Connecting one serial device (barcode scanner) to two serial ports

WHAT I HAVE:
I have an company software that has an option of working with barcode.
I also have a cash register machine with a barcode scanner connected to
it.

WHAT I WANT:
When I register the sale with a _barcode_scanner_ i would like to send
that data _to_the_computer_ also. This way the software would remove
the item sold from its internal database, not only the cash register.

WHAT I TRIED:
I made a serial cable that splits below the barcode scanner and goes to
the computer and to the cash register at the same time and it works,
partially. What happens is that sometimes the cash register recives the
data correctly, while the computer doesn't and sometimes the opposite.
Also it happends that BOTH recive the data, but the computer software
that reads the serial port blocks (BC-Wedge; to send serial data to
keyboard buffer).

It is possible to download the sales data from the cash register,
format it and then import to the software and thus have the database
inside the computer and the cash register sync-ed, but this is lot of
work and i would need a programmer to do this. Also i have to wait
until the end of the day to send the data to the computer.

THE SPLITTER:

On 2 ends i have DB9 female connectors, and from one i have a split
wire going to 1 male connector (for the barcode reader).


Why is this happening? I keep hearing a buzzing sound from the barcode
scanner when i try to scan (Metrologic Pulsar MS6220). Is it because
the both serial ports (on computer and cashregister are sending some
data back? Can I fix that (remove the CTS wire)?

 

try connecting only pins 5 and 2 to the computer serial port.
loose the wedge software and write your own serial reading software.

remove all unessential wires.

Bye.
Jasen

 

Thanks I'll try leaving only Ground & Rx on the comp!

 

Do the same on the cash register. (I'm assuming it's receive-only, right?)

Or, get another serial port for the computer, and talk to the scanner
with one, and the register with the other.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

Don't they sell serial splitters at the store? Some people might call them a
Y-connector.