|
Frequently Asked
Questions: Metrologic Barcode Scanners
Q. How do I turn off
UPC-A check digit?
A. UPC-A check digit is most likely the default setting on your scanner.
To format the scanner so that it will not transmit UPC-A check digit, go
to the Configuration Guide for your scanner model. The table of contents
will guide you to the correct section. In that section, you will be able
to scan a bar code to re-configure your scanner so that UPC-A check
digit is no longer transmitted.
Q. How do I transmit Lead Zero on UPC-E?
A. Refer to the Configuration Guide for your scanner model, then scan
the appropriate bar code to re-configure your scanner to transmit Lead
Zero.
Q. How do I tell what the "mil" of my bar code is? What
does "mil" mean?
A. "Mil" is a measurement. The width of the narrowest bar is
the minimum mil size.
Q. Will the HoloTrak scanner be able to interface with my mainframe,
and has Metrologic interfaced with my particular hardware and software
before?
A. When the scanner downloads decoded bar code information, HoloTrak
provides the host system with alphanumeric characters.
Q. Why don’t I get data
to the screen when using RS-232 device driver?
A. You may be using the wrong communications port, RS-232 Mode may not
be enabled, or you may have the wrong baud rate. Refer to pages 64 to 66
of the MetroSelect® Single Line Configuration Guide for a list of
default settings and re-formatting bar codes.
Q. Is a power supply required when using Voyager for keyboard wedge?
A: In most cases, no. However, not all PC’s supply enough current to
power the scanner and a power supply will be required.
Q. Are the lasers in your
scanners safe?
A. When the scanners are handled and installed properly, the answer is
yes. Lasers are grouped in four classes. Class I is considered the least
dangerous; Class IV requires strict control measures. Many Metrologic
scanners have been designed to operate as Class II devices. According to
the Laser Institute of America*, a Class II laser is defined as follows:
"A Class II laser or laser system must emit a visible laser beam.
Because of its brightness, Class II laser light will be too dazzling to
stare into for extended periods. Momentary viewing is not considered
hazardous since the upper radiant power limit on this type of device is
less than the MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) for momentary exposure
of 0.25 second or less. Intentional extended viewing, however, is
considered hazardous."
*The Laser Institute of
America is a professional society dedicated to fostering laser safety
worldwide
Q. Can I connect my
MS951-47 to my laptop?
A. No. You will need to order the MS951-48 single-ended scanner.
Q. Why does the keyboard
lock up on my keyboard wedge scanner? The scanner beeps but nothing
appears on-screen.
A. Make sure you are connected properly. A common mistake is to plug one
end of the ‘Y’ cable into the mouse port, instead of the keyboard
port.
Q. My keyboard wedge
scanner worked on my old computer, but will not work with my upgraded
system.
A. Check the voltage coming out of your keyboard port and compare to
required voltage in your installation and users guide. Newer computers
may not have sufficient power to run the scanner. If you do not have
enough power to run the scanner, you may have to purchase a scanner with
an external power supply.
Q. My RS-232 scanner
beeps at the bar code but nothing appears on-screen.
A. The scanner simply transmits the information to the COM port. You
must have a driver to pick up the information and insert it into your
software.
Q. Is a power supply
required for all Metrologic scanners?
A. Scanners equipped with PowerLink cables do not require a separate
power supply, provided that the PC/register is supplying adequate power.
Q. We’re printing our
own barcodes (most frequently Code 39), but why does my scanner read all
of the standard barcodes except the ones I’m printing?
A. Code 39 barcodes require a "Stop" and "Start"
character which is an *.
Q. How does the MX009 USB Cable operate?
It’s simple! The scanner transmits the scanned data via RS232
communication to the MX009. The MX009 then converts the data from RS232
to either USB Keyboard or USB Point-of-Sale. The MX009 functions only
with Metrologic scanners equipped with RS232 interface. Some older
scanner models have only one interface available. For example, if your
scanner is an MS951 with OCIA interface, the MX009 will not function
with this product. However, all PowerLink compatible scanners are
equipped with the ability to communicate RS232 independent of the
interface purchased. (All PowerLink compatible scanners are easy to
identify, because the cable is detachable).
Q. What is the difference between USB Keyboard and USB Point-of-Sale?
When the MX009 is set-up to communicate as a USB Keyboard, the scanned
data will appear in the current application that is active on your PC.
The data is entered just as if the keys were pressed on the keyboard.
When the MX009 is set-up to communicate as a USB Point-of-Sale device,
the data is transmitted to the USB port like RS232 data and the USB port
must be configured like a COM port. The MX009 leaves the factory set for
either USB Keyboard or USB Point-of-Sale.
Q. How is the MX009 configured for USB Keyboard?
The scanner communicates using RS232 protocol. The default RS232
settings of the scanner are used, namely 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 2 stop
bits and space parity. In addition, the scanner uses ACK/NAK and
XON/XOFF software handshaking, and the data transmission ends with both
Carriage Return and Linefeed suffixes.
The 1st and 2nd prefixes are used to set the country of the keyboard. If
the required prefixes are not in the data string.
Note #1 Please note,
some of the older Metrologic products allow for a maximum of 2
prefixes. Because
2 prefixes are required for setting the country, custom prefixes cannot
be set on these
products. Please refer to the configuration guide for the number of
configurable
prefixes available on your product.
Note #2 If you are
using a PowerLink compatible scanner, and you require custom
prefixes, you must
begin with the 3rd prefix.
Q. How is the MX009 configured for USB Point of Sale (POS)?
The scanner communicates using RS232 protocol. The default RS232
settings of the scanner are used, namely 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 2 stop
bits and space parity. In addition, the scanner uses ACK/NAK and
XON/XOFF software handshaking, and the data transmission ends with both
Carriage Return and Linefeed suffixes.
Note #3 When using USB
Point-of-Sale, special prefixes are not required.
|
