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Interfaces
Q: How does the keyboard wedge
work?
A: The keyboard wedge
interface is a chain, like daisy-chaining (e.g. SCSI), or
serial pass-thru. It does not require a terminator or
terminating device at the end of the chain (the farthest
device from the keyboard port). The last device on the chain
can be a keyboard wedge device or a standard AT keyboard. This
type of keyboard can only exist as the last device on the
chain. Keyboard wedge devices are generally input devices such
as keyboards, bar code scanners, and magnetic stripe readers
(MSRs). Each device acts like a keyboard and sends the same
keyboard scan codes to the computer. Because of this, no
driver is required; everything is controlled by hardware. If
any device on the chain is locked, such as a Posiflex keyboard
on L0, that device and all devices after it on the chain
(farther from the computer) will be disabled. To use these
devices set the key position away from L0 (LP or L1-L4). See
also “How does the serial pass-thru work?”
Q: How does the serial pass-thru
work?
A: Serial
pass-thru is a chain interface, like SCSI or keyboard wedge.
It requires a terminator or terminating device at the end of
the chain (the farthest device from the COM port). Pass-thru
devices are usually output devices, and the choice of
destination is controlled by pass-thru codes sent to all the
devices before (closer to the COM port than) the destination
device. Then those devices with pass-thru enabled will filter
incoming data for the code to disable pass-thru, and if that
code is not received, the data will be sent to the next device
in the chain until it reaches a device without pass-thru
enabled.
Cash
Drawers (CR3xxx)
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Q: My cash drawer won’t open!
A: That’s not even
a question.
Q: Okay, why doesn’t my cash
drawer open?
A: Make sure
it’s not locked. For computer-controlled opening, the key
must be in the middle position (up). Then check the cable
connection. Then make sure it works. Try going to the DOS
prompt and kicking it out manually. Set the port settings
using MODE:
mode com[n] 9600,n,8,1
where n is the COM port number (1
through 4). If the drawer is connected to the CR, CR1, or CR2
port of a Posiflex terminal, use COM1:
mode com1 9600,n,8,1
To send the opening code, use the ECHO
command, send Ctrl-G, and redirect it to the COM port:
echo ^G>com[n]
where you would hold Ctrl and press G
for ^G. Again, for COM1 or CR1, use:
echo ^G>com1
If the drawer is connected to CR2, use
code ^W:
echo ^W>com1
If the drawer is connected to the
printer, see the Receipt Printers section. If the drawer still
does not open, contact your dealer.
Bar
Code Scanners (CD-2800/7000)
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Q: Why does my scanner not power
on?
A: Make sure it
is firmly plugged into the correct interface. For keyboard
wedge scanners, make sure it is plugged into an AT connector.
If there are only PS/2 connectors, make sure you use the
correct adaptor (some AT-PS/2 adaptors will not work) and plug
into the PS/2 keyboard port, not the mouse port. All Posiflex
PST series terminals have only an AT connector behind the
locked drive door. All Posiflex TP series terminals have
labeled or color-coded PS/2 keyboard connectors.
Q: Why does my scanner is power on
but not scan?
A: Make sure it is
plugged into the correct interface and configured correctly.
Q: I think my scanner scans, but
why doesn’t it show up on or affect the program I’m
running?
A: It may be configured
or reconfigured incorrectly. See “How do I reconfigure the
scanner?”
Q: Why can’t I use the keyboard
I connected to the scanner?
A: Check to see if the
scanner itself works. If it doesn’t there may be a problem
with the cable or the unit itself. If the scanner works but
not the keyboard or other device connected to it, the problem
is most likely the cable itself. Contact your dealer if this
is the case.
Q: How do I reconfigure the
scanner?
A: Make sure your scanner
is plugged into the correct interface. Then turn to the front
cover of your configuration manual and scan the following
marked bar codes: “start”, “set”, “end”. This sets
the scanner back to the factory setting and keyboard wedge
interface. If there are changes you need to make, such as
setting the data start/end characters or using RS-232
(serial), scan those codes before scanning the “end” code.
