CHCKWRT1 is a program for writing personal checks on a
Hewlett Packard Deskjet printer. Besides filling out a blank
check, it maintains an annual check register and the account
balance. Deposits to the account as well ATM withdrawals and
non-DeskJet checks can be entered. A library of previously
written checks can be developed to speed the writing of
checks that go to the same payee on a periodic basis. If you
want to manipulate the check register it can be saved as an ASCII
file for your database or spreadsheet program's use.

RUNNING CHCKWRT1
If your DeskJet is attached to a serial port you must run
the routine in the printer manual before you start CHCKWRT1.
This routine redirects the output from the parallel to the serial
port.

To run CHCKWRT1 move to the directory that contains it and
type CHCKWRT1. The menu of choices will be displayed:

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

1 WRITE A CHECK
2 LOOK AT ALL OF CHECK REGISTER
3 LOOK AT LAST 30 TRANSACTIONS
4 LOOK AT LAST 15 TRANSACTIONS
5 LOOK AT CHECKBOOK BALANCE
6 SAVE DATA TO THIS DIRECTORY
7 SAVE CHECKBOOK REGISTER TO ANOTHER DIRECTORY
8 LOOK AT A PREVIOUS YEAR'S CHECK REGISTER
S STOP

and at the bottom of your screen:

F1 FOR HELP

Any time the "F1 FOR HELP" message is displayed on-line help is
available.

DESCRIPTION OF CHOICES

1 WRITE A CHECK
As you use this program a library of PAYEES can be
developed. When you choose option 1 this library is
displayed. Enter the number of the PAYEE you want to use or
0 if this PAYEE is not in the library. If you choose 0 you
will be asked for the PAYEE, AMOUNT and MEMO. If you choose
a PAYEE from the library the check contents are displayed.
Any or all of the contents (except the date) can be changed.


Once you are satisfied with the check's entries you
will be prompted to load the blank check into the printer.
To load the check use the envelope addressing feature of
your Deskjet. Place the blank check face down so the top
goes into the printer first. The edge of the check should
be as far to the right as possible and the top of the check
wedged under the rubber rollers. Now press the envelope
feed buttons on your Deskjet. After loading, the leading
edge of the check should be barely visible at the print
position. (If the cover is open the check's number will be
visible). If the check does not appear to be straight press
FF to eject it and try again. When the check is positioned
to your satisfaction press any key and printing will start.

As the check is printed the check number is displayed
and you are asked if this is correct. If it is press "Y",
if not press "N" and enter the correct number.

Next, you will be asked if you want to save this check
in the library file. If you expect to write more checks to
this PAYEE answer "Y", otherwise answer "N". In the future
you will be able to write checks to this PAYEE with as few
as 3 or 4 keystrokes. After you answer this query the check
will be ejected and the main menu will appear.

2, 3, 4 LOOKING AT THE CHECK REGISTER
By selecting 2, 3, or 4 you can look at the entire
check register, the last 30 transactions or the last 15
transactions. At the end of the check register listing you
will be asked if you want to change any of the entries. If
you enter "N" then you will be asked if you want to add to
the check register. Answer "N" and the SORT routine is
called.

CHANGING AN ENTRY
If you answered "Y" to the change an entry query
the screen will clear and display

USE UP AND DOWN ARROWS TO SELECT ENTRY TO CHANGE, C TO CHANGE IT, S WHEN DONE
# PAYEE AMOUNT MEMO DATE

Use the arrow keys to scroll through the portion of the
check register you selected until you find an entry you
want to change, then press "C". The entry will be
displayed and you will be asked if you want change any
portion of it. In order to handle non-check
transactions "-1" is used as the check # for all
deposits and "0" is used to denote a non-check
withdrawal. The PAYEE, AMOUNT and MEMO entries cannot
contain commas (,) and the DATE must contain two digits
in each position, i.e., leading zeros may be necessary.

When you are finished editing entries press "S". You
will be asked if you want to add to the register.

ADDING AN ENTRY
If you answered "N" to the change an entry query
you will be asked if you want to add to the check
register. This is the section for recording deposits,
non-check withdrawals or checks not written by
CHCKWRT1. For deposits use "-1" as the check number.
Non-check withdrawals are denoted by using "0" as the
check number. When you answer "Y" to the add an entry
query you will be asked for the CHECK #, PAYEE, AMOUNT,
MEMO and DATE. When you are finished adding entries
answer "N" to the add entry query. The register is
sorted next.

SORTING ENTRIES
Upon exiting the "add entry" routine the following
menu will be displayed:

1 Sort the last 15 entries
2 Sort the last 25 entries
3 Sort the last 35 entries
4 Sort the entire check register

Enter 1, 2, 3, or 4

The check register will be sorted first by the entry
dates then by the check numbers for each date.

WARNING: Choosing "4" can result in a time
consuming sort.

While sorting the following message will be displayed:

"Sorting Check Register by date & #"

After sorting is complete the check register is
automatically saved as CREG-yr.REG and

"Saving check register"

will be displayed.

5 LOOK AT CHECKBOOK BALANCE
This shows the last 15 transactions and the balance
after each one. The entire register can also be viewed.
The amount of each transaction is unsigned but the balance
will go negative if an overdraft occurs.

6 SAVE DATA TO THIS DIRECTORY
This saves the entire check register to CREG-yr.REG in
the same directory as CHCKWRT1. This is a redundant save
since the data is normally saved automatically after most
changes to the check register.

7. SAVE CHECKBOOK REGISTER TO ANOTHER DIRECTORY
This portion of the program lets you save the checkbook
register in a directory other than the current directory.
The register is saved as an ASCII (text) file so it can be
read by many database, spreadsheet or word processor
programs as well as the "TYPE" DOS command. To save in
another directory type in the path from the Root Directory
to the new directory and the new directory's name. If the
new directory is right off the Root Directory simply type
the new directory's name. If it is off a sub-directory the
sub-directory's name must be included, i.e.,
DIRECTORY1\DIRECTORY2\DESIRED DIRECTORY. The file is named
automatically as CREG-yr.REG and is saved in the
following format:

Check Number,Payee,Amount,Memo,Date

and, after reading by your database, spreadsheet or word
processor program, can be manipulated in ways not available
in CHCKWRT1.

8 LOOK AT A PREVIOUS YEAR'S CHECK REGISTER
This selection lets you look at any check registers
generated by CHCKWRT1 in previous years. However, no
changes in the registers by CHCKWRT1 are permitted.

DELETING ENTRIES IN THE CHECK REGISTER & LIBRARY
There are no provisions for deleting entries in either the
check register or the library. Instead, the entry must be
replaced. To do this with the check register, scroll to the
erroneous entry in the change portion, press "C", then enter
replacement information. To replace an entry in the library you
must write a check to a new PAYEE that you want in the library.
First, select the PAYEE you want to eliminate, but answer "N"
when asked if the data is correct. Enter the correct data for
the new PAYEE, print the check and answer "Y" when asked if it
should be included in the library.


CHCKWRT1 may not print the date on the check exactly in the
space provided but it is legible, which is what counts.

This program was written primarily so a person with limited
manual dexterity and illegible handwriting (me) could write
checks. The library of PAYEES saves many keystrokes and the
check register gives an easy review of past transactions.
If you find this to be a useful program please send $15.00 to

Joe H. Cary
15566 Peachwalker Dr.
Bowie, MD 20716