Commonly asked questions about APG, MMF, Logic Controls and cash drawers in general

I have a cash drawer with a 12 (24) volt solenoid and a phone jack connector on the end of the cable. How does this connect to my point of sale system?

The solenoid driven electronic cash drawers are individually and specifically configured for a receipt printer interface. They are non-intelligent drawers, totally dependent upon the printer to "pop" them open when a receipt is printed.

Are Logic Controls cash drawers programmable?

The cash drawers are "programmable" in two ways.  (1) Signal Protocol.  (2) Security Code.  If your cash drawer is hooked up via the COM port, you have two options.  The first option allows you to change the security code to any ONE of the 255 ASCII characters.  The second option allows you to have the cash drawer open up with ANY character sent to it.

  If your cash drawer is hooked up with parallel interface, you also have the option to change the security code to any ONE of the 255 ASCII characters.  Parallel connection does not have option to let ANY character to open the drawer.

Can I change the baud rate setting for the cash drawer?

Yes, for CR3001, the baud rate is user selectable via DIP switches located inside the cash drawer.  The default baud rate setting for CR3001 is 9600 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit.  The baud rate is selectable from 150 bps up to 19.2K bps.  The data bits are selectable between 7 and 8 bits string.

  For CR3002, the drawer is able to work with baud rates from 150 bps up to 19.2K bps automatically.  No setting is necessary.

Can I order additional replacement keys for my cash drawer?

 YES! MMF will custom cut any of their cash drawer keys. Call to verify the "lock number" ( found on the face of each lock). Master keys are also available for each series of locks. (exception; MediaPlus).

Do MMF cash drawers support other interface connections besides "solenoid" or receipt printer driven?

YES! The ECD 200 series has some basic characteristics. ECD 200 is printer driven. ECD 232ND is a "non-dedicated" or addressable serial interface. ECD 232NP is a "No Power" dedicated serial interface. ECD232 is a dedicated serial interface. ECD 230PL is a parallel interface drawer.

Does the CR3000 series cash drawers come with cables?

 The CR3000 comes with an interface cable to plug into the kick out connector of your printer.  When buying a CR3000, be sure to specify which printer you will be using so that you will receive the correct cable.  Different printers use different pin-out arrangements.  You will also need to specify the type of connector for connecting to the printer, they could be RJ11, Molex, or BNC connectors.

  The CR3001 comes with a serial interface cable to hook up your cash drawer directly to the computer's serial port.  If you are planning to use the cash drawer in a parallel interface configuration, you need to buy a parallel straight through cable since it is not supplied with the cash drawer.

  The CR3002 comes with a serial DB25 to DB9 cable to connect your cash drawer to the computer via the COM port.

How can I test my cash drawer to make sure it is working properly?

Go to a DOS prompt, and type the following command: echo test^G>com1: or com2: or lpt1: ( the port you select has to be the same port that your printer is on) [Enter].

I have a serial interface cash drawer, with a 25 pin connector, but my COM port is a 9 pin. Can I use a standard reducer?

 NO! While a standard reducer, from 25 to 9 pin configuration will transfer TXD and SG, it will not have the proper jumpers for RTS/CTS and DSR/DCD/DTR, required for an MMF cash drawer

I lost my drawer key, what can I do?

For extra security reasons, Logic Controls does not stock extra keys for the cash drawers.  However, we do have some keys.  So, give us a call.  On the back or bottom of your cash drawer is a number (Jxxx).  Some the drawers have the lock number imprinted on the lock itself.  This number identifies your key.  Give us the number and there might be a slight chance we will have a particular key.  If not, the key lock will have to be replaced.  Logic Controls supplies each cash drawer with two keys.  Be sure to keep at least one of them in a safe place.

I tested the CR3002 in DOS mode and it works beautifully. However, working with my POS software, it doesn’t work. I could hear a light clicking sound from the drawer each time I try to open with the software but it just doesn’t pop out. What is th

Some Windows software keeps the COM port closed all the time and only opens the COM port when trying to send out data.  Thus, the CR3002 cannot get the necessary charging power.  Make sure that the software keeps the ports open all the time and have the handshake signals DTR and RTS enabled.

I tried with the DOS functional test command to open the cash drawer and get a “Write Fault Error”.

 There are several possible causes to this problem:

a.   Check that no other software are set to use the same COM port.  For example, you POS software may be up and running, the UPS monitor software is resident, or the LPT printer port is redirected to this COM port (check Autoexec.bat file).

b.   Check your connection to the PC, check that it is secure.  Make sure the cash drawer is connected to that port you used in the testing command.

c.   Under Windows, go to Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager.  Double click on Ports, select the port connected to the cash drawer.  Click on "Remove" to delete the port.  Exit all Windows and restart the computer.  Windows should be able to detect the port and set it up automatically.  Shell out to DOS and try the functional test again.  