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Q: Why won’t my keyboard
program?
A:
Check all the connections and use the following guidelines:
-To use the keyboard or any devices
connected to it, use any level key position EXCEPT L0.
-If you are connecting to a PS/2 port,
make sure it is in fact the PS/2 KEYBOARD port, not the mouse
port, and use the appropriate AT-PS/2 adapter (some may not
work).
-Do not connect a stand-alone
programmable (KB3100/3200) to a Posiflex PST terminal. It will
conflict with the programmable keyboard that is already part
of the terminal.
-See also “How does the keyboard wedge
work?” in General Questions | Interfaces.
Q: What version of software should
I use?
A: DOS software (can be
run under Win95/98 command prompt, must install first and
reboot):
KB2100/3100 or PST with KB112: 3.x
KB3200 or PST with KB136: 2.5.x
KBM.EXE - interactive keyboard
programming, reading/writing, template file (.TPL)
saving/loading
RWM.EXE - command-line keyboard
programming: read or write to .TPL file
Windows 95/98/NT software:
KBW.EXE - Windows version of KBM.EXE
with use of the mouse and menu system. Still in Beta. Soon to
be available on VHS and DVD.
Q: My
136-Key (QWERTY) won't work with Windows NT.
A: You will need to install a keyboard driver
into Windows NT.
Q: How do I use the programming
software?
A: There is a tutorial in
the manual that came with the keyboard or terminal. There are
also Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files on this site for keyboards and
other products. Basically the program KBM.EXE shows you a map
of the keyboard. The bottom line tells you which mode you are
using. In View Mode, you can use the cursor keys to navigate
the map.
To change a key definition, press Enter
when that key is selected (blinking). A line will appear
between the full map and the current column map. Here you can
add or edit the definitions with regular keystrokes of letter,
number, symbol, or Enter keys. Use the Down Arrow when done.
It is recommended to use an external standard keyboard to
program the programmable keyboard. Defined keys are
highlighted in the map.
If you want to program special keys --
Esc, F1-F12, Num/Caps/Scroll Lock, Ctrl/Shift/Alt, Cursor,
Win95 keys -- you must use Scan-Code editing mode. To do this
press Alt-N for a selected key instead of Enter. Then type
letter, number, symbol, and Enter keys as normal but precede
each special key with Esc. Again, use Down Arrow when
finished. In other words, to program F1 into a key, select the
key, press Alt-N, press Esc, then press F1. You can program as
many special keystrokes as the number of regular keystroke
each key can hold, but precede each special keystroke with
Esc. To program an Esc keystroke, press Esc Esc after entering
Scan-code editing mode.
To program shifted keystrokes such as
Ctrl-C, Alt-A, or Shift-F1, just enter Scan-code editing mode,
press Esc, then the shifting key, then the following key, then
Down Arrow to finish. To program Ctrl-C, enter Scan-code
editing mode, press Esc, then Ctrl, then C. Likewise with
Alt-A. For Shift-F1, enter Scan-code editing mode, press Esc,
Shift, Esc, F1.
You can save the maps into template
files (.TPL) on disk and retrieve them. It is a good idea to
have your current map saved before making any changes. You can
save and load with Alt-S and Alt-L or use the program RWM.EXE.
To finalize the changes and write the
map permanently to the keyboard’s memory press Alt-W. To
read the current keyboard setup and show it on the map, press
Alt-R. This is also done automatically when you start KBM.EXE
and press a key to download unless you press Esc to start
fresh.
Q: How do I program function keys,
cursor keys, other special keys, or key combinations (shifted
keys)?
A: You should use the
software instead of Hot-Key programming. See “How do I use
the programming software?”
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Q: How do I test my pole display?
