It Has Been Observed That Laptop Users of City Schools Are Having Problems Charging Their

Interactive Whiteboards

Basic troubleshooting techniques for SMART Interactive Whiteboards

There are several potential issues that should be taken into account when trying to determine why you’re SMART interactive whiteboard is not functioning correctly.

Unresponsive SMART Whiteboard
Un-calibrated SMART Whiteboard
Loss of sound

Determining/Troubleshooting Unresponsive SMART Board

The first step to troubleshooting a unresponsive board is to check to make sure you have a USB connection from the board to the computer and it is fully inserted in to the USB ports on both ends. This is a common cause of board malfunction. If this does not resolve the issue, next let’s check the windows notification area to see if the board shows its connected.

If it does not show a connected smart device then disconnect the USB to the board and restart the computer. Once the computer reboots, reconnect the USB to the board.

If none of these actions re-establish a good connection to the board, please contact ITD for assistance.

Un-calibrated SMART Board

If the Board becomes un-calibrated you will need to calibrate to restore proper function. To do so you will need to do the follow.

Right click the SMART icon

This will produce a context menu which will have the option to calibrate. Follow the instructure on the board to recalibrate.

Loss of Sound

If your SMART Board loses sound you may be able to restore it by following these steps.

On the bottom right hand corner of your screen you will see the sound control icon , right click on it

Left click on the Playback devices option

A sound window will appear; which will have the selectionsfor the playback tab.The Playback tab will display all sound devices that are currently connected to your computer. The Default device will be displayed with a check mark.

You should see a USB device amongst the options available. If you do not see an USB option attempt to swap USB ports on the CPU/Laptop to determine if it is a port issue or a AV device issue.

Select the USB device and left click on the Set Default button.

If this does not resolve your sound issue contact ITD at 443-984-2000.

Best practices for regular maintenance of SMART Technology

Projector Maintenance

Once a month, use a can of compressed air to blow dust and dirt out of the fan intake vents and away from the front lens. This will allow the projector to circulate air more efficiently and extend bulb life.

Pen Tray

If the pen tray gets dirty or if the software doesn’t recognize when you pick up a tool,

you should clean the sensors in the pen tray slots with a slightly damp cotton swab or a can of compressed air to wipe away the dirt. DO NOT POUR WATER INTO THE SLOTS.

Whiteboard

Before you clean the whiteboard, LOG OFF of the computer. Otherwise you will scramble

the desktop icons or activate software when you touch the screen. Put the projector

on standby or turn off so that you can more easily view the streaks and dirt.

Clean once a week with a using standard glass or whiteboard cleaner. Spray the screen

and wipe with a paper towel. DO NOT USE PERMANENT MARKER ON THIS SURFACE! The surface is not designed to be used with these as it will permanently be marked by them.

Preventing Damage to the Writing Surface

Keep sharp writing instruments away from the board. These can damage the board if

applied with heavy pressure.

Do not use abrasive cleaning materials come in contact with the board.

Other

Make sure that all of the pens and the eraser are in the tray if you want to use your

fingers to click. If you lose a pen, put another object in the tray slot. Otherwise, the

board will “think” that you are using the missing tool.

Basic Troubleshooting techniques for Promethean Boards

There are several potential issues that should be taken into account when trying to determine why you’re Promethean interactive whiteboard is not functioning correctly.

Unresponsive Promethean Whiteboard
Projector displays “No Signal”
The image is blurred and out of focus

Unresponsive Promethean Board

Unresponsive Board

If your Promethean board is unresponsive, first check to make sure you have a USB connection from the board to the computer and it is fully inserted in to the USB ports on both ends. This is a common cause of board malfunction. If this does not resolve the issue, next let’s check the windows notification area to see if the board shows it’s connected.

If it does not show a connected smart device then disconnect the USB to the board and restart the computer. Once the computer reboots, reconnect the USB to the board.

If none of these actions re-establish a good connection to the board, please contact ITD for assistance.

Projector displays “No Signal”

Projector displays “No Signal”

If you are not showing an image on you Activeboard, check that the computer video cable is connected to both the computer and the projector, or any other video termination points along the cable path. Ensure the computer is in mirror/clone display mode.

Press the 'Computer' or 'Input' button on the projector remote control to toggle to the correct input mode. Lastly, try another computer.On occasion the output of the computer does become defectiveand ceases to function.

The Image is blurred and out of focus

The image is blurred and out of focus

Check that the projector lens cover has been removed.

Check the focus has been adjusted correctly. This will either be a dial around the lens or an option on your remote control.

The lens of the projector may need cleaning. If it needs cleaning use a dry soft cloth. Please do this with the projector switched off as you will be looking directly into the lens.

You may be running your computer at a resolution that is not natively supported by the projector. For Sanyo projectors supplied by Promethean if the model number begins with an S (SW35 for example) then it is an SVGA projector and the image will look best at a resolution of 800x600 pixels. If the model number begins with an X (XE40 for example) then it is an XGA projector and the image will look best at a resolution of 1024x768 pixels.

Best practices for regular maintenance of Promethean Technology

Promethean Board Maintenance

Projector Maintenance

Once a month, use a can of compressed air to blow dust and dirt out of the fan intake vents and away from the front lens. Also, if you have an orange PLC-XE40 projector clean the two filters. This will allow the projector to circulate air more efficiently and extend bulb life. Only the projectors shown below have filters. The DLP projectors do not have filters but still benefit from having their intake vents cleaned as well.