VeriFone MX800 Series User manual

MX 800 Series
Troubleshooting Guide

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

MX800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
MX800 Series Troubleshooting Guide
Revision 1.3
December 07, 2009
VeriFone®, Inc.
2099 Gateway Place
Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
Telephone: [phone]
http://www.verifone.com
Printed in the United States of America.
© 2009 by VeriFone, Inc.
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MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE I
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
Troubleshooting Display is Blank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Display is Lit But Does Not Respond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Application Will Not Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Communications Port Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Transaction Fails to Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
No Response From the Stylus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Gap in Captured Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Detecting Excessive EMI Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CHAPTER 2
VeriFone Service
and Support
Return a Terminal for Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ii MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 1
CHAPTER 1
Troubleshooting
During normal, day-to-day operation of your MX 800 Series terminal, it is possible
for minor malfunctions to occur. Following are some examples of possible
problems, and steps to resolve them.
VeriFone follows stringent quality control standards in the manufacture of
MX 800 Series terminals. Each unit that leaves the factory has been rigorously
tested to ensure quality and reliable operation. However, should you encounter a
problem in operation, read this section for possible causes and solutions.
The troubleshooting guidelines provided in this section identify various problems
and suggest the appropriate corrective action(s). If you have problems operating
your MX 800 Series terminal, please read through these troubleshooting
examples. If the problem persists, or if it is not described below, contact your local
VeriFone representative for assistance.
Display is Blank If the terminal display is dark, touch the screen with the stylus or your finger. If the
unit was in screen-saver mode, the screen will turn on when touched.
If the display does not show correct or readable information, check all cable
connections. If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative
for assistance.
Display is Lit But
Does Not Respond
The following sections provide corrective steps if the terminal display is lit but the
unit does not respond to touch or register commands.
To aid future analysis, record what screen image is displayed and any preceding
actions or unusual conditions, such as:
•First transaction of the day
•Power fluctuations or storms
•Transactions in process when the problem occurred
•Other actions or conditions
CAUTION
Perform only the procedures specified in this guide. For all other services, contact
your local VeriFone distributor or service provider. Service conducted by parties
other than authorized VeriFone representatives may void the product warranty.
Each MX 800 Series terminal is equipped with tamper-evident labels. Do not,
under any circumstances, attempt to disassemble the terminal.

2MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Step 1: Calibrate the
touch screen
This procedure does not apply to the MX 830 terminal without touch screen.
To perform a touch screen (panel) calibration, follow this procedure:
1Press the recessed reset button near the top of the Magnetic Stripe Reader
with a straightened paper clip and hold while three LEDs in the MSR track
turn on. Release the button when the middle LED turns off. Keep hands away
from the display until the prompt appears for password entry.
2Enter the password.
3In System Mode, perform a manual touch screen compensation. Tap
CONFIGURE > right blue arrow > CALIBRATE > CALIBRATE. Follow the directions
on the display.
If the problem persists, contact your VeriFone representative or service provider
for assistance.
Step 2: Restart the
terminal application
To restart the application, do the following:
1Using a paper clip, press the reset button for about 2 seconds, then release.
2The three blue lights on the Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) should
temporarily light.
3When the password screen is displayed, press only the Clear key. The
application should begin restarting in a few seconds. If the password screen
is not displayed, proceed to Step 3: Power-cycle the terminal.
4Wait until the application has completely restarted and displays the idle
screen before performing any new activity on the register.
If the application does not restart, see the section Application Will Not Start.
Step 3: Power-cycle
the terminal
If the pressing and releasing the reset button does not cause the password screen
to be displayed, power-cycle the terminal using the following procedure.
1To remove power, do one of the following:
•If using an external power brick, either disconnect the brick from the power
source or disconnect the power plug from the terminal’s multiport cable.
•If using a powered USB, disconnect the powered USB connector from the
register.
NOTE
The MX 800 Series terminal requires a touch screen calibration at the time of
installation. The terminal should be powered on and allowed to stabilize at normal
operating temperature; usually this takes no longer than 30 minutes, even if the
terminal was previously in a cooler or warmer location. The touch screen
calibration procedure (below) should then be performed.