My CR3001 does not open from the SERIAL port through my application software

 Exit from your application software.  Shell out to the MS-DOS command prompt or restart computer in DOS mode.  At the DOS prompt, enter "MODE COMx 96,n,8,1" (excluding the "" marks; x=1 or 2 depending upon which port you are hooked up to).  On the next line enter "TYPE CON>COMx".  After that, on the next line hold down Ctrl and hit G.  Then, hit Enter.  The drawer should open if you haven't changed any of the default switch settings inside the drawer.  If this still does not work, make sure the switches are set to their default settings and that the power supply adapter is working.  If you get a "Write fault error to COM port", close any other software that are set to use the same COM port and then try again (check Autoexec.bat file to see if a LPT printer port is redirected to the COM port).

If this test opened the drawer, go back to your application software and check the port settings for COMx, 9600 baud, no parity, 8 bit data and 1 stop bit, and drawer opening code is Ctrl-G (hex 07).  You may need to refer to your software user manual or contact your software supplier for assistance.

The cash drawer sounds like it is trying to open, but it doesn’t open.

Make sure the lock is in the vertical position and try again.  If it doesn't open, use the key to open the drawer.  Slide out the cash tray and look inside.  Check to see if there are anything (coins or bills) blocking the solenoid at the back from moving freely.

The CR3002 opens through computer control at first trial but does not open the next time. What should I do?

The CR3002 draws power from the COM port.  Since the available power from the COM port is very weak, it takes a few seconds for the cash drawer to store up enough energy for kicking out the drawer.  Wait for at least 5 seconds before opening the drawer again.

What are the "drawer open" codes for my ECD 200 cash drawer?

The ECD 200 series are non-intelligent cash drawers, custom wired for a specific 40 column receipt printer interface. The codes required to "open the cash drawer" are printer codes found in each printer manual. Example: Epson (RJ-11) HEX = 1B, 70, 0, 25, 250 ASCII = ESC, p, 0, 250

What are the control codes for opening a CR3000 printer driven drawer?

The control codes depends on model of printer used.  Refer to your POS printer manual for the correct command code sequences.  Following are examples for some common printers:

a.        

Citizen IDP3540 / IDP3535

Star TSP2000 / TSP200 / SP312

Ithaca POSjet1000 / Model 181

Decimal:                     07

Hexadecimal:            07h

ASCII Char:                ^G ("Ctrl-G")

b.        

Citizen CBM1000 / IDP3210

Epson TM-U295 / TM-U200 / TM-L60II

Decimal:                     27  112  48  55  121

Hexadecimal:            1Bh  70h  30h  37h  79h

ASCII Char:                ^[ ("Ctrl-["]  p  0  7  y

Note that different POS software use different method for entering the codes.  Some use 027 or \27 to enter decimal 27, some use 1BH, $1B, or &H1B to enter hexadecimal 1Bh.  Some software use comma to separate entries, some just use a blank space to separate entries.  Refer to your POS software manual or call your software vendor tech support for the correct format.

What are the default DIP switch settings for CR3001?

Take out the cash tray and slide out the drawer.  Look inside the drawer.  At the back you will see a printed circuit board (PCB).  On this PCB, you will see two switch blocks each with eight small switches in a row.

The switch block on the left side should read from left to right: Up Down Down Up Down Down Up Down.  This setting sets the baud rate to 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, Security Code Only mode.  The switch block on the right side should read: Down Down Down, Up Up Up Up Up.  This setting sets the security code to Ctrl-G (Hex 07).

What are the electronic specifications for an MMF 12 volt external power supply?

 The correct power supply needed is a 117 volt, 60Hz,12 v.d.c., 500 MA tip positive AC/DC adaptor

What do I do when my CB-001 cash drawer does not open with a key and using software?

Sometimes in shipping, the money tray gets wedged against the top cover. If you unscrew the 5 screws underneath the drawer, the base will drop out and the money tray can be removed. Then put the base back onto the cover, open drawer and place the money tray back inside.

What is the CR3002 Self Powered Cash Drawer?

Normally, a cash drawer needs power supplied externally to open the drawer.  The power comes from the printer in case of CR3000 and from the AC power adapter in case of CR3001.  The CR3002 is Logic Controls' unique design "Self Powered" cash drawer.  There is no external power supply needed and it connects to the DB25 serial port of the computer directly.  Power is drawn from the COM port to open up the drawer.  It can be opened with any character send to the serial port and can use any communication protocol with any bit rate from 150 bps up to 19.2K bps.

Where are the "date of manufacture" and "serial numbers" located on an MMF cash drawer?

