Hardware Options
Hardware Requirements
Connecting Hardware
Networking Our Software

Hardware Options

Our software products support a number of point-of-sale hardware options.  Pictures, descriptions, and prices are listed below. All items can be ordered by either contacting us directly or by using our secure order page.  All POS hardware comes with a 1-year parts and labor warranty!

Wondering about compatibility with other POS hardware?   Visit our hardware requirements section!

Interested in learning how to configure our POS hardware with your computer?  See our connections section!

(Prices shown below do not include shipping and handling.)

	A scanning wand connects directly to your computer allows you to scan inventory tags directly into our Make Sale screen. Sales are faster and more accurate! Sale Price: $189 The Star TSP643 "thermal" receipt printer prints customers receipts with lightning like speed.  Since it prints with heat, there is no ribbon to replace and a built-in cutter cuts the paper automatically!  This is our recommendation for cost effective POS receipt printing. List: $501, Ours: $369
	The Star SP212 receipt printer will print a 3-inch receipt for your customers.   Receipt printing using this printer is approximately 6 times faster than printing on a standard sheet of paper.  This is our recommendation for cost effective POS receipt printing. Sale Price: $289
	An all-steel cash drawer connected to our receipt printer will open automatically when a sale is made!   Five money and coin slots. Sale Price: $189
	The new Eltron LP2824 thermal printer prints either thermal labels or tags at the rate of one tag per second in near silence! List: $495, Ours: $395

To better assist you with hardware that is compatible with our software, we've put together this requirements page.  Please note that we sell POS hardware that is 100% compatible with our software program.  We offer a 1-year warranty on all POS hardware options.

If you choose to get your POS hardware elsewhere and/or select different models than we use, you're on your own with compatibility and setup.

Additional information on connecting all POS hardware can be found in our new connections section!

Computer:

• IBM PC or compatible - no Mac's, sorry.
• 300 mhz or faster processor.
• 64 MB (or more) of RAM (memory).
• 20 MB of free hard drive space.
• Windows 98, NT, 2000, and XP.

Note:  If you are unsure of your computers cababilities, check with a reputable computer supply or repair shop.  Generally speaking, almost any "IBM compatible" computer made in the last five years will run our software.

Scanning Gun:  Must plug directly into the keyboard port of your PC and recognize "Code-39" style barcodes.   We sell a CCD type keyboard-wedge scanner.

To Install:  Unplug your keyboard and plug the scanning gun into the keyboard port on your PC.  Plug the keyboard cable into the Y-adapter that hangs off the scanner cable.  Restart your computer. (more info)

Receipt Printers:  Must be a Star SP212 or a Star TSP643 receipt printer with a parallel interface to your computer.

To Install:  Connect the printer to the LPT port on the back of your computer.  If you are installing more than one printer onto your compter either connect an A/B switch to the parallel port or install a second parallel printer card (LPT2) inside the computer.  You will need 3" wide cash register receipt tape rolls to use this printer.  You will also need to install the "Generic / Text Only" printer driver using the Add Printer wizard in your printers folder. (more info)

Cash Drawer:  Must plug directly into the bottom of the SP212 or TSP643 receipt printer.  It may not plug into a COM, USB, or Parallel port on the computer.

To Install:  Plug the cable from the cash drawer into the bottom of the receipt printer.  A small piece of plastic can be removed to expose the cash drawer port. (more info)

Thermal label/tag printer:  Only for PawnShopPro.  Must be the Eltron LP2824.

To Install:  Connect the printer to the parallel printer port on the back of your computer.  Install the printer driver software that accompanied your new printer. (more info)

Printers in General:  In general, any InkJet, LaserJet, or full-carriage Dot-Matrix printer can be used with our software program to print reports, checks, tags, labels, pawn tickets, and customer receipts.

If you are unsure as to whether your hardware will work with our software you can always try to connect it and test it.  If it does not work it is most likely not compatible with our software and there is little or nothing that we can do to make it work.

Some tips for installing POS hardware with PawnShopPro.

