Gov UK Covid test site scanner issues

[TMBS]

Hi

 

Anyone had the joy of trying to set up the scanners on the Gov Covid testing site?

 

I'm logged in as an administrator on a Windows 10 PC, using an Inlight ID Barcode Scanner. When I get to the page to scan the barcode it beeps but nothing happens, then opens the Download page in Chrome. It's showing in Device Manager, all the lights are on and everything seems to be working... Support page on Inlight is blank, no drivers, etc.

 

They want to start testing this afternoon and obviously this is the first time I became involved!

 

Thanks

Edited January 6, 2021 by TMBS

[foofighterjim]

Try scanning a barcode with Notepad open, if it scans and reads the barcode correctly (but with a ~ at the beginning) then your reader and drivers are fine, at that point you'd need to take it up with whoever is in charge as the hardware would be doing everything it should.

[mavhc]

Sometimes you have to configure a scanner to act as a keyboard rather than anything else. You scan barcodes from the manual to configure it file:///C:/Users/manager/Downloads/MS836_User_Manual.pdf

[TMBS]

Try scanning a barcode with Notepad open, if it scans and reads the barcode correctly (but with a ~ at the beginning) then your reader and drivers are fine, at that point you'd need to take it up with whoever is in charge as the hardware would be doing everything it should.

It scans to Notepad but there is no ~ at the beginning?

[foofighterjim]

It scans to Notepad but there is no ~ at the beginning?

 

That may be due to the age of the ancient reader I obtained from our Library to test with!

[Chaniel]

That may be due to the age of the ancient reader I obtained from our Library to test with!

Just chiming in to let you know that most barcode scanners can be set up to add prefixes or suffixes, some older library software required a ~ prefix if I remember correctly (our old Eclipse scanner did that too) but you can usually reconfigure if you find hte manual.

 

Can't help with the main thread issue though!

[dhicks]

When I get to the page to scan the barcode it beeps but nothing happens, then opens the Download page in Chrome. It's showing in Device Manager, all the lights are on and everything seems to be working...

 

It sounds like you have a scanner that simply emulates a keyboard - as far as any application is concerned, there's no difference between you scanning something with the scanner and you typing in a barcode on the keyboard, the computer simply thinks it has a second keyboard attached. Make sure you have the appropriate input box selected on whatever application / web page you're using, otherwise the computer will think you're giving it commands of some sort, possibly with an "enter" at the end.

[mavhc]

I just used the laptop webcam, it's really good, faster than the barcode scanner would be, I was scanning a barcode in 1 second, 3 more to click the result and then next twice.

[TMBS]

I just used the laptop webcam, it's really good, faster than the barcode scanner would be, I was scanning a barcode in 1 second, 3 more to click the result and then next twice.

 

That's what we've done now! Much quicker and easier to use

[Disease]

I bought 3 Scanners off Amazon, works a treat scans straight in.

[howartp]

I've been told by our premises manager (who's watched all the webinars on testing setup etc etc etc) that we "need an iPad to scan the barcodes".

 

That in turn tells me the iPads will be on the wifi in order to scan into the app/website/wherever - which with hundreds of students queuing up is going to kill the wifi.

 

I'm going to fight hard to get wired PCs with wired barcode scanners.

 

Peter

[gh5000]

I've been told by our premises manager (who's watched all the webinars on testing setup etc etc etc) that we "need an iPad to scan the barcodes".

 

That in turn tells me the iPads will be on the wifi in order to scan into the app/website/wherever - which with hundreds of students queuing up is going to kill the wifi.

 

I'm going to fight hard to get wired PCs with wired barcode scanners.

 

Peter

Any web browser works.

[Ditto]

On a smart phone?

[ticktock]

Could anyone post a link to scanner that definitely works. Many thanks

[Seb1780]

I'm using a Unitech MS320-1G scanner with no issues - looks like it's an old model that's been superceded, current models are around £50-£70

 

https://www.thebarcodewarehouse.co.uk/shop/unitech/barcode-scanners/

 

The one I'm using is USB cabled - just plug and play

[ticktock]

I've got our antique scanner from the library but not tested yet. I was thinking it might be worth ordering a new one just to make sure.

[mavhc]

There's 3 parts to testing.

 

1. Users (and staff if users don't have smartphones) should register for an NHS account (or not if they're <13), and then scan their unique 1d barcode so that when the test results are uploaded they get a notification. This is really designed for (like the rest of the system and training) the public asymptomatic testing centres where the person won't be on site in 30 mins time. The QR code on the poster takes you to https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/register-kit/register-rapid-test

 

2. Admin task to go to the https://log-coronavirus-test-site-results.service.gov.uk/ site, log in and wave the bar codes at the laptop webcam, or tablet camera. To confuse matters an NHS app does exist to do this, but it's private so you can't get it.

 

3. Admin task to scan the results into your own school spreadsheet to keep a record of who's been tested. Either copy the scanned number from step 2 off the webpage, or use a usb barcode scanner, or a phone or webcam, but that's rather annoying. Until I found my usb barcode scanner I was using QR code webcam to Excel or Google Spreadsheet (ZBar) « QRcodesHowTo.com – QR Code Examples & Tips but it's nowhere near as good as the gov website one.

[Vegas]

I bought a few of these off Amazon and they work a treat https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Y83TXOE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3BR9JL3MYZHMM&psc=1 Edited January 13, 2021 by Vegas

[DaveTheTech]

Barcode scanners often put characters at the start and end.

Schools used Junior Librarian, so stuck a `~` at the start. You can change the settings, usually by scanning a combination of barcodes.

[Ex-MGSTech]

I thought it was setup to use a devices camera not a dedicated barcode scanner?

 

Although we have to maintain our own records of who we have tested and their test barcode (which will need a barcode scanner) as I've no idea how you would scan a barcode into Excel via its webcam?

 

All academic now anyway....https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/19/ministers-set-to-halt-plans-for-daily-covid-tests-in-english-schools

[howartp]

The test website has two text fields for typing/scanning the barcode, plus a button to use your camera.

 

We've ordered barcode readers as they're far better at scanning barcodes than a camera is.

[Ditto]

All academic now anyway....https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/19/ministers-set-to-halt-plans-for-daily-covid-tests-in-english-schools

 

Not quite - testing of staff remains and the DfE still advise testing pupils twice when they return to school. The key change here is the testing of those considered a 'close contact' of someone with a positive test (I presume the PCR type). It is quite tricky keeping up to date, and the announcement is of a 'pause', so it might restart more widely before long.