IBM Diagnostics for POS Systems and Peripherals

Version 4.5.0  October 2009


INTRODUCTION:
This document provides information that assists you in installing the package on a memory key and instructs you in the general use of the diagnostics package. This one package will operate on a variety of systems. When you run them, you will also notice an easy to use graphical user interface.

CONTENTS:

I

Diagnostics Version

II

Supported Systems

III

Supported Memory Keys

IV

BIOS Requirements

V

Installing the Diagnostic Package on a Memory Key

VI

Running the Diagnostic Package

VII

Running Utilities

VIII

Known Issues and limitations

IX

Remote Diagnostics

X

Getting Help

XI

Trademarks

 


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I. Diagnostics Version
IBM Diagnostics for POS Systems and Peripherals Version 4.5.0

With this release, two packages can be found on the IBM Retail Store Solutions Hardware Support website at

http://www.ibm.com/solutions/retail/store/support/

 

One package is to be installed on a USB memory key.  The other package is to be used for remote diagnostics.  The package you choose depends on how you plan to use the diagnostics.  There is additional information on remote diagnostics and the differences between the two packages later in this document. 


When you go to this website, you can find the diagnostic packages under the sections for the specific Machine Type and Models covered by this package. You will be asked for some identifying information before you download a diagnostic package.

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II. Supported Systems


This package provides Diagnostics and Utilities for the following IBM Machine Types and attached IBM Point of Sale Peripherals*:
SurePOS 300: 4810-x3x, 4910-x3x, 4810-x4x, 4910-x4x
SurePOS 500: 4851-x14, 4951-x14, 4840-xx4, 4846-xx5, 4852-xxx, 4961-xxx
SurePOS 700: 4800-xx2, 4800-xx3

Anyplace Kiosk: 4838-xxx

SurePOS 100: 4613-xxx***

 

This package also provides Diagnostics and Utilities for IBM Point of Sale Peripherals* attached to the following IBM Machine Types:

SurePOS 500: 4840-xx3

SurePOS 700: 4800-xx1

SurePOS 300: 4810-x2x

IBM ThinkPad: T23, T41, T42, T43, T60

* The list of supported IBM Point of Sale Peripherals and Devices include:
4610 SureMark Printer, MICR and Check Scanner; Cash Drawers; Presence Sensor; MSR; Barcode Scanner; Tone Indicator; Point of Sale Keyboard, Keylock; Line Display; Fiscal Printer and Touch Screen**.

** Touch support is only available for the following models of IBM 4820 SurePoint display: 2WD, 2GD, 2WB, 2GB, 5WB, 5GB, and 5G6.         

*** The amount of shared memory assigned to Video can prevent Remote Diagnostics from executing in 4813-XXX systems with 256MB of system RAM.   See the Known Issues section for more details.

The supplemental diagnostics diskette should be used for all other IBM Machine Types, Peripherals and configurations not listed above.

NOTE: The Diagnostics requires at least 128MB of memory on the System Unit.

NOTE: The Remote Diagnostics requires at least 256MB of memory on the System Unit.

 

New with this release:

-         CP 951 (Hong Kong font) file support for 4610-1NR, 1CR, 2NR, 2CR

-         4820-2WB, 2GD, 2GB, 2WD, 5WB, 5GB, and 5G6

o       Firmware update support

-     4852 and 4961 system units  


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III. Supported Memory Keys

 

The package is provided in the form of an installation package and it installs to a memory key. IBM has tested the package on:

 

IBM USB 2.0 Memory key (256 MB)

FRU: 22P9231

Part number: 22P9228

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=psg1MIGR-57138

 

PNY USB 2.0 1-GB Memory Key

Part number: P-FD01GU20-RF

http://www2.pny.com/homepage.aspx

 

SanDisk USB 4-GB Memory Key

Part number: SDUFD2AD-4096

FRU: 41Y8279

 

For IBM internal orders please order FRU P/N 41Y8279 to obtain a supported USB 2.0 4-GB Memory Key


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IV. BIOS Requirements

Please check the BIOS level on your IBM RSS Point of Sale system unit. Also check the level of BIOS available from the IBM RSS Hardware Support website. If the BIOS available on the web site is a newer version, please download it and install it on your system unit. There are installation instructions with the BIOS update download.

