Interactive White Boards

SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboards


Issue

The pointer sticks in one place on the interactive whiteboard’s touch screen.

Symptoms

When you touch the interactive whiteboard’s touch screen, the pointer jumps to a part of the screen that you didn’t touch. When you release your touch, the pointer jumps back to a fixed place.




Cause

There are one or more constant contact points on the interactive whiteboard’s touch screen. A constant contact point occurs when the outer surface of the screen is stuck to the inner surface. If there is a single constant contact point, the pointer jumps to that point when nothing touches the screen. If there are multiple constant contact points, the pointer jumps to a place midway between the points of contact.

Solution

Important

If there is a small camera in any corner of the screen, your interactive whiteboard features DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology. Contact SMART Support for further troubleshooting options. Before you start, ensure that your interactive whiteboard is mounted on the wall or the floor stand. Also, set the system to Projected (Mouse) mode, and then try one of the following three solutions.


To set the system to Projected (Mouse) mode

  • Click the SMART Board icon in the Windows notification area, or on the Mac Dock, and then select SMART Settings. SMART Settings appears.
  • Click SMART Hardware Settings.
  • The SMART Hardware Settings dialog box appears.
  • Select the Orientation/Alignment Settings option.
  • Select Projected (Mouse Mode), and then click Apply.
  • Click OK.
Solution 1
Remove any foreign matter from the area on the touch screen where the pointer sticks. If you recently installed a custom frame on your interactive whiteboard, make sure it’s not touching the screen.
Solution 2

Rub the screen firmly with your fingertips in a circle two to three inches in diameter around the affected area. Rubbing the affected area might be enough to release the constant contact point.

Solution 3
Attach a suction cup or piece of tape to the area where the pointer is stuck to gently pull the outer surface away from the inner surface.
If the pointer continues to jump to one place, there might be multiple points of constant contact. Lightly touch the entire touch screen’s surface to feel for areas or depressions where there is no air gap between the outer and inner surface, and then apply solutions two and three to the depressions.
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SMART Board software 9.0


Issue

The projected image on your interactive whiteboard is too large/small.

Solution 1
Resize the image using your projector’s zoom lens or by moving the projector.
Solution 2

Set your computer’s resolution to match the projector resolution. First, ensure that your projector is set to its optimal resolution by checking the projector’s manual for the optimal resolution and resetting the projector if necessary. The instructions may indicate that resolutions other than the optimal one are acceptable, but keep the resolution at the optimal setting.

To check your computer’s resolution
  • Right-press on your desktop.
  • Select Properties.
  • Press the Settings tab.
  • Move the Screen resolution slider to the pixel setting that matches your projector’s resolution.
  • Press Apply. Then press OK.
  • Restart your computer, if required.
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SMART Hardware
SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards


Overview

This document explains how to locate the serial number on a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Details

The serial number of a SMART Board interactive whiteboard is in one of these locations:
  • The bottom-right edge of the interactive whiteboard’s frame
  • The right side of the interactive whiteboard’s frame
  • The back of the interactive whiteboard

Important

If you are still unable to locate the serial number, and you have a SMART Board 640 interactive whiteboard, you can remove the pen tray to locate your serial number. For instructions on how to remove the pen tray.

The serial number on your SMART Board interactive whiteboard always begins with the letters SB followed by the interactive whiteboard’s model number:

Note

The serial number includes numbers, letters and hyphens.

Your interactive screen doesn't respond to touch

Information

Overview

Details
Issue

You're able to write with a pen, but nothing happens when you touch the interactive screen with your finger.

Symptoms
Cause

If Windows operating system isn't activated in the 30-day evaluation period, some Windows features are disabled, including Tablet PC Input Service. SMART Product Drivers requires Tablet PC Input Service to enable Tablet PC pen and ink functionality and touch.

Solution

Determine whether Tablet PC Input Service is enabled.

If Tablet PC Input Service isn't enabled, you can enable it or activate your operating system. If Tablet PC Input Service is enabled, contact Technical Support.

To determine whether Tablet PC Input Service is enabled

1. Click Start, type services.msc, and then press ENTER. The Services window appears. 2. Find Tablet PC Input Service in the list. If Tablet PC Input Service's status is started, the service is enabled. OR If Tablet PC Input Service's status isn't started, the service isn't enabled.

