35
Serial Troubleshooting
The reader beeps on reads, but nothing appears on your screen using
PortKey OR nothing appears to your own software.
•
Recheck the installation instructions beginning on page 2 to make sure
all cables are properly connected.
•
If you're trying to read Code 39 bar codes with leading spaces (such as
the Barpad on page 28) and have enabled Accumulate Mode, those bar
codes will not be transmitted to your computer until you read a bar
code without a leading space. Try reading the Test Label on page 25 as
an example of a known good label.
•
If you're using PortKey on an IBM-compatible, verify (1) that you set
the reader to the same settings as the DOS MODE command (baud rate,
data bits, stop bits, and parity); and (2) that you ran PortKey with the
correct serial port as a parameter (i.e.: Portkey Com1).
•
If you're using your own software to read the serial port, verify that the
problem is not in your software. Run the WDR Serial Test Program
that shipped with your reader and see if it gets any data on the screen
when you read a bar code.
•
Use a "null modem" connector to test switching pins 2 and 3 on one or
more serial cables, or use a breakout box to modify your cable(s).
The reader doesn't beep when you try to read your bar codes.
•
Make sure the power adapter is plugged in.
•
Try reading a known good bar code -- the test label on page 25,
following the steps for proper scanning technique on page 11.
•
Read the instructions beginning on page 9 on configuring the Reader
for different bar code types and formats, and make sure you properly
enabled the bar code types you're trying to read.
Data characters are garbled or missing.
•
Make sure you've set the reader to the same baud rate, parity, data bits
and stop bits as your serial port.
•
If Code 39 bar codes are transmitting in the wrong case (upper and
lower transposed), set Caps Lock Off on the Setup Menu.
•
If you're getting occasional extraneous characters, try cutting the
jumper between pins 8/20 in the serial Y-Cable's DB25 connectors. See
page 8.