The numbers can be found on the "black and silver" label located on the inside, front section of the cash drawer's chassis, as well as on each shipping carton. Note: the inner drawer must be removed to see it. On MediaPLUS drawers, just remove the tray as the label is on the inner drawer

Why does the cash drawer open with a key but does not open when using my software?

 Make sure that your cash drawer is setup properly within your software, the drawer will open on the bel character , ASCII (07) or 1C HEX.

Touch screens in general

Will touchscreens contribute to EMI/RFI emissions? What about UL?

 All touch systems have electronics that can potentially contribute to system EMI/RFI. Systems designed with Elo components can typically pass FCC Class A and EN550022, now required for the European CE mark. Standard EMI suppression techniques may be necessary to satisfy the requirements.

The integration of a touchscreen voids the display manufacturer's agency approvals including FCC, UL, and CE. The manufacturer's agency approval markings must be removed. All Elo touchmonitors and displays have been recertified for the appropriate agency approvals. See the individual touchmonitor specifications for details.

Are fingerprints and dirt a problem on touch screens?

Dirt and fingerprints do not affect the operation of a touch display. Use bright, patterned background colors to minimize the visual effects of dirt and fingerprints

Does a touchscreen require special software to operate?

Software drivers allow the touch screen to emulate a mouse in Windows or Macintosh systems. Because the touchscreen emulates a mouse, touching the screen is the same as clicking your mouse at the same point on the screen. This allows the touch screen to work with a vast amount of pre-existing mouse driven software. This also allows for simple development of new applications, because no additional code or knowledge is required to develop software for use with the touch screen. New touchscreen applications can be developed in the same way as mouse driven software.

How does the touchscreen interface with my PC?

Touch screens generally interface to the PC via a serial port (RS-232) connection or a USB type connection. The serial port interface will typically work with DOS, Windows, and Linux Systems. The USB port interface works best with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and Macintosh systems.

How far away can the touchscreen be from the computer?

It depends on the touchscreen controller configuration.

If you use a serial controller, either internal or external, then the distance between the serial controller and the PC can usually be up to 200 feet. Short-haul modems can be used as necessary beyond 50-200 feet. Note that VGA cable lengths will probably be the limiting factor, as video amplifiers or specially shielded cables are generally required beyond six feet.

The cables for the IntelliTouch PC-Bus controllers come in six and nine foot lengths, and you must use one of those specially shielded cables when using an IntelliTouch PC-Bus controller.

IntelliTouch MX external serial controllers use a standardized input cable (approximately four feet long), and that cable must be used.

With AccuTouch bus or external serial controllers, you can build your own straight-through cable and easily extend up to 50 feet. While usually not a problem, noise from long cables will be indicated by excessive coordinate jitter.

How reliable is a touchscreen?

 There is no standard way of measuring MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for a touchscreen, but AccuTouch touch screens have been tested to more than 35 million touches in one spot with a stylus similar to a finger, and IntelliTouch touch screens have been tested to more than 50 million touches. Warranties for AccuTouch touch screens are 5 years, and 10 years for IntelliTouch touch screens. The touchscreen controller MTBFs are typically 2-4 times longer than that of the display.  

Is one touch screen technology better than another?

All of the touch screen technologies accomplish the same thing. They allow the user to input selections without the use of an external input device. The best technology for each application is different, and is based on the environment where the touch screen will be located, and the budget allocated for equipment.

What can I use to clean the touchscreen? Will vinegar or ammonia damage the touch screen?

Any standard glass cleaner can be used to clean the touchscreen. Always spray the cleaner on the cloth or towel and then clean the touchscreen. Glass cleaner sprayed directly on the monitor could possibly leak inside a non-sealed unit and cause damage.

What COM ports can I put my touchscreen on?

Latest versions of Windows 95/98/Me, Windows 2000 and Windows NT drivers: Any available COM port may be selected in the SETUP program.

DOS and Windows 3.x: COM 1-4 may be specified on the ELODEV command line, along with the IRQ.

Currently, the IRQ for the COM port can only be shared in Windows 95/98 and Windows NT, but only if the COM hardware and drivers support IRQ sharing.

What is a controller?

The controller is the touch screen's "brain". Information from the sensor is processed and relayed to the computers CPU to activate the desired function.

What is a sensor?

The sensor is the touch screen's "nervous system". The sensor is used to determine the position of the operators touch. This can be either a specially designed glass sheet or LED's and optical sensors positioned around the outside of the monitor display area

What is a touch screen?

 A touch screen is a computer display screen that is sensitive to human touch. This allows the user to interact with the computer by touching pictures or words on the screen. Touch screen technology can be used as an alternative user interface with applications that normally require a mouse or keyboard.

What is capacitive touch technology?

