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Printers:
All reports and labels are printed to LPT1: (the first parallel printer port). The receipt printer can be LPT1:
or LPT2: (the second parallel printer port) with 40 column printers.
One problem with POS software is all hardware that can be attached to the computer. Each item needs a
port! If you will be using a receipt printer, a label printer and report printer; a switch box will be helpful.
Some people do not like switch boxes so here are some hints to reduce the number of printers.
1) The barcode labels need a 9-pin printer. By using a 9-pin printer for reports, labels and receipts you will only
need one printer.
2) If you want a small receipt printer it can be connected to a serial port and the report/label printer would be
connected to LPT1:. Again, use a 9-pin printer for the labels.
3) If you do not need barcodes, a 9-pin printer is not needed. If you want full page invoices, you do not need a
small receipt printer.
4) To reduce counter clutter. Use a small label printer on LPT1: and a small receipt printer on LPT2:. Adding two
more parallel ports to you computer is under $100. Place the report printer under the counter and attach it to
LPT3:. To print reports, at the end of the day exit The Retail CashBox and run CBR.BAT. You'll need to create
this BAT file, but it should look like this:
rem The next line sends the reports to the third printer port instead of the first.
MODE LPT1:=LPT3:
rem The next three lines run The Retail CashBox
CD VCR
CD STAT
POS
rem The next line resets the ports to normal.
MODE LPT1:=LPT1:
The program can be fooled to print to another port. Use the DOS MODE command to redirect the print-
outs to a different port. Most users will not need to do this. Refer to your DOS manual for help with the MODE
command. For example, to use a serial receipt printer:
1) Configure The Retail CashBox to print 40 column receipts on LPT2:
2) Exit the software
3) Edit the BAT file that starts The Retail CashBox to use the MODE command.
rem The next line sends the receipts to the second serial port.
MODE LPT1:=COM2:
rem The next line sets the COM port
MODE COM2 9600 8 1 N
rem The next three lines run The Retail CashBox
CD VCR
CD STAT
POS
Now you can attach the receipt printer to the COM2: serial port and every time The Retail CashBox is
started, it will configure everything.