TESTING COMMUNICATIONS USING THE "TURNBACK" UTILITY

Included with the Grocerymaster software package is a utility program named "TURNBACK.EXE". This
program is located in the GMT/POS subdirectory. This utility is used to test the PC async (RS232) ports
and communications cables. The test can also be used to identify communication ports on unfamiliar PC's.
When run, this program will send characters out of the selected comm. port transmit pin and will look for
those characters coming back into the receive pin. If the characters were received the test will
indicate SUCCESSFUL, if not, FAILED will be shown. To run TURNBACK . . . . .

1. Install the applicable 9 pin or 25 pin loopback connector on the PC async (comm.) port or the cable to be tested.

2. At the DOS prompt, change to the hard disk drive that the Grocerymaster software is installed on by typing..X: ("X" is the Grocerymaster drive)...then hit ENTER

3. Change to the \GMT\POS directory by typing.CD\GMT\POS then hit ENTER

4. To test comm. port 1 type.. TURNBACK 0 To test comm. port 2 type.. TURNBACK 1

NOTE: To make a loopback test connector, solder a jumper wire across pins 2 and 3 of the applicable (mating) 9 or 25 pin connector.

FM Q&A - Solutions

1. When should frequency B units be used?
Frequency B should be used when the customer site is within one mile of an existing Frequency A customer site.

2. Where should the FM Base/Mux unit be located in the store?
Refer to the Norand RT1201 Radio Data Network Systems Guide page 2-10:
"The Mux should be installed at least 10 feet from any electronic equipment (radios, computers, etc.).The Base should be located at least 15 feet away from any area in which the hand held terminals may be used. The long antenna on the Base must be at least 2 feet from any metal objects."

Also note the Base/Mux must be installed in a vertical position.

3. When should the NiCad batteries in the FM units be recharged?
To insure maximum life of the NiCad batteries, they should not be recharged until the display on the hand-held terminal says CONNECT BATTERY TO CHARGER.

A typical recharging can take up to 12 hours. Therefore, customers should have a strategy to insure that there is always a fully charged battery on hand. Here are a couple of suggestions:

1) Customers can purchase an additional battery. When one battery runs down, it can be replaced with the fully charged back-up.

2) Customers can purposely discharge the battery every 2 or 3 days depending on radio usage. They can discharge batteries by turning the radio on in the morning, and leaving it on until the display says CONNECT BATTERY TO CHARGER

More Com/FM Troubleshooting:

**Communications in general seem to be failing periodically, even though the cables and comm port seem fine.

**Check to see if the computer is a newer 486 machine. It may be "caching" too fast for Grocerymaster
or FM. Watch the screen at bootup to see how to get into the System BIOS and turn off the caching options.

All computers have different BIOS...here are a couple I know of. Try one of these if you can't see any option at bootup:

**FM fails immediately!
Check the amount of items. They are probably trying to stuff the 32,213th item into a system which will only hold 32,212! ;D Not good. Have them delete items, and do a File Count/Cleanup...then try to send items down again : )

To get a quickie count of exactly how many items are at the POS master...use P1 mode, then do this:

12 (on right keypad)
File No.
Start/End
Start/End

This will give you a receipt with info on it like this:

13,106(13,000+106)