Activboard powered by usb?

[TonyMiles]

Hi, I've just taken over a Primary school and have been asked to sort out a long running problem with a newish, about 18 mths, Activboard.

 

The board has been moved by the previous tech from one side of the classromm to the other along with the Azzuri wallplate. All connections from the wall plate are correct but I can't find a mains power supply only a usb cable that comes from the back of the board. The board has been working with this configuration, I'm told, although at the moment there is no power light on the board and obviously it doesn't work. All the drivers look ok.

 

I've never seen a iwb powered by a usb before is this the problem?

Any suggestions to get this board back up and running again are greatfully received.

 

Thanks

 

Tony

[6Foot2]

We have ActivBoards powered over USB. They work fine.

 

One thing to check: Is your USB run shorter than 5 metres [PC to board total length] If I recall correctly USB is unreliable, or just will not work, over distances of 5 metres.

 

HTH.

[TonyMiles]

Thanks for you quick response.

 

The cable looks about 3 meters. The PC has four on board usb ports and one, three port external hub all of which are in full use, would this be a problem do you think?

 

Can the boards that are powered by usb also be powered by the main?

 

Thanks

[6Foot2]

The PC has four on board usb ports and one, three port external hub all of which are in full use, would this be a problem do you think?

 

I don't think this would be a problem. Have you tried changing the port used by the board?

 

Have you tried changing the USB cable? [PC <-> Board]

 

 

Can the boards that are powered by usb also be powered by the main?

 

You might be able to power the board from the mains. I haven't tried it. I will try to make some time to check our boards later.

[TonyMiles]

Thanks

I've changed the ports and i've only had usb mouse and keyboard plugged in.

I haven't changed the usb cable yet as I wanted to explore all options before I remove the board from the wall. I have been told that it has been working with the existing cable, I will change it if powering from the mains is not an option.

[TRobinson]

Hi Tony,

 

First up, we need to determine what model of ActivBoard you have, only our 3rd generation of ActivBoard can be powered over USB - the Product Code should be on a label that is either on the edge of the ActivBoard or on the side of the electronics pod or on a plastic tag located on the back of the ActivBoard in the bottom right corner.

 

Like I said, if it is a 3rd generation then powering over USB should be fine but if it is our 2nd generation you need an additional DC cable and a PSU.

[TonyMiles]

I've rang the school and they have told me that the product code is C10010601321.

[TRobinson]

Hi Tony,

 

They have given you the serial number which doesn't matter as I can determine the generation from that but the number they have given is one digit too long. So I took a stab in the dark and removed the "1" from the end (if this is correct then it is a 3rd generation 300 standard and should power over USB)

 

First up, the best suggestion was made earlier - try a machine from a known working system on this ActivBoard so that we can determine whether the fault lies with the ActivBoard/cables or with the machine setup (drivers, etc)

 

It might be easier if the school contact our support department directly on 0844 855 2201

[Mark-Vital]

Hi Tony,

 

Does the USB from the back of the board go directly to the PC or does it attach to the Azzuri faceplate/module? If it does are you using a further USB patch lead to connect to the PC?

 

Mark