Don Johnston Technical Support

Switch Interface Pro Troubleshooting Procedures

The Switch Interface does not seem to be working properly, follow the troubleshooting steps below:

Macintosh

  1. Make sure that the Switch Interface Pro is connected to the computer you are using.
  2. Check the application software options for the correct switch activation setting.
  3. Shut down and turn off the computer, unplug and reconnect all plugs, then restart the computer.
  4. Open a Macintosh word processor. Press the switches connected to the 2nd and 3rd jacks. The numbers 1 and 2 should be typed, respectively.
PC
  1. Make sure that the Switch Interface Pro is connected to the computer you are using. Make sure that the cables correspond to the label (keyboard cable into "keyboard" port, computer cable into "computer" port).
  2. Check the application software options for the correct switch activation setting.
  3. Shut down and turn off the computer, unplug and reconnect all plugs, then restart the computer.
  4. Open a Windows word processor. Activate Scroll Lock. Press the switches connected to the 1st and 2nd jacks. The numbers 1 and 2 should be typed.
*Num Lock switch settings also require that MouseKeys be turned on in your Windows® Accessibility Properties Control Panel.

To turn on MouseKeys

  1. Click on Start, Settings & Control Panel.
  2. Double click on Accessibility Options.
  3. Click on the Mouse tab to bring it to the front.
  4. Click to check the use MouseKeys check box.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Turn on Num Lock "Number Lock" on the keyboard.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If no numbers are typed, you may have a hardware problem.
Other things you can do to isolate the problem:
  • Use a different keyboard cable to plug in the switch interface.
  • Try the switch interface on another computer.

Go back to Technical Support Menu

Co:Writer 4000 & Write:OutLoud v3 on Windows XP/2000
A. Issues with Windows XP/2000
B. Which products are affected?
C. Who is affected by this issue and why?
D. How to solve the problem.

A. Issues with Windows XP/2000
Certain Don Johnston products use a special DLL file that is required for speech features to work correctly. This DLL, named "DJ Speech Access 2," allows the program to communicate with any Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine installed on the operating system, allowing the program to speak. Some users do not get any speech when running the programs because they do not have the correct privileges when the program calls upon this DLL.

B. Which products are affected?
Co:Writer 4000
Write:OutLoud v3 (version 3.x)

C. Who is affected by this issue and why?
Windows XP/2000 is a multiple-user Operating System based on NT. It has the option of creating multiple users and groups with various privileges which determine what level of access and control they have to various operations on the Windows XP/2000 platform.
By default, any users or groups that do not have Administrative or equivalent privileges will not get any speech with the Don Johnston products mentioned above because they do not have the needed access to the DJ Speech Access 2 file's registry key.

D. How to solve the problem
The solution is to upgrade to Co:Writer SOLO Edition. It was designed to support Windows XP/2000 systems and limited users. Please contact your Educational Support Specialist for information on obtaining this upgrade.

Go back to Technical Support Menu

Losing/Recovering Simon Records

Problem: Patron records disappear in Simon Sounds it Out/Simon Spells

Applications effected:

  • Simon sounds it Out version 1.0
  • Simon Spells version 1.0
Overview:Occasionally if you enter the Teacher options (Command-T) before the patron names appear when you start the program, all names disappear.

Options: With your Simon program, you should have received a Data Recovery Tool Disk. Insert the Disk into your floppy drive and run the Data Recovery Installer application to place the Recovery Tool into the Simon folder. If you do not have access to the recovery disk or have a Macintosh without a floppy drive, click on the appropriate link to download a STUFFIT archived file containing the installer file and instructions.

Simon Sounds it Out Data Recovery Tool
Simon Spells Data Recovery Tool

Note: Do Not re-enter patrons into the system by hand and then run the recovery tool. If you get an error running the recovery program, please call Technical Support at 01925 256500 ext 201.

Go back to Technical Support Menu

Co:Writer SmartApplet on the AlphaSmart 3000 IR

Problem: Through the development cycle of Co:Writer SmartApplet, it was stated that the SmartApplet would not work with the AlphaSmart 3000 IR (Infra Red). Co:Writer will work with the AlphaSmart 3000 IR with a standard cable connection (USB or serial cable). What will not work is trying to download the Applet or Topic Dictionaries through the IR mode.

