Altec, Inc. - Enterprise Document Management

Printer Model specific questions:

Digitized logos and signatures:

Accounting Software specific questions:

Epicor Enterprise
Sage MAS500
Sage Platinum for Windows (PFW) 5.01 – 5.11
Sage Platinum for Windows (PFW) 5.2 – 5.3
Sage Platinum for Windows Seven Inch Check Solution
MBS© Solomon
TROY Checkwriting Software

HP LaserJet FAQ's

Q: I lost my DIMM or Compact Flash Media Card installation instructions.

Answer: Locate your HP printer model below and download the installation instructions.

2100, 2200, 2300, 2420, 4000, 4050, 4100, 4200, 4250, 4300, 4350, 8150, 9000, 9050

Q: Can I use my HP MICR DIMM or Compact Flash Media Card with another LaserJet model printer?

Answer: In most cases – NO. Flash Media technology is usually engine-specific or not cross-compatible. Please contact your Altec representative to order additional Flash Media technology.

Q: My MICR checks are printing a string of codes in regular Times New Roman or Courier (or any other font) rather than a proper MICR font. Also, I am not seeing my logo or signature…I get a string of codes for the MICR line (ex. ~**1M~(8M~(s0p8…etc.) as well as a string for the images (ex. ~&f101Y~&f3X…etc.)

Answer: There is a conversion process at the printer level which is supposed to convert the codes to a proper MICR line with MICR font as well as convert any image strings to a logo or signature. However, this conversion will only work if the proper printer drivers and fonts are installed. Otherwise, you will only get the string output.

For your HP printer equipped with a Jetmobile MICR DIMM, you need to install the HP Laserjet 4 Plus printer driver, regardless of the printer model you may actually have. The HP Laserjet 4 Plus driver is a requirement but it is also a Windows native driver. You should not and do not need to download from the internet. Go to your printer properties and install a new driver. Select HP and Laserjet 4 Plus for the manufacturer and model. Download the HP4+ Install for driver installation instructions.

Q: I have followed the instructions on installing printer drivers and fonts. I am able to print MICR and digitized imaging just fine. However, our other office in another building prints just regular fonts onto the same printer. Would running Citrix or Terminal Services have an impact?

Answer: Yes. For Citrix or Terminal Services environments, the Citrix or TS server must have the specific check printer installed “locally”. MICR printing will not work using the “session” printers that are dynamically created on the Citrix/TS host machine during the session. You must install the printer, proper drivers and fonts on the Citrix/TS host machine as if it were running in a standard LAN environment. The printer must be “static” on the Citrix/TS host machine.

Q: I have followed the instructions on installing printer drivers and fonts. I can print checks but nothing has changed. I do not see any MICR font or any digitized images such as logos or signatures.

Answer: Most Financial Applications that Altec supports for MICR use Crystal Reports for design and layout of the check printing. You should have received a Crystal *.rpt file with instructions on how to install by Altec. The most common problem is that you failed to install this file to the proper directory.

Q: Some of my workstations will print MICR fonts and digitized images ok. But for some others, they don't. What's the best way to setup my MICR check printer, local or networked?

Answer: Altec highly recommends installing your MICR check printer locally (LPT1) to your primary AP check printing workstation. However, if you plan to print checks from multiple workstations and the printer must be networked, Altec highly recommends configuring your printer for direct TCP/IP printing. This setup allows the individual workstations to print independently to the check printer. However, to do this, the printer must have a network interface card or device installed.

Altec recommends IP printing because it bypasses the need to setup drivers and fonts on the separate print server. The most common print server could be a workstation with the MICR printer attached locally but shared on the network. However, the problem with this setup is that if the print server (workstation) crashes, is moved, updated, or changed in anyway the MICR check printing could fail.

For Windows 2000 or XP machines, you can set up a local TCP/IP port using the printer's network IP address. Then add a new printer to set to your newly created TCP/IP local port.

Q: I installed my DIMM and I'm getting DIMM not recognized or initialization error message on my printer's LCD display.