To enable Tablet PC Input Service

1. Log on to the Windows operating system as an administrator. 2. Click Start, type services.msc, and then press ENTER. The Services window appears. 3. Right-click Tablet PC Input Service, and then select Properties. The Tablet PC Input Service Properties dialog box appears. 4. Select Automatic from the Startup type drop-down list. 5. Click the Service status Start button. 6. Click OK. To activate Windows operating system
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SMART Hardware
All SMART Board Products, especially Front-Projection SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards


Overview

This document explains how to get the best possible image quality on your SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Details

A SMART Board interactive whiteboard consists of three main components:
  • 1. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard, which provides touch and digital ink feedback to a computer
  • 2. A standard computer, with a Windows, Mac or Linux operating system
  • 3. A display device, which is usually a projector aimed at a Front-Projection SMART Board interactive whiteboard

Important

To get the best possible image, all three components’ display properties must match. SMART Board interactive whiteboards have one display property: physical aspect ratio.

The computer has three related display properties: display resolution, display refresh rate, and physical aspect ratio, if it has a physical display such as a laptop or notebook screen.

The display device, or projector, has two main display properties: native display resolution and physical aspect ratio. It can also support up to three other important display properties: supported input resolutions, supported input refresh rates, and an aspect ratio adjustment setting.

Physical Aspect Ratio

The physical aspect ratio is the ratio of the display’s width to its height. Three common aspect ratios are illustrated below:

The 16:9 and 16:10 aspect ratios are commonly referred to as widescreen displays. As you can see, for the same height, the width varies depending upon the aspect ratio. Most SMART Board interactive whiteboards have a physical aspect ratio of 4:3, which has been the most common display standard for years, but is now becoming less common.

The SMART Board family of interactive whiteboards have different aspect ratios for different models:
  •  Front Projection SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboards – 16:9 aspect ratio
  •  Front Projection SMART Board 685 interactive whiteboards – 16:10 aspect ratio
  •  SMART Board for Flat-Panel Displays interative whiteboards or Actalyst interactive overlays – 16:9 aspect ratio, depending on the model
      • To calculate the aspect ratio, divide the width by the height, as follows:

      Aspect Ratio

      Calculation

      Alternate Ratio Representation

      4:03

      4/3 = 1.33333

      1.33:1

      16:09

      16/9 = 1.77777

      1.77:1

      16:10

      16/10 = 1.6

      1.60:1
      A display 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high has a 4:3 aspect ratio because 640/480 = 1.33333.

      There are other aspect ratios more commonly associated with films and DVDs such as 1.37:1 (academy format) 1.66:1, 1.75:1, 1.85:1, 2:1, 2.35:1 (anamorphic widescreen), but they are not typically associated with SMART Board interactive whiteboards.

      Every display device, including projectors, has a physical aspect ratio, which lets you know the shape of the image as it’s produced by the display device. If your display device’s physical aspect ratio doesn’t match your SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s physical aspect ratio, one of the following display issues may occur:

      When the display and SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s aspect ratios don’t match, the display doesn’t fit the interactive whiteboard correctly. This may be aesthetically undesirable, and may also cause issues with the SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s orientation.

      Some display devices, such as projectors, have an option which allows you to adjust the displayed image’s aspect ratio. This is usually done by shrinking or stretching the displayed image to fit the desired physical aspect ratio. This is not recommended because:

      •  The display may not match the native display resolution of the display device (projector) and may look blurry or jagged.
      •  The display stretches so that shapes don’t display properly. For example, square objects appear to be rectangular, and circular objects appear to have an oval shape.

      Display Resolution

      The display resolution, or the number of digital pixels that make up a complete image, is another important consideration when trying to produce optimal image quality. There are two parts of the system where resolution is a factor, as follows:

      • 1. The display resolution output from the computer
      • 2. The display resolution(s) supported by the projector

      Important

      All digital display devices have one specific resolution, called the native resolution, that is the exact physical capability of the display device. Matching your computer’s display resolution with your display device’s native resolution will give you the best possible image.

      On the Windows XP operating system, access the display resolution setting by pressing

      Control Panel Display Settings, or Start Control Panel Appearance and Themes Display Settings. On the Mac OS X 10.4 operating system, access display resolution settings by pressing Apple System Preferences Displays Display.

