Question:
I have a Windows/NT or XP Pro workstation, and the cash drawer will not open.

Answer:
The root of this problem is that the NT/2000 Operating System core does not actually allow direct access to the hardware (in this case, the COM port that the printer/cash drawer is connected to.)

Resolution

The solution to this issue is to use NT/2000's ability to capture and redirect a device to a Printer Port.

1. Set up a Windows Printer Device for the receipt printer; use the Generic/Text only driver. This Printer Device should be set to print to the proper COM port (COMx:, where x is the port number).
2. Share the Receipt Printer device, give it a share name like "RECEIPT".
3. At the NT/2000 DOS Command Prompt, issue a NET USE command redirecting a printer port to this printer device, e.g.

C:\>NET USE LPT3: \\MACHINENAME\RECEIPT /PERSISTENT:YES

where MACHINENAME is the name of the computer and LPT3: is a free printer port.
4. In the POS module, go to Options, Codes, Devices and look up the device code used for the cash drawer. Edit the cash drawer device code, directing it to the parallel printer port that was used in the NET USE command (in this case, LPT3:). Test the device code... the drawer should pop open. Save the device code.
5. Open the Sales Entry Screen, enter a sale and verify that the cash drawer opens and the receipt prints properly. Note that there is no need to change anything about the Printer Code.

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