Dana by AlphaSmart  
Release Notes 
======================================================================  
 
This file contains important information that may not appear in the 
product documentation.  Please refer to this document prior to 
contacting technical support, as the answer to your question may be 
found here. 
 
 
CONTENTS 
======================================================================  
 
1. Installation 
2. Important Notes and Known Issues 
3. Troubleshooting 
4. How to Reinstall Applications on Dana 
5. Files Installed at First HotSync 
6. Contacting AlphaSmart 
7. Product Information on the Web 
 
 
1. INSTALLATION 
======================================================================  
 
1.1. **VERY IMPORTANT**: You must install the Palm Desktop Software 
for Dana before plugging Dana into your Windows PC using the USB cable.
This is true even if you already have existing Palm Desktop software
on your system. 
 
If you have already connected via USB cable, Windows has installed 
incorrect drivers.  Installing the Palm Desktop for Dana software now 
will not correct the issue.  Please refer to section 2.1 below for
instructions on how to install the correct Windows drivers. 
 
2. IMPORTANT NOTES AND KNOWN ISSUES 
======================================================================  
Below is a list of known issues.  Each item lists the issue and any 
related remedy. 
 
2.1. Re-enabling HotSync After Connecting Dana To PC Prior To 
Installing Palm Desktop For Dana (Windows version only) 
 
Attempting to connect Dana to a Windows-based PC prior to installing 
Palm Desktop for Dana loads incorrect USB drivers and you will be 
unable to HotSync.  Attempting to HotSync to a computer with a 
previously installed Palm Desktop (for instance, one that you installed 
with a previously purchased Palm OS device) will cause the same issue.  
Incorrect USB drivers will be loaded and you will be unable to HotSync.  
YOU MUST INSTALL THE PALM DESKTOP SOFTWARE THAT COMES WITH DANA BEFORE 
PERFORMING A HOTSYNC-EVEN IF YOU HAVE EXISTING PALM DESKTOP SOFTWARE ON 
YOUR SYSTEM.   
        
Remedy:
1. Install the Palm Desktop Software for Dana.
2. Run the Windows Device Manager (Start -> Control Panel -> System
   -> Hardware). 
3. Press function-sync on Dana. 
4. While the unit is trying to HotSync, a new device will appear 
   called Palm OS Handheld Device.
5. Press the plus sign to the left of this new device.  After pressing 
   the plus sign, AlphaSmart Dana will appear under Palm OS Handheld 
   Device. 
6. Right-click on AlphaSmart Dana and select Update Drivers from the 
   menu. 
7. Follow the instructions to re-install the correct drivers. 

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2.2. Fonts In AlphaWord Don't Display When A New Font Is Selected 
 
When selecting a new font to display in AlphaWord, the font displayed 
doesn't change and only three sizes are available. 
 
Remedy: 
If you would like the fonts to display properly on Dana, use the 
FineType Converter to install the fonts that you are using.  (Complete 
instructions may be found in the User's Guide or in the online 
AlphaWord Manual.) 
 
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2.3. Using The Clipboard (Copy & Paste) To Copy Text From One 
AlphaWord File To Another Does Not Preserve Formatting 
 
Remedy: 
1. The Palm OS clipboard supports text only. 
 
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2.4. Printing An AlphaWord Document From An Expansion Card Displays An 
Incorrect File Name Under Printing Preferences 
 
This is a cosmetic issue and no remedy is necessary.  Because the file 
is copied from the card to RAM before printing, a temporary file name 
is assigned to avoid potential conflicts.  It will not affect printing 
in any way. 
 
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2.5. Connecting Dana To A Self-Powered USB Hub (Such As A Keyboard) 
Causes The Desktop Computer To Raise A Low-Power Warning Even When Dana 
Is Plugged Into An AC Adapter 
 
Remedy: 
1. Plug the USB cable directly into your computer or into a powered 
   (one that has its own power line plugged in) USB hub. 
 
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2.6. Using The Keyboard To Activate Controls Such As Pick Lists 
Disallows Using The Stylus To Choose An Item From The Pick List 
 
Remedy: 
1. Use the keyboard to choose the item from the pick list OR press the 
   Esc key and then use the stylus to activate the pick list and choose 
   the item from the list. 
 
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2.7. Not All Keys On A 101+ Keyboard Are Supported In Keyboard 
Emulation Mode 
 
For instance, there is no way to emulate an "Alt-PrintScreen" keystroke 
from Dana 
 
Remedy: 
1. You must use the keyboard on the PC or Mac to use these keys.

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2.8. Previously Installed Conduits No Longer Work 
 
Conduits for the Palm Desktop version 3.x will not work with Palm 
Desktop version 4.x. 
 
Remedy: 
1. Contact the manufacturer of the software that no longer works for 
   updates that support Palm Desktop 4.1. 
 
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2.9. Dana Cannot Synchronize With Outlook Or Other Software 

Dana requires additional conduits in order to support synchronization 
with other 3rd party software. In order to HotSync with Outlook or
other software, you will need to purchase a conduit that provides 
HotSync capability.
 
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2.10. Your Printer Does Not Work Correctly With Dana 
 
The program that Dana uses to print documents, PrintBoy, works well 
with most printers, however you should check the current printer 
compatibility list to be sure it supports your printer.  The printer 
compatibility list can be found online at: 
 
http://www.bachmannsoftware.com/PrinterMatrixWEB.pdf 
 
You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the document.  
Acrobat Reader is included on the Dana Desktop CD. 
 
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2.11. When Running Windows 98 1st Edition, Internet Explorer 
Version 4.0 Requires Service Pack 2 To Install The Desktop Software 
 
Remedy: 
1. Visit the Microsoft web site (www.microsoft.com) to download a newer 
   version of Internet Explorer. 
 
