Hardware Issues
Contents
1. instructions and the latest firmware may be downloaded from the www bridgemate us website Solutions for non functioning Bridgemate Pro Terminal s Page 2 Bridgemate US 110101 5 A black screen appears when the Bridgemate is switched on If the Bridgemate screen displays black blocks of equal size both in the top and bottom lines the screen contrast is set too high This problem may occur after new batteries have been installed To reduce the screen contrast make sure the Bridgemate is set to the Bridgemate Pro initial state or the TD menu mode the TD key must be inserted To reduce the contrast press the minus key a number of times It may be necessary to repeat this process several times up to 64 times By pressing the minus key repeatedly the text will gradually become visible The contrast can only be reset in the above two situations Unfortunately it is not always easy to establish the status of the Bridgemate if the screen is black To identify the status of the Bridgemate proceed as follows e View the screen at an angle preferably from above to establish whether text is visible in the black blocks e Select Tools gt Bridgemate gt Bridgemate Pro analysis to view the status of the Bridgemate Follow the on screen instruc tions to retrieve the relevant information If a number is displayed reprogram the Bridgemate Otherwise see item 6 Step 3 on the next page e See the Bridgemate User Manual Ch2. the following steps may be necessary e The Bridgemate contains incorrect firmware gt see A Current status Screen switched off gt see A Current status number gt see B Current status Bridgemate Pro main screen gt see C Current status Board contract lead card entry or Result entry gt see D If Current Status is a different disconnect the Bridgemate press the OK or CANCEL keys one or more times and repeat this process until either the main screen Board or Result entry are current and then follow C or D as appropriate Situation A Reprogram the Bridgemate Once you have reprogrammed the Bridgemate Pro it will be reset to its initial state Repeat the same procedure to verify that this is the case Proceed to C below Situation B Ifthe number is 2 or 3 disconnect the Bridgemate from the PC press CANCEL several times to return the Bridgemate to its initial state then press the plus or minus key 50 60 times If any other number proceed to A above Situation C The Bridgemate is reset to its initial state Disconnect the Bridgemate from the PC wait about a minute then press the OK button and press the plus key several times to increase the screen contrast or the minus key to reduce the screen contrast The Bridgemate Pro text will automatically appear In some cases it may be necessary to press the plus or minus key 50
3. 60 times Stop the process as soon as text is visible The Bridgemate is fully operational again Situation D Disconnect the Bridgemate press the OK key and insert the TD key Press the plus key several times to increase the screen contrast or the minus key to reduce the screen contrast The TD MENU text will automatically appear In some cases it may be necessary to press the plus or minus key 50 60 times As soon as text is visible remove the TD key The Bridgemate is operational again If required press the zero key 0 in the TD menu to reset the Bridgemate before removing the TD key 7 The Bridgemate fails to log into the server The Bridgemate terminal will not log into the Bridgemate server in the following instances e Another Bridgemate with the same section table number setting has already logged into the server It is not possible for a Bridgemate to log in with the same section table number as another Bridgemate that is already logged in To check whether another Bridgemate is logged in go to the Server gt Show tables menu in Bridgemate Control Software and check whether the table has a green status If so a Bridgemate set for that Section Table is logged into the server You can the log off the errant Bridgemate manually by selecting the table and pressing Log off table s e The Bridgemate Pro is set for a table that has not yet been added to the server Go to the Server gt Show tables menu to c
4. of the Bridgemate User Guide o If the BCS screen shows not connected in the upper left corner and the server has power and is physically connected to the PC it may be that the port is configured as COM 11 or higher BCS will only recognize the server if its serial port is configured as COM 1 through COM 10 If different USB devices have been connected to different USB ports on the computer at one time or another Windows may have assigned new ports for each device on each different USB port For serial devices this can result in assignments as COM 11 or higher Use the Windows Device Manager in XP it may be accessed through Control Panel gt System gt Hardware gt Device Manager to see if there are any COM ports assigned as COM 11 or higher If there are it will be necessary to deactivate these higher ports by forcing reassignment as a lower port It is okay to disregard i e bypass any error notice of possible conflict when changing to lower COM port numbers Changing COM port assignments is accessed via Properties gt Port Settings tab gt Advanced tab o Itis also possibe that there may be a Windows error notice but it is hidden behind the BCS and ACBLscore screens Close BCS and both the working and the welcome ACBLscore screens If there is an error notice correct any obvious error and close cancel the error screen Restart ACBLscore and go to the current session game