Answer: To initialize a DIMM chip on the printer:

1) Place Dimm in printer
2) Turn off printer
3) Hold down Job Cancel and Select buttons while powering up printer
4) When lights turn on, let go of buttons
5) Press buttons in order

a) Menu left
b) Value left
c) Select

6) Message on LCD panel should say “Initializing Disk”

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

Answer: YES! You can purchase a variety of MICR supplies from Altec including, safety check paper, (8.5” x 11” or pressure-seal) and MICR toner cartridges for most laser printers. Please contact your MICR representative.

TROY FAQ's

Q: I lost my TROY Font DIMM or Font Memory Card installation instructions.

Answer: Locate your TROY printer model below and download the installation instructions.

2100, 2200, 2300, 2420, 4000, 4050, 4100, 4200, 4250, 4300, 4350, 8150, 9000, 9050

Q: Some of my workstations will print MICR fonts and digitized images ok. But for some others, they don't. What's the best way to setup my MICR check printer, local or networked?

For Windows 2000 or XP machines, you can set up a local TCP/IP port using the printer's network IP address. Then add a new printer to set to your newly created TCP/IP local port.

Q: My MICR checks are printed in an inverse font where there is a white foreground and a black background.

Answer: By default, the Troy E-13B MICR font will print in an inverse color where the characters are white placed against a black background. There is a conversion process at the printer level with only Troy MICR printers that will reverse the colors properly to black lettering on white background. This conversion will only work if the proper TROY PCL5e printer driver, fonts and TroySec.hpd file are installed.

Somewhere there is a breakdown between the printer driver, font, or hardware setup. You must make sure to download and install a TROY PCL 5e driver, fonts and TroySec.hpd file, preferably the one for your particular printer model from TROY 's website: www.troygroup.com/Support/SecurityPrinting/downloads.asp.

Step 1: Select from current or discontinued printers.
Step 2: Find your operating system.
Step 3: Choose your printer's driver according to the model number. You will also need to follow the instructions you were provided with to configure the driver and to properly install the Troy E-13B MICR font. If this is a networked printer and there is a network print server involved, you must also install the Troy driver and MICR fonts on the print server as on the workstations. Download the TROY PCL5e Install guide for driver installation instructions, and the TroySec.hpd file (right-click and 'save file as'.)

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

Imaging FAQ's

Q: I need to delete and/or add a new signature/logo.

Answer: Download the Altec Imaging Packet and forward the completed packet to your MICR representative. Please contact your representative regarding digitized logo/signature costs.

Q: My images print but they are extremely large…almost 2 or 3 times larger and they don't look too sharp.

Answer: The Altec MICR solution also requires the laser print quality to be at 600 dpi. Printing below 600dpi can adversely affect the MICR font. Go into Printer Properties--> Advanced Tab--> Printing Defaults button --> Advanced Button in Layout Tab --> Print Quality of Graphic should be set to 600x600 dots per inch. For some financial applications, you may have to set the printer settings at the time of the check run or check preview. Navigate through the printer setup within that screen to find the print quality and make sure it is set to 600 dpi.

Q: Can I add Multi-level signature limits to my checks?

Answer: Yes! Altec can add Crystal logic that will facilitate one, two or no signature(s) on a check depending on your signing limits. Please contact your representative regarding signing thresholds.

Epicor Enterprise FAQ's:

Q: I can't print a logo or signature. I'm getting either a single capital “A” or nothing for my images. I'm printing checks in Epicor eBackoffice 7.0b or eBackoffice 7.xx non-crystal MICR Checks RS.

Answer: Most likely you do not have the proper escape sequences maintained in the accounting application. Download the Epicor MICR RS instructions.

Q: I'm using an HP LaserJet printer for MICR check printing and I lost instructions on how to apply the customized apcheck.rpt, that came with my Epicor MICR solution.

Answer: Download the HP Epicor instructions.

Q: I'm using a TROY printer for MICR check printing and I lost instructions on how to apply the customized apcheck.rpt, that came with my Epicor MICR solution.

Answer: Download the TROY Epicor instructions.

Q: My Bank asked me to make modifications to the MICR line (i.e.) alignment issues and/or the addition of additional MICR characters.

Answer: Please provide Altec with a copy of your Bank's MICR report and contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: I lost my customized apcheck.rpt.

