Preh Keyboard FAQ

My keyboard is not working - What should I check?
How do I set up a key to work as a standard PC key?
How do I set up a pound sign?
How do I set the MSR to send an ENTER after the track information?
How do I set the MSR to work with SoftEFT?
How do I reset the Preh Keyboards to default values?

My keyboard is not working - What should I check?

Check that the cable connection to the PC is secure, that no pins on the connectors are bent
Check that the cable is plugged into the PC port on the keyboard
Try to download the keyboard table in case the keyboard has just lost its EEPROM settings
Carry out a hardware reset on the keyboard and try to download the keytable again.

How do I set up a key to work as a standard PC key

To set up a key on a Preh keyboard to react like a standard PC key. i.e work in combination with shift, alt and ctrl just like a key on a PC keyboard start the Preh-MWX programmer, load the keyboard file from disk or from the keyboard itself and program the key as follows:

Choose [EDIT, KEYS]
Select the key you wish to program
Check the box Standard Key under Level Selection
Enter the required key under the Key Assignment field
For normal alpha and punctuation keys just type the key e.g. F for the F key. In use this will give lower case f in normal use and capital F when used with shift and caps lock.
For special keys such as function keys, ctrl, page up etc refer to the key list in section "3.1 Inputing Key Assignments" within the PrehProgrammer manual. Then enter the corresponding string for the key required. The string should be enclosed in curly brackets.
For example: To program the key as F1 enter {F1}.
To program keys to behave as on the PC numeric pad the strings detailed in the keylist should be used i.e. {N0..N9}, {Minus}, {Plus}, {Enter}, {Mul}, {Div}, {Ins}, {Del}, {MakeNum}

How do I set up a pound sign?

On an international or blank keyboard you can add a pound sign (£) to the layout by specifying the key set up as follows:

On the EDIT KEY screen set the Level to Normal and enter {Alt156} in the key assignment field.

If you have a UK keyboard with a 3/£ key then you should already get a pound sign from this key. If you do not, ensure that you have specified a UK keyboard within your operating system setup.

How do I set the MSR to send an Enter after the track information

In the Preh-MWX programmer, go to edit, modules. At the bottom you will see the MSR section. Go to the [terminator] section at the end
of the track that you want the Carriage Return to come after. Press enter to edit the terminator. Put {enter} in the terminator string and that
will do it. (just as programming an enter key on the keyboard).

How do I set the MSR to work with SoftEFT

In order for the Preh range of keyboards to conform to the magnetic swipe requirements from SoftEFT the MSR should be set for the following:

Read track 2 only
Trailer for track 2 set to Enter key
Checksum enabled

To enable these setting start the Preh programmer (PREH-MWX). Then carry out the folllowing - menu choices are shown in brackets.

Read current keyboard config from the keyboard(FILE, READ KEYTABLE)
Change module settings (EDIT, MODULES)
Change the MSR settings at the bottom of the screen so that the following are enabled
X Autoinput
X Track 2
X Sentinels
X Checksum
Press Enter to confirm settings
Select the (terminator) field for track 2
In the Assignment field type {Enter} to program the ENTER key as the trailing character
Press Enter to confirm settings
Press ESC to return to the main menu
Write amended keyboard config to the keyboard (FILE, WRITE KEYTABLE)

How do I reset a Preh Keyboard to the default values?

Resetting the Preh PC POS Commander keyboard to the default International (US) settings is achieved by holding down the following keys at power on and holding them for 5 seconds:

A01 (left Ctrl key) + A04 (right Alt key) + A05 (right Ctrl key)

Resetting other Preh Keyboards to their default setting can be achieved by holding down the following keys at power on (or when the keyboard is plugged into the system) for 5 seconds.

Left hand Ctrl key and the Shift keys together. These are generally the bottom left hand key and the key above it. If the keys have dual or quad keys then ensure that the active position is the far left key position.