5. the previous round the Bridgemate is still set to that round The unplayed board must be entered or can be bypassed by selecting the Not played option see Chapter 5 of the Bridgemate manual The Rx text specifies the current Bridgemate round x is the round number In all cases remember to check the status of the Bridgemate using the TD menu option 4 The Rx text x is the round number specifies the current Bridgemate round Select the Missing boards option option 5 for a quick overview of all the Ia 6 boards that have not yet been entered in the Bridgemate s current round 4 Strange characters appear on the screen Bridgemate switches off immediately after being switched on If the Bridgemate Pro start up screen displays unusual characters and the Bridgemate immediately switches itself off within 1 second of being switched on the internal firmware of the Bridgemate contains faults It will be necessary to reprogram the Bridgemate Firmware reprogramming is also necessary if the Bridgemate automatically switches itself off even if no unusual characters appear on the screen Reprogramming the Bridgemate The Bridgemate is reprogrammed from Bridgemate Control Software BCS A firmware file is required for this purpose This file can be downloaded from www bridgemate us To reprogram the Bridgemate firmware see the Bridgemate User Manual Chapter 6 System Functions page 32 Also step by step
6. this test it is assumed that the Bridgemate communication cable is functioning correctly Open Bridgemate Control Software Select and open a random result file bws file Connect the Bridgemate communications cable to the serial port Go to the Session gt Read Bridgemate locally menu Connect the Bridgemate to the communications cable and press the OK button If a message appears on the screen indicating that data has been read from the Bridgemate the Bridgemate is functioning properly Proceed to step 3 see over If the screen remains blank it is likely that the Bridgemate has suffered a technical fault Contact Bridgemate US It is however recommended that you try a second test using new batteries ON WN Solutions for non functioning Bridgemate Pro Terminal s Page 3 Bridgemate US 110101 Step 3 Check the current status of the Bridgemate Pro If the previous step verified that the batteries are functioning properly after replacing the old batteries if required and that the Bridgemate is operating properly Step 3 involves checking the status of the Bridgemate 1 Go to the Tools gt Bridgemate gt Bridgemate Pro analysis menu 2 Connect the communications cable and click OK on the screen message 3 Press the OK button on the Bridgemate Pro and press OK on the second screen message 4 The analysis report will now be displayed The following results are possible Depending on the current status of the Bridgemate
7. Solutions for non functioning Bridgemate Pro Terminal s Page 1 Bridgemate US 110101 The Bridgemate Pro may not always operate as expected These problems can occur for a number of reasons but are typically straightforward in nature and easy to rectify Below are a number of scenarios and solutions Potential problems include The Bridgemate is producing a rattling noise The screen or keyboard is sunk into the casing The Bridgemate has rejected the board number Strange characters appear on the screen and Bridgemate automatically switches off immediately after being switched on A black screen appears when the Bridgemate is switched on A blank screen appears when the Bridgemate is switched on The Bridgemate fails to log into the server A Bridgemate has stopped working during a session The Bridgemate does not seem to recognize that a new game has started 10 The game has been started but 1 or more Bridgemates show SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED YET 11 Scores cannot be retrieved posted into ACBLscore If the problem persists after trying all the options please contact Bridgemate US SONGS St ON Ge Gt 1 The Bridgemate is producing a rattling noise The rattling noise can simply be eradicated by opening the Bridgemate and removing any loose elements The noise is usually caused by loose glue which is used to provide extra internal strength Removing this element will not cause any damage to the Bridgemate Remove the four rubber cap