 A Capacitive Touch screen consists of a glass panel with a charge storing or "capacitive" material coating its surface. Circuits located at corners of the screen measure the capacitance of a person touching the overlay. Frequency changes are measured to determine the X and Y coordinates of the touch command.

Capacitive type touch screens are very durable and have high clarity. They are used in a wide range of applications, from restaurant and point of sale (POS) use, to industrial controls and information kiosks.

Pros: Stable and reliable, helps prevent accidental activation, less susceptible to damage, only a finger touch will activate

Cons: Less affordable than resistive, still subject to scratches, reduces screen brightness somewhat

What is Infrared touch technology?

An array of vertical and horizontal infrared sensors are positoned around the edge of the touchscreen. These sensors create a grid of invisible light that allows the controller to determine touch position when the grid is broken.

Pros: Stable, reliable, impervious to scratches, no brightness reduction, easy to install

Cons: Activated by whatever breaks the beam, higher component cost

What is resistive touch technology?

 Resistive touch technology consists of a glass or like panel that is coated with electrically conductive and resistive layers. The thin layers are separated by invisible separator dots. When the screen is turned on, an electrical current moves through it casting a sort of net across the monitor face. When you touch the screen and create pressure, the layers are pressed together. This causes a change in the electrical current and a touch command is registered.

Resistive-type touch screens are extremely durable and can withstand the harshest of environments. Because of this practicality, this technology is recommended for point of sale systems-kiosks (POS), restaurant registers, control or automation systems, medical use, hospitality kiosks, grocery/convenience, standard kiosks and others.

Pros: Most affordable. Very tested, stable and reliable product. Gloves can be worn or a stylus may be used.

Cons: Decreases light output from monitor, susceptible to damage from scratches to the sensor, can be activated by any touch.

What is SAW touch technology?

Surface  Acoustic Wave or "SAW" sensors are sheets of glass that have ultrasound transducers (speakers) and transceivers (microphones) positioned around the edges of the panel. When beginning operation the touch screen creates a field of ultrasonic energy across the sheet of glass. The controller uses this field to create a digital map of the surface of the sensor. It then uses the map as a basis of comparison that it makes several times a second. Any changes are recognized and sent to the CPU to be acted upon as input. Contaminants on the surface of this type of screen can interfere with its functionality.

Pros: Stable, reliable, activated by finger touch, almost no brightness reduction of monitor, impervious to scratches.

Cons: More expensive, somewhat harder to install

What is the benefit of using a touch screen instead of other input devices?

A touchscreen is far more intuitive and natural for the user. Keyboards and mice can easily be stolen or damaged when used in public areas. Touch screens are more durable and easier to clean than other input devices.

What is the response time for the touchscreen?

Both AccuTouch and IntelliTouch touchscreen controllers sense the quickest possible tap (contacts of only 30ms). Response time is perceived as immediate unless the application does not give proper feedback.  

Will the touch screen work with any software?

• Yes! The touch screen is a mouse emulator. This allows the touch screen to work with any software that might normally work with a mouse. The mouse will "click" at the same location of your touch on the screen.  The touch screen also supports right click and double-click functions.

Commonly asked questions about the Sheba, Cimple, and Crusader Computers

How do you enable all four Com Ports on the Sheba?

Reboot the computer and hold down Delete to enter the BIOS.  Navigate to Integrated Peripherals > Super IO Device.  Set the IRQ and memory address setting for each Com Port as follows.

Onboard Serial Port 1   3F8 / IRQ 4
Onboard Serial Port 1   2F8 / IRQ 3
Onboard Serial Port 1   3E8 / IRQ 4
Onboard Serial Port 1   2E8 / IRQ 3

Press F10 and Save to CMOS and Exit.

Note:  The Sheba computer may have ELO touchscreen drivers installed when you receive the unit.  If you do not need these drivers remove them in Add/Remove Software. 

How do you enter the BIOS on the Sheba, Cimple or Crusader PC?

 Hold down the Delete key at boot up.

Commonly asked questions & troubleshooting of LCD monitors

Are there thermal management issues with high bright LCD’s?

Any high brightness backlight system will consume a significant amount of power, therefore this will increase the LCD temperature. The brighter the backlight, the greater the thermal issue. If the LCD is used under direct sunlight additional heat will be generated as a result of the sunlight exposure. Temperature issues have been handled through proper thermal management design incorporating passive and active cooling methods. This is extremely important in maintaining overall reliability and long-term operation

How does an LCD monitor work?

LCD monitors use liquid crystals sandwiched between various layers of filters and glass. The innermost layer is a fluorescent backlight. The light produced first passes through two polarizing filters then a layer containing cells. Each cell contains liquid crystals. Electric fields then straighten the liquid crystals within the cell so that light is not bent at this level. Each pixel on an LCD monitor comprises of three cells. One cell corresponds to red, one to green, and one to blue.

