Card Readers?

Maskedmechanic · Post by **Maskedmechanic** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:08 pm

Can anyone testify that they have got a card reader to work with Respironics Smart Cards and Encore Pro Software that was not bought from a DME or website? As I read the posts on this thread. lots of people say it will work but not one has testified that they have done so.

Fifi · Post by **Fifi** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:18 pm

I am not sure I understand the question. I have bought a card reader for my remstar auto and the encore pro software. I bought it from a website. It certainly works.

Has this answered your question?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:43 pm

First of all, Maskedmechanic, I work in the legal field as a court reporter and I had to laugh when you asked if anyone could "testify" that a card reader bought from a web site has worked. Are we taking oaths here or can't we just trust each other? I'm sure you didn't mean it like that, but I did have to laugh. But I think Fifi answered your question, anyway. By the way, are you a judge??? And have we worked together????

Which leads me to ask you, Fifi, which site and what type of reader did you buy? I just purchased one from 2-Factor Authentication Devices, and I believe it's a Mako. I have downloaded the upgraded driver from Sleepyman and hopefully when I get it and upgrade it, it will work. But for the $24 I paid, if it doesn't, it's not a big loss. But Tridens said they told him they make the card readers for Respironics, so why shouldn't it work? Which one did you buy, from where and how much did you pay, if you don't mind my asking???

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:46 pm

We are still waiting for two people to report on the cards readers they bought from a non DME providers. The readers are coming straight from a reader provider that sells for all different type applications.

Maskedmechanic · Post by **Maskedmechanic** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:21 pm

Perhaps my question was not clear. Has anyone been able to use a card reader to load data into Encore Pro Software that was not purchased from a DME or a CPAP internet website?? I used the word "testify" in a previous post to emphasis my desire for an accurate account rather than hearsay.

I will be pleasantly surprised if a card reader from a source that is not ultimately from Respironics will work without a physical modification.... My predication...It will not work out of the box with any drivers we try..

I do hope it works!

Tridens · Post by **Tridens** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:44 am

As promised, I'm reporting back on my quest to find a reader cheaper than the Respironics bundled reader (at a price that amounts to highway robbery).

I ordered the Mako Technologies DT3500 from http://www.2factors.com for $24 + $6 S&H = $30. I paid via PayPal, got quick communication from the company (or individual as it may be), and received my reader from Hong Kong in less than a week.

The reader looks exactly like the Respironic's bundled reader: says INFINEER on the front and Infineer, Inc. on the label on the bottom side. The company that makes this reader is http://www.mako-tech.com. If you're more comfortable ordering from the US, you can order directly from the manufacturer by phone for $50.

The reader works fine, as I expected. Just make sure that you install the drivers that come with the Respironics software. It appears that installing these is the only way to enable the USB checkbox in the "SmartCard Reader Type" section on the Preferences screen (and it may add other support necessary to work with the software...I noticed the installation was either adding or modifying files in the Encore Pro directory).

Once these drivers are installed, everything works fine, for me, anyway. I may try to install the updated drivers that are available at http://www.mako-tech.com, but I probably won't--if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

Anyway, hope my quest here will save some fellow hoseheads some cash, whether you're just starting out buying Encore Pro or you're replacing your original reader.

Good sleeping, all!

Tridens

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 12:10 pm

So if I have a functioning reader and the software from encore loaded etc, all I have to do is switch readers and it should work without any other changes? I m gonna buy it as a backup and would be nice just to switch readers without any other changes.

Tridens · Post by **Tridens** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 12:21 pm

Yes, it appears that you shouldn't need to change anything in your setup. However, keep in mind I've never had an original bundled reader...I bought the software only. So, I've only tested with the reader from 2factors.com.