8. Then Tf none of the Bridgemates have worked start BCS using F11 BMS This activates BCS as a new session game erasing any results stored in the server and Bridgemates Tf some Bridgemates are or were working restart BCS using F11 BMR This preserves active data Note If the BMS and BMR commands are not visible select the BME remote score enable and click OK do this for each section BMS amp BMR should now be visible and available for use as noted above If neither BMS BMR nor BME are visible first verify that BCS is not running then close and restart ACBLscore 11 Scores cannot be retrieved posted into ACBLscore e Go to the BCS program screen If there is an apparent problem close BCS in ACBLscore restart BCS using F11 BMR Do not use the BMS command since this will erase any results already stored in the server and Bridgemates e If Bridgemates are still working normally and recording results into the server verify that the BCS program shows Bridgemate Server Connected at the upper left and Status retrieving data from server at the bottom center these two indicators confirm communication with the server If these conditions are displayed something must have happened that is not apparent Try a restart of BCS as described above e Should the status be either Not connected or Idle refer to item 10 above e As a last resort i close all programs ii shut down Windows
9. and restart the computer iii open ACBLscore and the current session game iv restart BCS using F11 BMR If the problem still persists review item 10 above
10. apter 7 System Functions page 32 on reprograming the Bridgemate The Bridgemate will always return to its initial state after being reprogrammed This method will always suffice and is recommended if the above suggestions fail Once you have reset the Bridgemate to its initial state or have been able to display the TD menu this is possible if the Bridgemate is in input mode the contrast may be reduced using the minus key 6 A blank screen appears when the Bridgemate is switched on There are a number of reasons why the screen remains blank after you have switched on the Bridgemate and pressed the OK button 1 The batteries are dead 2 The screen contrast is too low 3 The Bridgemate must be reprogrammed 4 There is a technical fault In some cases there may be multiple causes for the fault making it more difficult to rectify the problem If the Bridgemate malfunctions after being switched on proceed as follows Step 1 Check the batteries Select a properly functioning Bridgemate Ensure that this Bridgemate is set to its initial state and that the screen contrast is correctly set Remove the batteries from this Bridgemate and insert the batteries in the malfunctioning Bridgemate Press the OK button to switch on the Bridgemate If the Bridgemate starts up normally the batteries are good If the screen remains blank there are two likely causes e The power level of the batteries has dropped or the contrast needs resettin
11. erver cannot communicate if incompatible firmware versions are used Compatible firmware versions are Server firmware Bridgemate firmware 1 2 6 2 3 2 US Solutions for non functioning Bridgemate Pro Terminal s Page 4 Bridgemate US 110101 8 A Bridgemate has stopped working during a session Using the TD Key checking the status section table round pair numbers etc and missing boards boards not scored for the current round and something is not right with a Bridgemate e This is most rare If you are sure it has nothing to do with trying to enter an incorrect boared number take the Bridgemate out of service and assign a spare Bridgemate for the table e Use the Log off a Bridgemate command in Server gt Show tables to log the malfunctioning Bridgemate off or with the TD Menu visible key 0 and OK to reset the unit e Use the TD Key to i 0 reset the spare Bridgemate and then ii reprogram the unit to the relevant Section Table and Channel Remove the TD Key and press OK The Bridgemate logs on and the Server synchronizes it to the current round 9 The Bridgemate does not seem to recognize that a new game has started There are times when a game is stopped before beng fully completed i e plan for 13 rounds but actually stop a game session after 12 rounds because of time Subsequently when a new game is started the Bridgemate displays something other than the normal new game information This happen
12. g Try pressing the plus key several times to reset the contrast If the Bridgemate Pro on screen message appears the batteries are working properly but the power level has dropped This may explain why the screen of the non functioning Bridgemate is blank however other causes are possible e The batteries are dead and are unable to power the Bridgemate To check the power level of your batteries press the plus key several times Verify the Bridgemate s current status as described in SStep 3 on the next page so as to know when the plus and or minus keys will work to increase or decrease the Bridgemate s contrast If the screen remains blank battery power is low The batteries need to be replaced If possible test the new batteries in a fully operational Bridgemate first Note A black screen may appear after the original batteries have been replaced and the screen contrast has been increased by pressing the plus key Press the minus key several times to reset the screen contrast Step 2 Replace the batteries and check whether they are functioning properly Insert new batteries if the previous step revealed that the batteries are dead If the Bridgemate is functioning properly again the cause has been identified and rectified However if the Bridgemate continues to malfunction after the new batteries have been inserted it will be necessary to check the technical operation of the Bridgemate When carrying out