How much power does a TFT panel consume?

When compared to CRT monitors, TFT panels pay for themselves in energy savings. A typical 15" CRT monitor consumes 60-100 Watts where a 15" LCD consumes 32 Watts. Larger sizes may consume up to 60 Watts.  There is also a reduction heat production from the monitor. This is turn saves on cooling costs.

I see small bright/dark dots on my LCD every time I turn it on. Is it defective?

Imperfections may appear on the screen if the pixel or sub-pixel is stuck ON. If this is the case you may see a bright spot on a dark background. If it stuck OFF it will appear as a  dark spot on a bright background.

The criteria for replacement of a LCD with defective pixels will depend on the manufacturer of the LCD. Use the following as a guideline to see if your LCD is defined as "defective" and possibly replaceable through your manufacturer.

The LCD meets one of the following criteria:

A total of 15 stuck sub-pixels or 10 stuck full pixels

10 stuck red sub-pixels

10 stuck blue sub-pixels

4 stuck green sub-pixels*

No more than two "adjacent" pixels may be stuck, adjacent being defined as less than 2.5mm edge to edge

No more than two pairs of two-adjacent stuck pixels per display

* A pixel (picture element) consists of one red, one green and one blue sub-pixel. A stuck green sub-pixel is more visible than blue or red.

I want to get more colors, however I only have "16 colors" option. What do I do?

The proper video card driver for the operating system needs to be installed. The color depth has nothing to do with monitor driver or the monitor itself.

My LCD Panel has no display and the power LED light is off.

1. Ensure that the electrical outlet and the monitor are both switched on.
2. Check the power cord; make sure it's tight and secure.
3. Try a different power cord.
4. If available, try a different AC adapter.

5. If connected to a power strip, try connecting directly to the wall.

6. Try a different wall outlet.

My LCD Panel has no display but the power LED light comes on.

1. Check the VGA cable connections; make sure it is tight and secure.
2. Check for a damaged or bent pin in the signal cable connector.
3. If you are using Win95/98/2000/ME,  make sure the proper monitor and video card drivers are installed.

4. If you are using Win 3.1/NT 4.0, please make sure the monitor is set to the proper resolution mode. We suggest it set to its native resolution. (please check the LCD Panel specification).
5. If you are in the power saving mode, please move your mouse or hit any key on your keyboard. 
6. Try the LCD Panel with a different computer to eliminate the possibility of a bad video card.

My LCD Panel has no display but the power LED light is green.

Try Increasing the brightness and contrast.

No display or white screen.

If this is a new install make sure the refresh rate is not set too high. If you recently installed a new video card in your system make sure the refresh rate is not set too high.

How to change the refresh rate?

Under Windows, reboot the system and go into "Safe Mode" (Use F8 key on boot up) select safe mode and change the refresh rate under display properties to either 60Hz or Default. Then reboot the system and the screen will turn on. Maximum mode on 15" TFT screens is 1024x768 and maximum mode on 17" and 19" TFT is 1280x1024.

Other things to check-Is the green light is on with the external power adapter?  Make sure all plugs are secure and the video cable is properly attached to the computer.

The image on my LCD seems to jitter. How can I fix it?

In an LCD, each pixel corresponds to a specific set of red, green, and blue LCD cells. When an LCD monitor gets an analog signal, it has to decide which cell is going to display a specific pixel. If it can't make up its mind, the pixel will jump back and forth between adjacent sets of cells, creating an annoying jitter in the display. The LCD should have built-in controls to minimize or eliminate the problem

1. Look for an "automatic" adjustment feature that will eliminate the jitter, and adjust image size and position at the same time. The feature may be available as a button on the control panel (often labeled Auto) or as a choice in the on-screen display (OSD).

2. If the monitor does not have an automatic adjustment feature, or the feature doesn't stop the jitter completely, you'll have to adjust the settings manually. Start by adjusting the coarse timing for the LCD. This should be an available setting in the onscreen display (OSD). Typical names for this feature are Clock and Tuning. Increase or decrease the setting until you have minimized the jitter you see in the image. Next, you may also adjust the fine timing for the LCD. Typical names for this adjustment are Phase and Fine Tuning.

The LCD displays this message "OUT OF RANGE" when I connect it to my computer.

Either the resolution, or the vertical refresh rate, or both of these settings of your graphics card has exceeded the range of the LCD.

1. Determine the resolution of your LCD. If your graphics card is set to a higher resolution than that of the LCD, you must reset it to the LCD's resolution (or a resolution below the native resolution of the LCD). Image quality is best when the graphics card resolution matches the native resolution of the LCD. If your graphics card's resolution is set below that of the LCD, most LCD monitors have an auto-scaling feature that stretches the image to fill the entire screen.

