Troubleshooting For Character Generators

1. On SG3/4 Character Generators verify that the KYBD Lock is not set to the down position. Check to see that the SHIFT   LOCK and CAPS LOCK are unlocked. On the Z-Series Character Generators check to see if the green lights on the keyboard located at CAPS LOCK, GRAPHICS LOCK and ON-LINE are flashing off and on. If the lights are flashing, this means that the keyboard is in the locked position. To disable lock, press < ALT> and < > KEYBRD LOCK> keys at the same time.

2. Check the Baud Rate settings on the keyboard and on the Character Generator. Verify that the settings are set as followed.   Default Settings for the following keyboard models:  following keyboard models: 

   Model	Baud Rate	Baud Rate Determined by:
   ZKB	9600	Switch settings on keyboard (switches are on the down position)
   ZKB2, ZKB3	9600	Switch settings on ZKB2,3 Interface Module (switch S1 to 0)
   IKBR4, IKB8	300	Hardware already implemented

4. Check to see if the character generator has a SYSTEM NAME ID . System Name IDs identify the character generator. The reason for a System Name ID is for identification among other character generators. On the SG3/4B Character Generators the System Name ID is identified using the switch settings of S1 on the main CPU board. Default setting is all in the up position. If S1 is set to a specific name ID, access the character generator by enabling CAPS LOCK , press < CTRL> and < SYSTEM> keys at the same time. Finally press the system name ID.   On the Z-Series Character Generator, the System Name ID is identified in the software of the unit. If you have previously noted the System Name ID before, enable CAPS LOCK . Press and hold the < SYSTEM> key (some keyboards may require < ALT> and < SYSTEM> keys to be held down at the same time) and at the same time type your System Name ID.

5. Unplug the keyboard from the character generator, then plug it back in.
6. Turn the power OFF of the character generator and then wait for 5 seconds. Turnand then wait for 5 seconds. Turn power back ON .
7. If the keyboard is self-powered (meaning that it is powered with a power supply or outlet) then turn the power OFF, you may have to unplug the power cord if there is no power switch and then wait for 5 seconds. Turn the power back ON . 

1. Verify that the phone lines are working. Make sure that the phone line is connected to the "Line In" of the modem.
   
2. Verify modem configuration settings. Click here for Modem Settings .
   
3. If the modem was damaged and has malfunctioned, replace modem.
   
4. Verify that the modem is connected to the correct COM port of the Z Series Character Generator.
   
5. Verify that the baud rate settings on the keyboard and the character generator are set the same. Baud rate settings on the keyboard (or ZKB2/ZKBe keyboard (or ZKB2/ZKB3 Interface Module) are determined by setting switches. Baud rate settings on the Z Series Character Generator is verified in the Customer Menu, Ports option. To get to the Customer Menu, press the < EDIT > key, hold down the < SHIFT > key and press < EDIT >, press the < ENTER > key, then press < C >, and finally < P >. Select the correct COM port which the modem is connected to and check that the selection is set for KEYBOARD .

Check to see if the MENU (green light) is on. If not press the < SELECT > key once and check to see if the light comes on. Test the keys if they are functioning. If the green light comes on, but it is still unable to function, the ZKB2 keyboard will need to be reprogrammed. Click Steps for ZKB2 programming for instructions. If you need the software program for the ZKB2, click on each ZKB2 File to download the programming software (Both files are required for programming).

         &nsp;        Steps for ZKB2 Programming

           ZKB2 File 1 (keytags.exe)
           ZKB2 File 2 (texscan.pro)

Verify that the PAGE SKIP option from the DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES menu of the PAGE is set to N . If PAGE SKIP is set to N , the display page will not be skipped. If set on Y , the display page will be skipped.

To display the PAGES that were created and stored, configure the SEQUENCE FOR REGION to include those PAGES for display . For example, if you want to display pages 30 to 35 for Region 3 you will need to press the < SEQ > key, press the < 3 > key, then press < ENTER &gkey, then press < ENTER > and configure a FILE (i.e. File 1, Start Page 0030, Stop Page 0035 and Change File 0001). To save the configuration, press the < ENTER > key repeatedly until you exit the menu.

1. Verify that for each EVENT being used, ACTIVE is set to Y (yes). If ACTIVE is set to N ,  the EVENT will not run at scheduled time.
   
2. Verify that the times and day are set properly. Days are represented as a number from 1-7. 1 is represented as Sunday, 2 is Monday, 3 is Tuesday, 4 is Wednesday, 5 is Thursday, 6 is Friday and 7 is Saturday.

1. Turn the
   1. Turn the power OFF, wait for 5 seconds then turn it back ON .
      
   2. If the video output is bad, check the modulator that is being used. The modulator may be the problem. To verify that the character generator is not the problem connect a video monitor directly to the Video Out and Preview Out of the Z-Series SpectraGen Character Generator and verify that the video from these outputs are good.
      
   3. Check the line voltage that is powering the Z Series SpectraGen Character Generator:  WARNING: To prevent electrical shock, have a qualified service technician to verify voltage.
      
   4. If the unit was recently struck by lightning or a power surge, and the text and key functions are not displaying or working properly (information may be corrupted). The character generator may need to be rebooted (cold started).  WARNING: Doing a system reboot will erase all information from memory, you will need to re-enter all information. There are two ways on rebooting your system. The steps below refer only to the Z-Series Character Generator.

      Reboot from the ke2"> Reboot from the keyboard.   First, disable CAPS LOCK , Press < EDIT >, hold down the < SHIFT > key and press < EDIT >, then press < ENTER >, press < T >, < P >, < M > and < C >. Then type the unlocking code: Hold down the < SHIFT > key and press the < / >, then press < . >, and finally hold down the < SHIFT > key and press < , >. The character generator should now begin the rebooting process.

      Reboot by removing backup battery. Turn the power off from the character generator and remove the power cable from the character generator. Unscrew the screws from the sides of the character generator. Remove the cover. Locate the blue or black jumper on JP4 (located near the battery a JP4 (located near the battery and the power supply). Remove the jumper and wait for 3 minutes. Reinstall the jumper. Replace the cover and screws. Reinstall the power cable and turn power on. The character generator should now begin the rebooting process.

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   Symptom: Unable to batch transfer via modems between Z Series Character Generators
   
   1. Verify that the telephone lines are working. Make sure that the phone line is connected to "Line In" of the modem.
      
   2. Check modem configurations. Click here for Modem Settings .
      
   3. If the modem was damaged and malfunctioned, replace the modem and reconfigure it.
      
   4. Verify that the modems are connected to the correct COM port, as configured on the Z Series character generators at both ends of the communications link. Verify that each character generator COM port configurations are set with the same baud rate and set to Batch Transfer.
      
   5. Check to see iLI> Check to see if both Z Series Character Generator are using System Name IDs. The default System Name ID is " CG ". To verify System Name ID, press < EDIT >, < SET CHAN >.