Answer: Contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: Where do I maintain my MICR printers, MICR fonts and logo and signature activation characters?

Answer: Download the Epicor Check Printing Options instructions.

Q: I installed a new service pack, patch or upgrade and I'm experiencing the following issues with my MICR checks: alignment problem, lost my MICR font, lost my images, I'm prompted for with a screen for parameter values - etc.

Answer: Epicor will often offer service packs, patches, or upgrades that may overwrite or render obsolete the Altec *.rpt file, for MICR check printing. Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services for the purchase of new *.rpt files compatible with your new service pack or Epicor version.

Q: Changes were made to the Accounts Payable (apcheck) Crystal report file and I'm experiencing the following issues with my MICR checks: alignment problem, lost my MICR font, lost my images, I'm prompted for with a screen for parameter values - etc.

Answer: Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services.

Q: Can I add Multi-level signature limits to my checks?

Answer: Yes! Altec can add Crystal logic that will facilitate one, two or no signature(s) on a check depending on your signing limits. Please contact your representative regarding signing thresholds.

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

Sage MAS500 FAQ's:

Q: I lost instructions on how to apply the customized Crystal report file that came with my MAS500 MICR solution.

Answer: Download the MAS500_Install instructions.

Q: I lost my customized Crystal report file.

Answer: Contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: My Bank asked me to make modifications to the MICR line (i.e.) alignment issues and/or the addition of additional MICR characters.

Answer: Please provide Altec with a copy of your Bank's MICR report and contact Altec MICR tech support.

Answer: Sage Software will often offer service packs, patches, or upgrades that may overwrite or render obsolete the Altec *.rpt file, for MICR check printing. Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services for the purchase of new *.rpt files compatible with your new service pack or MAS500 version.

Q: Changes were made to the Accounts Payable Crystal report file and I'm experiencing the following issues with my MICR checks: alignment problem, lost my MICR font, lost my images, I'm prompted for with a screen for parameter values - etc.

Answer: Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services.

Q: Can I add Multi-level signature limits to my checks?

Answer: Yes! Altec can add Crystal logic that will facilitate one, two or no signature(s) on a check depending on your signing limits. Please contact your representative regarding signing thresholds.

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

Sage Platinum for Windows (PFW) 5.01 – 5.11 FAQ's:

Q: My Bank asked me to make modifications to the MICR line (i.e.) alignment issues and/or the addition of additional MICR characters.

Answer: Please provide Altec with a copy of your Bank's MICR report and contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: When I print my MICR checks, I do not see any bank information or MICR line.

Answer: You installed a Sage PFW patch or Batchmaster which overwrote the Altec MICR solution, and will need to reinstall the Altec MICR solution.

Or you did not copy over the Altec custom appckprt.rpt file that you were provided with into the \Platinum\PFWRes\MASTER\Custom directory or the Company “custom” directory.

It is possible that you did not copy over the apbank file from the data directory into your company folders. You will need copy it over and then go into the Bank Maintenance menu and enter bank information and save for each cash account.

You are printing checks from a cash account where no bank information has been defined. Go into the Bank Maintenance menu and enter bank information and save for the cash account you are processing checks from.

Q: My MICR checks hang in Print and Post Voucher Payment. Nothing happens and the hourglass icon goes on forever. I don't even get a prompt for the check number.

Answer: The most common cause is that you have a different version of PFW than the Altec MICR solution was intended for. Each version of PFW has a corresponding version of Altec MICR. If you have upgraded your PFW, you will need to contact Altec Technical Support Services for an upgrade.

Q: On my overflow checks, the bottom stub disappears, prints at top of next page, and 3 rd page prints checks.

Answer: This is indicative of a problem with your custom “appckprt.rpt.” You will need to contact Altec Technical Support Services.

Q: After installing/reinstalling my Altec MICR, I have lost access to my Batchmaster screens.

Answer: Batchmaster and Altec MICR are separate products that make changes to identical PFW files. Installing one will disable the function of the other. To get MICR and Batchmaster working, you will need to install Batchmaster 1 st , then install the Altec MICR, and lastly copy the “batchmaster friendly” platinum.pdd and utmid.srf files to their respective directories. However, because Batchmaster is a 3 rd party product from another company, some Batchmaster functions may be lost.

