if an rs-232 scanner is not communicating with your ibm compatible pc, key in the following basic program to test that the communication port and scanner are working. this program is for demonstration purposes only. it is only intended to prove that cabling is correct, the com port is working, and the scanner is working. if the bar code data displays on the screen while using this program, it only demonstrates that the hardware interface and scanner are working. at this point, investigate whether the application software and the scanner configuration match. if the application does not support rs-232 scanners, a software wedge program that will take rs-232 data and place it into a keyboard buffer may be needed. this program tells the pc to ignore rts-cts, data set ready (dsr) and data carrier detect (dcd) signals. if the demonstration program works and yours still does not, jumper rts to cts and data terminal reading (dtr) to dcd and dsr on the back of your pc.

    10 cls

    20 on error goto 100

    30 open "com1:9600,s,7,1,cs0,ds0,cd0,lf" as #1

    35 print "scan a few bar codes"

    40 line input #1, barcode$

    50 print barcode$

    60 k$ = inkey$: if k$ = chr$(27) then goto 32766

    70 goto 40

    100 print "error no."; err; " press any key to terminate."

    110 k$ = inkey$: if k$ = "" then goto 110

    32766 close: system

    32767 end