I am looking for anyone who has used AREV 1.16 or above in DOS

who has used a Bar Code Printer which will understand AREV commands

We are in the process of buying a Bar Code Printer and need to know

which printers will work with AREV. The program we use is AREV 1.16

and we need a Bar Code printer to work with this system. If anyone

has any ideas it would be greatly apprecated.

Mark

Mark,

AREV doesn't require a special kind of printer since it can send any output you program it to. Most barcode printers, however, are by default wired for serial port communications and cost a little extra to have a Centronics port added. I would highly recommend doing this so you don't have to meddle with serial communications in AREV. Beyond this, any brand you are looking at will do fine.

dbakke@srpcs.com

SRP Computer Solutions

While a parallel printer would alleviate the problem of redirecting printers, you may wish to have a regular printer for other things like reports and stuff. A serial printer makes sense if it is dedicated for a specific task (e.g. printing bar codes) and frees the regular PRN port for normal use.

To make sure the printer responds, you need to set your COM port parameters with a MODE command in either in AUTOEXEC.BAT or the AREV batch file. Something like:

    MODE COM1 96 n 8 1 1

or similar (check book) will match port configurations to your printer. Of course change port name as required.

Then, to use it, you will need to perform a PDISK COM1 command prior to printing bar code label and such. This allows for printing regularly without need for worrying about com port commnuications in Rev. When complete, a simple PDISK PRN returns output to the regular local device. Networked printing is a whole different ball game.

I use the OMNIBAR TSR to print bar codes on simple labels from a dot matrix printer on a parallel port. A receipt printer is on a COM port using the MODE command and PDISK. The TSR monitors printer output for a specific command sequence and prints accordingly. Its crude but functions adequately. While the MODE command can appear in either batch file, the OMNIBAR must load in the AUTOEXEC for some strange reason. Freezes up otherwise. If your printer needs a DOS device or TSR, keep this in mind.

Just some thoughts.

Much Luck,

Charles Schmidling

DATASCAN Systems, Inc.

cbms.at.juno.dot.com

Had lots of luck with Intermec codes, both serial and parallel, though serial was a bit of a pain, getting V124 and MODE commands figured out for the best way.

Either way, it's just a matter of finding the correct output and doing it. Only real problem could be if it's running through Windows, but that's just dealing with Windows eating any commands and trying to take over the port.

Best bet is parallel and using SETPTR to go to the correct port as it's probably easier.

On a side note, if you need a reader, go for a keyboard wedge reader. Don't even think about a serial port one.

The Sprezzatura Group

[/i]World leaders in all things RevSoft[/i]

Barcode printers come with their own inbuilt language which usually include a range of fonts and barcode types.

All you have to do is send simple "Print" commands and the printer will do the rest.

I work with printers that produce small labels with barcodes for jewellery. In fact I also sell the printers, so if you need a thermal printer for small labels … have I got a deal for you…

Otherwise most other brands can handle labels of up to 4" in width.

Strongly suggest that you use parallel port printers and invest in a Lpt2 if necessary as I have had Arev do really wierd things while trying to write to the COM ports on certain hardware configurations.

Claude

FWIW, we have used the Okidata 320Turbo and the Okidata 595 for printing barcodes on labels. They work fine printing several hundreds labels/reports daily.

]On a side note, if you need a reader, go for a keyboard

] wedge reader. Don't even think about a serial port one.

HERE! HERE! Only way to go!

As an additional side note…

The newer keyboard wedges are neat: its all in the little pass-thru plug adapter. The first one I installed was this wierd little box that had to be put some where and accomplished the same thing.

Only little problem is the CAPS LOCK would invert capital and small letters. If your ap is case sensitive and alpha chars are in the bar code, adjustments need to be made. Turning the CAPS off or hitting SHIFT while scanning are cumbersome but work.

Much Luck,

Charles Schmidling

DATASCAN Systems, Inc.

cbms.at.juno.dot.com

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