SBM680 Interactivity

[Michael]

Hello all,

 

I have some strange issues on-going with a new Smartboard - codename SBM680. It's white/cream in colour and unlike previous generations of Smartboard, it needs external power.

 

The problem is this - every time a user boots up their computer either using Smartboard 10 or 11, Smart Notebook will either find the board with limited connectivity, or won't find it at all. You're then forced to run the Configuration Wizard and it detects the board.

 

I've installed the latest drivers, but it does exactly the same thing. Any ideas? I can re-create this issue in two schools now, yet previous generations of Smartboard work without issue. The symptoms are the white light on the tray flashes - when running the wizard it goes solid, but it's not right that Teachers are having to do this every morning!

 

Limited connectivity I believe means you can use interactivity with your finger, but not the pens themselves. Any suggestions would be welcome!

[mowgli82]

ive had this issue where the usb connection between pc and board is longer than 2m. Newer PC's dont seem to punch out as much power from the usb ports as old ones did. You could try looking in the bios to see if there are settings you can change. alternatively install active/powered usb leads

[FN-GM]

I had this with an older smart board. Using a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0 port fix it in the end.

[Michael]

Well interestingly I 'think' I've got to the bottom of it. It's not a cable or USB issue (as far as I can tell), but I am using USB 2.0 and the standard 5m black USB lead provided.

 

One computer was running Smart Notebook 10.8. Despite installing the latest drivers, you're still forced to use the Configuration Wizard every time and even then it's hit and miss.

 

Looking at Smart's website, it states that to install SMART Product Drivers 12, you need either SMART Notebook software 14.2, 14.1 or 11.4.

 

I download/install 11.4 (which is still free), then install the SMART Product Drivers 12 and it appears to have cured the problem, apart from the blue icon in the task bar has a tiny yellow exclamation mark. Despite this, the normal interactivity and pen interactivity appear to work and don't require the end user to open the Configuration Wizard.

 

So not perfect, but good enough, it works. I can only presume Smart or Not so Smart Notebook is mis-reporting a problem!

[Michael]

So just when I thought everything was OK, when starting up, the driver isn't always fully initialised - so interactivity with your index finger works, but the pens do not work. I've now installed the latest Smart Notebook 15, latest drivers and the problem's still there. There's also a huge amount of lag drawing a line... couldn't get any worse.

 

Sometimes unplugging/plugging in the USB lead works (these are all connected to desktops), otherwise you're forced to start the connection wizard and then it finds it, but doesn't stick if you then restart the PC.

[Michael]

Things are getting even better - my mobile is 'invalid' on the web form and their number 0800 4563 2100 isn't recognised... brilliant

[snagrat]

You should be ring Steljes support if in the UK.

 

Board should have a 5 year warranty

[Michael]

I've found a solution to the problem as follows -

 

Smart appear to have 'hard coded' the latest version 12 driver here to not work with Smart Notebook 10.8, requiring 11.4 as a minimum.

 

If you have Smart Notebook 10.8 installed, uninstall it first, then install the above driver. Now re-install Smart Notebook 10.8. Now delete any Smart Notebook entry in the registry located at:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

 

Then import the following:

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"SMARTNotification"="\"C:\\Program Files\\SMART Technologies\\SMART Product Drivers\\SMARTNotification.exe\""
"SMART Board Tools"="\"C:\\Program Files\\SMART Technologies\\Education Software\\SMARTBoardTools.exe\""
"SMART Board Service"="\"C:\\Program Files\\SMART Technologies\\SMART Product Drivers\\SMARTBoardService.exe\" -d"
"sbsdk-server"="\"C:\\Program Files\\SMART Technologies\\SMART Product Drivers\\sbsdk-server\\NodeLauncher.exe\""
"SMART Tray Tools"="\"C:\\Program Files\\SMART Technologies\\SMART Product Drivers\\SMARTSystemMenu.exe\""

 

Now restart the computer and the new driver will work/interact with the older (more reliable) Smart Notebook 10.8.

[localzuk]

Things are getting even better - my mobile is 'invalid' on the web form and their number 0800 4563 2100 isn't recognised... brilliant

 

Their number isn't 0800 4563 2100, it is +800 4563 2100, which is a US toll free number - you're still calling the USA. (00 800 4563 2100 is how they put it on the site).

[Michael]

Think I was having a bad day to be fair! The problem's fixed now thankfully