Today I powered up my alphasmart neo for the first time in ages to do a bit of writing for NaNo. I had never installed any of the software for it on my newer computer, which runs on Vista. Previously I transferred files off of my Neo to my older computer, which ran XP. That computer, sadly, no longer works, so I am trying to get my Neo to cooperate with my new computer.
It doesn't want to.
I went to the AS website and downloaded the newest version of Alphasmart Manager 2. I plugged my Neo into the USB... and while it recognizes that the device was plugged in, nothing I do will locate a driver for the thing. Does anyone else know how to overcome this problem?
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Goal: 100k 150k Just get through the plot. D:
41,896 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 22 17
Have you tried a simple "send" function? I never use AS Manager on my computer -- don't even have it installed. Never had to install a driver for my Neo. I just open my word processor, plug my Neo into a USB port (not a hub, but a port directly on my computer) and hit "send" from the correct file space on the Neo.
It might be a bit slower than using AS Manager to transfer whole files, but it works like a charm and will at least get your NaNo work off the Neo and onto a computer for word counting and validation.....
Have you looked around the AS forums on Flickr? I think there are a lot of Vista users over there....
( www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart )
----------2004: Do-It-Yourself Widow - WON
2005: Black Soul Choir - WON
2006: The Scarlet Letter Opener - WON
2007: Mrs Needlemeier's Novel Idea - WON
2008: Societal Smackdown - WON
www.lindamaubooks.com
165,807 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 23 16
Oh, thank you! That worked like a charm. I remember now having to do that back when I first got the thing back in 2005, but I'd forgotten. Thanks! :D
----------Goal:
100k 150kJust get through the plot. D:41,896 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 08 00
It's a little slower to do a send than a file transfer but it's usually less confusing. Just remember not to switch windows while it's transferring. And if it seems to be hopping and skipping over words, then slow down the transfer speed. (I think the quick instructions on how to change transfer speeds is on the bottom of the AS itself.) I have to set my Neo to the second fastest speed because the fastest speed skips some words....
Glad it's working for you. And do check out the Flickr group. There are probably ways to get AS Manager to work under Vista, but I haven't had to do that, so I don't recall what Vista users are doing about the issue.... It's a very courteous, helpful group, so feel free to ask any technical questions over there too!
Linda
----------2004: Do-It-Yourself Widow - WON
2005: Black Soul Choir - WON
2006: The Scarlet Letter Opener - WON
2007: Mrs Needlemeier's Novel Idea - WON
2008: Societal Smackdown - WON
www.lindamaubooks.com
14,439 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 01 37
I had this problem when I got my laptop. There's a driver you can download from the Alphasmart website, which will let you use the Neo with the Alphasmart Manager. Here's what the Alphasmart tech team told me to do when I asked them for help last year:
"Thank you for contacting us by email support. With the Vista operating system there are drivers needed to make connection between the Neo and the workstation. I would suggest uninstalling the version of AlphaSmart Manager and installing the new version which is Manager 2 v 3.0 for free from our website: http://www.renlearn.com/neo/downloads/default.aspx . Once the Manager is downloaded it will automatically install the driver. You will also be able to update the unit by opening Manager, clicking on Setup and then Reset all AlphaSmart Devices. "
Hope this helps! Being able to use the Alphasmart Manager is a lot faster than the "send" key... although it lacks the really cool visual of seeing your words being retyped on the screen =)