ...........................................................................................................................................................5
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................................................6
ASSEMBLY AND INK INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................................6
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................................................................6
GX Disc Printer Assembly............................................................................................................................................6
INSTALLING INK CARTRIDGES...........................................................................................................................................7
Supported Ink Cartridges .............................................................................................................................................7
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges .............................................................................................................................7
GX DISC PRINTER INSTALLATION...........................................................................................................................8
CONNECTING TO A PC.......................................................................................................................................................8
WINDOWS XP INSTALLATION............................................................................................................................................9
SETTING PRINTER ALIGNMENT..............................................................................................................................11
ALIGNMENT.....................................................................................................................................................................11
Print Alignment Disc ..................................................................................................................................................11
GX TOOLBOX.................................................................................................................................................................12
Print Test Disc............................................................................................................................................................12
Print Alignment Disc ..................................................................................................................................................12
Clean...........................................................................................................................................................................12
USING THE GX DISC PRINTER..................................................................................................................................13
LOADING DISCS...............................................................................................................................................................13
SURETHING DISC LABELER.............................................................................................................................................13
Creating New Labels ..................................................................................................................................................13
Printing Labels...........................................................................................................................................................13
PRINTING PREFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................14
PAPER/QUALITY TAB ......................................................................................................................................................14
Printing Recommendations.........................................................................................................................................14
Advanced Features .....................................................................................................................................................15
COLOR TAB.....................................................................................................................................................................15
UTILITY TAB ...................................................................................................................................................................16
Ink Level .....................................................................................................................................................................16
MANUAL SOFTWARE RE-INSTALLATION............................................................................................................17
TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................................................................................18
PRINTER NOT PRINTING ...................................................................................................................................................18
RED LED FLASHING........................................................................................................................................................18
DISK FEED ERROR ...........................................................................................................................................................18
LOW INK INDICATION ......................................................................................................................................................18
PRINTING SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................................................................19
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................................19

•Introduction
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC GX DISC PRINTER
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Introduction
The Microboards GX Disc Printer is a manually loaded CD, DVD, and BD disc printer . Microboards and HP
co-developed the printer technology, allowing up to 4800 x 1200 dpi printing.
SureThing Disc Labeler is packaged with the GX Disc Printer, providing you with an easy tool for designing
and printing your labels.
What’s Included
When unpacking your GX Disc Printer system, the following items should be included:
•GX Disc Printer print system
•GX Disc Printer Quick Start Guide
•Print Sample
•Power Cord
•Alignment CD’s
•Blank Printable CD’s
•Users Manual (This document)
•Microboards GX Disc Printer Install CD (Includes Windows 2000/XP drivers and SureThing
Label software)
•Microboards GX-300HC Color Ink cartridge (14ml)
•USB Printer Cable
•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 Disc Printer 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 Ink Installation
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System Requirements
The Microboards GX Disc Printer has the following minimum requirements and compatibilities:
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP4 or Windows XP with SP2.
Processor
Pentium 4 (or equivalent) CPU, running at 2.0 GHz or faster.
System Memory
Minimum 512 MB of system memory.
Hard Drive Space
Only 10MB of free space is required on the system hard drive for the applications and drivers.
Additional drive space will be required for saved disc labels.
USB Connection
USB 2.0 is recommended. USB 1.1 may be used but is not recommended, as using USB 1.1 may
result in more time being necessary for print images to be passed to the printer.
Assembly and Ink Installation
Assembly Instructions
GX Disc Printer Assembly
Remove the GX Disc Printer system from the shipping box and confirm you received all of the items.
Place the GX Disc Printer on a stable, flat surface. You will need room both above and in front of the
system, as discs will be accessed from both locations.
Remove the front cover and slide the Disc Output Bin onto the lip at the front of the GX Disc Printer.

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Installing Ink Cartridges
Supported Ink Cartridges
The GX Disc Printer uses a single color ink cartridge. The part number for this cartridge is GX-
300HC. If other cartridges are installed, the GX Disc Printer 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 Disc
Printer 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 Disc Printer is on, but it should never be turned on without
an ink cartridge in place.
The GX Disc Printer system ships with one GX-300HC color ink cartridge.
•Remove the front cover. The print cartridge cradle will be on the right side of the GX Disc
Printer, 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.