Note: In order to run the diagnostics package from the memory key, the memory key must be identified to the system unit as the first boot device. Please check the boot order set on the machine by checking the system configuration. You can display the system configuration in most systems by pressing the
DEL key when the system unit is first booting up (you will see a message on the display telling you to press the DEL key to get into the system configuration) or following system startup directions. The memory key is identified as a USB HDD.

Refer to the document titled Setting BIOS Boot Orders for details on how to set the boot order in BIOS for each IBM RSS system unit supported by this diagnostics package.


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V. Installing the Diagnostic Package on a Memory Key

It is a simple process to install the package on a memory key.

 

NOTE: It is good practice to maintain a backup of the system on which you build the memory key. For safety sake, you may want to run this installation program on a machine whose data can be easily recovered.

 

CAUTION: All memory key contents are deleted during the installation process. Please remove any files you want to preserve to a secure place outside the memory key.

To install, follow these steps:

-        Download the Diagnostics package from the support website. This ZIP file includes both Diagnostics image and README files.

-        Extract Diagnostics image and execute on a computer with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP and follow the on-screen instructions.

-        The installation process will tell you if there is insufficient space to install the diagnostics on the memory key.  

-        The program will tell you when it is finished.

-        The remaining free space is available for user files.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the memory key contains a protected area, you'll need to remove it prior to running the diagnostics install package. A protected area on a 256MB key will prevent installation due to lack of available space. Use of a protected area on keys larger than 256MB has not been tested.

 


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VI. Running the Diagnostics Package


Start with the machine powered off. Insert the memory key into a USB port. Power on the machine and the diagnostic program will start.

You will be presented with a graphical user interface from which you can choose to run:

-   Diagnostics for the system unit devices (video, hard drive, network card, serial ports, etc.)

-   POS peripherals tests (scanner, magnetic stripe reader, cash drawer, etc.)

-   Utilities (4610 Printer Utilities, VPD, USB Firmware flash, etc.)

 


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VII. Running the Utilities

 

Follow the instructions in the section on “Running the Diagnostics Package” above.   The available utilities are identified on the main screen.   Note that not all utilities described here may be displayed for your particular configuration.   Displaying the utilities is hardware specific.

 

Click on the Utilities box. The available utilities are USB Firmware, POS Printer Updates Utilities, VPD (Vital Product Data) Update, Reset Line Scanner , Reset Omni-Directional Scanner, Keyboard Firmware Utilities, EEProm Utilities, Touch Panel Firmware Update Utility, and NVRAM Utilities.  More information can be found in the HELP on each screen.  

 

The available POS Printer Updates Utilities are Font Download, Logo Download, Message Download, Microcode Update or Flash Update, Memory Allocation, and Printer Configuration.  

 

Click on the Microcode Update box to begin the process of updating the printer microcode.  The firmware file is automatically identified for you.  If this is the file you want to update the printer with, then click on DOWNLOAD.  You will be given the opportunity to choose a different file containing the printer microcode if you placed additional printer microcode files on the memory key.  If you don’t know the name of the file you won’t be able to find it!!   Once you’ve identified the file, press the DOWNLOAD button to update microcode.  Do not power off the system while the microcode is being applied.  You will be informed when it is finished. Rest assured that the utility will prompt you if the microcode to be sent is older than the one currently in the printer.

 

To put the new printer microcode file on the memory key, you will have to get it from the IBM RSS hardware support website at (http://www.ibm.com/solutions/retail/store/support/).

 

Click on the IBM Suremark Printer selection.  Find your specific printer in the list that is presented.  Download the  IBM 4610 SureMark Printer, Microcode files for Firmware Update onto your work computer.  Place the file(s) you downloaded onto the memory key in the Utilities subdirectory.

 

You can create subdirectories in the Utilities subdirectory and place the file there if you wish to organize the files residing in the Utilities subdirectory.

 

Please refer to the IBM 4610 SureMark Printer Firmware Install Instructions for additional details on putting the printer firmware files on your memory key and installing the printer firmware.

 

 

To run the Font Download Utility, click on the Font Download box on the bottom of the screen.

You will be asked to identify the file containing the font.  You will be given the opportunity to browse for the file on the memory key.  Once you’ve identified the file, you will need to identify the Font Type and the Font Number from the lists displayed on the screen.  Press the download button to load the font.  Do not power off the system while the font file is being applied.  You will be informed when it is finished.

 

Note that the Font Download Utility erases the font area into which you will be downloading before the download occurs. 

 

In the Font Download Utility, you can print the font file to see what it looks like on your printer.  You accomplish this by pressing the Print button after you have chosen the font file.