2. Check the refresh rate of the graphics card (also known as vertical sync, screen refresh) mke sure it set to 60Hz.

The screen is blank and power indicator is steady amber or the screen says “No Sync”.

1. Make sure the VGA cable is attached to the LCD and the computer. 

2. The monitor may be in Power Management Standby state.

The power management feature is invoked when the computer recognizes that you have not used your mouse or keyboard for a user-definable period. Perform the following steps to bring the monitor out of the power management state:

1. Press any key on the keyboard or move the mouse to restore operation.
2. Check the Power Management software on your computer.

The text on my screen is faint or unseen

Reduce the contrast level down until the text is visible. TFT LCD monitors were manufactured to perform in a GUI environment such as Windows, Linux (X) and Macintosh. Older designed programs may have upgrades to enhance this effect to make the text legible. 

There are dark areas on my display

Retail TFT LCD monitor products employ the use of a single TFT backlight. This backlight is expected to deliver full edge to edge brightness across the screen. On some models the screen may not be as bright in the center or the edges as other areas. This is attributed to cost saving measures employed by th manufacturer. Prices of TFT panels vary according to added features (TV tuner, SVIDEO etc.). They also vary according to the number of backlights that are in the panel. High-bright monitors with multiple backlights can cost upwards of $2,500.00 for a 15" panel.  

There are wavy lines on the screen.

In some instances you may encounter wavy lines on the screen. These are usually 1/4" thick and move in a vertical motion. This is caused by a noisy electrical feed from a wall outlet. If you change your vertical refresh rate under display properties to 75Hz this effect should disappear. 

There is a small dot on the screen.

TFT panels by their very nature are difficult to manufacture. TekVisions uses displays from various suppliers including; Samsung, Hyundai and Acer, who all guarantee the display to be 99.99% free from pixel defect. What that means is a 15" LCD display can have up to about 6-10 broken pixels and still be considered "acceptable". Broken pixels are individual pixels, which are stuck on, off, or as one particular color. Depending on their location and intensity, they can be next to invisible or obvious. This is common to ALL TFT screens and is not considered a defect by the screen manufacturer.  

There is no LCD Display

1.Make sure that the power indicator on the LCD Monitor is lit, all connections are secure, and the system is running on the correct timing.  Refer to the Addendum for information on timing.

2. Turn off the LCD Monitor and then turn it back on again.  Press the upper Function Control button (refer to Chapter 2) once and then press either the upper or lower Adjustment Control button several times.  If there is still no display, press the other Adjustment Control button several times.

3. If step 2 does not work, connect your PC system to another external CRT.  If your PC System functions properly with a CRT Monitor but it does not function with the LCD Monitor, and the LCD Monitor's power LED is blinking, the output timing of the PC's VGA card may be out of the LCD's synchronous range.  Please change to an alternate mode listed in Addendum or replace the VGA card and repeat steps 1 and 2.

4. If the PC doesn't function with the CRT monitor, check the BIOS to see if there is a dual scan setting under the display mode item.  Set the BIOS display mode to Dual Scan or CRT and try again.  If there is still no display, then there may be a problem with your system.  Contact technical support.

5. If the power LED is not lit, check to see if the AC power connector is securely connected.  Verify that the AC adapter LED is lit.  If the AC adapter LED is not lit, please contact your dealer for assistance.

What is a Viewing Angle and why does it matter?

The viewing angle is the angle at which the image quality of an LCD degrades and becomes unacceptable for the intended application. Viewing angles are usually quoted in horizontal and vertical degrees and is dependent on the specific application. As the observer physically moves to the sides of the LCD, the images will degrade in three ways. First, the luminance drops. Second, the contrast ratio usually drops off at large angles. Third, the colors may shift. Most modern LCD's have acceptable viewing angles even for viewing from the sides.

For LCD's used in outdoor applications, defining the viewing angle based on CR alone is not adequate. Under very bright ambient light conditions the display is barely visible when the screen luminance drops below 200 nits. Therefore, the viewing angles are defined based on both the CR and the Luminance.

What is considered a true sunlight readable or outdoor readable LCD?

The display screen on a sunlight readable/outdoor readable LCD should be bright enough so that the display is visible in direct or strong sunlight. The display contrast ratio must be maintained at 5 to 1 or higher.

Although a display with less than 500 nits screen brightness and a mere 2 to 1 contrast ratio can be read in outdoor environments, the quality of the display will be very poor. A true sunlight readable display is normally considered to be an LCD with at least 1000 nits of screen brightness and a contrast ratio greater than 5 to 1. In outdoor environments under the shade, such a display can provide an excellent image quality. 

Why does my LCD monitor have a green tint or missing color (color problem)?