• Steps you can do while waiting for the hardware
• Using multiple printers with one computer
• Setup receipt printer
• Connecting the Eltron (Zebra) ticket printer
• Connecting the scanning gun
• Connecting the cash drawer
• Using other printers with PawnShopPro

Before the hardware arrives

Our printers do not ship with "parallel printer cables", you will need one parallel printer cable for each printer you ordered from us.  They are available in any office or computer supply store.

If you ordered a receipt printer, you will need to buy receipt paper for the printer - it is not included.  Receipt paper (comes in rolls) is 3" wide and available in most office supply stores.

Connecting multiple printers to one computer

If you are connecting multiple printers to one computer you will need to either:

1) Install an A/B (two printers), A/B/C (three printers), or A/B/C/D (four printers) switchbox on your computer.  Printer switchboxes allow you to switch between printers using a knob on the box and are available in most office/computer supply stores.  You will also need a "25-pin male-to-male" cable to connect the box to your computer and one "parallel printer cable" for each printer you plan to connect.  Make sure that the cables AND the switchbox are "bi-tronics" or "IEEE compliant".  This will ensure trouble-free operation with all types of printers.

OR

2)  Install one "parallel printer card" inside your computer for each additional printer you want to connect.  Your computer comes with a single parallel printer port.  By installing additional printer cards, you will not need to set a switch every time you change printers.  If you wanted to connect 3 printers, you would install 2 additional parallel printer cards.   Make sure your computer has the necessary "slots" available before you purchase the additional printer cards.  These cards are available in most computer/office supply stores.  If you're un-easy about opening your computer and installing new cards, consult a local computer repair shop for this service.

Which method is BEST?  Option 2 is probably the less expensive option although you do need to open up the computer and install the cards.   Option 2 also is easiest once installed because no switches need to be set before printing.  Option 1 does not require opening up the computer or configuring the new cards.

Setting up the printer

Once the printers are connected to your computer, you need to install and configure the correct printer drivers and tell PawnShopPro what printers you are using on our Customize PSP screen (off the Maintain Store screen).  The tips below will help you setup the receipt printer on your system.

Star SP212/TSP643 receipt printer - Before you use this receipt printer, you must install the "Generic / Text Only" printer driver onto your system.

To install this driver onto your computer:

• Go into your printers folder (Start / Settings / Printers) or (Start / Control Panel / Printers and Faxes) in 2000 or Windows XP.
• Double-click "Add printer" or "Add a printer".
• Click "Next" until you see a list of Manufacturers.
• Click "Generic" in the list, "Text Only" will appear on the right.
• Continue with "Next" until this printer driver is installed. Do NOT rename this printer!

If you can not install this driver, you may wish to download the "generic.exe" file from our support page.   This self-extracting zip file contains the necessary files to install the Generic driver.

After the "Generic / Text Only" driver is installed, go to the PawnShopPro Maintain Store screen, click the Customize PSP button.   Change the "Print receipts on" box to the correct receipt printer.   If you have the cash drawer attached to the receipt printer, also set the "Auto cash drawer" box.

Receipts will print (and the drawer will open) if the printer is online, there is paper in the printer, and any A/B switchbox is set correctly.   Receipts print on the Amount Due screen when you complete a sale.

Zebra/Eltron LP 2824 Thermal Label Printer

The Zebra (or Eltron) thermal tag/label printer can connect to any available port on your computer – we suggest either parallel or USB. A cable to connect the printer is NOT included from the manufacturer. If you are connecting more than one parallel printer to the same computer, see the section in this guide titled "Connecting multiple parallel printers".

Step 1 – Connect the Zebra (or Eltron) ticket printer:

1. Using a standard parallel printer cable (not included), connect the ticket printer to a parallel printer port on the back of your computer.
2. Plug the power cable that comes with the printer into the wall.
3. Open the printer and insert a roll of tags or labels into the printer. Thread the tags according to the instructions that accompany the printer.
4. Turn the printer on using the power switch on the side (or back) of the printer.

