Chapter 7 Common Issues

7.1 License Key not valid when activating online

The online activation fails and shows that the license key is not valid. This may happen because the license key has been activated previously on another computer. The license key is tied to a specific computer and thus could not be activated on different computers.

Solution

If you are planning to use the software on different computers, you may want to consider using the Smoothboard USB Dongle. The Smoothboard USB Dongle allows the Registered version of Smoothboard on any computer as long as the USB Dongle is plugged in.

For more information, please visit http://www.smoothboard.net/donglepack.

In the case that you have difficulties with the license key on the same computer, please do directly contact us at admin@smoothboard.net with your license key and issue faced. The Smoothboard Team will handle the issue on a case-by-case basis.

7.2 Unregistered Version appears when running Smoothboard on different user accounts

If different user account types are used to access the software, the software may not able to recognize the computer’s configurations.

Solution

Ensure that the user account has full read and write access to the Smoothboard folder. By default, the installation directory is C:\Boon Jin\Smoothboard.

For Windows Vista or Windows 7 computers, the following configurations may apply.

	In Windows Explorer, browse for the Smoothboard folder. The default directory is C:\Boon Jin\Smoothboard. Right click on the Smoothboard folder and select Properties.
	Select the Security tab. If the Group or user name of the Smoothboard user is not present or the Modify, Read & execute, List folder contents, Read, or Write permissions is not allowed, you will need to change the permissions by clicking on the Edit button.
	If the Group or user name is not present, you can add the users by clicking on the Add… button.
	Enter the Users or Groups that you would like to be added. In this example, the Guest account is added.
	Click on Check Names to validate the Group or User. Click on the OK button.
	Select the permissions for the specific user account to allow the following: Modify Read & execute List folder contents Read Write When complete, click on Apply and OK.
	Review the permissions and click on the OK button when complete.

7.3 SmoothConnect does not appear

If SmoothConnect does not appear when Smoothboard is launched, it is because a Bluetooth radio device that uses the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack is not detected.

Solution

Plug in a Bluetooth adaptor that uses the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack. This can be purchased from the Smoothboard resellers as listed on http://www.smoothboard.net/downloads.

If you have pre-existing Bluetooth stacks available, you may want to try to uninstall the Bluetooth stacks. On a Microsoft Bluetooth Stack compatible device, the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack should be automatically installed. If the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack is not installed, you can try to use the third-party tool from http://www.bluetoothinstaller.com.

7.4 Unable to connect to the Wiimote using SmoothConnect

While connecting the Wiimote, SmoothConnect may highlight the Wiimote’s MAC address in green color temporarily but fails to connect to the Wiimote. This may be caused by the operating system failing to connect to the Wiimote due to device conflicts or the Wiimote switched off before the connection has been completely established.

Solution

Remove and reinsert the batteries of the Wiimote. Then, press the Red sync button to connect the Wiimote instead of the 1 and 2 buttons for the first time.

Ensure that you have repetitively pressed and depressed the buttons (1 and 2 buttons or Red sync button) until the device has been completely installed.

If the problem persists, you may need to troubleshoot the Device Manager as follows.

Click on the Control Panel, found under the Start Menu.

Double click on the System icon.

Select the Hardware tab.

Click on the Device Manager button.

Expand the Bluetooth Radios and Human Interface Devices lists.

Check that there is no exclamation or warning symbols next to any of the devices.

If the operating system successfully connects to the Wiimote, there should be one HID-compliant game controller entry and one Bluetooth HID Device entry for each Wiimote.

In the event that the connection of the Wiimote still fails, you may want to try to remove the devices found in the Human Interface Devices list and try reconnecting the Wiimote.

If the Wiimote connection is still unsuccessful, you should try the Bluetooth adaptor and Wiimote on another computer to narrow down the cause of the issue. Faulty or non-genuine Wiimote(s) may be the cause of inconsistent connection to the computer.

For those who have issues connecting the Wiimote after following the tips provided, please do send to us the following details so that we are able to assist you:

1) Bluetooth Adaptor and Bluetooth Stack (Microsoft Bluetooth Stack/ Bluesoleil/ Widcomm).

2) Operating System (Windows XP/Vista/ Windows 7, 32-bit / 64-bit).

3) Error message shown when Smoothboard is loaded.

4) Screenshot of the expanded HID list in the Device Manager.

5) Post the above details to our Facebook Wiimote Connection Troubleshooting Discussion board at http://www.facebook.com/smoothboard. Alternatively, email us directly at admin@smoothboard.net. We will try to assist you as fast as possible.

7.5 No Skip Pass Key option when pairing the Wiimote

The pairing of the Wiimote does not require the use of passkey or security code. However, on certain versions of the Widcomm Bluetooth stack, the Skip option is not present.

Solution

Press Alt+S on the keyboard to skip the prompt for the entry of the passkey.

