Figure 1. The HandyBoard setup with components connected.
The HandyBoard: A Closer Look!
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Figure 1. The HandyBoard setup with components connected.
The HandyBoard Setup Consists of: (1) HandyBoard, one 4-pin modular cord, (1) 9 to 24 pin serial port cable, (1) Serial Interface Box, (1) 12V DC adapter, Interactive C Software (not shown)
a. Opening IC
First of all, you need to install your IC software. Click here for instructions. IC will allow you to open as many of your programs as you want. However, you cannot have more than one IC application running at one time. So, if you cannot load a program into your HandyBoard, check to see if you have more than one IC application open. If this is the case, close one of the IC applications and try to reload. To begin, connect a modular modular cable between the board and the host computer. The connection at the host end depends on the type of the host. Before the board is turned on, check that the board's green LED (labeled ser rcv) is lit. If it is not lit, there is a problem with the connection.
b. Initiating a Program on-off
Once your program has been loaded, turn your HandyBoard off and
on again. Your new program has been initiated and is ready to
run.
c. Trouble Shooting
Help! I can't download an IC program to my HandyBoard! What do I do? Here's a check-list for you to follow. Following this list will solve most problems.
Computer can't talk to the board
1. Make sure your HandyBoard is turned on. Your computer can't
communicate with the board if it is not on.
2. Make sure all cables are attached. Your PC serial cable needs
to be attached to your computer's comm port. The PC serial cable
runs from your computer to the serial interface box. The serial
interface box is connected to the HandyBoard via modular cable.
3. Make sure there is only one IC application running. If two
IC applications are open, you will not be able to talk to the
board.
4. Close your current IC application and re-open it again.
5. Reload the p-code. If your LCD screen is showing several gray
blocks, you need to reload your p-code. If you have a written
message on your HandyBoard screen like, "IC v3.1 HandyBoard
1.2" your p-code is loaded.
6. Make sure your computer and HandyBoard are communicating through
the same comm port that is located on the backside of your computer.
Most comm ports are listed as 1 and 2 or A and B. Go to settings
to check for comm port compatibility.
7. If your computer goes to sleep, it might impact the IC application.
This is especially true for Macintosh.
1. Make sure your HandyBoard is connected to your personal
computer via serial port cable, serial interface box and 4-pin
modular cable
2. Open up Interactive C (IC). Make sure your personal computer
and the HandyBoard are communicating through the same comm port.
3. Turn off your HandyBoard
4. Hold down the stop button while turning the HandyBoard back
on. This puts the board in download mode and it can now receive
the p-code. Make sure the board's green light goes out.
5. In the IC menu under Board, select Download P-Code
6. This selection will take you to a window containing several
files. Select the file
Handy_Board_1.2_icd
7. Download this file. It will take approximately 1 to 2 minutes
to download.
8. When the file downloads, turn off the HandyBoard and turn it
back on again.
9. You will see the message Handy_Board_1.2_icd on the
HandyBoard screen
10. The p-code is now loaded and ready to receive IC programs.
A few teams have reported that their HandyBoard suddenly stopped working or started crashing, especially if the board was lightly pressed or shaken. Terry Grant of NASA Ames located a cause for some of these problems.
Inside the plastic box is the NiCd battery pack that powers the HandyBoard. The manufacturer of the battery pack placed a silver label on the pack with battery recycling instructions. It turns out that this silver label is conductive, and if the battery gets shaken loose, it can move against the back of the circuit board and cause intermittent shorts that cause the HandyBoard to crash or cease to function even after a successful p-code load. (Our thanks to Terry Grant for pointing this out)
To fix this problem: 0) Turn off the HandyBoard and disconnect it from the charger.
1) remove the corner Phillips-screws that mount the main circuit board to the plastic box. Note: you may have to remove the expansion board to get to the upper right hand screw (if a screw has been inserted there). The expansion board lifts directly away from the main board. Gently pry it up using your fingers (do not use a screwdriver or other tool) pry one side up a little then the other - back and forth until the board is free.
2) Lift the main circuit board away from the plastic box and locate the silver label.
3) Peel the silver label off the battery pack and place the label in the trash.
4) Make sure the battery pack is seated firmly in the plastic case
5) Make sure the black and red wires lay along the inside of the case between the battery and the plastic wall, and that they do not block any screw holes.
6) lay the main circuit board back over the plastic case and align the screw holes.
7) insert the screws and screw the board in place LIGHTLY. Do not over tighten the screws!
8) Remount the expansion board and display, if they were removed.
9) Reload the P-code. Hopefully your troubles are all gone.
