(For the TS460 tablet model, please skip section 1. Otherwise, please proceed with section 1 below.)

1. TESTING THE TOPAZ PEN.--To test the pen independently, you can use any standard compact battery-operated or plug-in AM/FM radio. Follow these steps:
      a. Turn radio on to the AM band
      b. Move dial to about 530 (or 53, depending on radio controls)
      c. Between stations is best, where there is static
      d. 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.




2. TESTING THE TOPAZ TABLET INDEPENDENTLY OF DRIVERS/SOFTWARE (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 COM1, and click OK.
   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, it's possible tablet and/or pen is bad. Contact Topaz Systems for assistance.

g. BE AWARE, IT'S POSSIBLE YOU HAVE PLUGGED YOUR TABLET INTO A COM PORT OTHER THAN COM1! If, at step f. you draw on your tablet, and nothing shows up in the window, you may want to repeat test #2 above, with one exception: at step c., try COM2, or COM3 or COM4 if they are available.
Close Hyperterminal completely without saving (press the red "x" in the upper-right corner). Be sure you say "Yes" when asked if you want to disconnect, as this will properly shut down Hyperterminal.


3. UNBLOCKING AN IN-USE COM PORT

If the "Unable to open Com1" message appears, you can try to open the port with the following steps:

a. Click on Start...Settings...Control Panel
b. Open the System icon.
c. Click on the Hardware tab.
d. Click on the Device Manager button.
e. Locate the "+" sign in front of Ports, and click on it
f. Right-click on the Com1 icon.
g. Choose Disable from the list, and click OK. (If computer does not automatically reboot, then manually reboot the computer)
h. After reboot is complete, repeat steps a-f above
i. You should now see the Enable option. Please choose Enable from the list. The red "X" in front of the Com1 should disappear.
j. Try signing in your application again