•GX Disc Printer Installation
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GX Disc Printer Installation
The GX Disc Printer 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 Disc Printer. Performing the installation out of order could result in an
unsuccessful installation.
The GX Disc Printer Installation Quick Reference Guide will show you the order in which the
installation will occur.
Connecting to a PC
DO NOT CONNECT YOUR GX DISC PRINTER TO A COMPUTER BEFORE BEING
PROMPTED TO BY THE INSTALLER, LOCATED ON THE INSTALLATION DISC!!
The connection between the PC and the Microboards GX Disc Printer is done with one USB cable.
1. Plug the power cord into the back panel of the GX Disc
Printer. Do not turn on power to the GX Disc Printer until
an ink cartridge has been installed.
2. Connect the square shaped end of the USB cable into the
back panel of the GX Disc Printer.
3. Connect the flat, rectangular end of the
USB cable into a USB 2.0 port in your
PC.
USB
Power

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Windows XP Installation
The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard will appear during any installation, including when using
the Installer. Please follow all directions in the order in which they appear when using the Installer.
Turn on power to the GX Disc Printer.
Turn on power to the PC.
Windows will now boot up and Windows XP will start stating that new hardware is found.
Insert the Microboards GX Disc Printer CD into a drive in your computer.
The operating system will next display the following screen:
1. Select No, not this time and click
Next.
2. Click Next.
3. Click Continue Anyway.
4. Click Finish for the next screen.
5. Select No, not this time and click
Next.
6. Click Next.

•GX Disc Printer Installation
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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.

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Figure 2
Figure 1
Setting Printer Alignment
Alignment
The GX Disc Printer system has been aligned at the factory. The factory alignment values are on a
label on the back of the GX Disc Printer. Follow these steps to enter the factory values:
•Click on the Start Button on your
Windows computer.
•Select Settings and then
Printers.
•Right click on the Microboards
GX Series icon.
•Select Printing Preferences.
•Select the Utility Tab.
•Click on the .1mm selection in
the Resolution box.
•Enter the values listed with the
GX Disc Printer into the Top and
Left Side boxes.
•Click the Apply button.
•Click the OK button.
•Verify the alignment by printing
an Alignment Disc.
Print Alignment Disc
NOTE: The Alignment Disc should always be printed using
Photo mode for the best accuracy.
1. Place an Alignment CD (see figure 1) in the input bin.
2. Double-click the desktop icon for the Microboards GX
Toolbox
3. Click the Print Alignment Disc button.
4. The alignment guide will be printed on the disc (see figure
2).
5. Confirm the numbers that cross the circle.
6. If the circle does not cross the alignment guide at both zero
points, change the vertical and horizontal numbers in the
Utility Tab by the number at which the circle does cross the
guide.
7. Once the new numbers are entered, click Apply.
8. The Alignment CD pattern is also included on the GX Disc
Printer CD, so you can print additional Alignment patterns
with your GX Disc Printer, once it is aligned. The alignment
circle is 8 cm in diameter and is 2 cm from the outer edge
of the CD.

•GX Disc Printer Installation
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GX Toolbox
A shortcut to the GX Toolbox was added to your desktop during the printer installation.
Double-click the icon to open the toolbox. For each of the functions, a blank disc will need
to be loaded.
Print Test Disc
To confirm the computer is communicating with the GX
Disc Printer, print a Test Disc. This can be done with
one of the inkjet printable CD’s included with your GX
Disc Printer, or an inkjet compatible disc you may
already have. To print the Test Disc:
•Place the inkjet printable media into the input
hopper.
•Click Print Test Disc.
•Once printing is complete, the disc will be
ejected into the output hopper.
Print Alignment Disc
See page 11.
Clean
Click the Clean button to print a design intended to
clean the print nozzles of the ink cartridge. This should
be done if you notice a drop in print quality.

