Problems with Activ Pens

[bcalkins]

???? I have two different problems with pens at the moment:

1) When trying to calibrate the board the pens are not recognized. I have updated the software and drivers to the latest release, I've done this both as an update from within the software and as a "clean install". I have tried using pens from another Promethean board with the same results. The board is recognized and the drivers are loaded but the pens are not recognized.

2) We have one Promethean board that when using the pens it leaves "trails" from one letter or number to another, making the writing nearly impossible to read. Again I have updated/reinstalled the software and the board is recognized, but with this one the calibration works flawlessly. I have also changed USB cables, thinking that may have been part of the problem, which worked for about two days and then the "trailing" started all over again.

[saha]

Can you please make sure that the pen settings are set to

Mouse (All Windows)

and not to

Pen ( Tablet )

Please see attached screen shot.

PEN SETTINGS (http://www.prometheanplanet.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3289&stc=1&d=1224605771)

[bcalkins]

Saha,

Thank you for the reply. I checked these settings and they are set to Mouse, unfortunately I still have the issues.

[saha]

Hi,
The next steps are to eliminate some possibilities.
Could you have another laptop connect to the problem boards and if the issue persists.

[rizkmahrous2004]

Hi all !
The same problem happened to me only when I tried to connect the USB to different hubs and connect my computer to many boards. I have read about a sort of conflict which happens once something similar to this is done.Deleting the temprory files on my computer worked well with this same problem. You can do this by writing this prompt into your run %temp% and delete all files there. Uninstalling the driver and reinstalling the newest version may solve this problem after trials for many times
Here is an attached e-mail from our technician support in Saudi Arabia. I haven't taken his permission to show it ,but I think this is for the benefit of all

About your issue with board, “ the board was working in the morning, and afternoon you re-connect the board and it is not working properly”

Please check the following to isolate the problem:

- Hardware
o Make sure the board connected to Power, the indicator [in left upper corner] light on
o Make sure the data cable is connected to the computer ( USB or Serial )
- Software
o Make sure you have the latest ACTIVdriver and the application is installed correctly ( clean install )
§ The latest driver (for now) is 4.1.14.20
o Check the driver icon(ACTIVcontrol http://f529.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f3009%5f2%5f2884%5f0%5fABExvs4AAUf ISMtmuwbNlmewTMs&pid=2.2&fid=%2540S%2540Search&inline=1 ) in the system taskbar is there and there is no red X
§ Red X means that the board is not detected, whether the data cable not connected or no power to board
o When using serial cable , sometimes you need to run/connect the driver manager manually
§ To do so, right click on the driver icon in system tray > settings > and click on “connect” and put the option to “Automatic start”
§ § USB connection: no need to do this, it starts automatically..
o Calibration;
§ Right click in the driver icon > calibrate.
§ Or hover the pen over the board indicator, on the upper left corner to start the calibration.

If you still facing problem with the pen, try another pen or uninstall the driver, restart the computer and reinstall the driver fresh. And keep the board connected
I hope this will solve your issue.

Ali Al-Hubail

[andrea.weston]

How about the pen trailing problem? It seems the replies are for not recognizing the pen. Thanks!

[cmansell]

I find that "pen trails" are usually to do with the pen - the nib on my pen keeps getting stuck in, which makes the pen think it is touching the board, so even "hovering" over the board draws lines...

New pens usually solve this...

Hope that helps.

Craig

[srchlc]

You don't have to replace the pen. Replace the nibs. I contacted my reseller and he sent me some new nibs.

Holli

[Daniel Bunker]

If it's not the pen or nib that is at fault, resetting the board by turning it off at the power supply for a minute and then turning it on again can sometimes clear this pen spiking problem.

If this still doesn't sort the problem, call technical support - they may recommend a firmware upgrade (they would have to send you the CD) this restting of the boards firmware can clear spiking problems too.

[bcalkins]

No luck so far. I have uninstalled the previous version of Activ Studio and installed the newest version, as of 10-27-08, and still cannot get teh board to recognize pens. I have replaced the USB cable, pens and tried a completely different computer, all with no change.

[tkook1940]

I have the same problem. The pens aren't being recognized by the board. When I start up ActivStudio(Mac), it displays the whole "not connected to Activboard..." disclaimer. I have tried different USB cables, different stylus, reinstalled the software, etc. Once in ActivStudio, if I click on calibrate, I get the message "Activboard service is not available". Please, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Tim

[APanz]

I have the same problem. The pens aren't being recognized by the board. When I start up ActivStudio(Mac), it displays the whole "not connected to Activboard..." disclaimer. I have tried different USB cables, different stylus, reinstalled the software, etc. Once in ActivStudio, if I click on calibrate, I get the message "Activboard service is not available". Please, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Tim

Hello tkook,
It sounds that you have an older mac activdriver installed. Try to download and install the MAC activdriver 2.3.147 b, which you could find on the planet webside at support.
If this doesn't help you have to call tech support.

Good luck

[creature_teacher]

I am having this same problem. It's so flustrating b/c it was working on Saturday and now on Monday, it's not!
Let me know if you find out what to do.

[excelteacher]

I'm not absolutely sure of this, but the problem may be the board itself. Last year, my board started doing "strange" things like you mentioned...freezing up...Promethean flame blinking strange colors...not recognizing the pens...and the list goes on. As it turns out, I had a defective board that they call a "bubble" board". When I stood next to my board and opened one eye to look at it from the side, I could see the humps or "bubbles" in it. I had keep a log of the error messages and other problems for a few weeks, and our reseller replaced my board. All is well now. That may not be your issue, but that resolved my issues.