When you have trouble getting a touch screen to work with a Pointmaker Video Marker(PVI) but other functions or accessories are working fine, the problem is rarely in the PVI hardware. Usually, it is a setting or a cable problem.

Our tech support calls for troubleshooting the failure of a touch screen fall into the following categories:

Problem area	Likely solutions
PVI (Pointmaker) issues	Menu settings need to be reset to defaults (Control-Alt-End to reset) Calibration required Comm port must be manually programmed
Cable/Driver issues	Cable type must be straight-through on pins 2, 3, & 5 only, not null-modem Cable too long, line driver required
Touch Screen issues	Touch screen not functioning properly - test with PC
Compatibility issues	Touch screen not compatible with PVI Touch screen emulator not performing to specification

The digitizing tablet you received with your PVI unit will help you troubleshoot the system. Have your PS-2 keyboard handy too (any PS-2 keyboard will work for testing).

The following scenarios are listed in the order of the most common solution to this problem. The first section is for those with RS-232 digitizing tablets. The second section is for those with USB tablets. Go to the section for your type of tablet and try them in order, depending on how they fit your situation.

Scenario 1 - RS-232 digitizing tablet works with PVI

Turn the PVI unit and accessories off.

Disconnect the touch screen RS-232 cable from the PVI unit, and connect the digitizing tablet to the same comm port.  Leave the touch screen VGA cable  connected.

Turn the PVI unit on, and test whether or not it functions properly with the digitizing tablet.  If it does, then the Pointmaker hardware is not the source of the touch screen problem.

If the RS-232 digitizing tablet supplied with the PVI works when swapped for the touch screen, then:

1) Remove the tablet and plug the touch screen into the same port direct (no extension cables).

2) On power up of the PVI, activate the calibration process by tapping the screen when the copyright notice is displayed.

3) If the calibration process doesn't activate at your touch, check your RS-232 cable:

a) Must be straight through cable on pins 2, 3 and 5 only

b) Pins aren't bent

c) Continuity on all three pins

 

 

If a, b and c check out OK, then:

4) Plug in a PS-2 keyboard and send Control-Alt-End to PVI (resets all ports to autodetect). This removes any port settings and allows the PVI to re-detect the touch screen.

Exceptions are PVI-64 or PVI-73 (contact us for these)

5) Calibrate (see #3)

6) If the calibration process doesn't activate at your touch, check the touch screen on a PC to verify that the touch screen works.

7) If the touch screen works on the PC, it may be a compatibility issue. The PVI is compatible with most touch screens. Call us for latest compatibility specs at 800-552-2262 or 520-745-0001.

Scenario 2 - RS-232 digitizing tablet fails in same port

If the RS-232 digitizing tablet supplied with the PVI doesn't work when swapped for the touch screen, then:

1) Try the tablet in another port. If it works, move the touch screen there.

2) Continue with Step 2 of Scenario 1

Scenario 3 - Ports 1 and 2 don't work

If ports 1 and 2 don't work with the touch screen or the digitizing tablet, then:

1) Try digitizing tablet in port 3.

a) If it works, continue with Step 1 of Scenario 1

b) If it fails, continue with Step 4 of Scenario 1

 

Scenarios for Testing with USB Digitizing Tablet

Important: Always power down the PVI and all powered accessories before making changes. Then power up the PVI last.

Scenario 1 - USB digitizing tablet works with PVI

If you have a USB digitizing tablet instead of an RS-232 digitizing tablet, and the tablet works but the touch screen doesn't, then:

1) Check the menu settings for the port configuration to see that it is set for a touch screen. Correct them if they're wrong. If set correctly,

2) Check your RS-232 cable:

a) Must be straight through cable on pins 2, 3 and 5 only

b) Pins aren't bent

c) Continuity on all three pins

 

If a, b & c check out OK:

4) Plug in a PS-2 keyboard and send Control-Alt-End to PVI (resets all ports to autodetect). This removes any port settings and allows the PVI to re-detect the touch screen.

Exceptions are PVI-64 or PVI-73 (contact us for these)

5) On power up of the PVI, activate the calibration process by tapping the screen when the copyright notice is displayed.

6) If the calibration process doesn't activate at your touch, check the touch screen on a PC to verify that the touch screen works.

7) If the touch screen works on the PC, it may be a compatibility issue. The PVI is compatible with most touch screens. Call us for latest compatibility specs at 800-552-2262 or 520-745-0001

 

Scenario 2 - USB digitizing tablet doesn't work with PVI

If you have a USB digitizing tablet instead of a RS-232 digitizing tablet, and both the tablet and the touch screen don't work, then:

1) Plug in the PS-2 keyboard and go to Step 1 of Scenario 1 for USB tablets.