Concept Keyboards

Connecting the 'Concept Keyboard'

To connect the 'keyboard' to your computer plug the connector lead into one of your available serial (comm.) ports, ensuring that the other end is fitted securely to the keyboard. Install the 'Informax' software onto the computer.

Testing the unit

Once the unit is connected to the computer click on the OverlayOn Icon, (this will load minimised in Windows 95 & 98). Form the OverlayOn window you will be able to see a drop down menu which lists the number of cells that are to be used on the keyboard the options are 128 keys or 256 keys. There are also two check boxes one for a Beep On and one for Repeat - these are optional.

From the File menu choose open you can then select the overlay to use (to test the unit select keyboard.oly) and from the Ports menu you can select either comm1 or comm2 (whichever port you have the keyboard connected to). Once you have made your selections you will need to click on the Save button. Now you are ready to begin testing, open an application such as notepad from the accessories menu and press areas of the concept keyboard. You should see characters appear on screen as if you were typing with the standard keyboard.

Trouble Shooting

If you are unable to see characters appear on screen, or are having trouble getting the Concept keyboard to work you will need to check if the computer has a conflict on the serial port that the 'keyboard' is connected to. To do this you will need to do the following things:

* Check that there are no other software programs currently loaded that use the comm. port(s) within their settings, if there are the computer will see the comm. Port(s) as being in use as the other piece of software has the port active. To close the loaded driver you will need to check if there is an icon in the system tray, (this is next to your clock on the bottom right hand side of the screen. If so click on the icon with the right mouse button several options will appear you will need to click on the close or exit driver option. If you do not have any programs loaded that could be tying up the computers resources you will need to check the status of the comm. ports on your computer, to do this you will need to access the control panel within windows, Select Start then Settings then Control Panel .

From the items listed on screen you will need to double click on System to open it. From the headings at the top of this dialogue box you will need to select the Device Manager Section. The dialogue box will now show various icons for your hard disk monitor etc., from the list you will need to select ports, You should now see a line for comm1, comm2 and lpt1. Select comm. 1 and 2 in turn and click on the properties icon at the bottom of the screen. You will then need to check the information listed in the available screens to make sure that they say no conflicts and that the device is working correctly . Once the status for the relevant port is checked and appears correct you should be able to use your concept keyboard with your chosen programs.

If the computer reports a conflict with the port it should tell you which hardware device on your system is causing a conflict to enable you to rectify the problem.

The Concept Keyboards are available in two sizes and come complete with the connector lead you specify when ordering, and a copy of the informax program if requested.

Informax is available for either Acorn or PC (you would need to specify at the time of ordering), and has two parts to it:

If you are still experiencing problems with this product please complete the fault report form and our technical support staff will reply as soon as possible.