Q - My scheduling computer is on, but the CCMs all say COMMS and I can't control any devices.
A - Either the Facility or System is in Shutdown Mode. Go to INSTALL - SYSTEM STARTUP to get your building up & running. The bottom right-hand corner of your screen should now say "Facility: Normal System: Normal"

Q - The menu screen is black, but it is still possible to access devices. OR I have changed the GLOBAL (or AUX) menu, but the menus on the rack monitor and in the classrooms do not reflect the changes.
A - The VGM computer may need to be reset. This computer is in the back of the black racks and sits "on the floor." Try turning the computer off, counting to 20, and turning it back on. Give it time to reboot itself. If this does not correct the problem, try unplugging the VGM computer, counting to 20, plugging it back in, and let it reboot itself.

Q - Everything on the Scheduling Computer looks normal, but our system is "stuck" on a device in all the classrooms.
A - Your system is executing a PAGE that had been started or triggered more than 4 hours earlier. Go to the Scheduled Events screen. Click on SHOW PAST EVENTS. Find the PAGE event that still shows the "Green R," click on it to highlight it. Do a RIGHT MOUSE CLICK and select STOP EVENT NOW to end the PAGE.

Q - Items on our Main Menu are showing up in blue.
A - Devices are set as "Not Ready" in the system. Go to your Global or Aux Source form on your Scheduling Computer where the device is assigned and double click on the words "Not Ready." The system should now show "Ready" and the blue coloring on the menu should have disappeared.

Q -I have Recurring Events scheduled and I can't modify them.
A -Although Recurring Events show up in your Scheduled Events screen, you can't make any changes to them there. Got to RESOURCES - RECURRING EVENTS and make changes to the recurring events there.

Q - I have deleted Recurring Events in my Scheduled Events form, but they keep reappearing.
A - Although Recurring Events show up in your Scheduled Events screen, you can't make completely delete them there. Got to RESOURCES - RECURRING EVENTS and delete the recurring events there.

Q - Is it possible to schedule video pages of two different sources into two different rooms?
A - The SmartSystem 4.X versions can support up to 8 different scheduled events to each classroom. However, the system can only support ONE video page (scheduled or manual) at a time.

Q - The picture for a particular device is very dark/showing rainbow colored streaks/showing ghosts.
A - You have a video over-modulation. Look at the modulator that goes with that particular device and see if the red light for Video Over Modulation is lit up. If so, a service call needs to be placed.

Q - The picture for a particular device is not coming through. I only see fuzz/snow.
A - Your modulator is not functioning properly. Look at the modulator that goes with that particular device and see if the green "Power" light lit up. If not, a service call needs to be placed.
If the power light is on, make sure the device is on, go back to the MENU, then reselect the device through the system. This works for DVD players & other devices which have an automatic shut-off feature that haven't been used through the system for a while. If this does not remedy the problem, you can try plugging in another video device into the modulator. If you still do not see a picture, place a service call.
If your school is operating under a WAN (Wide Area Network) and the step above does not work, contact your district's technology coordinator for assistance.

Q - The Audio/Video for a particular device is flickering/intermitant.
A - Most likely, this is a wiring problem. Open up the back of the rack and find the problematic device (most racks should have labels identifying the devices on the front and back of the devices). Every device will have Audio Out and Video Out ports. Make sure these connections are firm. Trace the cable down to its modulator (which should also be labeled with the device's channel number) and make sure the connections are firm there as well. This will often fix the problem. If not, a service call needs to be placed.

Q - Some of my VCRs are turning off by themselves.
A - Your VCR is set up in an automatic shut-off mode (sometimes called "energysaver"). Get your gray Headend Manual and find the manual for your VCRs. Display the VCR on the TV in your rack. Using the native VCR remote (not a SmartSystem® remote), follow the instructions printed in the VCR manual to set-up the VCR. Find the "energysaver" option and turn it off. Exit out of the VCR programming menu and you are done!
If you lose power to your building, you may have to repeat this procedure again.

Q - When I put a video into my VCR, it automatically starts playing.
A - Your VCR is set up in auto-play mode. Get your gray Headend Manual and find the manual for your VCRs. Display the VCR on the TV in your rack. Using the native VCR remote (not a SmartSystem® remote), follow the instructions printed in the VCR manual to set-up the VCR. Find the auto-play option and turn it off. Exit out of the VCR programming menu and you are done!
If you lose power to your building, you may have to repeat this procedure again.

Q - Devices in a particular panel of the rack are not responding to classroom remote control commands.
A - Find the Source Control Module (SCM) at the top of the rack panel. Go around to the back of the rack, find that SCM and press the tiny red RESET button. Have teacher re-access the source and try to control it again.

Q - Teachers say one particular device is not responding to Remote Control commands, but they can control other devices fine.
A - Check the front of that device in the rack to make sure the IR Emitter is still attached to the IR Sensor. If not, reattach and the device should immediately start responding.

Q - Devices in a particular panel of the rack are not responding to classroom remote control commands.
A - Find the Source Control Module (SCM) at the top of the rack panel. Go around to the back of the rack, find that SCM and press the tiny red RESET button. Have teacher re-access the source and try to control it again.

Q - The monitor in my rack does not have all of the channels.
A - Find the remote which is the same brand as the monitor (not your Dukane remote!), and reprogram the monitor. Usually this can be done by accessing the "menu," followed by "autoprogram." This will begin a search process for all of the available channels. NOTE: For the monitor to recognize the live broadcast cart channels, the LBC must be plugged in AND turned on! This process may need to be repeated if there is a power outage or a brownout. It is not necessary to reprogram the tvs in the individual classrooms because the channels which are set up for use are accessible by using the remote to access the GLOBAL or AUX on the main menu.