1. Check the signal cable connection; make sure it's tight and secure.
2. Check if there are any missing or bent pins in the signal cable.
3. Please connect the monitor to a different computer to eliminate a possibility of a problem with the computers video card.

Why is my LCD display distorted, fuzzy, blurry, or unclear?

 Try the following steps:
1. Connect the LCD Panel directly to the computer (eliminate any extension cables or splitter box). If you connect it to a notebook/laptop, please connect it directly to the notebook (eliminate the docking station).
2. Set the LCD panels to its native resolution:
    - 12" LCD Panel: 800x600
    - 14"-15" LCD Panel: 1024x768
    - 17"-18" LCD Panel: 1280x1024
3. Use "The Auto Adjust" on the User's Controls' OSD (On Screen Display); please refer to the User's Manual.
4. Connect the display to a different computer. If it works on this computer, the video card could be bad in the original computer.

Commonly asked questions about ELO Touch Screens

Can I use an Elo touchmonitor on a Macintosh?

Yes, all Elo touchmonitors may be used on a Macintosh. For older Macs that have printer and modem ports, use a serial controller with serial interface cable, PN 084037-000. Newer Macs have USB ports only, so the USB controller is appropriate (be sure to use the 3000U USB controller with AccuTouch screens and the 2500U USB controller with IntelliTouch screens). Choose the appropriate driver (Macintosh serial or Macintosh USB). 

Note that an external touchmonitor is not an option with iMac machines because iMacs do not have an external video port. Touch-ready iMac machines are available from Elo Touch Systems. 

Can I use both my touchscreen and mouse at the same time with the Elo drivers?

Yes. Elo drivers work with your existing mouse drivers.

DOS and Windows 3.x: You must first install MOUSE.COM along with ELODEV.EXE and MONMOUSE.COM in AUTOEXEC.BAT. (For touchscreen only operation, load NOMOUSE.COM instead of MOUSE.COM).

Other: Configure the mouse normally before installing the touchscreen drivers.

How much memory is required for Elo drivers?

The amount of memory is insignificant, about the same as a mouse driver. 

Is it necessary to recalibrate often?

You should never have to recalibrate Elo touch screens. If possible, cover the monitor's controls so someone does not accidentally adjust the image size or position

Miscellaneous

How do I find my MAC address?

Use the following methods to display your MAC address:

WIndows NT/ 2000 Professional, or XP

Click start, then run.

When the box appears, type in cmd, then click ok

Once a small black window appears, type in

ipconfig /all (with a space between the g and the /).

 Locate the number to the right of Physical Address. This is your MAC address.

Windows 95, 98 or ME

Click start, then run

When the box appears, type in winipcfg then click ok

Look under the info for the Ethernet adapter.

The number next to "Adapter Address" is your MAC address.

Some motherboards may also have a sticker with the MAC address on the parallel port.

How do I know how many NIT’s I require for my application?

Applications will vary depending on the location of the LCD and how much ambient light there is that could cause the display to become washed out or unreadable. As a rule of thumb; notebooks and desktop LCD's which are generally used in office light conditions are in the 200-250 nit range. For indoor use with uncontrolled or indirect sunlight it is recommended that a display of 500 – 900 nits be used. If the application is outdoors or in direct sunlight then at least 1000 nits and up should be considered.

I want to run multiple monitors, maybe each with a touchscreen, on one PC. Can I do this in Windows?

The latest version of the Windows 95/98/Me and Windows NT drivers have multiple monitor support built in, with integrated setup. 

The display on the Soloist is going to sleep even though I changed the display settings.

Be sure you are logged in as Administrator when changing the power settings.  

Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver > Power…

The administrator's power settings take precedence over any user settings.

The image on the screen is scrolling.

Make sure the video input signals are within the monitor's specified frequency range.Try the monitor with another power source and/or computer system. Connect the video cable securely

What is a NIT?

An NIT is a measurement of light in candelas per meter square (Cd/m2)
For an LCD monitor it is brightness out of the front panel of the display. A NIT is a good basic reference when comparing brightness from monitor to monitor. Most desktop LCD’s or Notebook LCD’s have a brightness of 200 to 250 Nits. These standard LCD’s are not readable in direct or even indirect sunlight as they become washed out. 

What is a Pixel?

The pixel (short for picture element) is one of the many tiny “dots” or physical units that make up the representation of a picture in a computer's memory  

Think of it as a logical - rather than a physical - unit. The physical size of a pixel depends on how you've set the resolution for the display screen. If you've set the display to its maximum resolution, the physical size of a pixel will equal the physical size of the dot pitch (or dot size) of the display. If the screen resolution is set to something less than the maximum resolution, a pixel will be larger than the physical size of the screen's dot (this means one pixel will use more than one dot. 

