Windows Printing on Aloha Terminal 1

[jraymond4321]

Hi,

I have a client that wants to print from Windows (Notepad.exe) to a serial printer attached to one of their Aloha terminals. The terminal is running Windows XP Embedded.

I tried setting up the receipt printer as a windows printer, and immediately received an error in the Aloha application. I deleted the printer, and Aloha worked fine.

Any ideas how I could do this.

 

[Circle9]

You would need to change the printer settings in Aloha to use the Windows printer. Go to Maintenance > Hardware > Printers, select the printer, and change the type to Windows Printer. Type the exact name of the Windows printer in the box. Then refresh the system.

 

[jraymond4321]

Thanks!

 

[jraymond4321]

Hi Mitchell,

I hope you see this post!

Are you sure you can print from Notepad.exe (or another app) if you have the printer setup as a Windows Printer?

I've been told by someone else that you cannot print to an Aloha printer (without using Aloha's SDK COM objects) regardless of the type of printer (Windows/OPOS/Com port).

Please let me know if you have done this.

Thanks!

 

[Circle9]

I have been able to print a text file from Notepad to a printer. I don't use the SDK COM objects either.

 

[jraymond4321]

Thanks Mitchell.

I am trying to do the same thing (print from a windows app).

I have tried to configure the terminal printer as a Windows Printer, and I have tried to use OPOS drivers (the windows app supports OPOS).

No matter what I do, I cannot get the printer (TM-T88III on Com1) to work as either a Windows printer or as a OPOS printer.

When I try to configure it as a Windows printer, the test page prints junk. I have rebooted the terminal, bypassed Aloha and VNC in the startup. I have gone into MSCONFIG and turned off all the startup options. Rebooted with the network cable unplugged and it still gives me errors.

I have done similar steps with the OPOS printer drivers, and the OPOS printer fails the CheckHealth status option.

I have tried every concieavable way on the BOH. I have changed the settings to Windows (or OPOS) first, refreshed and then changed them on the terminal. I have changed the settings on the terminal first, then the BOH and refreshed. I don't have the option to delete a printer, but I have removed the printer from the terminal, so it's not used anywhere, and created a new printer from scratch, and attached it to the terminal.

I am at a loss to figure out what has control of the printer, and how to disable it.

Do you have exact specific steps on changing a printer from COM1 to Windows (or OPOS).

I think I must be missing a step or doing it in the wrong order or something.

Thanks for the prompt replies!

 

[Circle9]

Go to the terminal the printer is connected to and press Ctrl-Alt-Delete. First, close the batch file, if one is open, and then kill IBER.EXE.

Then download and install the printer drivers from epsonexpert.com and configure the printer according to the self test. You should be able to get a test page to print.

Then go into Aloha Manager and change the type to Windows Printer, put in the exact name of the printer in the box, select TM-T80 from the Windows Printer Type dropdown, and refresh the system.

Hope this helps!

 

[jraymond4321]

Thanks,

I have done that repeatedly. I've used the Epson Advanced Printer Windows drivers, and I have tried using just Generic / Text driver.

Neither one will print correctly. I get about 1 line of garbage.

I have a Posiflex terminal with a TM-T88III as a test bench, and the same drivers (Epson or Generic) print the test page fine.

I have tried to copy the Aloha directory from the terminal in question to my test bench but I can't get it to run the Aloha SW.

Is there anything you can think of in Aloha that would "Lock" the printer so it doesn't work?

Thanks!

 

[Circle9]

I also have a Posiflex terminal with a TM-T88III. Maybe try the printer on another COM port.

 

[jraymond4321]

What version of Aloha are you running? Is it TS or QS?

Thanks.

 

[Circle9]

I am on 6.2.15 and it's TableService.

 

[IndexRobert]

on the aloha cd's you can find an application designed for this, called ACP (Advanced Check Printing). This is designed for windows printers and has 'design' utility to create a lay-out. It's a bit fidgety, but when it runs, it works perfectly fine. Just make sure you set your CHECKFILEPATH variable.

If you can't get it to run, just send a message. I'm quite familiar with it... ;-)