 

The printer places the font file in memory that can be erased.  If you wish to erase all the font data in the printer, you need to press the Erase Fonts button on the bottom of the screen.  You will be asked if you really want to do this since it will remove all the font data from your printer.  You should use this option if you want to change the fonts completely in your printer.

 

Note: If you erase the fonts in your printer and then attempt to print the fonts, nothing is printed since no fonts remain in the printer.  A message will tell you that no fonts are in the printer.

 

Press the download button to load the font.  Do not power off the system while the font file is being applied.  You will be informed when it is finished.    

 

To run the Logo Download Utility, click on the Logo Download box on the bottom of the screen.

You will be asked to identify the file containing the logo.  You will be given the opportunity to browse for the file on the memory key.  Once you’ve identified the file, you will need to identify the Station Type, the Bitmap Position, and the Logo Number from the lists displayed on the screen. 

 

Press the DOWNLOAD button to load the logo file.  Do not power off the system while the logo file is being applied.  You will be informed when it is finished.

 

In the Logo Download Utility, you can print the logo file to see what it looks like on your printer.  You accomplish this by pressing the Print button after you have chosen the logo file.

 

The printer places the logo file in memory that can be erased.  If you wish to erase all the logo data in the printer, you need to press the Erase Logos button on the bottom of the screen.  You will be asked if you really want to do this since it will remove all the logo data from your printer.  You should use this option if you want to change the logos completely in your printer.

 

 

To run the Message Download Utility, click on the Message Download box on the bottom of the screen.

You will be asked to enter the message you want to place in the printer. Once you type in the message,  you will need to assign a message number to it using the drop down list identified as Message Number.  You can assign a message number from 1 to 25.

 

Press the DOWNLOAD button to load the message.  Do not power off the system while the message is being applied.  You will be informed when it is finished.

 

In the Message Download Utility, you can print the message to see what it looks like on your printer.  You accomplish this by pressing the Print button after you have entered the message.

 

The printer places the message in memory that can be erased.  If you wish to erase all the messages in the printer, you need to press the Erase Messages button on the bottom of the screen.  You will be asked if you really want to do this since it will remove all the message data from your printer.  You should use this option if you want to change the messages completely in your printer.

 

To run the Printer Memory Allocation Utility, click on the Memory Allocation box at the bottom of the screen.  You are presented with a table showing current printer memory allocations and you have the option of changing the allocations. 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE EFFECT OF PRINTER MEMORY ALLOCATION

·         If ANY of the character set font areas are reallocated then ALL memory partitions will be erased – not just the character set font area you are reallocating.

·         If ANY of the other areas (logos, messages, user memory, scan image storage, electronic journal storage) are reallocated, then ALL of these other areas will be erased.

 

To run the Printer Configuration Utility, click on the Configuration box on the bottom of the screen.  There are many configuration tasks available to you:  Scanner Calibration, Print Adjustment Values, MCT Adjustments, Set Serial Number, Reset Statistics, Set Printer Type, Set Factory Defaults, Dump MCT Values, Engineering Use Only, and Set Receipt Width. 

 

Note that not all configuration options are available for every supported printer.  The options available for the printer you have attached will display.

 

The Scanner Calibration Utility allows you to calibrate the check scanner on the TI-8 and TI-9 printers.  Click on the Scanner Calibration button to begin the calibration.  You will be instructed to perform the required steps for calibration.

 

Print Adjustment Values prints the adjustment titles and their values on the receipt printer. 

 

MCT Adjustments allows you to set the Character Alignment, Backlash Adjustment, and the DI Front Load Adjustment values.  For an explanation of these values, see the SureMark Printer User Guide.  You can choose one of these adjustments by clicking on the item from the drop down list.  Click OK and you will be directed to perform actions in setting these adjustments.

 

Set Serial Number allows you to set the serial number of your printer.  This is used when major parts of the printer are replaced and the serial number needs to be set again. 

 

Reset Statistics allows you to reset statistics the printer keeps on its many components.  By clicking on the Reset Statistics button, you are provided with a list of components from which you can choose one.  Click OK when you’ve chosen the component.  This utility is used when a component is replaced.   The statistics provides an indication about the frequency of use of the components. 

 

Set Printer Type allows you to identify the type of printer.   This should be used when major HW parts have been replaced and the printer no longer contains Product Information.  If you are working with a TI8 or TI9, you will be asked to identify the printer as a TI-8, a TI-9 printer.  Be aware that when you use this utility, the system on which the printer is attached to must be restarted after the printer type is set. 