All Zebra (or Eltron) tag printers require the appropriate printer driver to be installed in the Windows Printers folder. To do this:

• In Windows, click Start / Settings / Printers (or in Windows XP, Start / Control Panel / Printers and Other Hardware / View installed printers).
• Double-click "Add a printer" to open the "Add printer wizard".
• Click "Next" and select the port you are connecting the printer to (usually LPT1).
• Click "Next" until you see a list of Manufacturers.
• Insert the "Zebra" printer driver CD that came with the printer. Close any windows that may automatically appear when you insert the CD.
• Click the "Have Disk" button and then click "Browse".
• In the "Look In" box at the top of the window, select your CD drive. A file named "oemsetup" should appear in the Window below. Click on it and then click "Open", then click "OK".
• In the Manufacturers list, select the correct ELTRON printer driver for the printer you are using (ex. Eltron LP2824). Do NOT select a ZEBRA printer driver as it is hard-coded in PawnShopPro to print to the Eltron driver (Zebra bought Eltron years ago).
• Continue to click NEXT until it asks about a Test Page (click NO) and then continue with Next until you Finish.
• If you are using WinXP, you will be warned the driver file has not passed the Windows logo test, click "Continue anyway" – it won’t affect Windows in the least.

Note: If you do not have the Zebra printer driver CD, you can download the necessary driver file from our Support web page. The name of the file you need is "eltron.exe". The file contains all the necessary driver files to install any Eltron printer. Our support web page is www.vhsoftware.com/pspsupport.htm

After the printer driver is installed, you need to set the paper size correctly so that the printer knows what size tags or labels you have in it. To set the paper size:

Windows 95, 98, or ME

1. In the Windows Printers folder, right click on the Eltron ticket printer.
2. Click Properties.
3. Click the Paper tab (up top).
4. Change the Paper Size to "Custom".
5. Set the tag or label Width and Length and paper Orientation to the following:
   • Zebra 2.20 by 4.00 Landscape Width = 2.20in, Length = 4.00, Landscape
   • Zebra 2.20 by 4.00 Portrait Width = 2.20in, Length = 4.00in, Portrait
   • Zebra 2.20 by 0.50 butterfly jewelry Width = 2.20in, Length = 0.50in, Portrait
   • Forms Plus 2up tags/labels Width = 2.20in, Length = 3.38in, Landscape
   • Eltron 2.20 by 1 label Width = 2.20in, Length = 1.00in, Portrait
   • PSP 4 by 1 thermal label Width = 4.00in, Length = 1.00in, Portrait

Windows XP, NT, 2000

1. In the Printers folder, click File at the top of the window and then click "Server properties".
2. Click "Create a new form".
3. Assign the Form Name as "PSP Label".
4. In the Form Description set the margins as follows:
   • Zebra 2.20 by 4.00 Landscape Width = 2.20in, Length = 4.00, Landscape
   • Zebra 2.20 by 4.00 Portrait Width = 2.20in, Length = 4.00in, Portrait
   • Zebra 2.20 by 0.50 butterfly jewelry Width = 2.20in, Length = 0.50in, Portrait
   • Forms Plus 2up tags/labels Width = 2.20in, Length = 3.38in, Landscape
   • Eltron 2.20 by 1 label Width = 2.20in, Length = 1.00in, Portrait
   • PSP 4 by 1 thermal label Width = 4.00in, Length = 1.00in, Portrait

Continue for all Windows systems

1. Click "Save Form" and then close the Server Properties window by clicking OK.
2. In the Printers folder, right-click on the Eltron ticket printer.
3. Click "Printing Preferences".
4. If using the Liberty style 2-part tags, change the Orientation to Landscape.
5. Click the Advanced button.
6. Change the Paper Size to "PSP Tag".
7. Click OK and OK again to save your changes, close the printers folder, you’re done setting the paper size!

Step 4 – Configure PawnShopPro to use the Zebra (or Eltron) ticket printer:

1. On the Main Menu go to Maintain Store then Customize PSP screen.
2. Set the "Print Labels On printer is" box to the Eltron printer you installed.
3. Set the Print Labels Style box to the correct label style based on the labels you have purchased.
4. Click Update, then Menu. Labels are printed from the Reports page.

