Topaz Systems, Inc. LCD Troubleshooting Guide

This guide will assist in troubleshooting a Topaz LCD serial tablet during setup. For the TL460 tablet model, please skip section 2c. below should you come to it, otherwise follow the steps below in order.




1. Determine if the tablet has been connected using the necessary Y-cables:

The tablet needs power to function. There are two Y-cables provided to accomplish this. Install as follows:
   a. Unplug either the mouse or keyboard from its port (makes no difference which)
   b. Plug the single end of the lighter-colored Y-cable into the port (this will split the mouse/or keyboard port, making 2 ports out of 1)
   c. Replug the mouse/keyboard into one of the splits (makes no difference which)
   d. Plug the ps2 end of the darker-colored Y-cable into the remaining split (it is the only connection on the darker-colored Y-cable that will fit)
   e. Plug the Topaz tablet into the male end of the darker-colored Y-cable (there is only one end on this cable that will fit the Topaz tablet)
   f. Plug the remaining end of the Y-cable into a com port on the back of the computer
(It may be necessary to reboot the computer for the mouse or keyboard to function again. Check for functionality after you have reconnected.)




2. Determine if the tablet (and Topaz pen) is obtaining power

There are two tests to perform to make sure power is distributed properly:
   a. Follow the cable that extends from the back of the Topaz tablet to the connection it makes to the Y-cable. Unplug the tablet here. Watching the LCD screen of the Topaz tablet, reconnect the tablet to the Y-cable. If powered, a dark-colored "wave" will wash down the tablet's LCD screen from top to bottom. If no dark-colored "wave" is seen, then the tablet is not receiving power--check Y-cables, replace if possible, and test again.
   b. Once the previous test has been performed, and power is getting to the tablet, draw on the LCD using the Topaz pen. Electronic "ink" should appear under pen tip on the LCD as you draw, indicating the pen is functioning properly. If no ink appears, proceed to c. below.
   c. TESTING THE TOPAZ PEN. ONLY NECESSARY IF B. ABOVE FAILS (not for use with model TL460B)--To test the pen independently, you can use any standard compact battery-operated or plug-in AM/FM radio. Follow these steps:
      aa. Turn radio on to the AM band
      bb. Move dial to about 550 (or 55, depending on radio controls)
      cc. Between stations is best, where there is static
      dd. Bring the pen up to the radio, and depress the tip directly on radio's surface, about 1-2 inches from antenna (if there is no antenna, on the speaker grill will work also).
If pen is working, the radio will emit a high-pitched interference noise. If pen is not working, or batteries are bad, nothing will happen. If pen does not function, try replacing the pen's batteries (found within the cap on the back of the pen). Battery type is 393, 1.5v "hearing aid"-type batteries. Additionally, make sure batteries are not loose in the battery chamber when installed.






3. Test the Topaz tablet's connection to the serial port (SERIAL TABLETS ONLY!)

You can use a built-in Windows utility called Hyperterminal to test the tablet connection, as follows:
   a. Click on Start...Programs...Accessories...Communications...HyperTerminal (the icon looks like a computer with a telephone). Open HyperTerminal. (If you cannot find HyperTerminal there, you can also search for it by clicking on Start...Search(or Find)...Files or Folders, and typing in"hypertrm.exe". Click "Search(Find) Now" to look for this file. Double-click to open once found.)
   b. When prompted to "Enter a Name and Choose an Icon", simply type in "topaz" and click OK
   c. In the next window, locate "Connect Using", the fourth option. Using the arrow on the right, change this value to the com port that the tablet is connected to (for example, COM1), and click OK (If you're not sure of the com port number, try COM1 first)
   d. In the next window, change the "Bits Per Second" to 19200, then change the Parity to "Odd". The values should be as follows:

   Bits per second: 19200
   Data bits: 8
   Parity: Odd
   Stop bits: 1
   Flow control: Doesn't matter...leave default value
   
   e. Click OK -- (If it says "Unable to Open Com", then com port is already being used by another program...this will have to be resolved first.)
   f. You should get a cursor blinking on a white background. Draw on the tablet, and see if the raw data is displayed as you draw--it will look like a series of random characters moving up and down the screen. If so, tablet is ok--close HyperTerminal. If not, continue with g. below.
   g. If you have another 9-pin com port on the back of the computer, try physically plugging the Y-cable into this com port instead, then draw on the tablet again. Do you now see the series of characters displayed as you draw? If so, tablet is ok--close HyperTerminal. If not, continue with h. below.
   h. Close Hyperterminal using the X in the upper-right corner. (Choose Yes to "Disconnect Now", and No to "Save Session")
   i. Repeat steps a through g. For step c., choose a different COM port (ie, COM2) instead.




4. Be sure that the application has been set up for the correct serial port
   a. As applicable, be sure that the serial port that functions within HyperTerminal (ie, COM1, COM2, etc.) Has been properly assigned to the application. For example, if HyperTerminal functions with COM2 set, then change the com port setting in the application to reflect COM2.





Once all steps above have passed, the Topaz LCD tablet should be ready for use.

For further assistance, contact Topaz Systems at (805) 520-8286 for tech support, or e-mail to support@topazsystems.com