Product: Magnetic Encoder Model 3840(Reader/Writer)

1. How do I connect the reader to the host computer?

For an RS-232 interface device, plug the 9-pin cable into the available COM port on the host and then power it up using the power adaptor provided.

For the USB serial interface device, plug the USB-A cable into a USB port on the computer, then power it up using the power adaptor provided.

2. How do I verify the functionality of the Reader/Writer?

1. Launch the EzWriter WorkShop Utility program with the unit connected and powered up.

2. Select the Setup button; select the COM port where the unit is connected, if prompted when the program launches.

3. To verify the card read capability:

   1. Click the Read function button.

   2. Swipe a sample magnetic card (e.g., a credit card) through the unit at the prompt, making sure the magnetic stripe is facing away from the LED and the card moves through the slot from the bigger open end towards the smaller open end.

   3. Check the Message window and the Track 1, 2, and 3 data window for the status and card data.

   4. Select the Cancel button to exit the Read mode.

4. To verify the card write (encode) capability:

   1. Type some data in the Track data windows.

   2. Select the card type (Low-co or High-co), then select the Write function button.

   3. At the prompt, swipe a blank card through the slot, making sure the magnetic stripe is facing away from the LED and the card moves through the slot from the bigger open end towards the smaller open end.

   4. Check the Message window for status.

   5. Click the Cancel button to exit the WRITE mode.

   6. If desired, select the Read button and swipe the card to verify the data being encoded.

3. I have an IDT3840 encoder, but my PC does not have a free COM port. Is there a way to use it through a USB port?

Yes. You can use our USB/Serial converter cable (P/N: IDT1221U) with the cable that came with the IDT3840 and install our USB serial driver to create a virtual COM port. Set up our utility or your application software to communicate with the unit through the virtual COM port.

4. What should I do when I get a “Write card error” by trying to write to a card?

Find out if the blank card that you are trying to write the data on is a high-coercivity or low-coercivity type card. If you don't know, check with your card supplier. Select the Hi-C or Lo-C option accordingly in the utility program.

If your card is a high-coercivity type, make sure the Reader/Writer that you have is the right model (the model number should look like this: IDT3840-xxHL).

5. Why are the Hi-C and Lo-C options grayed out in the utility program?

This means the Reader/Writer that you are using is only able to write on a low coercivity type card (Refer to General Support Related Questions: Product Identification to verify the model number).

6. Why do I get the “Read card error” message but the data appears correct when I read a card?

Check the card swiping direction and make sure the card moves from the bigger open end toward the smaller open end of the slot.

7. Why is there no response in the utility program when I try to read my credit card?

The card is facing the wrong side when swiped through the unit. The magnetic stripe should be facing the narrow side of the slot, away from the LED.

8. Why are there extra leading and ending characters when I read a just-encoded card ?

The “extra” characters are the standard sentinels required for each track; they are based on the card type selected. The utility program encodes the sentinels with the card data for each track automatically. The sentinels should not be added to the card data for writing when encoding a card using standard a card type (such as ISO, AAMVA, or CA Old DMV).

9. My application does not work when the sentinels are sent with the card data; how do I remove the sentinels?

You can remove the sentinels by re-configuring the card reader sending the card data into the application software.

10. How do I encode the Enter or Tab functions key on the card?

You can not encode function codes such as Enter or Tab on the card (download the manual to see the character set that can be encoded on each track). However, you can re-configure the magnetic card reader to insert the Enter or Tab as needed to meet the application software's expectations.

11. I am developing my own application.  I can send the command to turn on the LED lights, etc. However, I kept getting an error response when sending the sample write command code from the appendix section of the manual.

Try sending the Set BPC command first, then the Write command.

12. What should I do when I get a communication Error or a MSR106/206 found or not find Reader/Write?

1. Check the connection to make sure the unit is reliably connected to the COM port.

2. Click on the Setup button in the utility program and make sure the correct COM port is selected.

3. Check to see if there is any other application currently connecting to the COM port where the unit is connected. If yes, please release the COM port by closing that application.

4. If all the above have been checked and still have the error message, have the COM port checked or test the unit on another PC.

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