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2.12. When Running Windows 98 1st Edition, Plug and Play Installation 
Will Search For The File HIDUSB.SYS
 
Remedy: 
1. This file can be found on the Windows 98 CD.  Insert the Windows 98 
   CD into the CD-ROM drive and allow the installer to search for the 
   file on the CD. 

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2.13. The Quickoffice Conduits Are For Macintosh OS X Only (ProPack)

Quickoffice Conduits only work on OS X.  Currently, no conduits exist 
for OS 9 so you will not be able to synchronized your Quickoffice
documents with your computer.  Please check www.quickoffice.com for 
updates.


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2.14. Additional Information On Quickoffice And Aileron In The 
ProPack Version

2.14.1 Quickoffice

Quickoffice is not installed by the AlphaSmart installer; to install 
it, please see the instructions below:

1. Insert the Dana Desktop software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click on the Install Quickoffice shortcut and follow the 
   onscreen instructions.

2.14.2 Aileron

Aileron is not installed by the AlphaSmart installer; to install it,
please see the instructions below:

1. Insert the Dana Desktop software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click on the Install Aileron shortcut and follow the 
   onscreen instructions.

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2.15. Using an Application That Relies on the Buttons of a PalmOS 
Handheld for Input Requires Pressing The Correct Keys on Dana.

In order for the application to work properly on Dana, you must press 
the date, address, to do, memo, up arrow and down arrow keys. To 
press the scroll keys, use the Function-PgUp and Function-PgDn keys.
Games such as SubHunt are an example of this issue.

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2.16. Performing A HotSync With Meeting Maker For The First Time Or
After a Hard Reset Does Not Work

Remedy:
1. Prior to performing the first HotSync, press the Date key.
2. HotSync normally.

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2.17. Synchronizing A .doc File Using AlphaWord Sync On A Macintosh 
Is Not Supported

Remedy:
1. Save the file to an .rtf (Rich Text Format) format file.  See the
AlphaSmart website for an updated conduit that supports the .doc file
format.

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2.18. AlphaWord Sync Does Not Synchronize Documents The Very First
Time A HotSync Is Performed

AlphaWord Sync performs additional setup actions during the first 
HotSync and does not synchronize documents.  Document synchronization
will work on the second and all subsequent HotSync actions.

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2.19. The Installer Fails On Macintosh Systems With Over 1.5GB
Of Memory

Remedy:
1. Remove enough memory from your system so that your total system
   memory is 1.5GB or less.
2. Install the Palm Desktop for Dana
3. Reinstall the memory that was removed. 

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2.20. In AlphaWord, "/" and "\" Are Illegal Characters in a Filename

The two characters "/" and "\" are no longer allowed as part of 
filename for AlphaWord files.  Filenames that contain a "/" cause 
irregularities when used on an expansion card, so these characters 
are no longer allowed.  (Beginning in system software version 1.1.)

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2.21. Aileron Will Install Even If No Palm Desktop Exists

You must install Palm Desktop prior to Aileron for Aileron to work
properly.


2.22  AlphaWord Files Saved to SD or MMC Cards

If you have saved AlphaWord documents to an SD or MMC card using
a Dana prior to version 1.2, you may need to use a file management 
program such as CardPro to move the documents to a directory where 
AlphaWord can open them.  Move the documents from the WordSmith
directory on the card to the AlphaWord directory on the card.
AlphaWord can then open the files.


3. TROUBLESHOOTING 
======================================================================  
 
3.1. Dana will not turn on. 
 
The most likely reason for this happening is the battery has been 
drained. 
 
Remedy: 
There are a number of ways to fix this.  Please choose whichever way 
seems most appropriate to your situation: 
1. Plug Dana into a power outlet using the AC Adapter.  Press the 
   on/off key.  If this doesn't work, do a soft reset by inserting your 
   stylus (or other non-sharp item) into the reset button on the back 
   of Dana near the center. 
2. Plug Dana into your computer using a USB Cable.  Press the on/off 
   key.  If this doesn't work, do a soft reset by inserting your stylus 
   (or other non-sharp item) into the reset button on the back of Dana 
   near the center. 
3. Remove the battery door from Dana.  Without disconnecting the 
   cable, remove the rechargeable battery.  Insert three AA batteries,  
   then disconnect the cable that connects the rechargeable battery to 
   Dana.  If you choose to disconnect the cable first, you have 
   approximately 30 seconds to put the AA batteries in before your data 
   is lost.  If this happens, please HotSync and Dana will be restored 
   to its last saved state. 
 
 
4. HOW TO REINSTALL APPLICATIONS ON DANA 
======================================================================  
 
4.1. In the case where a Hard Reset was performed, simply performing a 
HotSync should reinstall all previously installed software and return 
Dana to its pre-reset state. 
 

5. FILES INSTALLED AT FIRST HOTSYNC 
======================================================================  
 
5.1. Files installed at the first HotSync: 
     PalmReaderEN.prc  - wide screen Palm eBook reader 
     ThesData.pdb      - Thesaurus for AlphaWord 
     AWSpellLarge.pdb  - Large dictionary for spell checking in 
                         AlphaWord 
     Dana Overview.pdb - Sample file for viewing in the eBook reader 
     Security.prc      - Palm security application (Pro version only)
     CardPro.prc       - Expansion card utility (Pro version only)


6. CONTACTING ALPHASMART 
======================================================================  
 
6.1. Tech Support/Customer Service 
 
Phone:     530-528-7200 
Email:     support@alphasmart.com 
Website:   http://www.alphasmart.com/support 
 
 
7. PRODUCT INFORMATION ON THE WEB 
======================================================================  
 
7.1. http://www.alphasmart.com 
 

Copyright (c) 2003 AlphaSmart, Inc. 
Version: 2003.27.05