What is a wall mount bracket?

TFT panels are compliant to VESA mounting standards. This means that your monitor can be mounted on a wall. An ARM mount can also be used following the proper VESA mounting patterns. Wall mounts and ARM mounts are available from third party suppliers.  Note:  Some models may require a VESA adapter plate.  Be sure to ask your sales person.

What is Contrast Ratio or "CR"?

Contrast ratio or CR is the ratio of luminance between the brightest white and the darkest black that can be produced on a display. CR is another influence of perceived picture quality. If a picture has high CR, you will consider it to be sharper and crisper than a picture with lower CR. For example, a typical newspaper picture has a CR of about 5 to 7, whereas a high quality magazine picture has a CR that is greater than 15. Therefore, the magazine picture will look better even if the resolution is the same as that of the newspaper picture.

  A typical LCD exhibits a CR of approximately 300 to 700 when measured in a dark room. The CR on the same unit measured under ambient illumination is drastically lowered due to surface reflection (glare). For example, a standard 200 nit LCD measured in a dark room has a 300 CR, but will have less than a 2.0 CR under intense direct sunlight. This is due to the fact that surface glare increases the luminance by over 200 nits both on the "white" and the "black" that are produced on the display screen. The result is the luminance of the white is slightly over 400 nits, and the luminance of the black is over 200 nits. The CR ratio then becomes less than 2 and the picture quality is drastically reduce and not acceptable.

What is Dot Pitch or Pixel Pitch?

The dot pitch specification for a display monitor tells you how sharp the displayed image can be. The dot pitch is measured in millimeters (mm) and a smaller number means a sharper image. In desktop monitors, common dot pitches are .31mm, .28mm, .27mm, .26mm, and. 25mm.

Personal computer users will usually want a .28mm or finer pitch. Some large monitors for presentation use may use a larger dot pitch as much as. 48mm. Think of the dot specified by the dot pitch as the smallest physical visual component on the display.

A pixel is the smallest programmable visual element and maps to the dot if the display is set to its highest resolution. When set to lower resolutions, a pixel encompasses multiple dots.

What is Luminance?

Luminance is the scientific term for photopic brightness. Photopic brightness specifies the visual brightness of an object. Simply put It is commonly referred to as brightness.

Luminance is specified in candelas per square meter (Cd/m2) or nits. In the US, the British unit Foot-lamberts (fL) is also frequently used. To convert from fL to nits, multiply the number in fL by 3.426 (i.e. 1 fL = 3.426 nits).

Luminance is an influential factor of perceived picture quality in an LCD. The importance of luminance is enhanced by the fact that humans will react more positively to a brightly illuminated screen. In indoor environments, a standard active-matrix LCD with a screen luminance of around 250 nits will look good. In the same scenario an LCD with a luminance of 1,000 nits or more will look utterly captivating. 

Where is the power button on the Soloist?

The power button is a small silver "bb".  On the 14.1" Soloist it is on the back of the unit in the lower right corner* 

On the 17.1" Soloist the power button is on the bottom left side. 

*Note: Early version of the 14.1 Soloist uses the LCD OSD power button.  You will need to use a paper clip to press the recessed button.

Tek-465

Can I program the MSR?

Yes, on the Driver CD provided look for the S64 utility program under Common\CardReader

How do I get the VFD to work?

Pages 22-26 of the manual give step by step installation instructions. Two things to remember about the VFD. First, it will work on any COM port but it must be powered to +12V.  Second there is a switch underneath the VFD that must be turned ON.  Gets us everytime!

How do I power the serial ports?

COM 1 - 4 can be powered to either +5V or +12V.  See page 37 of the manual or refer to schematic on back of Tek-465 under removable plastic cover.

How do I test the VFD

The system disk supplied with the Tek-465 contains a VFD test program.  Browse the CD and look for the VFD program under the Test utility folder.

Is there a touch utility program?

Yes, go to Start,  Programs for the touch utility program. Features in here include calibrating and adjusting the sensitivity of the touch.

The Magnetic Stripe Reader does not work.

If the MSR was installed with the machine ON and booted to Windows the computer needs to be restarted.

There is no power to the rear LCD Display.

Again two things; One, JP15 needs to be jumped to power the VGA port. Secondly, there is a power button on the backside of the display.

What COM port does the touchscreen use?

Internal COM 5. This cannot be changed.

What interface is the MSR?

The MSR is a keyboard wedge interface.

What touchscreen technology is used on the Tek-465?

The Tek-465 uses a 5-wire resistive sensor with RS232 controller set to COM5.  There is a 3-year warranty on the touchscreen sensor and controller.

When I touch the screen the touch is not accurate.

For various reasons the calibration of the touchscreen can be lost.  Use the Touch utility program to realign the calibration points. 

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