Hitachi Cambridge IWBs - Not Recognized By PC

[ashleylewisms92]

Hi everyone,

 

I have a fleet of about 30 Hitachi Cambridge Interactive Whiteboards which a couple are proving to be difficult in getting to work.

 

I can't seem to be able to get 2 of these working with the classroom PCs no matter what I've tried.

 

Currently, I've changed the USB Cable to a 1m length cable to ensure that it's not exceeding 5m, ensured the power supply is working and is powering the control box on the rear of the board, tried connecting it to a laptop even with USB 3.0, tried various versions of the software etc. But no matter what I try, I cannot for the life of me get the program to detect the whiteboard and use the board.

 

I'm also having difficulty trying to find technical support for this board and any information to see if the boards support touch, and that I'm using the correct type of pens.

 

Any help would be appreciated, as previously I've only used SMART and Promethean.

 

I would also say that I'm using Windows 8.1 x64 - although not officially supported by the software, it works on the computers, but occasionally flashes up an odd error message or 2 which can just be dismissed.

 

Also, if anyone knows how to perhaps obtain the latest firmware for this type of board, that's also be very much appreciated, as I doubt it's ever been updated previously (if even applicable).

 

Finally, I wondered if this type of board had a particular model number assigned to it? I can't see anything on the rear, and it's just referred to as a Hitachi Cambridge - yet there's a distinct lack of support or results that appear when I try to get any information on search engines.

 

Thanks in advance,

Ash

[AJWhite1970]

First question is are you running v9.71 as this fixes many issues with the software? I have it running on over 80 boards and it's fixed a few random connectivity issues

[ashleylewisms92]

Hi AJ,

 

No I'm primarily running 8.11 as historically, a lot of our teachers created their resources and files on this version, which won't open on any Starboard software of a later version. I've thankfully found someone at Hitachi that still responds to technical issues with Starboards and they've sent me the latest version (which may be the version you stated above).

 

I'll install it on the 2 affected PCs and see if it makes any difference and post my results back later.

 

I did see an article on Edugeek where someone else stated they were having connection issues and used USB 3.0 to get around connectivity problems, but it didn't work for me unfortunately.

 

On the off chance, do you happen to know if later firmware was released for these boards? And how to obtain it?

[AJWhite1970]

The other thing I've found over the years is to run the Starboard software the first time by right clicking and "run as administrator". This is also a useful trick to run the pen alignment tool successfully.

 

I've got a range of boards and have never even considered a firmware flash so wouldn't know where to look or even if it's possible. You can download 9.71 from here but you need to enter the serial number of any of your boards to get access to the .exe

 

Downloads – Starboard Solution

 

BTW - if you can get a saved 8.11 file over to me I can test it on 9.71 for you, or just drive up the A338 with it

 

HTH

Andrew

Edited July 28, 2017 by AJWhite1970

[ashleylewisms92]

Cheers Andrew,

 

I'll give that a go - the guy at Hitachi sent me the link to version 9.72 - so even their website isn't consistent and hosting the latest version!

Thank you for your kind offer of sending a file over to you - I will get one ready and PM you with it later today.

 

Thanks,

Ash

[ashleylewisms92]

Here's the link for 9.72 in case you or others are interested:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B51nrXXKlVP3clJXaElJaXpWUHM

[AJWhite1970]

Thanks for the link, downloading it now and will test in a mo. I'm away from here at 3 today and away for some surgery next week so if you can get that 8.11 file over to me this morning I can test it today for you

 

Andrew

[AJWhite1970]

9.72 works fine on the oldest board I have in the school

 

[ashleylewisms92]

Cheers Andrew,

 

I've unfortunately run into a problem I've got to deal with ASAP, so I'll try and get the file over to you later today or over the weekend - there's no rush to test

 

I tried another identical board this morning from the classroom next door and it worked perfectly! therefore I think the fault is with the board itself or possibly the circuit board behind and attached to it.

I disconnected the circuit board and had a look thinking that perhaps the solder from the USB could be detached and/or degraded but it all looks OK - I'm now trying to locate a supplier for these spare circuit boards, or if the price is to much I'll just purchase a second-hand SMART board.

 

[AJWhite1970]

I've got at least half a dozen in long term storage that I've upgraded to newer boards as part of building works. If you want to come up at some point I'm sure we can sort you something out on a very long term loan...

 

Andrew

[ashleylewisms92]

Cheers Andrew - are you referring to Starboards or SMARTboards?

What's your availability for next week?

[AJWhite1970]

Hi. Yes Hitachi Starboards, got several sitting in storage. Not in much this week as in hospital on Monday for surgery, PM me rather than discuss it here and we'll see what we can do.

 

Andrew