SMARTBoard Troubleshooting
Symptom
Solution
Windows 7 (Shortcut: Hold down the Win+P keys to choose display)
1. Click on Start/Windows logo
2. Select Control panel
The SMART
Board doesn't
show my
desktop or
files
3. Choose displays
4. Select Multiple Displays and choose Clone Displays
Windows 8:
1. Go to top right corner to bring up options.
2. Slide down to devices
3. Choose second screen then click on duplicate.
1. Click on start/Windows logo
Windows 7
virtual
keyboard
appears on
screen
2. Click on Control Panel
3. Select Ease of Access Center
4. Select Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard
5. Uncheck Use On-Screen Keyboard.
Ghost mouse
on Vista
Flash won't
work in
1. Open the Windows control panel and double click on Pen and Input Devices.
2. Select the Touch tab in this window and remove the check mark from the
Touch Pointer box
1. Reinstall flash
Notebook
2. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
Annotations
are not smooth
in Windows 7
1. Select Start-Control Panel -Pen and Touch.
2. Clear the Turn on Single Finger Panning check box.
3. Press OK.
1. Orient the Smartboard by holding down the keyboard and mouse buttons
How to Orient that are on the Smartboard pen tray for two seconds. Touch the red X's. It is
your
recommended that you orient at least once a day.
SMARTBoard
2. Another way to orient is to navigate to Smart icon in the bottom right corner
and click on the orient icon (SMART Control panel-connection wizard)
1. Turn off mirroring
2. Orient the Smartboard by holding down the keyboard and mouse buttons that
are on the Smartboard pen tray for two seconds. When the orient screen comes
up, hit the space bar on your computer to get the orient screen to go to the
extended or other screen.
3. Touch the red X's to orient.
4. If you still have issues, click Start and type in Tablet PC Settings and click
on Tablet PC Settings to launch the window
Select Display and then select Setup
Orient and use
pens in
extended mode
(not mirrored)
Follow the instructions to configure both the pen and touch input using your finger
for touch and picking up a pen from the pen tray for the pen.
Redo the SMART Orientation
With multiple SMART Boards this setup procedure will only work with the SMART
Board that you have oriented to the primary monitor where touching has the pen
and touch capability enabled. Touching a secondary SMART Board that is
displaying a standard mouse cursor will not work in the Tablet PC Setup utility.
Note: Sometimes you may have to touch the designated monitor several times for
the touch to be recognized, this is normal. Additionally, make sure to press enter
to proceed to the next step when you are ready as pressing Esc will not save your
settings.
Caution: Under the setup button there is also a calibrate button. When orienting
with the SMART Board control panel, you should not use the calibrate functionality
in Windows 7. If the Reset button is enabled, you should clear any Windows 7
calibration data by hitting the reset button.
1. Click on Smart icon in bottom right corner-SMART Control Panel-Connection
Wizard. This should force your steady green light so you can use your
SMARTBoard
OR
Double-click on SMARTBoardService icon found by double-clicking on Hard DriveProgram Files-SMART Technologies-SMARTBoardservice icon. After 30 seconds or
less, you should have a steady green light and can use your SMARTBoard.
Blinking green
SMARTBoard
light
2. If the SMARTBoard still doesn't work, unplug the SMARTBoard usb cable for 30
seconds and then plug it into a different usb port on the computer. You may have
to change the keyboard or mouse to a different usb port.
3. Click on the blue reset button for 10 seconds. This blue reset button is located to
the right of the green/red light in the bottom right corner.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Try connecting the usb SMART Board cable to a powered usb hub.
5. Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: Update the SMARTBoard Firmware under
SMART Control Panel or C:/Program Files/SMART Technologies/Education Software
folder)
6. If this doesn't work, Uninstall all SMART files (SMART Common, SMART
Notebook, and SMART Drivers). Run this Windows SMART uninstaller to be sure.
7. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
SMART Board
projected
image shakes
when used
with the
computer
SMARTBoard
is off a few to
several inches
1. Right click on the desktop
2. Select displays or personalize. Set the resolution to 1024 X 768. The better
projectors can handle larger resolutions. Try different resolutions and click
apply/ok.
3. Turn off air conditioning, fans and any other electronics to see if the electronics
or air conditioning unit is effecting the SMART Board.
4. Contact a Tech to see about adjusting the projector.
1. Right click on the desktop
2. Select displays or personalize. Set the resolution to 1024 X 768. The better
after
orientation
projectors can handle larger resolutions. Try different resolutions and click
apply/ok.
3. Choose SMART Board Control panel located at the bottom right corner
4. Select SMART Hardware Settings
5. Choose orientation/alignment Settings.
6. Select Fine (20 points) and click apply/okay. This will make the orientation more
accurate.