Details: The Co:Writer SmartApplet will not support IR mode in this version. By this we ONLY mean that the installation of the SmartApplet and the Topic Dictionary Loader does not support IR mode for loading topic dictionaries.
However, there is nothing about the Co:Writer SmartApplet that would make it incompatible with an AlphaSmart that has IR capabilities. In fact, all the normal IR functions (keyboard emulation, sending a file to the host, the Get Utility) should work as usual.

Conclusion: The Co:Writer SmartApplet will work on any AlphaSmart 3000. The difference between success and failure depends on the connection.

If you are still having problems loading the SmartApplet, below are some hints to troubleshoot installation problems:

  • Is the AlphaSmart operational? That is, does AlphaWord come up OK, or has the machine crashed? In the latter case, probably the only recourse would be to use bootstrap mode, which requires the serial cable.
  • Assuming the AlphaSmart works, what mode is being used to do the updating (serial, USB, AlphaHub)? We have not tested whether IR can be used for updating.. we have assumed not. In any case, it would be best if you use a cable connection.
  • If using USB mode for updating, can you first establish a keyboard-emulating connection between the AlphaSmart and the host computer? I have found that sometimes the USB cable needs to be disconnected and re-connected before it will get the AlphaSmart to function as a keyboard for the computer. This connection is necessary for the USB mode of the updater to work.

    Serial mode should be more straightforward, but remember, he would need to type Cmd-Ctrl-U (Mac) to enter updater mode.

Director Player Script Error (Level 32 or 33), Simon S.I.O. Stage II v1.0

Problem: There is a script error that occurs in Simon Stage 2 during the Spelling Activity in levels 32 or 33. It will not allow you to complete your activity. This issue has been fixed in the new shipping version v1.1
Options: If you have not received a new CD replacing v1.0, you can email support at support@donjohnston.co.uk or Call our Technical Support 01925 256500 ext. 201 to request a new CD.

To avoid getting this error message in level 32 or 33, install the application using the new CD. If you have already installed Simon v1.0 and have student data recorded, insert the new Simon Stage 2 CD-Rom. Begin the installation and click on Repair. The installation will overwrite the files, repairing all necessary program components. You should not lose any student data that is currently stored in your program.

If you need to fix this problem immediately, you can download the patch.
Simon SIO Win
Simon SIO Mac

This is a Windows Zip or Macintosh Stuffit Expander file that you will download to your favorite download area.

  1. Extract the file using a file extraction program "Win Zip" or "Stuffit".
  2. Save it in the Simon SIO 2 folder when prompted.
  3. Click yes to overwrite the previous file.

Draft:Builder

The Don Johnston team is dedicated in ensuring that our products meet and exceed the expectations of our customers, there are a few known issues that we felt were minor enough that we did not want to hold off on shipping Draft:Builder any longer. The known issues will be fixed in the next release but, for now we have detailed the issues with a work around for most.

Bibliographer problems you may experience:

  1. Reading the Bibliographer reads all of the text in the sub-categories field, not just the highlighted text.
  2. Depending on your operating system, while typing entries into the My Bibliography section of the Bibliographer, if the Underline button is selected before characters are entered you may see the cursor drop down to the line below the text, then as characters are entered they will "pop up" to the line above the cursor. To avoid this problem, de-select the Underline button, type in the entire entry, then underline the appropriate item.
  3. On occasion when entering data into the Bibliographer, Draft:Builder may underline an entire entry. To fix this, highlight each section that should not be underlined and click Underline to remove the unwanted formatting.
  4. Depending on your operating system, when you go into the Bibliographer to add additional information to the "My Bibliography" field you may see a flash and the content appears to be gone. If you quit the application and restart when you open the bibliographer again the information will all be there.
Additional Draft:Builder Release Notes:
  1. Draft:Builder will not work in a multi-user environment.
  2. Draft:Builder will not run in OSX Classic Mode.
  3. The Escape key will not cancel the Preferences window. You will need to click on Cancel or OK to close the window.
  4. Draft:Builder requires 16-bit colour for clarity but, you can use it in 256 colours with dithering occurring on the screen.

Go back to Technical Support Menu

Go to Technical Support Menu or to top of Technical Support Page .

 





© Don Johnston Incorporated 01925 256500