Support/FAQs

Section 1 – Barcode Tagger:

Section 2 – Printer:

Section 1 – Barcode Tagger:

How do I make a Mixed tag?
At the “Tag:” prompt, press the ENTER key, without inputting any zip code. Return to Top

When I try to make a Mixed AADC tag, it comes up as “Invalid Tag”. What am I doing wrong?
You are using a Custom Origin Line that is not associated with a valid 3-digit origin zip. Go back to the main menu and select “Origin”, and then choose “Custom Origin Line”. Select the custom origin line you were using. When the editor screen comes up, enter “99″, then <ENTER>. Now you are asked to input the 3-Digit Point of Entry. You MUST input a valid 3-digit zip here. If you input an invalid 3-digit zip (“000″, “001″, etc.) or nothing at all, you will always get the “Invalid Tag” message when you try to make a residual tag, such as a Mixed AADC. Return to Top

My post office says some of my tags are incorrect. What should I do?
Call Whittier Mailing Products’ Service Support at (562) 464-3000. Or email support@traytag.com.

Have the following information ready: the Tagger software (disk) version # (“0303-002″, etc.), the class, category and sortation type of mail, the origin zip code, and exactly what was entered at the “Tag:” prompt. Give the exact wording of what the printed tag actually says, as well as what the post office tells you it should say.

We will check it out and get back to you soon. Don’t worry! The odds are very good that you are right and your local post office just isn’t aware of the latest DMM changes. We will verify the accuracy of the printed tag, and provide references to the appropriate USPS documentation to prove it. Return to Top

I need to print tags that read: “ADC Twin Valley CA 90197″ and “ADC San Antonio TX 78099″, but every time I key in “90197″ or “78099″ your machine tells me they are invalid tags. What should I do?
The reason your Tagger computer treats these as invalid is because it requires a valid 3- or 5-digit zip code as input, and according to the way both the Postal Service and our programming staff define “zip code”, these are in fact invalid.

The Postal Service defines “Zip Code” as follows:
“ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Code — Established in 1963, the system of 5-digit codes that identifies the individual post office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with an address.” What is essential here is that a zip code is associated with a mail delivery address. In other words, there are actual homes or businesses that have that zip code as part of their mailing address. There are no homes or businesses in 90197 or 78099.

The USPS also publishes (at least on magnetic media) a monthly-or-so list of every valid City/State/Zip Code combination, simply referred to as the “City/State file”. It lists every valid 5-digit zip code, along with the correct city and state associated with it. Neither of these invalid zip codes are on that list.

The 5-digit numbers you refer to are valid components of possible tray and sack tags, but despite the remarkable resemblance, they are not zip codes. For instance, many of these are part of the Destination line required for classes of mail that reference DMM Labeling List L004. For example, an ADC tray containing mail for 902, 906, 910 & 916 may be correctly addressed to ADC Twin Valley CA 90197, but 90197 is not a zip code.

In order to generate any tag, what the Tagger computer is asking for is an example of what is in the tray or sack. All you do is input an example (such as 902) of what’s in the tray, and it automatically figures out that the tag should be addressed to ADC Twin Valley CA 90197.

In short, you are not expected to have to know what should be printed on the tag, only what is in the tray or sack. Return to Top

No power?
Is the power supply correct for this control unit?  It should have a 5 Volt DC output.
A Printer power supply (20 or 24 Volts AC output) will not work, and may damage the control unit. Is the switch on the right side of the control unit in the ON (“1″) position? Is the power supply cable plugged into the control unit? Is the power supply plugged into the wall or a power strip? Is the power strip turned on?  Most power strips have an indicator light to show when power is on. Try plugging in some other device that you know is working (such as a lamp) into the same outlet the printer or control unit was plugged into. If you have another control unit, try using the other control unit’s power supply or connect the other control unit to thispower supply.  If there is a problem in the control unit itself or in the power supply, this method will allow you to pinpointwhere the problem is.  If you swap power supplies, make sure both are control unit power supplies (5 Volt DC output). DO NOT swap with a printer power supply (~20V Volt AC output). Return to Top

Unable to read display?
Adjust the LCD Contrast by turning the slot located on the back of the control unit with a small standard screwdriver. Return to Top

Currently Installed Version Won’t Start or is experiencing a Module Line … error message?
If the currently installed update won’t start or doesn’t work correctly you can still load in a new update without accessing the Update System menu as long as you have a working diskette copy of a recent update.

  1. If you need a diskette, download the latest Tagger update at www.traytag.com.
  2. Perform a Complete Reinstall. Turn the unit off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.  After a short wait the Copyright screen appears, and the message “Press NEW to Enter Setup” apperars at the center of the screen (for about one second).
  3. Press the [NEW] key before the message disappears. If the Diskette Installation screen doesn’t come up, restart the unit and try again.
  4. Insert an update diskette into the disk drive.
  5. To keep the internally stored jobs and settings, select “[2] Update software from diskette”.  This is the same as updating from the Update System menu.
  6. Choose “[1] Complete reinstall” to load the update and delete all previous jobs and settings. The rest of the installation is identical to routine diskette updating from the Update System menu.
  7. Choose “[3] Continue normally” to exit without reinstalling.

Tagger 700, Release 0303-002

  1. Complete reinstall, losing current settings (origin, etc)
  2. Update software from diskette
  3. Continue normal Return to Top

Update Not Found/Error reading diskette/System Not Updating?
Check the disk label, is it labeled Barcode Tagger 600 for the BT600/BT610 and/or Barcode Tagger 700 for the BT700? Make sure the proper disk is in the machine.

