VIDEOMINDER Technical Notes for Windows 95, 98 and ME
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Changing
VIDEOMINDER'S
operating/network settings
If you were currently running
VideoMinder
under System Manager or as a
single user under DOS or Windows 95/98, you will need to change the
VideoMinder
setup so that it will work under a Windows 2000/XP network. Proceed as
follows:
-
Go to a C:\CVM prompt
Type in SETUPCD CVM
Choose Option A – Change program parameters
Choose Option C – Change operating system
Choose Option 5 – MS-Dos 3.3 + Network
Choose Option D – Save changes
Say Yes to save changes
Choose E to Exit
You should also ensure that all the *.EXE files in the C:\CVM> directory are attributed as READ ONLY .
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Adding a node statement
All computers will need a Node statement. This is done by editing the existing AUTOEXEC.BAT file (or creating a new one) in the root directory C:\ of each computer.The line that needs to be inserted is as follows:
SET NODE=X (X is a specific number)
Each computer would have a different number. E.g.
SERVER Node=1
WORKSTATION Node=2
Sharing the server’s hard drive
The server’s hard drive must be shared and given the following rights, as shown below.
Once the server’s drive has been shared, each workstation will need to map the server’s shared drive. Then create a shortcut on the desktop that will point to the CVM.EXE file located in the CVM folder, on server’s shared/mapped drive.
No VideoMinder data or program files are to be copied on to the workstations.Note:
Adjusting the VIDEOMINDER shortcut properties
After creating the shortcut for VideoMinder, you will need to check the following properties. To do this, right click on the icon, then click Properties.
On the Program tab (below) ensure that Close on exit is ticked.
On the Misc tab (below) untick Alt+Prtsc, Alt+Space, Alt+Esc, Prtsc, Ctrl+Esc and Allow Screen Saver.
On the Screen tab (below) select Full-Screen.
Enabling Quick Logon
When setting the Win95/98 Network ensure that in the Client for Microsoft Networks properties you have Quick Logon enabled. This will eliminate the possibility of operator error if the server is not on when the workstations are logged in. Otherwise the workstation will lose its mapping to the server.
Installing and sharing cash drawers
Parallel Cash Drawers
In order to install and share the cash drawer, you will need to do the following:
Windows requires that you install a generic text printer on the parallel port that the cash drawer is connected to.
You then need to share that printer and give it a share name of, say, "CASH DRAWER".
On the workstation that will be connecting to that cash drawer you will have to capture a port on that machine.
Serial Cash Drawers - Non Shareable
Serial Cash Drawers cannot be shared.
In order for VideoMinder to open a serial cash drawer, on a machine running Windows XP/2000, you must use the following commands in a batch file that runs VideoMinder.
mode COM(x):9600,n,8,1Where (x) = The number assigned for the com port that the cash drawer is physically plugged into.
Once this is done, in the Cash Drawers, Slip Printers & CDU's screen (inside Change Setup Parameters), enter in the cash drawers's COM(x) for that console/node number.
Cash Drawer firing string
Within the Cash Drawers, Slip Printers & CDU's screen (inside Change Setup Parameters), we advise expanding the firing string to the following:
OPEN THE CASH DRAWER PLEASE ***
This should ensure the cash drawer to fire on most faster computers.
We have also found some cash drawers that require a different firing string like:
UUUU
This can be combined with the above to allow a mix of drawers on your system. So it would look like:
OPEN THE CASH DRAWER *****UUUU
If your cash drawer will not open, please check with your supplier for the required string for your specific unit.
- If you are planning to buy a new printer to operate under Windows 95/98/ME please ensure that:
Installing and sharing
Parallel Printers
it is a parallel printer and not USB.
it supports DOS printing.
In order to install and share the printer, you will need to do the following:
Windows requires, that on the computer to which the printer is connected, you install the supplied printer driver.
You then need to share that printer and give it a share name of, say, "PRINTER".
On the workstation that will be connecting to that printer you will have to add a network printer and capture a port on that machine.
Printer settings in VIDEOMINDER
If you change your printer to a new type or brand, and find the fonts is incorrect or the printer will not print, try the following:
Go to a C:\CVM prompt
Type in SETUPCD CVM
Choose Option C – Select or change printer
When asked to enter terminal number press ENTER for Default
Select a printer type that is closest to your printer
Note: We suggest you use options "R" or "M" for inkjet/laser printers, and option "H" for dot matrix printers.
Say Yes to confirm selection
Choose E to Exit
If you experience problems with the printer not finishing reports, you may wish to change some of your printer settings in order to resolve the problem. To do so, access your printer properties and click on the Details tab.
Print directly to the printer (see below).
Choose the Spool Settings, and change the settings to
You will be returned to the Properties screen. There, choose the Port Settings and remove the tick from Spool MS-DOS print jobs.
If, however, you continue to experience the problem change the settings back to its original setting, and check whether the printer driver you are currently using needs to be updated.
How to correct delays in the operation of cash drawers and printers
In sharing printers and cash drawers across 95/98/ME networks, you may experience a 60 to 90 second delay before printing begins or the cash drawer opens. The solution to this is to add the following lines to the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows directory, and then restart your computer.
[Network]
PrintBuftime=1[IFSMGR]
PrintBuftime=1
NOTE: If the [Network] or [IFSMGR] sections do not exist in the SYSTEM.INI, add the sections after the [386Enh] section of the file.
These settings are set in seconds. The lower the value you use, the sooner the document is printed. If you do not receive any printout, or documents are printed over multiple pages, the settings may be too low. Increase the settings until documents are printed correctly.
The entry in the [Network] section controls the network printing timeout using the real-mode redirector (outside of Windows 95). The entry in the [IFSMGR] section controls the network printing timeout using the protected-mode redirector (within Windows 95). By default, this value is set to 45 seconds.
NOTE: these settings may affect local as well as network printing.
