Hey, I'm using a DBASE for dos to operate a cashregister and I need a way to send, like a pulse from the dos prompt to open a cash register drawer. any help? Thanks Agostinho

There is DOS Cash Register software available from: http://pages.prodigy.net/daleharris/index.htm

In some POS applications the cash drawer signal is embedded in the output to the receipt printer. In your case you may have to write output to either the serial or parallel port. On some models there is available a module to decode the output and trigger the solenoid. Or you may make your own.

Hy fred, That's what I need, a sample module decoder for me to have an idea, do have any, or do you know any website that I can link to. Thanks

The easiest method is to use a receipt printer with the port built in or a cash drawer with the module built in. The codes are usually embedded in the receipt printer data. Unless you have a lot of spare ports, your are going to have to embed the codes in your normal printout and connect your decoded in parallel with your present printer. The cash register release uses either 12 or 24 volts. There will be quite an inductive voltage surge when triggered. I don't have a specific site for the module. You can find examples for serial and parallel interface circuitry at lvr.com and the links there. I would recommend buying a drawer or printer already equipped unless you have experience in circuit construction. There is a free POS package that has support for the cash drawer. Search GOOGLE

There are two main types of cash drawers. One type connects to the serial port of your computer. The other type connects to a receipt printer using an RJ-11 phone jack type of connector. If your cash drawer connects to the serial port then simply sending any character to the port will cause the cach drawer to open. This sound simple but from DOS it will not work most of the time particularly if your computer is running a version of Windows after Win '98. If you have a receipt printer, by which I mean a specialized printer for printing receipts that prints on a long roll or paper and not just any printer that you are using to print receipts, then it will have an RJ-11 phone type jach into which you can plug in a cable from your cash drawer. By sending a control code to the printer you will cause it to to send a signal to the cash drawer that will then open. This page lists control codes for many receipt printers. http://pages.prodigy.net/daleharris/popopen.htm These codes are actually ASCII codes that must be combined into a string and then sent to the printer. Here is some QB code that will give you the basic idea. Assuming that the code you want to send is 27, 120, 15, 62 A$=CHR$(27)+CHR$(120)+CHR$(15)+CHR$(62) LPRINT A$ Dale

If your looking for cash drawers or reciept printers to link to cash drawers then please feel free to check out our site www.ded.co.uk. Most of our cash drawers can be triggered to open via added a command at the end of the print job ie it prints your receipt and then issues the command and the drawer opens. Hope this is of some use