1. I'm trying to process a transaction. What does "Serv Not Allowed" mean?
If you're using 3rd party POS software or some other interface to PCCharge, you may encounter this problem if you're using a card swipe device and the merchant account in PCCharge is set up as some card-not-present business type. Additionally, this problem may occur if you try to process a debit or EBT transaction when your merchant isn't set up to process debit cards or EBT cards.
2. I'm trying to process a transaction. What does "Error 17" mean?
This error will sometimes occur after clicking the Process button. To correct this problem, perform the Repair/Compact procedure as described in the section
Repair/Compact (see page 194). Re-attempt the transaction. If the error occurs
again, reboot your computer and re-attempt the transaction. This error may also occur if you are using any non-alphanumeric characters in the card member name (such as an ampersand (&) or apostrophe (')).
3. I'm trying to process a transaction. What does "Error 18" mean?
This may be due to a modem setup problem. Change your modem settings by using the Manual Modem Setup window (see page 85).
4. I'm trying to settle my batch. I'm getting RB errors that end with the letters
AMEX or DISC.
This is likely because your merchant account is not set up to process a card type included in the batch. If the end of the message is AMEX or DISC, try voiding out transactions of that type. Then perform the Repair/Compact procedure as described in the section Repair/Compact (see page 194). Try settling the batch again. If the batch settles, try re-entering the transactions you'd voided as Post Auths (Post Authorizations). Next, try to settle your batch. If you get the same type of RB error, contact your payment processing company or merchant service provider to set up your account to accept AMEX and Discover cards.
5. Why do black fields show up in PCCharge while I'm processing a transaction? Shut down PCCharge. Open your Windows Control Panel by clicking Start | Settings
| Control Panel. Double-click the Display Settings icon and click the Appearance
tab. Under Scheme, select Windows Standard. Click Apply, and then click OK. Restart PCCharge. The fields should now be readable.
6. Why are buttons missing from the PCCharge interface?
Sometimes certain buttons (Sale, Credit, Void) may seem inaccessible or "chopped in half". This may be because your monitor's resolution is too low. To check this, shut down PCCharge. Click Start | Settings | Control Panel. Double-click the
Display Settings icon and click the Settings tab. Now increase your screen
7. How do I transfer PCCharge to a new computer?
Consult the sub-section Transferring PCCharge to a Different Computer in the section Backup/Restore.
8. What ports do I need to open on my firewall in order to process Internet
transactions?
If you are using TSYS Acquiring Solutions (VISA), open port 5003. If you are using Nova (now Elavon), open port 8100. If you are using BAMS FACTS/Tandem (NPC), open port 5300. If you are using Heartland Payment Systems, open ports 22341 and 22342. If you are using any other processor via TCP/IP Internet, you will need to open port 443.
9. Why won't my modem work?
Most financial institutions require that transactions be processed via modem communication at 1200 baud with no data compression (7-even-1). Software modems typically cannot step down to 1200 baud for the transactions to be completed. Software modems use the Windows operating system and the computer's processor to handle data transfer. This data transfer is usually compressed by the modem driver software and thus cannot be passed back and forth between our software and the processor. This is not a fault of the PCCharge software, but a lack of ability for the modem to pass the transaction information in the required format of the processor. Hardware modems rely on the actual modem to handle the data transfer between the software and the processor. This hardware handling of the data by the modem does not require the software compression associated with Win/Soft modems. Thus, the data can be sent uncompressed in the proper format. 10. What information do I need to enter for a regular transaction?
The only information required to process a credit card transaction is the card number, expiration date, and the amount. However, this will get you the worst per- transaction rate possible. If your merchant account is set up as Retail, you should use a card swipe device. If your merchant account is set up as Mail Order, E- Commerce, or some other card-not-present business, you should supply as much information as possible (street address, zip code, ticket number, CVV, etc.). Check with your payment processing company to find out how to obtain the best per- transaction rates available for your business type.
11. I just received an upgrade for PCCharge. How should I upgrade?
If you are using any sort of Point of Sale (POS), make sure that the version is compatible with the version of PCCharge that you are upgrading to.
Consult the sections System Requirements, Upgrade Preparation, and Upgrading
PCCharge (see pages 21, 22, and 24).
12. What PCCharge reports should I use on a daily basis? The most commonly used reports in PCCharge are
• Credit Card Detail -- This report shows you the results of all transactions
processed on the specified day.
• Batch Pre-Settle -- This report is used before settling a batch. It shows
you all the transactions that are waiting to be settled. View this report before settling your batch to confirm that everything in your batch is correct.
Batch Post-Settle -- This report is used after settlement has occurred. This report is
primarily used to retrieve transaction history. 13. How do I find my PCCharge serial number?
Click Help on the PCCharge menu bar (near the top right-hand corner of PCCharge window. Click About. PCCharge will display your 16-digit serial number.
14. I'm trying to view a report. What does "Runtime Error 91" mean?
This error can often be corrected by using the Repair/Compact procedure as described in the section Repair/Compact Database (see page 194).
15. How do I add a merchant number to PCCharge?
Visit us online at http://www.pccharge.com/support for the latest information on adding PCCharge merchant numbers.