I'm looking for someone with experience using Norand barcode scanners
and programming.

 I have a huge barcoding application using Visual Basic, Access, and
the scanner code.  I have run into a problem with the string returned
from the scanner returning ?????? after so many accesses.  I'll
explain in more detail - but would love to find someone else who is
attempting something similar.

same boat!

Thanks,
Julie

Is the scanner connected via the serial port or keyboard? What version
of Windows are you working in? Are you scanning into some sort of
masked edit control?

I've not worked with Norand scanners but I've done some stuff with
Symbol and Worthington scanners.

If it's connected via the keyboard try running the scanner at the
MSDOS prompt, without Windows running if possible. See if you get the
proper input on a consistent basis. If not then try another machine
with the same setup. The scanner could be trash or really confused.

If it's connected via the serial port run Windows Terminal, set the
port parameters for what the scanner expects, then shoot some
barcodes. If the input strings are not consistent then run a
terminal-type program from the MSDOS prompt (Procomm, Telix). Try
shooting some codes and check for consistent input. We want to see if
Windows is interferring with the scanner input.

If you're scanning into a masked edit control of some type try
replacing it with a standard VB text box.

Frank Mokry