      If your computer doesn’t output a display resolution that is the same as the display device’s native resolution, then the display device adjusts the image to fit the device’s actual native resolution. This can produce two issues:

      •  The display device may enlarge the image to fit the display’s resolution, and may appear pixilated.
      •  The display device may shrink the image to fit the display’s resolution, and may appear blurry or illegible.
      The following are common display resolutions with their associated aspect ratios:

      Common Name

      Resolution

      Aspect Ratio

      Common Name

      Resolution

      Aspect Ratio

      qvga

      320 X 240

      4:3

      QHD

      640 X 360

      16:9

      vga

      640 X 480

      4:3

      WGA

      1024 X 576

      16:9

      svga

      800 X 600

      4:3

      WXGA

      1280 X 800

      16:10

      xga

      1024 X 768

      4:3

      WXGA

      1366 X 768

      16:9

      Quad vga

      1280 X 960

      4:3

      WXGA+

      1440 X 900

      16:10

      sxga

      1400 X 1050

      4:3

      WSXGA+

      1680 X 1050

      16:10

      uxga

      1600 X 1200

      4:3

      WUXGA

      1920 X 1200

      16:10

      qxga

      2048 X 1536

      4:3

      WQXGA

      2560 X 1600

      16:10

      sxga+

      2800 X 2100

      4:3

      WQUXGA

      3840 X 2400

      16:10

      quxga

      3200 X 2400

      4:3

      Ultra Definition

      3840 X 2160

      16:9
      A computer displays its data at a refresh rate of 60 Hz by default.

      Note Increasing the refresh rate may reduce flickering in the displayed image. However, don’t increase this rate beyond the maximum refresh rate supported by the display device, or the image may not display at all.

      Summary

      To get the best possible display image from a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, confirm the following:

      •  The aspect ratio of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard and display device (such as a projector) are the same.
      •  The display resolution output from the computer matches the native display resolution of the display device (such as a projector).
      •  The display resolution output from the computer is appropriate for the aspect ratio of the display device (such as a projector).

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SMART Board 600 and 500 series interactive whiteboards

Overview

This document describes how to keep the writing surface clean on your SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Details

Follow these tips to keep your SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s writing surface clean.
Note

If your SMART Board 500 series interactive whiteboard has an OptiPro surface, don’t use dry-erase markers. If you have an OptiPro surface, an OptiPro label appears in the center bottom frame of your SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Preventing Damage to the Writing Surface

  •   You can write on your interactive whiteboard with only standard or high-odor dry-erase markers. These markers usually display a warning to use them in well-ventilated areas.
  •  Do not use low-odor dry-erase markers, such as Sanford Expo markers with low-odor ink, because the ink is more difficult to remove
  •  Do not use permanent markers to write on your interactive whiteboard.
  •  Do not use sharp writing instruments such as ballpoint or fine-pointed pens, which can damage the surface if they’re applied with heavy pressure.
  •  Do not use adhesive tape on your interactive whiteboard, because removing the tape can damage the top layer of the writing surface.
      • Caution
      Do not use abrasive chemicals or cleaners on your interactive whiteboard.

      Cleaning the Writing Surface

      Important
      •  Before you clean your SMART Board interactive whiteboard, shut down or disconnect the connected computer so that you don’t scramble desktop icons or inadvertently start programs when you wipe the screen.
      •  To view dirt or streaks more easily, set your projector to standby (lamp off mode).
      Notes
      •  Erase dry-erase ink from the writing surface as soon as possible. The longer dry-erase ink remains, the more difficult it is to remove.
      •  Before using a cleaner, remove excess dry-erase ink residue from the writing surface with a damp cloth
      •  Use an alcohol-free household glass cleaner, such as Windex glass cleaner, to clean the writing surface. Clean it at regular intervals or whenever you notice that the dry-erase ink remains on the screen after erasing.
      •  Do not spray cleaner directly onto the surface. Instead, lightly spray cleaner on a cloth, and then gently wipe the screen.
      •  Do not allow excess glass cleaner to flow into the crack between the lower frame and the writing surface, or into the pen tray recesses.
      •  If you can still see ink marks after cleaning the surface with Windex glass cleaner, use a dry-erase marker cleaner, such as Sanford Expo whiteboard cleaner.
      •  For stubborn stains, use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to clean the writing surface.

          • Removing Permanent Marker Ink Stains

          Solution 1
          Use a commercial cleaner such as Sanford Expo whiteboard cleaner over the permanent ink stain, allow the solution to dry, and then wipe the surface clean with a soft cloth.
          Solution 2
          • 1. Cover the permanent ink with the high-odor dry-erase ink.
          • 2. While the ink is still wet, wipe the screen with a soft cloth.
          Note

          Do not allow the dry-erase ink to dry before wiping the screen.

          • 3. If any trace of ink remains, spray Windex glass cleaner or Sanford Expo whiteboard cleaner on a soft cloth, and then wipe off remaining ink marks. Do not use harsh abrasives, because they can damage the writing surface..
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