7. If the SMARTBoard still doesn't work, unplug the SMARTBoard usb cable for 30
seconds and then plug it into a different usb port on the computer. You may have
to change the keyboard or mouse to a different usb port.
8. If the above settings don't work, hold in the blue reset button on the right side
for 10 seconds and restart your computer.
9. Take a SMART Board pen and draw straight lines vertical and horizontal on your
SMARTBoard. If you can't draw straight lines, the SMART Board is shortening out.
Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: Put a piece of cardboard behind the SMART
Board where the line zig zags as well as put nylon washers before and after the
screws that hold the pen tray to the wall.)
10. Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: Update the SMARTBoard Firmware under
SMART Control Panel or C:/Program Files/SMART Technologies/Education Software
folder)
11. If this doesn't work, Uninstall all SMART files (SMART Common, SMART
Notebook, and SMART Drivers). Run this Windows SMART uninstaller to be sure.
12. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
1. Unplug the phone cord located below the pen tray and plug it back into port
2. Take out each pen and eraser and blow hard to clean out the dust that may be
preventing the pens from working.
Pens don't
work
3. Try a different phone cord from a different SMART Board. If the pens now work,
then the phone cord needs replaced. Contact a Tech/ITRT.
4. Try a different pen tray from a different SMART Board. If the new pen tray works
but not the old one, a new pen tray needs ordered.
5. If the pen tray or phone cord is bad, Contact a Tech/ITRT. (Tech Notes: SMART
will need the date stamp (13/04/2009) on the bottom of the pen tray and the
SMART Board serial number (SB660-R2-????) located on the right. Call SMART at
1-866-518-6791 to order a new one).
When you
write, you get
zigzag lines or
heart beats
1. Move all magnets and electrical devices that are near the SMARTBoard.
2. Unplug the SMARTBoard usb cord for 30 seconds and restart your computer. If
the problem continues, contact an ITRT/Tech.
3. If the above settings don't work, hold in the blue reset button on the right side
for 10 seconds and restart your computer.
4. Take a SMART Board pen and draw straight lines vertical and horizontal on your
SMARTBoard. If you can't draw straight lines, the SMART Board is shortening out.
Contact a Tech/ITRT 5. Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: Update the SMARTBoard
Firmware under SMART Control Panel or C:/Program Files/SMART
Technologies/Education Software folder)
6. If this doesn't work, Uninstall all SMART files (SMART Common, SMART
Notebook, and SMART Drivers). Run this Windows SMART uninstaller to be sure.
7. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
8. If there are still issues, then it is a electrical grounding issue (See pdf) Put a
piece of cardboard behind the SMART Board where the line zig zags as well as put
nylon washers before and after the screws that hold the pen tray to the wall.
Notebook can't
open a
teacher's files
or Notebook
won't open
1. Restart the computer (This problem can be caused by a teacher logging into
more than one computer with the same name)
2. Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: repair the permissions on the computer as
well as on the server).
3. Contact a Tech/ITRT (Tech notes: Update the SMARTBoard Firmware under
SMART Control Panel or C:/Program Files/SMART Technologies/Education Software
folder)
4. If this doesn't work, Uninstall all SMART files (SMART Common, SMART
Notebook, and SMART Drivers). Run this Windows SMART uninstaller to be sure.
5. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
1. Open the SMART Control Panel located in the bottom right corner.
Excel has a
toolbar that
appears that
disables
copying on
multiple sheets
2. Press Configure SMART Tools.
3. Press Ink Aware Program Settings.
The Ink Aware Options window appears.
If a check mark appears next to a program, the program is currently Ink Aware.
4. To disable Ink Aware for a program, clear the check box.
5. Press OK.
Notebook has
encountered an
error in
processing
program
settings.
Reinstall
Notebook to
restore the
default settings
1. Error is caused by issues with the SMART Common files. If your computers are
cloned/imaged, you could try copying the SMART common files from a good
computer to the bad computer.
2. Remove all SMART Common files, SMART Notebook and drivers from Control
Panel-add/remove programs.
3. If this doesn't work, Uninstall all SMART files (SMART Common, SMART
Notebook, and SMART Drivers). Run this Windows SMART uninstaller to be sure.
4. Reinstall Notebook (If you need Notebook 10.8, download Notebook 10.8 link)
1. Plug the SMART Projector directly into a wall outlet (Do not plug into a surge or
power strip).
2. Right click on the desktop
SMART
Projector
flickers or has
colors issues
3. Select displays or personalize. Set the resolution to 1024 X 768. The better
projectors can handle larger resolutions. Try different resolutions and click
apply/ok.