Q: I lost the installation instructions for my ap-micr check program.

Answer: Download install instructions based on your version of PFW:

PFW 5.01 Install , PFW 5.11 Install

Q: I installed a new service pack, patch or upgrade and I'm experiencing the following issues with my MICR checks: alignment problem, lost my MICR font, lost my images, - etc.

Q: Changes were made to the Accounts Payable (appckprt.rpt.) Crystal report file and I'm experiencing the following issues with my MICR checks: alignment problem, lost my MICR font, lost my - etc.

Answer: Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services.

Q: Can I add Multi-level signature limits to my checks?

Answer: Yes! Altec can add Crystal logic that will facilitate one, two or no signature(s) on a check depending on your signing limits. Please contact your representative regarding signing thresholds.

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

Sage Platinum for Windows 5.2 – 5.3 FAQ's:

Q: My Bank asked me to make modifications to the MICR line (i.e.) alignment issues and/or the addition of additional MICR characters.

Answer: Please provide Altec with a copy of your Bank's MICR report and contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: I get a “Btrieve or Crystal “error message when printing my MICR checks in PFW 5.2/5.3.

Answer: The Altec MICR solution for PFW 5.2/5.3 is a Crystal Reports driven solution. Altec should have provided you a Crystal Reports (.rpt) file to copy into each of your company folders. However, these files are specifically designed for each company. If the .rpt file is placed into an incorrect company “custom” folder, the resulting error message would occur.

Q: I lost instructions on how to apply the customized appckprt.rpt. that came with my PFW MICR solution.

Answer: Download install instructions based on your version of PFW:

PFW 5.2 Install , PFW 5.3 Install

Q: I lost my customized appckprt.rpt.

Answer: Contact Altec MICR tech support

Altec PFW Seven Inch Check Solution FAQ's:

Q: My PFW Seven Inch Checks are still printing in 11-inch format?

Answer: There are several scenarios where this can happen.

The 7” inch checks were not installed properly or were overwritten by subsequent installation of a Sage PFW patch or Batchmaster. The easiest way to tell is if your AP Check printing automatically produces a “preview” of your checks before printing. If it does, then you have overwritten the Altec 7” check solution. You must reinstall the Altec 7” check solution.

You do not have your custom 7 inch form size setup or defined properly. Please follow the directions you were provided for creating this form size in your Windows Operating System. The form size should be 8.5 inches in width by 7.0 inches in height with 0.00 margins. You must be careful in Windows 95/98 because it specifies in .01 inches. Therefore, the settings would be 850 width by 700 height.

Your printer driver can not handle a 7” custom form size. Go to the printer properties à Device Settings à and click on the Tractor Feed drop down menu and see if your “custom” form size is available. If not, you need to install the latest printer driver for your printer or one for a similar printer model that will allow for printing that size. You must be able to see your 7” form size available under Tractor Feed for the solution to work.

NOTE: The name “custom” or “custom checks” is a suggested name for your form size in the instructions. You may have named it something else, therefore, look for and select your appropriately named 7” form size.

You installed the Altec 7” check solution from a different workstation then that which you are printing checks from. The Altec 7” check solution is a server based install. However, each client workstation intending to print 7” checks need to have the 7” check form setup. Please follow step 2 to create a 7” form size. Also, make sure the name of your custom 7” form size is consistent with all other workstations printing that size.

Q: My PFW Seven Inch Checks print but it cuts off the top part of the check. The check number or check date is missing and a portion of the first voucher line is cut in half.

Answer: This is a problem with many dot matrix printers. It is usually due to a poorly produced printer driver from the manufacturer. In these cases, the printer driver has a limitation where the top margin is always 0.5 inches. The output file may be generated correctly and when viewed thru Crystal Reports it looks perfect; however, when sent to the printer the driver will not allow any anything above the 0.5 inch top margin. Thus, cutting off any output above it. The only solution is to try a different printer driver, sometimes, even from another manufacturer. Check your printer manual for compatible drivers. For example an OKI 590 works with an Epson LQ-1000 driver properly but when using the “correct” OKI 590 driver, it prints incorrectly.

