How Can I Check if a SREDkey 2 is Working?
- Chris Barton
Checking the working status of a SREDkey 2 reader has several steps, including verifying your computer can detect the reader, verifying the reader’s output mode, and swiping a test card to verify functionality.
Check if your computer sees the SREDkey 2
The first steps is to verify that your computer sees the SREDkey 2 as an input device.
Connect the SREDkey 2 to your Windows computer.
Open the Control Panel.
Open Device Manager.
Expand the list of Human Interface Devices.
Scroll to the bottom of the Human Interface Devices list and find the devices labeled USB Input Device. Note that you may have a different number of USB Input Devices.
Right-click the first USB Input Device and select Properties.
In the Properties menu, go to the Events tab.
Check the Information panel for the device VID; ID TECH devices display VID_0ACD.
If the device you are checking does not have VID_0ACD, close the Properties window and repeat steps 6 through 8 with each USB Input Device until you find one that displays VID_0ACD.
What do I do if there is no USB Input Device with VID_0ACD?
If you can’t find a USB Input Device with VID_0ACD, you have a couple of options.
First, switch the SREDkey 2 reader to a different USB port and repeat the steps above.
Second, if you still cannot find the USB Input Device, contact ID TECH Customer Support to RMA the device. Check SREDkey 2’s display to see if it shows a status message, which you will need to include in the RMA request.
If the display does not light up at all, contact ID TECH Customer Support to RMA the device.
My computer recognizes the SREDkey 2; what do I need to do next?
After you’ve verified your computer recognizes the SREDkey 2, you need to check if the reader is in USB Keyboard mode (USB-KB) or USB Human Interface Device mode (USB-HID). These two modes have different uses:
USB-KB mode is generally used for devices working with an application installed locally (that is, on the host computer).
USB-HID mode is generally used for devices working with an online application.
To check the SREDkey 2’s input mode, you will need the following for your computer:
ID TECH’s Universal SDK Demo app (direct download link)
Notepad app (any text editor will work)
Follow these steps to test your SREDkey 2 reader:
Install and open the Universal SDK Demo app.
Connect the SREDkey 2 to your computer.
In the Universal SDK Demo app, expand the Device list under COMMANDS.
Select KB Mode Status, then select Execute Command.
The Results pane prints the reader’s current KB mode.
If you’re testing a reader that should be in KB mode:
If your device is not already in KB mode, under Device select USB-KB Mode and select Execute Command, then select OK in the Switch Mode? dialog.
After the device enters KB mode, open your Notepad app.
Swipe a test card in the SREDkey 2. If the reader is working correctly, it will print card data directly to the Notepad app.
If you’re testing a reader that works with an online app:
If your device is not already in HID mode, under Device, select USB-HID mode and select Execute Command.
After the device enters HID mode, swipe a test card in the SREDkey 2. If the reader is working correctly, it will print card data in the Results pane.
Run a transaction in your online payment software to verify functionality.
Next Steps
Are you still having issues after making sure your SREDkey 2 reader is in the correct output mode and testing a card read?
If your SREDkey is not reading cards, contact ID TECH Customer Support to RMA the device.
If your reader is working correctly, but not functioning with your software or online service, contact your payment software’s customer support team for assistance.