 

Dump MCT Values allows you to dump the MCT values currently in the printer.  This capability is useful  for problem determination since this allows you to capture the MCT values in a file and you can send the file to the hardware support group.

 

When you are working with a 2xR or a 1xR, you will be shown the current settings of the printer (compatibility or native mode, DBCS mode or SBCS mode).  You will be given the opportunity to change these settings.

 

Set Factory Defaults allows you to erase all user data from the printer and set all MCT locations to the same values that newly manufactured printers have.

 

Set Receipt Width allows you to set the width of the receipt paper on the 4810-1xR.  You are shown the current setting for these printers and have the option of setting the width to the other option.  The two receipt widths available are 80mm and 58mm.  If you are changing your printer from one width to the other, there is a 58mm paper guide that must be placed or removed, depending on your needs.  Note: If you used this utility to set the receipt width to 58mm and you want to test the 58mm receipt print and if you have previously loaded DBCS fonts into your printer, you will need to disable the DBCS mode to be able to see the correct printing on the 58mm receipt for the test.  Once you have completed the receipt test, you can enable DBCS mode again. 

 

 

 

The Keyboard Firmware Update Utility allows you to update the firmware for the Compact ANPOS keyboard or the PS/2 attached Modular keyboard. Initially, the utility chooses a firmware file to be used.   If you added more keyboard firmware files to the memory key, you can browse for those additional firmware files available in the utilities\flash\ ps2_keyboard_firmware subdirectory by clicking on the BROWSE button.  You can place keyboard firmware files on the memory key in the utilities\flash\ ps2_keyboard_firmware subdirectory.  Once you have selected the firmware file to install, click on the DOWNLOAD button and the firmware file will be downloaded to the keyboard.

 

The Touch Panel Firmware Update Utility allows you to update the firmware for the touch panel.  The level of the firmware currently installed will be displayed in the screen.  You can browse for firmware files available in the utilities/flash/touch_panel subdirectory by clicking on the BROWSE button.  You can place touch panel firmware files on the memory key in the utilities/flash/touch panel subdirectory.  Once you have selected the firmware file to install, click on the DOWNLOAD button and the firmware file will be downloaded to the touch panel hardware

 

The NVRAM Utilities allows you to clear and dump the content of the Non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) present in most SurePOS 700 systems.  To dump the content of the NVRAM to a file click on “Dump NVRAM” button. The file will be stored in the utilities\nvram subdirectory

 

EEProm Utility allows you to clear and dump the contents of riser card EEProm  present in some SurePOS 700 systems.  To dump the contents of the riser card to a file click on DUMP button. The file will be stored in the utilities\nvram subdirectory.  This utility is displayed when the system unit you are working with allows this function.

 

 

 

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VIII. Known Issues and limitations


a. If HDD Test detects a possible defect in the drive, test progress indications will come to a halt and it may take a few extra minutes before the program returns control to user while the error condition is analyzed. This is not a defect but normal program operation.  Please be patient.

 

b. A reported defective device on a USB Port may be due to a defective USB port. Move the device to a different USB Port , RESTART the system to rerun the test.

 

c. USB attached Fiscal Printers are not supported by this diagnostics package.

 

d. Cash Drawer test may not be available in 4800-1xx and  4800-2xx systems due to firmware limitations.

 

e. Port- D Loopback Test failure on SP500-xx4 may be due to BIOS SETUP value for this port and by the presence of an integrated VFD Display.  From BIOS SETUP select Integrated Peripherals then select IBM Cash Drawer. Change setting to Disable then press F10 to Save. Disconnect the integrated VFD Display if attached. Reboot and retest Port D. Restore original Port D Setup selection and VFD connection if applicable.

 

f. Port- D Loopback Test failure on SP500 (4840, 4851, 4852 and 4861) may be due to BIOS SETUP value for this port and by the presence of an integrated VFD Display. If the Integrated VFD Display is present, the Port D Loopback Test will fail because the integrated VFD display shares the same port as the Port D connector.  This is expected and is not to be seen as a failure.   If there is no Integrated VFD Display attached to the system and the Port D Loop Test is failing, check the BIOS settings.  From BIOS SETUP select Integrated Peripherals then Serial Port D Function.  Remember current setting.  Change to VFD/RS-232 then press F10 to Save. Reboot and test Port D. Restore original Port D Setup selection, if you changed them.  