Q: My PFW Seven Inch Checks says it has printed but nothing comes out of the printer or it printed to the wrong printer.

Answer: Possible scenarios where this can happen…

1) You do not have Platinum set to print directly to printer. The installation of the Altec 7” check solution adds a new option to “Send Direct to Printer”. Go to Accounts Payable -> Print and Post Voucher Payment -> Edit -> Format Tab and check the box “Send Direct to Printer” and save.

2) You are printing to a local printer that is shared out as a networked printer. During the steps of installing the Altec 7” check solution, you had to open the appsmlckprt.rpt file with Crystal Reports Designer and select a specific printer and specific form size to print. However, if you saved the settings using Crystal Reports from a different workstation, you probably set the .rpt file to look for a “network share” printer. Consequently, when you print checks from the machine with the printer attached locally, it will not find that printer because the workstation recognizes the printer as LPT1, but the file is looking for a network share. To fix this, install Crystal Reports Designer on the workstation and set the file to look for your LPT1 printer. However, this will have the reverse effect on your other workstations. If this is a problem, your only other recourse is to have a dedicated print server.

Q: My PFW Seven Inch Checks prints fine until a check with overflow. It then prints only the stub portion with a blank check and the next page will have a blank stub but a printed check.

Answer: The problem you are seeing is most likely due to some edits that you or your consultant may have made to the appsmlck.rpt file. You must make sure not to make any changes to the heights of any sections in the .rpt file. Also, more importantly, you must not make any changes to the details section a or b in terms of vertical adjustment. Most people like to increase the font size of the voucher items and that is the most likely cause of the error. You can make any changes to the file that you want, however, the details sections are very sensitive. The only thing you may do there is just to move fields left and right, but no increasing of size or even changing font type. The items in the Details Sections A & B should not exceed 9pt & 8pt respectively.

Q: I print my checks in Print and Post Voucher Payment and nothing happens. The hourglass keeps going and going….

Answer: You should have been prompted for a check number. If not, and the hourglass goes on forever, it means you most likely are running a different version of PFW then the Altec check program you were provided with. Each version of PFW has a corresponding version of the Altec program. If you've upgraded your version of PFW, you must also purchase the Altec upgrade.

Q: My checks print are printing in the proper seven inch size but they do not line up correctly on my check stock.

Answer: The Altec Seven Inch Check solution was developed to work with Altec forms. Contact your Altec sales representative if you wish to make an order for more forms. If you purchased your forms elsewhere, you will need to contact your VAR or consultant. You may also contact Altec Technical Support Services for custom design services.

Q: Check printing is starting too high or too low on the stock with my Seven Inch Checks.

Answer: Initially, you will need to fine tune the line feed of your dot matrix printer when loading the check stock.

MBS® Solomon FAQ's:

Q: My Bank asked me to make modifications to the MICR line (i.e.) alignment issues and/or the addition of additional MICR characters.

Answer: Please provide Altec with a copy of your Bank's MICR report and contact Altec MICR tech support.

Q: I lost instructions on how to apply the customized Crystal report file that came with my MBS® Solomon MICR solution.

Answer: Download the MBS Solomon Install instructions.

Q: I lost my customized Crystal report file.

Answer: Contact Altec MICR tech support.

Answer: MBS® Solomon will often offer service packs, patches, or upgrades that may overwrite or render obsolete the Altec *.rpt file, for MICR check printing. Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services for the purchase of new *.rpt files compatible with your new service pack or MBS® Solomon version.

Answer: Please contact Altec MICR Technical Support Services.

Q: Can I add Multi-level signature limits to my checks?

Answer: Yes! Altec can add Crystal logic that will facilitate one, two or no signature(s) on a check depending on your signing limits. Please contact your representative regarding signing thresholds.

Q: Can I buy MICR supplies from Altec?

TROY Checkwriting Software (TCWS) FAQ's:

Q: I'm experiencing issues with my TROY Checkwriting Software.

Answer: Please contact TROY Technical Support @ (800) 332-6427. You can also download the TCWS User Guide.