7.6 Connecting the Wiimote is slow and requires multiple attempts

If your Wiimote connection is slow and fails occasionally, it may be caused by Windows Update trying to search online for drivers. For Windows 7, the operating system has this option configured by default. As the installation process is longer due to Windows Update, the Wiimote may be switched off before the connection has been completed and thus causing the connection failure.

If installing the drivers from Windows Update is disabled and other configurations are set up correctly, the Wiimote should be connected in about 10 seconds each time.

Solution

Disable the automatic installation of drivers from Windows Update according to the following instructions.

Open Control Panel

Click on System

Click on Advanced system settings

In the System Properties window, select the Hardware tab

Click on Device Installation Settings

Select No, let me choose what to do

Select Install device software from Windows Update if it is not found on my computer

Click on the Save Changes button

7.7 Software becomes unresponsive when the On-Screen Keyboard is used

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, the On-Screen Keyboard may be unresponsive to the input with the IR pen. This is because of the User Access Control (UAC) of the operating system which prevents the software from accessing components of the operating system that requires elevated access rights.

Solution

Use the Tablet PC Input Panel that can be accessed from Start Menu->Programs->Tablet PC.

To switch to the keyboard, you can click on the keyboard icon on the top left of the window.

Description: TabletPC

Description: Keyboard

With the Table PC Input Panel, you should be able to use the On-Screen Keyboard and also handwriting recognition features.

Alternatively, launch Smoothboard as an administrator by right clicking the Smoothboard icon and select Run as administrator. When the UAC prompt appears, select Yes.

For a permanent solution, set Smoothboard to be executed with administrator rights always.

This can be configured with the following configurations:

Right click on the Smoothboard icon and select Properties.

Select the Compatibility tab and under the Privilege Level panel, check the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.

Click on the OK button.

7.8 Certain points could not be calibrated

Tracking works but clicking on top-right Exit button or bottom-left Start Menu could not be registered.

This issue usually happens when the point that is being calibrated or clicked is out of sight from the Wiimote’s field of view.

Solution

Adjust the position of the Wiimote either by putting it further away from the screen or slightly redirecting the Wiimote to the missing point. Repeat calibration to ensure that all the four points can be calibrated. After calibration, check Smoothboard’s Calibration Viewer to ensure that the whole screen is being tracked by the Wiimote.

7.9 Tracking is scratchy especially when drawing continuous lines

Low quality tracking with jagged lines when drawing

This issue occurs when the Wiimote is unable to detect the IR source continuously due to low intensity of the detected IR source.

The low intensity of the detected IR source may be due to one or a combination of the following:

7.9.1 Wiimote Positioning

Low Tracking Utilization of less than 40%

Solution

1. Try to increase tracking utilization by positioning the Wiimote as close as possible to the screen with the help of the Smoothboard Calibration Viewer. As a rule-of-thumb, start by positioning the Wiimote at a distance of approximately 2 times the screen height and point the Wiimote directly to the center of the screen.

2. After the first round of calibration, take a look at the Smoothboard Calibration Viewer to estimate what adjustments can be made. Repeat the above steps until the tracking utilization is sufficiently high.

Very large screen used where the Wiimote has to be placed far away from the screen

Solution

1. Maximize tracking utilization by placing the Wiimote as close as possible to the screen similarly to the above. If a single Wiimote is used, it is recommended to place the Wiimote at perpendicularly from the center of the screen to maximize the tracking utilization.

2. Use two Wiimotes with each Wiimote focusing on a certain part of the screen.

7.9.2 IR Pen

Depleted battery

Solution

Use a web camera or a mobile phone’s camera to check the intensity of the IR light.

If it looks dimmer compared to during normal usage, change to a new set of batteries and use the camera to check again. The left image above shows the low brightness of the IR as captured by the mobile phone’s camera, while the image on the right is taken after the battery is replaced.

If the IR pen uses AAA batteries, it is recommended to use alkaline powered batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Usage of IR pen hovering away from the screen

Solution

The Wiimote pickups the IR light reflected from the screen, thus hovering while using the IR pen may cause bad tracking. Therefore, try to ensure that the IR pen is touching or almost touching the screen when writing with the IR pen.

IR LED specifications not suitable

Solution

1. Purchase a suitable IR LED such as the Vishay TSAL 6400 from your local store.

2. Or purchase a ready-made and tested IR pen from our resellers from http://www.smoothboard.net/resellers.

7.9.3 Screen

Thick glassy screens on certain LCD/Plasma displays which do not reflect or disperse the IR light from the IR pen.

Solution

Place the Wiimote at a tight angle facing the screen so that the Wiimote is able to capture the IR emitted from the side of the IR LED.

Highly reflective screen that does not disperse the IR light in all directions but acts like a mirror such as whiteboards.

Solution

Place the Wiimote at about 45^o angle from the screen. While writing, face the tip of the IR pen in the direction of the Wiimote. This will ensure that the reflected light is seen by the Wiimote.

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