 

g. Network test requires a wrap plug or a connection to a network. The diagnostics depend on a physical link to the network or wrap-plug to perform this. Otherwise the diagnostics will not detect network communications and will report the test results as "Fail".

 

h. For 4800-7x1 systems,  the following issues exist:

  • if an RS-232 SurePort is paired with an RS-485 or USB SurePort, the diagnostics may not be able to correctly determine how many RS-232 ports are available.

 

i. Due to a firmware limitation on the RS-232 4610 printers the “Print” command in the Logo download panel may take up to three minutes to return an error when the selected logo is not present. Please be patient.

 

j. The Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) test may be available for a system with a Compact Anpos Keyboard without an MSR.  Don’t use the test in this case.  If you do run the test, exit the test to continue running diagnostics.

 

k. On a 4813 system units

  • the MSR test may appear slow to show data after swiping the MSR test card.  If data does not show on the display after 5 seconds, swipe the test card again.  If data does not show after this, report the problem to IBM.
  • if a USB mouse does not work, unplug it and plug it again. If the device still fails to work try a different mouse.
  • the Remote Diagnostics will not work on system with 256MB of system memory if the shared video memory is set to 64MB.  To run Remote Diagnostics change the VGA Share Memory Size to 16MB or 32MB under Advance Chipset Features -> AGP & P2P Bridge Control in the CMOS setup utility. Systems with more than 256MB of memory are not affected.

 

l.  For the 4838-5xx, 7xx, and 9xx system units,

  • When any 12-inch 4820 display is attached to the secondary video port, an “Out of Range” message appears on the 4820 display during boot-up and remains on the display.  It also shows the same images the primary display is showing.  This is a hardware issue.

 

m. USB attached 4610 printers having USB firmware level 2.08 must be flashed to a newer firmware level before running any diagnostic tests on the printer.

 

n. The Impact Station Test for the 4610 printer can require a bigger paper depending on the printer configuration values.  The paper should be at least the size of a regular check. If the test cannot complete with a small paper, use a bigger one. This is not considered a hardware defect. 

 

o. For the 4610 POS printers, if you have the diagnostic printer test running or if you have the printer utilities running, do not put the printer into offline test mode.  This will cause loss of communication with the printer by the diagnostic software.  If you want to run the printer hardware offline test mode, stop the IBM Diagnostics for POS System and Peripherals before starting the printer hardware offline test mode.

 

p. 4852 can support two video displays.  This diagnostics package is unable to operate with second video display.  This is not a hardware problem.  When running these diagnostics, do not replace the second video display based on the operation with the diagnostics package.

There are two alternatives for diagnosing problems on the second video display. 

First,  use the results of running the customer application as an indication of the operation of the second display.  Also, check that the power cable is attached to a power source and that the video cable is connected to the video port on this system unit.

Second, there is a separate, standalone package named IBM SurePOS 500-xx6 VGA Diag.  This is available for execution from a USB key or from a floppy.  This package runs a test on the secondary video.  Boot the package from a floppy or a USB memory key and follow the instructions.  Search the IBM RSS Support web page at http://www.ibm.com/solutions/retail/store/support and search for VGA Diag to find this standalone tool.

 

q. On the 4852, if you connect an RS-232 printer to COM port C and add it at 115200 Kbps, the printer will go offline or the “add a device” action will fail.   To prevent this from happening, move the printer to a different COM port prior to running diagnostics.

 

r. With a 4820 touch display attached through a USB port, the USB port test reports a failure when you run it.  Do not replace hardware based on the results of this test.

 

s. Two keyboards may be recognized by this Diagnostics package after you have updated the firmware in the IBM Modular Keyboard attached via USB.  One keyboard may reflect the old firmware level and one keyboard may reflect the updated firmware level.  Ignore the keyboard entry reflecting the old firmware level and proceed with you verification tests using the entry reflecting the updated firmware level.  

  

   

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IX. Remote Diagnostics

 

This release of IBM Diagnostics for POS Systems and Peripherals provides you the capability to run the diagnostics remotely.  Refer to the file titled REMOTE_README.htm for details on remotely running the diagnostics. 

 

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X. Getting Help


There is a help button at the top of the diagnostic user interface giving details about running diagnostics if you have questions about any particular aspect of running the diagnostics.


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XI. Trademarks


* IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation.
* Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
* Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

* PC-Doctor is a registered trademark of PC-Doctor, Inc.