The Playful Invention Company. PicoCricket Troubleshooting. Version 1.2a

Transcription

1 The Playful Invention Company PicoCricket Troubleshooting Version 1.2a

2 PicoCricket Troubleshooting For the latest troubleshooting hints, see Can t find the Beamer Solutions Make sure the USB-to-serial cable and the Beamer are connected to the computer. Make sure only one copy of PicoBlocks is running. Look at the bottom of your Windows screen. Make sure there is no number next to the PicoCricket icon. If there is, close (X) each extra PicoBlocks window until it looks like this. Check for port conflicts. (Turn off PalmPilot Hotsync. Disable Bluetooth software.) To check for port conflicts, go to Control Panel > System. Find Device Manager, and look at Ports (COM & LPT). Make sure that the Beamer and the USB-to-serial cable are properly connected to the computer before starting PicoBlocks. Unplug and plug back in the USB-to-serial cable (and make sure the Beamer is also plugged in). Restart PicoBlocks. Restart your computer, then restart PicoBlocks. If you see the PicoCricket s antennas flash unexpectedly, try moving further away from possible infrared sources (such as computer monitors, sunlight, or PC laptops). You can also use your hands or a piece of cardboard to shield the PicoCricket s antennae (infrared receivers) so that they only see and pick up signals from the Beamer. The Beamer cannot see the PicoCricket Solutions Make sure the PicoCricket is turned on. (The orange light near the switch will glow.) Make sure the PicoCricket s eyes are facing the Beamer.

3 The Beamer cannot see the continued... Solutions Make sure the PicoCricket has fresh batteries. If you see the PicoCricket s antennas flash unexpectedly, try moving further away from possible infrared sources (such as computer monitors, sunlight, or PC laptops). You can also use your hands or a piece of cardboard to shield the PicoCricket s antennae (infrared receivers) so that they only see and pick up signals from the Beamer. Communication problem Solutions Make sure the PicoCricket is facing the Beamer. Make sure the PicoCricket is close to the Beamer (within 1 foot or about 30 centimeters). Make sure there is nothing between the Beamer and the PicoCricket that could be blocking the transmission. Do not move your PicoCricket while it s still downloading. Computer screens, very bright lights, and flashing fluorescent bulbs sometimes interfere with the PicoCricket s infrared communication. If you see the PicoCricket s antennas flash unexpectedly, try moving further away from possible infrared sources. You can also use your hands or a piece of cardboard to shield the PicoCricket s antennae (infrared receivers) so that they only see and pick up signals from the Beamer. Turn off Infrared communication in your computer s Control Panels. (This problem often occurs on PC laptops.) Turn off any other nearby PicoCrickets when downloading. Make sure PicoCricket batteries are fresh. Turn PicoCricket off and back on. Unplug the serial cable from your computer s USB port and then plug it back in again. Then try sending your program to the PicoCricket again.

4 Nothing happens after clicking with the wand Solutions Check for error messages at the bottom of the PicoBlocks screen. Make sure your PicoCricket is on. Make sure the PicoCricket antennas are facing the Beamer. Make sure the Beamer is plugged in. Turn PicoCricket off, then back on. Make sure you have the correct parts connected to PicoCricket. Click on blocks again with wand. (Or double-click with the cursor arrow.) To check to see if PicoBlocks is communicating with your PicoCricket, go to Sound and drag out a chirp block. Click with the wand on chirp. If you are using a sensor, your program may be waiting for the sensor to be triggered. Reconnect the blocks in your PicoBlocks program. (Sometimes they look connected but aren t. They will make a pop sound when they connect.) To make sure they re connected drag around the top block in the stack--all the blocks below should move with it. Then download the program to your PicoCricket again. Follow the steps in Getting Started to learn more about using PicoBlocks. Sound doesn t play SOUND BOX Solutions Make sure the Sound box is plugged into the PicoCricket. Check for error messages at the bottom of the screen. Follow the steps in the Music section of Getting Started. Squealing sound from sound box Solutions Place fresh batteries in the PicoCricket. SOUND BOX

5 PicoCricket does not turn on, or acts strangely Solutions Make sure your PicoCricket has fresh batteries. Check that batteries are seated properly. To test your PicoCricket, go to Sound and drag out a chirp block. Try clicking with the wand on chirp. The PicoBlocks software won t open Solutions Wait a little longer, since it takes PicoBlocks a few minutes to launch. Try reinstalling the software. If it still won t open, you may have more than one version of Java running. Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. If there is more than one version of Java, remove them all, and reinstall the PicoBlocks software. Solution Firmware version mismatch The firmware on your PicoCricket must match the version of PicoBlocks software you are using. Follow these steps to download firmware to the PicoCricket: 1) Turn off the PicoCricket. 2) Hold down the white button on top of the PicoCricket. Continue to hold down the button while turning on the PicoCricket. The PicoCricket will look like it s still off (lights off and no chirp). 3) Face the PicoCricket towards the Beamer. 4) In the PicoBlocks software flip to the text language by clicking on the page icon on the bottom left of the screen:

6 Solution Firmware version mismatch - continued... 5) In the bottom part of the screen type: %download-firmware 6) Make sure the PicoCricket is facing the Beamer, then press the Enter key. The PicoCricket and Beamer should start flashing at each other. The firmware is downloading. Wait until the lights stop flashing and the PicoCricket chirps. (If you are encountering difficulty, see note below.) 7) Switch back to the Blocks language by clicking the icon on the bottom left of the PicoBlocks screen: 8) Your PicoCricket should be ready to use with the new firmware. Troubleshooting: If you are having trouble downloading the firmware, make sure there is no stray light (infrared interference). Try moving further away from screens, sunlight, or PC laptops. You can also use your hands or a piece of cardboard to shield the PicoCricket s antennae (infrared receivers) so that they only see and pick up signals from the Beamer.

7 Solution How to check the firmware version If you want to check which version of the firmware is on the PicoCricket: 1) Flip to the Text language (click the icon on the bottom left corner of PicoBlocks) 2) In the lower part of the screen, type: %version and then press Enter. The version number will appear on the screen. The firmware on your PicoCricket must match the version of PicoBlocks software! PicoBlocks 1.0 requires PicoCricket firmware version 26. PicoBlocks 1.1 requires PicoCricket firmware version 26. PicoBlocks 1.2 requires PicoCricket firmware version 28. Still cannot get it to work Solution If none of the above solutions work, please us with details at: Symbols: Applies to Mac users only Applies to Windows users only