Tridens

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:05 pm

Tridens,
2factors.com shipped mine out on 7/26 and so far I am unable to track it. Glad to hear, though, that they're reputable. And Sleepyman gave me a link to an updated driver he said to use when I get the reader. Glad to hear it's usable. I hope I get mine as fast as you got yours. My software arrives Monday and I got the machine already. So it's the reader that I will be waiting for. Would be nice if I got it on Monday, too.
I may be calling on your for help. When you said you have to install the drivers that come with the Respironics software, you mean the Encore has its own drivers? If you wouldn't mind, would you be a bit more detailed about that? I was going to use the drivers that Sleepman sent me. Know I am a bit unsure which to do.
Thanks.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:13 pm

you get two cds with encore. the encore software and the driver for the card reader.you install the encore, then the driver, then plug in the reader. Thats my opinion and i m sticking to it lol

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:14 pm

Well, if you're sticking to it, that must mean something, so that's good enough for me!!!
(thanks)

Tridens · Post by **Tridens** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:11 pm

Lori,

I only received one CD (got mine from CPAPman.com). Here was my installation order:

1) Install the Encore Pro from the CD
2) Went to http://software.respironics.com/cgi-bin ... e=[Encore] and downloaded two updates: (a) Encore Pro v1.4i Rev 4 Upgrade and (b) Encore Pro v1.4i Service Pack 1. I installed the updates in that order
3) On my Encore Pro CD, there is a subdirectory called "Smart Card Readers". There is a file in named setup.exe that will install the Infineer/Mako drivers. You'll want to choose the DT3500 (USB) option when it asks you.
4) Reboot if it asks you to (can't remember), plug in your reader, and go.
5) Start Encore Pro, go to Preferences, make sure you've chosen "USB" as Smart Card Reader Type.

It's important that you don't plug in the reader until after Encore Pro and the drivers are installed.

I'm sure loonlvr's instructions will work too, but I only received one CD and I'm sticking to it

I was going to install the most recent drivers available on mako-tech.com , but it's working right now and I don't want to mess with it.

You'll be receiving your "stuff" in the same order as me: machine, software, reader. I hated waiting for the reader to arrive...installed the software and Derek's MyEncore package (highly recommended) and drooled all over my keyboard . It's nice to have data to confirm my suspicions...I need more pressure as my AHI is still at 15

Let me know if you need any other help!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:20 pm

Tridens,
Didn't I order my reader like the next day after you ordered yours? They sent mine out on the 26th. When did yours go out and when did you receive it? I am dying already to get it.
In the meantime, I will follow the directions you listed to the letter. I guess Sleepyman's driver isn't necessary? It is probably the same one you're talking about, too.
I probably will be reposting on this thread because I highly doubt everything will go smoothly. I happen to be really great with computers, so maybe I'll be wrong. But I will keep this post in mind for further help, if you don't mind. Also, where in the process did you download and install Derek's Myencore?
Sorry to hear your suspicions were confirmed and that you need a higher pressure. But isn't it nice to know that this software will tell you what you need to know? I am hoping just the opposite since I woke up to the machine telling me it was on 5, which is the lowest my DME set it to go. I'm hoping that my weight loss is going to get me off this in the future. Seeing the 5 cm this morning did give me some optimism. But like I say, if it doesn't, at least I'll lookand feel a whole lot better and still wear a mask to bed. Oh, well. There is far worse than this. Especially now since I found my new best friend, the Swift.
Have a good night.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:30 am

HELP!!!!

The installation of the Encore went great and I was able to install the service pack without upgrading. Then I went and downloaded MyEncore from derek's site.
When I click on My Encore, which is a separate icon on my desktop, I get the following error message:

Failed to load resources from resource file. Please check your setup.

Does anyone know what that means???

derek · Post by **derek** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:50 am

Oh boy! I've had four people report this problem in the last week! I never saw it before. I've just spent 3 hours googling on the error message. It seems to be quite common with all sorts of programs, and nobody seems to know what causes it on some machines and not others, nor how to track down the cause. There are many people asking what causes this particular error message, and basically no answers. It seems to be caused when the program cannot access a system resource that it needs.
All I can say right now is that I'm working on it...

Card Readers?

It works! Cheap card reader found for Encore Pro