How To Check and Restart the Transaction Server or POS Controller Service

How To Check and Restart the 

Transaction Server or POS Controller Service

Table of Contents

• About
• Viewing Transaction Server or POS Controller Activity
• Checking the Status of Transaction Server or POS Controller  
• Starting or Restarting the Transaction Server or POS Controller  
• Points to Note

About

Your H&L server will run either the Transaction Server application or the POS Controller Service. Both provide the same functionality, but the newer POS Controller Service offers the advantages of running in the background (preventing accidental closure) and automatically starting after a server reboot.

The Transaction Server or POS Controller handles:

• Processing POS transactions
• Controlling kitchen order printing
• Approving table functions
• Approving member and debtor transactions
• Activating time switches
• And more

If the Transaction Server or POS Controller closes or stops, these functions will no longer work as expected. 

Viewing Transaction Server or POS Controller Activity

The Transaction Server window has a white background with black text for general transaction and trace activity. Errors are displayed in red text for greater visibility. When the Transaction Server is locked (during finalisation of reporting periods), the background changes to orange until it is unlocked.

The POS Controller service runs in the background. To view its transaction activity, use the Log Viewer application. This shows transaction and trace activity similar to the Transaction Server, but the background colour does not change when the service is locked.

You may have a desktop shortcut to the Log Viewer application. If not, it can be located at

C:\Program Files (x86)\H & L\Sysnet\ LogViewer.exe.

Checking the Status of Transaction Server or POS Controller  

The status of the Transaction Server is shown in the bottom bar of the application. The statuses include: 

• Server Running – Operating normally. 
• Server Stopped – Not operating. An error message in red text may provide details. 
• Server Locked – Prevents transactions from processing. The Transaction server locks during finalisation of end of period reporting.
  

Log Viewer also shows the POS Controller service status in the bottom bar. Statuses include: 

• Log Connected – Indicates the POS Controller service is running. 
• Log Disconnected – Indicates the POS Controller service is not running or failed to start. 

Log Viewer does not show a locked status or change background colour, but it displays information in the main window confirming whether the service is locked or unlocked.

Starting or Restarting the Transaction Server or POS Controller  

Starting or restarting the Transaction Server or POS Controller is a common troubleshooting step when issues occur with transaction processing, table charging, kitchen printing, time-switch activation, and more.

To open the Transaction Server: 

• Use a desktop, system tray, dock, or start menu shortcut. If none are available, find it at 
  C:\Program Files (x86)\H & L\Sysnet\TransServer.exe. 

To restart the Transaction Server: 

• Close the Transaction Server by clicking the X in the top-right corner of the application.
•  Confirm (OK) the closure in the popup window. 
• Reopen the Transaction Server from a shortcut or the file path mentioned above.
  
   

To interact with the POS Controller service: 

• Open the Windows Services console by selecting the Windows start menu or search box and typing "Services." 
• Select the Services console from the results.
• Scroll through the list of services to find H&L Sysnet - Point of Sale Controller (services are listed alphabetically).
  
   

You can use the top bar buttons, left-side options, or right-click menu to start, stop, or restart the POS Controller service. Some options are only available depending on the current state of the service. For example, if the service is not running, you can only start it.

It is recommended not to use the Restart option with the POS Controller service. Instead, follow these steps: 

• Stop the service
• Wait 10-20 seconds
• Start the service 

On larger databases or slower systems, it may take several seconds for the service to stop completely, causing the Restart option to fail. If this happens, wait for the action to time out (typically within a minute), and then try again. If the issue persists, contact the H&L Support team.

Points to Note 

• Only one of the Transaction Server application or POS Controller service should be running, not both. 
  
  
• A “Locked: False” message on the Transaction Server or Log Viewer indicates that it is not locked and is operating normally. 
  
  
• The POS Controller service continues running even if Log Viewer is closed. However, the Transaction Server application must remain open (minimized is fine) to function properly.
  
  
• Buttons can be added to start, stop, and restart the POS Controller service in the Log Viewer window by installing and setting up the H&L Master Service. To have this added to your H&L server, please contact the H&L support team. Technician labour charges may apply for the installation.