Activboard out of focus

[kespinoza]

HI! My activboard was just hooked up and I have a few questions. I calibrated the board before I tried it out.

1. The board is out of focus even when I stand back and look at it. How can I fix this?

2. When I write with the pen, the writing isn't smooth. There a chunks missing from the words. Also, the pen icon stays on what I have just written. I can hover the pen over the text and it will then move off the word. Is this normal?

3. The board and/or pen seem very slow to respond. When I touch a word or object and try to drag them to another spot on the board, sometimes they move a little, but most of the time they don't move at all. I then have to I try several times to get them to move. Also, should the pen make a squeaking sound when I drag it across the board ( a little like nails on a chalkboard .........)?

Thanks,
Kris

[Rosie MacAlpine]

Hi Kris,

1. The board is out of focus even when I stand back and look at it. How can I fix this?

It's the projector that is out of focus for this first problem. You should have a remote for the projector - there should be a focus control on this.

2. When I write with the pen, the writing isn't smooth. There a chunks missing from the words. (see no. 3) Also, the pen icon stays on what I have just written. I can hover the pen over the text and it will then move off the word. Is this normal?

Yes, this is the cursor (but it's a pen icon in this case, not an arrow).

3. The board and/or pen seem very slow to respond. When I touch a word or object and try to drag them to another spot on the board, sometimes they move a little, but most of the time they don't move at all. I then have to I try several times to get them to move.

In my experience, this problem (and the chunks missing from text) could be because you are being too gentle with your pen. :) You can press quite firmly on the board. I also find it helps to hold the pen close to the tip, and lean my hand on the board.

Also, should the pen make a squeaking sound when I drag it across the board ( a little like nails on a chalkboard .........)?

Your board might be a bit dusty if it's just been installed. Try giving it a wipe down with a whiteboard cleaner. I've also heard that giving it a polish with Mr Sheen makes it smoother to write on!


Cheers,
Rosie

[excelteacher]

HI! My Activboard was just hooked up and I have a few questions. I calibrated the board before I tried it out.

1. The board is out of focus even when I stand back and look at it. How can I fix this?



I have an orange Sanyo projector, and there is no focus button on the remote. However, there is a gray ring around the projector lens. While my projector is on, I stand on a ladder and manually turn the gray ring to the left or the right until the image is in focus. Remember not to stare at the light coming out of the lens...Don't ask... :p hth...

[Rosie MacAlpine]

Cindy, this sounds like an Occupational Health and Safety person's nightmare! :p. Mind you, I remember standing on a swivel chair in the classroom to reach my projector once - don't try this at home :o

[Westlake]

Also, should the pen make a squeaking sound when I drag it across the board ( a little like nails on a chalkboard .........)?

Your board might be a bit dusty if it's just been installed. Try giving it a wipe down with a whiteboard cleaner. I've also heard that giving it a polish with Mr Sheen makes it smoother to write on!
Cheers,
Rosie
You very quickly get used to the dry scratchy sound of the pen, and that sound reduces as the tip of the ActivPen nib becomes smoother with use.
Be careful about polishing your lovely matte ActivBoard surface TOO enthusiastically - you do not want to create a shiny reflective surface that will give reflective 'hotspots' (like a whiteboard used as a screen).
Hilary

[kespinoza]

Thanks for all your input :) ! I'll give your suggestions a try when I go back to school on Tuesday and let you know what happens.

Kris