If the label is correct and the disk drive lights up, create a new update diskette by visiting our updates page on our website WWW.TRAYTAG.COM or call us for a replacement diskette. Return to Top

When trying to print a tag, the computer display says “printer not responding”?

Initializing devices …

Tray Printer not responding

Eltron 2742, LT7 (COM1) (or LT8)

Press ENTER to try again.

Is the serial cable plugged into the correct com port on the control unit? Is the correct printer (“LT7 or LT8 Printer”) and com port selected from the computer’s Printer menu? Press [PREV] to reach the On Demand Utilities menu. Press [9] to reach the Systems Functions menu, Press [2] device settings to change and/or check the printer/com port setting. Is the printer on, loaded with paper, and on-line?  The green light must be on. Is the correct printer cable connected?  You must use the 9-pin male to 9-pin female serial cable.  A parallel printer cable for any other printer will not work for the LT7or LT8, even though there is a connector on the back of the printer that fits this type of cable. Return to Top

When trying to print a tag, the computer display says “ACT printer not responding”?:

Initializing devices …

Act Printer not responding

Eltron 2742, LT7 (COM2)

Press ENTER to try again.

Is ACT Tags set to Yes in the On Demand Menu? Change to No or set up an ACT Tag printer in the computer’s Printer menu if you want to print ACT tags. NOTE: ACT tags are no longer authorized to be printed nor accepted by the Post Office since the events of September 11, 2001. Return to Top

When trying to print a tag, it does not feed from printer and error message does not appear on the screen?
From the On Demand Utilities menu change [4] Routing Tags to either tray or sack. Return to Top

Day of the week appears on the bottom of the tag?
From the On Demand Utilities menu, Press[5]Tray Tag Options and change [3] Service Standard to No. Return to Top

3 Digit alphabetic code appears on the middle right side of the tag?
From the On Demand Utilities menu, Press [5] Tray Tag Options and change [1] Airport Code to No. Return to Top

Administrative password required/Asterisks blocking menu options?
Security level is set up on the Tagger and requires a 4 digit administration password.

Administration password:

ENTER) return to previous menu

If unable to find out the password then a complete reinstall complete reinstall of the software will be required. See section: Currently Installed Version Won’t Start or is experiencing a Module Line … error message for instructions performing a complete reinstall. Return to Top

Keyboard not responding?
Shut the control unit off and turn back on. Return to Top

Turns on and off intermittently?
Plug into a surge protected power strip. Return to Top

Lines through LCD screen?
Shut the control unit off and turn back on. Return to Top

Section 2 – Printer:

No power
Is the power supply correct for this printer?   It should have a 20 Volt DC (LT7) or 24 Volt (LT8) output.  A standard LT power supply (14 Volts AC) will not work, and may damage the printer. Is the power switch on the printer in the ON (“1″) position? Is the power supply cable plugged into the printer? If the power supply has an indicator light, is it on? Is the power supply plugged into the wall or a power strip? Is the power strip turned on?  Most power strips have an indicator light to show when power is on. Try plugging in some other device that you know is working (such as a lamp) into the same outlet the printer or control unit was plugged into. If you have another LT7 (or LT8) printer, try using the other LT7 (or LT8) power supply.  Or, connect the other LT7/LT8 printer to this power supply.  If there is a problem in the printer itself or in the power supply, this method will allow you to pinpoint where the problem is.  If you swap power supplies, make sure the other one is an LT7 (20 Volts DC) or LT8 (24 Volts DC) power supply (NOT a standard LT or Control Unit power supply). Return to Top

The printer has paper in it, but light comes on red or orange instead of green?
Tap the FEED button until the light turns green. Is the paper loaded properly?
Perform the Gap Sensor Calibration Gap Sensor Calibration procedure. Return to Top

Printing is off the end of the tag, or partly on the next tag:
Exit from the Print Tags menu by pressing the NEW key. Perform the Gap Sensor Calibration procedure. Are you using the correct paper?  You must use WMP paper and 2 up tags will not work. Return to Top

The POWER / FAULT light stays red or orange:
Is the paper correctly loaded?  Try turning the printer off, re-loading the paper and turning it back on again. Perform the Gap Sensor Calibration procedure. Return to Top

Printer seems to need frequent re-calibration:
Check the front guide tabs for excess play between the tabs and the edge of the paper.  The tag stock must move through the printer in a perfectly straight line in order to maintain accurate calibration. Return to Top

Printing is faded, splotchy or partly missing:
Has the tag stock become desensitized due to age or exposure to heat or direct sunlight?  Try using recently purchased stock. Check for piece of label, tape, dirt, etc. on print head. Clean print head. Return to Top

Calibrating the Gap Sensor on the printer
Perform the following calibration procedure if your printer does not hold its vertical alignment, stops in the middle of a tag, prints off the end of a tag, or if the red or amber  indicator light comes on while loading tag stock or printing. Paper must be loaded into the printer in order to perform the calibration procedure.
1.  Turn the printer off.
2.  While holding the Feed key down, turn the printer on. When the printer begins to feed labels, release the Feed key. The printer should feed out several blank tags, then print several lines of diagnostic information, ending with “NOW IN DUMP MODE”.

If it does not print this message, go back to step #1 and try again.

3.  After the “NOW IN DUMP MODE” message appears, press the Feed key again to return to normal operating mode. The message “OUT OF DUMP MODE” will be printed and the POWER / FAULT light will turn green.  Calibration is now complete. Return to Top