A: There are some DOS commands
you can type. In Windows, just go to MS-DOS Prompt. First, set
the COM port settings:
mode com[n] 9600,n,8,1
where [n]=1, 2, 3, or 4. The VFD port on
Posiflex PST terminals and the Customer Display port on TP
terminals are on COM1. For VFD, Customer Display, and COM1,
type:
mode com1 9600,n,8,1
Then open a terminal to that COM port:
type con>com[n]
Again, [n]=1, 2, 3, or 4, so for COM1,
VFD, or Customer Display, type:
type con>com1
Then enter test messages to output to
the pole display. Press F6 and Enter to leave or just Ctrl-C.
Q: What test message should I use
for a PD100 series pole?
A: ^U^B[number] -- this means
Ctrl-U, Ctrl-B, number with or without decimals, then press
Enter. There are no spaces in between the commands. Special
characters will appear for both Ctrl-U and Ctrl-B, and the
number is just from the number keys above the letter keys or
from the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. To write 123456.78,
type:
^U^B123456.78
To test the status LEDs, use ^U^A[digit]
-- where [digit] = 0 to 7. To turn off the LEDs use 0, and to
turn on a specific LED, use that LED’s position 1-7 from
left to right. To turn on the 3rd LED (CASH), type:
^U^A3
Q: What test message should I use
for a PD200/TP3000 Customer Display?
A: Any text message will
do. As soon as you press Enter, the message will display on
the screen. No special codes or keystrokes are necessary.
Q: What test message should I use
for a PD2000 series pole?
A: It depends on the emulation
mode. For Noritake, Epson, and Futaba mode, any text message
will do. The cursor may or may not be on depending on the
mode. For Aedex mode, precede the text with ‘!#9’. To
write “Test: Aedex Mode”, type:
!#9Test: Aedex Mode
Q: How do I know which emulation
mode my PD2000 series pole is?
A: Using 0 for OFF (bottom
position) and 1 for ON (top position), the DIPs from left to
right are:
Bin Dec
01 = 0 - Noritake
10 = 1 - Aedex
00 = 2 - Epson
11 = 3 -
Futaba or Ultimate, depending on the model
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Q: How do I test my serial
printer?
A: Go to the
DOS prompt and set the baud rate:
mode com[n] 9600,n,8,1
for PP3000S series, and
mode com[n] 19200,n,8,1
for PP4000S series, where [n] =1, 2, 3,
or 4. To test a PP4000S, on COM2, type:
mode com2 19200,n,8,1
Then do a directory listing and output
it:
dir>com[n]
Again [n] = 1, 2, 3, or 4. For COM2,
type:
dir>com2
The printer should print the directory
listing in 40-column mode. To check the lines, do a regular
directory listing:
dir
Q: How do I test my parallel port
printer?
A: dir>prn
Q: What emulation mode is my
PP3000 printer?
A: Star 312
Q: I need a driver.
A: Good for you. Where may I
take you?
Q: Can I have a driver please?
A: It’s on the
download page under printers. It is more recommended to use
the Generic text driver that comes with Windows under
Win95/98/NT.
Q: How do I kick out the drawer
connected to my printer?
A: Send this code to it:
Alt-28
for a PP3000, and
Alt-27, Alt-112, Alt-01, Alt-48
for a PP4000. That means with Num Lock
on, hold Alt and type the number on the numeric keypad, then
let go of the Alt key. You can enter this sequence in Windows
under the printer’s Properties page.
Q: How do I cut paper on my
PP4000?
A: See previous
question about the Windows printer Properties page. Instead
use this code:
Alt-29, Alt-86, Alt-49
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Q: I need drivers for the LAN
controller or VGA!
A: They’re in the
Posiflex drivers page.
Q: I need help with my PST
keyboard!
A: See the Programmable Keyboards section.
Q: How do I install a Magnetic
Stripe Reader into the PST Terminal?
A: See the Technical Manual for your PST
Terminal.
Q: How do I install a modem in my
PST?
A: It is recommended to use an
external modem on COM2. If you must use an internal one, it
must be ISA, and you may have to disable one of the COM ports
to free resources for it. This must be done in the BIOS setup
screen.
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