Datalogic QD2200 and QW2520: keyboard layout, Tab and reset

Most programming jobs on the QD2200 and QW2520 come down to three settings: the keyboard layout, the key sent after each barcode, and a clean reset. Both scanners use the same Datalogic programming barcodes, so the steps below work on either model. Where the two differ, the table at the start says so.

Where the two models differ

Both PRGs use the same section and barcode names. Page numbers below are given as 2500 Family PRG / QD2200 PRG.

Why characters come out wrong

In keyboard mode the scanner does not send characters. It sends key positions for a US keyboard (Country Mode = U.S. by default), and Windows translates them with the layout that is active on the PC. Where the two layouts differ, you get wrong digits, letters or symbols. On a Czech keyboard, for example, digits can turn into ě or š, and Y and Z swap.

Find your Country Mode

The QRGs list 21 Country Modes and have no Estonian, Latvian or Finnish entry. Use the longer list under Setting Country Mode in the PRG's Keyboard Interface chapter:

The QRGs also have Country Mode = Lithuanian, Country Mode = Poland and Country Mode = Czech Republic, but they don't say which Windows variant these match. The PRG names above are more precise.

Set the Country Mode

1. Open the PRG at Setting Country Mode. Every page has the ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE barcode at the top.
2. Scan ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE. The scanner gives four low beeps.
3. Scan the barcode for your layout, for example Estonian. Cover the other barcodes on the page.
4. Scan ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE again to save and leave programming mode.
5. In Notepad, scan a barcode with letters, digits and symbols, and compare.

Both PRGs list the same programming beeps: four low beeps when programming mode starts, three very low beeps when a barcode is rejected, and one high plus four low beeps when the change is saved and the scanner leaves programming mode. On the QW2520 the light also blinks for as long as programming mode is on; on the QD2200 the light does not change. Country Mode is meant for the standard USB keyboard interface (Select USB Keyboard), the default. With alternate key encoding the PRG says the scanner ignores it.

Use ALT mode when no Country Mode fits

With alternate key encoding, the scanner types characters as Alt codes (Alt plus digits on the numeric keypad) instead of key positions, so the Windows layout no longer matters.

1. Scan Select USB Alternate Keyboard from the QRG (the PRG calls it Select USB Alternative Keyboard). Interface barcodes need one scan, without ENTER/EXIT.
2. Test in Notepad and in your own program.
3. If some characters are still wrong, change the ALT Output Type (PRG p. 70 / 32) between ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE barcodes: ALT Codepage for programs without Unicode (Datalogic's example is Notepad), ALT Unicode for Unicode programs such as Word (the default in the 2500 Family PRG), or ALT Universal for all programs.

ALT Universal needs a one-time registry change on the PC (EnableHexNumpad set to 1, then a restart), described in the PRG under Setup on PC to use ALT Universal. Ask your IT administrator. To return to normal keyboard mode, scan Select USB Keyboard.

Without any scanner change, you can also add the US keyboard in Settings › Time & language › Language & region and switch to it with Win + Space while scanning.

Replace Enter with Tab

By default the global suffix, the key sent after each barcode (both PRGs, Standard Defaults), is 0x0D (carriage return), which the PC receives as Enter. To send Tab (code 09) instead:

1. Scan ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE.
2. Scan Set Global Suffix in the Global Prefix/Suffix section of the Data Format chapter (p. 81 / 39).
3. From the Keypad appendix (p. 337 / 191), scan 0 and then 9.
4. Scan ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE to end the entry, as the PRG asks when you enter fewer than 20 characters.
5. Scan ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE once more to save and exit. One high and four low beeps confirm the change.
6. Check in Notepad: the cursor should move as if you pressed Tab.

For Tab followed by Enter, enter 0 9 0 D in one suffix entry. To bring Enter back, repeat the steps with 0 D. Made a mistake before the last character? Scan CANCEL in the same section and start again. The PRG has no barcode that removes the suffix completely; to send no key at all, clear the global suffix in Aladdin.

Reset to factory defaults

Reset barcodes take one scan, without ENTER/EXIT PROGRAMMING MODE.

• Reset Default Settings (QRG): returns the scanner to the defaults of the active interface. Datalogic asks you to select the right interface first.
• Restore Custom Default Configuration (PRG): brings back custom defaults saved for the active interface.
• Restore EU Factory Configuration or Restore USA Factory Configuration (PRG): all settings back to factory values, including the interface. The two differ in their Label ID sets.

After a factory reset the Country Mode is U.S. and the suffix is Enter again, so set both again if you use them.

Or use Aladdin

Datalogic Aladdin, free from the Datalogic software downloads page, shows every setting on a PC screen: Country Mode, ALT mode, prefix and suffix. It is the quickest way to set up several scanners the same way. Problems after programming? See QD2200 and QW2520 troubleshooting.