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Using the GX Disc Printer
Loading Discs
You should always load a disc prior to beginning the printing process. The system will accept CD,
DVD, or BD 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 Disc Printer will only accept 12 cm
discs. Business card or 8 cm discs are not supported by this system.
Place each disc to be printed on the belts in the Input Bin at the back of
the DX Disc Printer.
DO NOT load more than 1 disc in the system at a time, or load a disc
until the previous disc has reached the Output Bin, as this will cause the
discs to feed incorrectly.
SureThing Disc Labeler
SureThing Disc Labeler is included with the GX Disc Printer and will be installed during the GX Disc
Printer 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.
It is recommended that you
choose 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.
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 GX 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. After each disc is printed, there will be a 5-second delay to allow for time to load
another disc before the printer begins the print process again. If you do not load a disc within that 5-
second delay, do not be concerned; after the GX Disc Printer fails to detect a disc, load the next disc
into the Input Bin and click the OK button on the top of the GX Disc Publisher to continue.

•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.
Paper/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 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. Here
is an example:
Photo – Normal Best
and 4800x1200 Modes

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Advanced Features
Advanced Features allow you to adjust the
amount of ink placed on the disc using the
Ink Volume setting, and adjust the Dry
Time of the disc.
Color Tab
Saturation, Brightness and Color Tone
allow you to fine tune your print image.
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.

•Printing Preferences
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Utility Tab
The Resolution setting should always be set at .1mm
for best results.
Alignment values will move the print image on the
disc.
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 Disc
Printer is printing off the media.
Ink Level
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, the ink level may not be reported correctly. If the GX
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.

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Manual Software Re-Installation
This section will only apply to a manual re-installation of the SureThing software package. If you
have not yet installed the GX Auto Printer using the Installer, it is recommended that you do so.
There are 3 methods of reinstalling SureThing should the need arise:
A. (Recommended) Insert the Microboards GX Disc Printer 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.
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\GX Installer\Applications directory on your hard drive.
Follow the on-screen instructions as shown in steps 1-7 above.

•Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting
Printer not printing
1. Confirm the GX Disc Printer is plugged into a power source and is turned on. The ON/OFF
switch is located at the back of the unit, above the power cable connector.
2. Confirm the green light on the power button is lit on the front panel. If AC
power is on and the green light is off, press the power button firmly and
wait for several seconds. If the light still does not come on, contact
Microboards Technical Support.
3. Confirm the GX Disc Printer is connected to the computer, with a USB cable. This can be
checked by clicking on Start, going to Settings and selecting Printers. Confirm the printer is
listed and is active. If the icon is not active, make sure the Use Printer Offline is not selected.
Also check to make sure the correct printer port is selected.
Red LED Flashing
This indicates an out of media state. Load media and press the OK button on the GX Auto Printer to
clear the error state.
If a dialog appears on the PC stating that the printer did not recognize any media, you will need to
press the OK button on the printer and click the OK button in the dialog to clear the error state.
Disk Feed error
1. If a disc is not loaded correctly, an error message will be displayed on your PC. Check to see
if there are any discs on the belt. Remove any discs that are left on the belt.
2. Lift the cover and check for any discs on the front deck of the GX Disc Printer. Remove any
discs found on the belts. Close the cover.
Low Ink indication
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.
If you notice poor ink quality or a missing color in your prints at any time, replace the ink cartridge.

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Printing Specifications
Print Speed:
Depends upon percentage of coverage and print mode selected
Approx. 45 seconds for 100% full-color coverage, Photo Normal Mode
Approx. 20 seconds for 100% full-color coverage, Text & Graphics Best Mode
Approx. 12 seconds for 20% coverage Text & Graphics, Normal Mode
Ink Cartridge Types:
Microboards GX-300HC
Media Types:
Printable-surface 120mm CD-R or DVD-R
Label Editing Software:
SureThing™ First Edition Software for Windows included
Maximum Print Width:
4.72” (120mm)
Power Supply:
Auto Detect AC Power:
90VAC – 240VAC, 47Hz – 63Hz
Warranty:
One Year Limited Warranty
Print Technology:
HP Thermal Inkjet
Print Quality, Black: 600 x 600 dpi, with HP PhotoREt
Print Quality, Color: up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi, with HP PhotoREt
Color Technology: HP PhotoREt
Memory:
64MB
Connectivity:
USB. USB 2.0 recommended
Technical Support
For technical questions or support issues, please contact Microboards Technology technical support
at PH: 952-556-1639, FAX: [phone], by email at [e-mail] or on the web at
http://www.microboards.com.