13. heck if the table has been added to the server If the table does not appear in the list the Bridgemate cannot log into the server e The session has finished and all the scores have been registered for this table In that case the End of session message will be displayed and the Bridgemate will automatically log off e The server is outside the range of the Bridgemate Move the Bridgemate closer to the server e The server and the Bridgemate are not communicating over the same channel The channel number on the Bridgemate and server must be identical The channel number of the server can be set using the Server gt Channel selection menu in Bridgemate Control Software To set the channel on the Bridgemate insert the TD key in the Bridgemate once the Bridgemate Pro screen version number appears For further information about channel settings see Chapter 2 of the Bridgemate Pro Control Manual e The regional setting of the server does not correspond with the regional setting of the Bridgemate The regional server settings for Bridgemate firmware versions ending in US must be set to North America To set the regional settings in Bridgemate Control Software go to the Server gt Region selection menu For further information about regional settings see Chapter 2 of the Bridgemate Pro Control Manual e The firmware version of the server does not correspond with the firmware version of the Bridgemate The Bridgemate and s
14. s becuause the Bridgemate terminal is still programmed for the previous game session which was not fully completed To avoid non normal Bridgemate startup Bridgemates should be reset for a new game by using the TD key Without the reset each Bridgemate will display the next expected action from the previous game e g Round information BOARD CONTER etc The user must key in a board number and OK at which time the Bridgemate communicates with the Server and receives the new game information and the display switches to member number input or Round info or BOARD CONTR 10 The game has been started but one or more Bridgemates show SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED YET e This condition is generally encountered when a Bridgemate is not configured for the correct Section and Table or another Bridgemate has already logged on using the same Section Table see the 1 item under 7 above When the Bridgemate is activated the user is prompted for Section Table or the pre programmed Section and Table number are displayed o Ifthe Bridgemate is configured for a different Section and or Table use the TD key and make the necessary correction o Other conditions which might exist are described in 7 The Bridgemate fails to log into the server above e Another possible condition is that the Bridgemate Control Software BCS has been unable to connect to the server See Connecting the server to the PC in Chapter 2 page 11
15. s on the bottom of the Bridgemate Remove the underlying screws Disengage the top half from the bottom half of the casing Proceed carefully to prevent damage to the internal wiring Remove the loose material Reassemble the two halves Tighten the screws and replace the rubber caps Please ensure the screws are tightened securely so that they remain in place NAnPwh a 2 The screen or keyboard is sunk into the casing Excessive keyboard pressure can cause the keyboard to sink into the casing This problem can be easily rectified Remove the four rubber caps on the bottom of the Bridgemate Remove the underlying screws Disengage the top half from the bottom half of the casing Proceed carefully to prevent damage to the internal wiring Press the green plate back into place using the clips provided Reassemble the two halves Tighten the screws and replace the rubber caps Please ensure the screws are tightened securely so that they remain in place DN Ok 3 The Bridgemate has rejected the board number There are a number of reasons why the entered board number is rejected e The entered board number is incorrect and does not correspond with the movement The round or table information is incorrect If this is the case a BOARD NUMBER INCORRECT error message will appear e The board has already been played in that round In this case a BOARD ALREADY PLAYED error message will appear e If all the boards were not entered in
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search