Activboard pen works...then doesn't...then does...

[marsdenprimary]

Hi,

With the dawn of new laptops the serial connection has disappeared. Nowhere to be seen. Gone. This has forced me, with some of our older Activboards, to buy USB to Serial adapters to get the boards to work with the new technology.

A new problem has arisen in the form of Windows 7 where some of the boards will just stop working and a reboot is needed to get them going again.

Teachers are getting annoyed and all I can do is advise them to go into the taskbar, click the 'settings' on the activ driver and click find or connect in the hope it will work again.

I tried installing the latest activ drivers a while back and had even more problems with the boards just not working at all.

ANY HELP APPRECIATED!!!!

Jay
xxx

[john]

Are the USB to Serial Adaptors Keyspan ones or generic ones? I know that Promethean only supported the boards via the Keyspan adaptors they sold as they were tested and an known entity. I personally have found some generic USB to Serial adaptors to be a bit flaky at times, especially if your USB boards using the same software and driver are fine.

Have you contacted Promethean to see if you could get a new cable for your board to make it a USB Board? Some boards when supplied were USB and Serial in the same box you just choose the cable you wanted, so you maybe able to purchase a new USB lead for the board instead.

[elsiegee40]

As john, plus... Do check the pens out; they get flaky with age too.

[marsdenprimary]

As john, plus... Do check the pens out; they get flaky with age too.

I know it's the boards because we keep getting the red cross on the activ driver in the taskbar. It was a good suggestion- sometimes the most obvious passes me by on a daily basis

[marsdenprimary]

Are the USB to Serial Adaptors Keyspan ones or generic ones? I know that Promethean only supported the boards via the Keyspan adaptors they sold as they were tested and an known entity. I personally have found some generic USB to Serial adaptors to be a bit flaky at times, especially if your USB boards using the same software and driver are fine.

Have you contacted Promethean to see if you could get a new cable for your board to make it a USB Board? Some boards when supplied were USB and Serial in the same box you just choose the cable you wanted, so you maybe able to purchase a new USB lead for the board instead.

Well I thought about the usb conversion and looking at the back of one of the boards before- it already has the connection. I plugged a USB into it but then had no way of powering the board as the power lead goes into the serial end of the cable. I couldn't find a power socket on the back of the board.

Is there some way to convert them? Had a look at the keyspan adapters and the cheapest is £25! I thought that was a bit expensive for an adapter...

[TRobinson]

Hi Jay,

As John has correctly stated, we only supported the use of Keyspan adapters.

Also, (again as John has stated) it could be that your ActivBoards are USB compatible anyway. If you have the 2nd generation you may only need to connect a USB lead (leaving the existing serial cable in place for the power) but if you have a 1st generation you will either need replacement cables or there is a chance that it is not USB compatible.

The best bet is to contact Technical Support quoting the serial number of your board - they should be able to advise you of your options.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-g...rt/contact-us/

[TRobinson]

"I plugged a USB into it but then had no way of powering the board as the power lead goes into the serial end of the cable"

Just leave the serial cable connected at the board end with the power still piggy backed in the 9 way D type and then connect the USB.

[marsdenprimary]

"I plugged a USB into it but then had no way of powering the board as the power lead goes into the serial end of the cable"

Just leave the serial cable connected at the board end with the power still piggy backed in the 9 way D type and then connect the USB.

Hoorah!!!! Just tried it, updated to the latest driver- IT WORKS!! Thanks for all your help guys x x x Much appreciated x x x