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 3
•If using IBM tailgate power, disconnect the tailgate cable from the register
or from the terminal’s multiport cable.
•If using power-over-Ethernet, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the
terminal’s multiport cable.
2After 2 seconds or more, reconnect power.
3The unit should start a complete reboot process, which takes a couple of
minutes to complete. A blue VeriFone screen will be displayed during much
of the process.
4If 5 minutes pass and the blue screen remains and nothing has changed,
power cycle the terminal again to restart the boot process.
5If the application does not restart, see the section Application Will Not Start.
6If the application boots properly but does not communicate with the register,
check the communication parameters on the register and on the terminal. If
the terminal is running via USB and the “MX Gadget” USB drivers are being
used instead of the new “MX Family” drivers, it may be necessary to reboot
the register to resynchronize the register’s USB drivers.
If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative or service
provider for assistance.
Application Will
Not Start
If the application does not start (the System Mode screen displays after power
up), do one of the following:
•If an application has not been loaded into the MX 800 Series terminal, refer to
the MX 800 Family Reference Manual (P/N 23754) for instructions for
downloading the application.
•If this condition occurs on a terminal that previously had been running an
application but will not restart the application, perform the following
diagnostics.
Check internal
battery status
1Press the DIAGNOSTICS icon.
2Press the Manual Diags button.
3Press the right arrow to go to the second diagnostics screen.
4Press the battery icon.
5The screen will indicate whether the battery test passes or fails.
•If it fails, send the MX 800 Series terminal in for repair.
•If it passes, check the encryption keys.
CAUTION
Never press the reset button while the blue VeriFone screen is present. If the
screen says “Loading, please wait . . ., then wait.

4MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Check the
encryption keys
1Press the SECURITY icon.
2Press the KEY STATUS icon.
3Press the right arrow to go to the second diagnostics screen.
4The first screen will show MK (Master Key) status.
•If you are using Master Keys, there should be an indication that one or
more are loaded.
•If you are not using Master Keys, “No Key” will be displayed for each of the
ten Master Key slots.
5Touch the screen or press Enter to go to the DUKPT key status screen.
•If you are using DUKPT keys, there should be an indication that one or
more are loaded.
•If you are not using DUKPT keys, “No Key” will be displayed for each of
the three DUKPT key engines (See chapter 2).
6If “No Key” is shown for all master key slots and all DUKPT engines, there
was probably a security event that caused the terminal to erase all keys and
applications. Send the terminal in for repair.
Communications
Port Does Not
Work
The following are the corrective steps to be taken if a communications port does
not work.
1Check whether the device connected to the port of the multiport cable of the
MX 800 Series terminal has power and is functioning correctly. If possible,
perform a self-test on the device.
2The cable connecting the optional device to the MX 800 Series terminal’s
communications port may be defective. Try a different communications cable.
3If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative or service
provider for assistance.

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 5
Transaction Fails
to Process
The following are the corrective steps to be taken if the terminal does not process
the transaction.
There are several possible reasons why the terminal may not be operating
correctly or processing transactions. To check the most likely causes, follow the
steps below.
Step 1: Check the
magnetic card
reader
1Make sure that you are swiping cards correctly with the MX 800 Series
terminal. For the MX 800 Series terminal reader, the black, magnetic stripe
on the card should face down and towards the screen.
2Perform a test transaction using several different magnetic stripe cards to
ensure that the problem is not a defective card.
3Process a transaction manually using the screen instead of the card reader. If
the manual transaction works, the problem may be a defect in the card
reader. Contact your VeriFone distributor or service provider.
4If the manual transaction does not work, proceed to Step 3: Check the cable
connections.
Step 2: Check the
smart card reader
1Make sure you are inserting the cards correctly with the MX 800 Series
terminal smart card reader.
aThe chip on the card should face up and inward.
bInsert the card into the slot in a smooth motion until it seats firmly.
cLeave the card in the card reader until the transaction completes.
Premature card removal will invalidate the transaction.
2Perform a test transaction using several different smart cards to ensure that
the problem is not with the card.
3Ensure any MSAM cards are correctly inserted and that the cardholders are
properly secured.
4If the problem persists, contact your VeriFone distributor or service provider.

6MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Step 3: Check the
cable connections
1Ensure that all cables are correctly connected.
2If cables are connected properly, check that the cable is in working order by
connecting a known good cable. If transactions process with this cable,
replace the defective cable.
3If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative for
assistance.
No Response
From the Stylus
The following are the corrective steps to be taken if the terminal does not respond
to the stylus inputs. (This procedure does not apply to the MX 830 terminal without
touch screen.)
1Make sure that the terminal supports this stylus.
2Unplug the stylus that does not respond and connect a known working stylus.
3If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative for
assistance.
Gap in Captured
Signature
The following are the corrective steps to be taken if there is a gap in captured
signature. (This procedure does not apply to the MX 830 terminal without touch
screen.)
1Ensure that the stylus is in contact with the screen during signature capture.
2If the problem persists, contact your local VeriFone representative or service
provider for assistance.
Detecting
Excessive EMI
Fields
Devices used to deactivate magnetic labels can cause electro-magnetic
interference (EMI) that could interfer with the MX 800 Series terminal. You can
use the MX 800 Series terminal’s Diagnostic mode to sense and visually indicate
the presence of a disruptive strength EMI field.
While in MSR Diagnostic mode, the terminal will display a warning message if the
card reader senses a sufficiently strong EMI field. Moving the terminal away from
the EMI field eliminates the warning message; moving the terminal into the field
produces the message. You can use this information to determine a proper
mounting position for the MX800 Series terminal.

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 7
CHAPTER 2
VeriFone Service and Support
Return a
Terminal for
Service
The following procedure describes how to return one or more MX 800 Series
terminals for repair or replacement (U.S. customers only). For MX 800 Series
terminal problems, contact your local VeriFone representative or service provider.
1Gather the following information from the printed labels on the bottom of each
MX 800 Series terminal to be returned:
•Product ID, including the model and part number.
•Serial number (S/N xxx-xxx-xxx). The serial number is located on a white
label on the bottom of the device in the recessed area where the terminal
connector is connected. (Note that, if an RFID module is attached to the
bottom of the device, it also has a serial number on a white label. Be
careful to provide the serial number for the device, not the RFID.
2Before returning the MX 800 Series terminal to VeriFone, obtain a
Merchandise Return Authorization (MRA) number..
3Give your VeriFone representative or service provider the information
gathered in step 1. If the list of serial numbers is long, fax or email the list,
along with the information gathered in step 1.
•Please address the fax clearly to the attention of the “VeriFone MRA
Dept.”
NOTE
For International customers, please contact your local VeriFone representative
for assistance with your service, return, or replacement.
WARNING
Do not, under any circumstances, attempt any service, adjustments, or repairs on
this equipment, other than the simple cleaning processes discussed in the
MX 800 Series Installation Guide and the troubleshooting procedures explained
in Chapter 1. Instead, contact your local VeriFone distributor or service provider
for assistance. Failure to comply can void the product warranty.
WARNING
This terminal comes equipped with a tamper-evident label. This Tamper Warning
label covers a screw hole on the case bottom and indicates if an unauthorized
party has opened the terminal case. Opening the case will make the terminal
inoperable and void the product warranty.

8MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
•Include a telephone number where you can be reached, as well as your
fax number or email address.
•You will be issued MRA numbers and the fax or email will be returned to
you.
4Describe the problem.
5Provide the shipping address where the repaired or replacement unit must be
returned.
6Provide the MRA type:
•Repair only
•Repair/deployment
•Deployment only
7Provide deployment instructions if application and key are required:
•Application required
•Key required
•RFS/SP/OS required
8Keep a record of the following items:
•Assigned MRA number(s).
•VeriFone serial number assigned to the MX 800 Series terminal you are
returning for service or repair (terminal serial numbers are located on the
bottom of the unit).
•Shipping documentation, such as air bill numbers used to trace the
shipment.
•Models returned (model numbers are located on the VeriFone label on the
bottom of the MX 800 Series terminal).
NOTE
One MRA number must be issued for each group of MX 800 Series terminals
returned to VeriFone.

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 9
INDEX
A
application
does not start 3
restarting 2
B
battery test 3
C
captured signature, gap in 6
communications parameters 3
communictions port connection 4
D
display
blank 1
not responding 1
E
encryption keys
DUKPT 4
Master Key 4
M
Merchandise Return Authorization 7
MX800 Series
service and support 7
P
power-cycling the terminal 2
product ID 7
S
serial number 7
service
MX800 Series 7
returning a terminal 7
stylus, no response 6
T
terminal
power-cycling 2
repair 7
replacement 7
service and support 7
touch screen, calibrating 2
transaction failure, troubleshooting 5
troubleshooting
transaction failure 5

10 MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

MX 800 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 11

MX 800 Series
Troubleshooting Guide
VeriFone, Inc.
2099 Gateway Place, Suite 600
San Jose, CA, 95110 USA
Tel: [phone]
www.verifone.com