4. Turn off air conditioning, fans and any other electronics to see if the electronics
or air conditioning unit is effecting the SMART Board.
5. Contact SMART to see if the projector is under warranty or can be repaired.
Have the SMART Board serial number handy (Serial number is located on the
bottom right side or under the pen tray).
1. Turn on projector. The usb cable must be connected from your
computer to your document camera.
2. Load up Avervision
3. Click on window-Full Screen. Now you can use your SMARTBoard
Avermedia
pens to write over anything you have under your document camera.
Document
Camera doesn't 4. Click ESC key on your keyboard to quit.
work with the
SMART Board
5. (Tech Notes: Uninstall Avervision by searching for Aver on the computer. Delete
all Aver files. Download and install Avervision software from FirstClass Tech Docs
or for 300AF+ document cameras, it can be downloaded
fromhttp://www.averusa.com/presentation/support-avervision.asp#
6. (Tech Notes: If the above steps don't work, install k-lite video codecs)
Text doesn't
show in
Notebook
unless the text 1. Highlight the text and copy it to a new page or a new SMART document
is doubleclicked or in
edit mode
1. Check that the VGA cables that connect the Document camera to the computer
and projector are setup correctly.
Document
Camera works
but not the
computer
o
o
The computer should be connected to the IN of the document camera.
The projector should be connected to the OUT of the document camera
See http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/howto/projector/documentcamera.htm for
pictures and directions.
Text appears
upside down
1. Reinstall the SMART Notebook software.
1. Click on the SMART icon in the bottom right corner
A picture is
2. Select SMART Settings/Control Panel
always taken
3. Choose Configure SMART Tools
of my SMART
4. Select Ink Layer Settings
Board screen
5. Uncheck to always save ink and click ok
If you do have a use for inking, but just don't want to have it automatically start
up, simply disable it in msconfig.
To disable it in msconfig:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Disable
SMART Ink
Click on start
In the searchbox, or after clicking on Run..., type in msconfig
When System Configuration Utility opens, click on the Startup Tab
Find SMARTInk in the list and deselect the checkbox next to it.
Click on OK and reboot your computer.
The same thing can also be done for SMART Board Tools too if you so wanted to.
1. Load up PowerPoint
2. Click on Slideshow menu
Can't annotate
over
PowerPoint
3. Set up show and choose to browsed by an individual (window)
OR
1. Turn cloning off (Start/Windows logo-Select Control panel-Choose displays)
2. Load up PowerPoint
3. Click on slideshow-click on mirror show
4. Now run the PowerPoint
I want to be
able to touch
the screen and
the ink layer
writing
disappear
without having
to close the ink
layer
1. Click on the SMART icon in the bottom right corner
2. Select SMART Settings/Control Panel
3. Choose Configure SMART Tools
4. Select Ink Layer Settings
5. Close Ink Layer with pointer
Clean your SMARTBoard & Projector Tips
Projectors:
Projector filters should be cleaned at least three times a year (August, January, and June). Cleaning
a projector filter can make a projector last up to a year longer thus saving money! Pull the filter out
from the front of the Epson projector and shake all the dust off of it (Click here to see a picture of
where filter is located). Movie clip on cleaning and resetting the projector hours.
Also, if you set your projector bulb to low, that can help the projector bulb to last longer. For
most projectors, press on the MENU button on the projector's remote or on the projector itself.
Select Menu-settings-brightness control and change the setting to low.
SMARTBoards:
SMARTBoards can get dirty over time from users's greasy hands.
I would recommend cleaning the SMARTBoards at least once a month. PDF on cleaning or removing
dry erase markers off a SMARTBoard
1. Unplug the SMARTBoard's usb cable so there is NO light in the bottom right corner.
2. Wait 1 minute and then spray an alcohol-free household glass cleaner like Windex on to a paper
towel or cloth. Do NOT spray directly on the SMARTBoard.
3. Clean the board with the cloth.
Install SMARTBoard Notebook Software on your home computer
Download Notebook software for Windows or
MAC: http://www.smarttech.com/us/Support/Browse+Support/Download+Software Check that
your computer meets the system requirements before downloading.
There is no need to install SMART Response software on your home computer unless you are using
it to administer the test. You can create SMART Response questions by clicking on Insert-SMART
Response question in Notebook.
To register your home copy of Notebook, a product key is needed. The Notebook Product Key you
can get by registering your board with SMART.
* There is Notebook Express which is a web-based version of Notebook online that would allow
students to open and view a Notebook file but not save it. Notebook Express can be accessed
at http://express.smarttech.com
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