On-screen icon gave data card, but no peripherals (6)
I believe the answer is:
avatar
'on-screen icon' is the definition.
(screen icons representing a person)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
(Other definitions for avatar that I've seen before include "Personal online icon" , "Personification of an idea - 2009 James Cameron film" , "Divine incarnation" , "Internet ID icon" , "Online image" .)