Resetting the thermal tag printer:

This is sometimes required when the printer does not print correctly.

1. Turn the printer off using the switch on the side.
2. Hold down the green button on top and turn the printer back on.
3. When the light appears, immediately release the green button.

The printer should do a self-test and print a test page. Press and release the green button again when it is completed to exit dump mode. The test page should say, "Page mode" and NOT "Line mode" somewhere on the print out.

Connecting the Scanning Gun

The scan gun simply connects to the KEYBOARD port on the back of your PC.  The keyboard then connects to the scan gun Y-adapter.  (Do not connect the scan gun to your MOUSE port by mistake.)

The scan gun should work right out of the box.  No special programming or software is required.  The book that comes with the scan gun is only used if the scanner does not work correctly.  If you are having difficulty getting the scan gun to work, try scanning a barcode.  This will tell you if the scanner is working correctly.

If the scanner does not function, but the light comes on, find a barcode in the scanner booklet which reads "Set to default" or "Reset default".  First scan "Start", then "Set to default", then "End".  The scanner should beep with each read.

Connecting the Cash Drawer

The cash drawer plugs into the small port on the bottom of the receipt printer (pop away the black plastic cover).  You must set the "Auto cash drawer" option on the PawnShopPro Customize PSP screen to say "Attached to receipt printer".

The drawer will open if the receipt printer is turned on AND online and has paper in it.  Any A/B switchbox must also be set correctly.   The "Open Drawer" button on the Main Menu should trigger the drawer and it should open during sales in ConsignPro.  No special software is required.

Using other printers with PawnShopPro

In general, PawnShopPro can print to any printer attached to your computer -- assuming that Windows can print to the printer.  Any printer that you connect requires the correct printer driver software installed into your Printers folder.  After you install any printer (using the Windows Add Printer wizard found in the Printers folder), you should try to print a Test Page from the driver file to ensure that Windows can use the printer.

In general, your report printer should be the "default" printer in Windows and should also be selected in the "My report printer is" box on the Customize PSP screen.

Networking our software allows you to run more than one computer in your shop but share the SAME database.  With networking, both computers have immediate access to the same information.  So, for example, if you enter an item on one computer, you can immediately access it on the other - or vice-versa.  Some of our larger shops network up to five computers in their store.  The correct number of computers depends on the size of your store and how your workflow is arranged.

Networking PawnShopPro is easy if you follow these simple steps. 

1. Buy or obtain the correct number of computers.  You will need one computer for each copy of the software you will be running.

2. Contact a local computer shop and ask for someone who can help you establish a simple "network" in your store.  The network is the wiring which connects the two computers.  Visual Horizons Software does not setup networks or troubleshoot them if there are networking problems.  Establishing a good relationship with an experienced network professional is important.
   
3. The network that you establish can be a simple Windows "peer-to-peer" network or a configuration that requires network cards, routers, or hubs.  The networking experts will probably have a preferred configuration based on the number of computers, the distances involved, and their experience.  Any network configuration will work as long as the connected computers can reference the "server" using a mapped drive letter.
   
4. When the physical wiring is completed, one PC should be designated as the "server" or the "host".  All other connected computers should be configured to reference the server using a "mapped drive letter" such as an F: drive or G: drive.   The particular letter does not matter but the computer should automatically reconnect when the computer is re-booted (Reconnect at logon).
   
5. Make sure the harddrive on the Server (or main computer) is Shared with FULL access to all connected computers.
   
6. If running NT, make sure that all LOGIN id's have Administrator access.
   
7. Install PawnShopPro directly onto every computer that will be part of the network.   Every computer should be on the same Version of the software!
   
8. Call us at (973) 238-1097 to unlock each networked copy of the software.  There is a charge of $295 (US) per networked copy of our software.  The server copy of our software is priced separately ($795 for PawnShopPro).
   
9. After each copy is unlocked, our tech support person will have you change the Database Path on the "Customize PSP" screen.  This step tells the software where to find the central database.  During this step, you should also UNcheck the "Process shutdown options" checkbox on all networked copies.   The instructions in this step DO NOT apply to the main or server computer, only the networked workstations.