miércoles, 10 de julio de 2013

Hardware: Genius G-Note 7100




I found it on sale, new, so I wanted to take a try.

First, notice that this "digital note taking" (tablet?) tool works this way:
  1. It digitize the things you write paper, using the included pens, and  stores it inside the tablet's storage. 
  2. If it is plugged to your computer it is recognized as a "Mouse Pen" and as storage device. You can use the pen hovering over the tablet to move the mouse and when you press down it clicks.
  3. The device has 32MB of internal storage (FAT).
The stuff that gets digitized on the tablet gets stored as .DNT image file. This file can be opened with "Digital Organizer" software. 


The Pen 

The pen has a battery inside and the G-Note 7100 comes with one in black color and other in red color.
The black color is recognized on the tablet as #1. You can see that on the tablet's little display.

The red one is recognized as #3




Which one is #2?


Replacement Pen:

What if I broke or lose the pen? I will need to find out which Pens works with this tablet.

Pen Battery

The pens seems to use a battery of 1.4V. I went to the electronic store to find a replacement and seems that the GP PR48 (AC13 and DA13 are other codes on the package)


Pen Replacement ink:

It wasn't that bad at the end. My local store (SuperPaco) did have that replacement ink and worked fine on the Genius Pen. But it cost me USD $4 for one replacement when I can see something similar in the Internet for $5 the 10 replacements.

Some that I have seen that may work are:
  • The one I got working says "LAMY M21 - 112 - ISO 12757-2 DM DOC GERMANY"
  • I bought also the "Logitech IO Digital Pen Ink Refills Model: 672262-0500" and it also works. 
  • The "RR-AIPTEK DIGITAL PEN REFILL" also looks that it can fit.

Hardware

Hardware ID: HID\VID_5543&PID_6003

Drivers

Notice that the installer included on the CDROM will not run in newer version of Windows (Win7 and Win8).

Included Software

  • MyScript Notes for U 2.0.0.21 Trial (Included on the CD).  
    • I can no longer find information about this software. It seems to be discontinued and replaced by "MyScript Studio Notes Edition". 
  • Digital Organizer version 1.01.2006.0621
    • It is old and the installer does not run on Windows 8. But the binaries stills runs directly. 

eComStation 2.x and OS/2

I also tried this device on eComStation 2.1. The device get recognized as an storage device and allows you to copy the files stored in the tablet.

Using the WACOM driver for OS/2-eCS I noticed that when you plug the tablet to the computer, the mouse clicks with the pen, but does not move the pointer when hovering it over the tablet. 

Windows 8.1 - 64bits

Windows 8.1 recognize this device by default. It works ok with the default installed driver from Windows, it does need any extra drivers.

Windows 8 - 64bits

Windows 8 recognize this device by default. 
All are the generic Windows 8 drivers from 21/06/2006. 

The internal storage and the "Mouse Pen" works without problems on Windows 8 64bits.

Windows 7 - 64bits

Windows 7 - 64 bits also recognize the device with the default Microsoft drivers. Also the internal storage and the "Mouse Pen" works without problems.

Other Software

There are some other software that I found interesting to be used with this device:

MyScript Studio Notes Edition by VisionObjects (Windows):

http://www.visionobjects.com/en/webstore/myscript-studio/description/
This Windows software allows you to convert the handwriting text images to recognized text. It can open .dnt files.



MyScript Stylus by VisionObjects (Windows): 

http://www.visionobjects.com/en/webstore/myscript-stylus/description/

This software shows  a little icon on Windows texts areas, when you can click and it open a window pad where you can draw the letters you want to be recognized. When it get recognized you can put the words inside the text area.

This software is a very good idea to interact with your OS with handwritten text. Not sure how useful it can be, but it is very interesting.


GNoteDigitalOrganizer. 

This is an open source software (discontinued) that can open .DNT files and change its format.

URL: https://code.google.com/p/gnotedigitalorganizer/


Manuals

Extra Pics

     

martes, 9 de julio de 2013

Quito: Escape de los colegios y la revisión vehicular

En el Norte de Quito hay un sector en donde se han concentrado demasiados colegios, casas y algunas instituciones.

En este sector hay una serie de colegios, Martin Cerere , Isaac Newton, Letort, Colegio Internacional SEK, Tomas Moro entre otros, y también algunos jardines de infantes. Sin contar con algunas intituciones como la Embajada Americana, la  nefasta revisión Vehicular, MegaKywy, un edificio de la policía nacional y la variedad de casas y urbanizaciones en este sector.

Este sector en el Google Maps se lo puede ver como "San Miguel de Amagasi"

 El problema que presenta este cuadrante es que en parte la geografía de Quito no ayuda a la movilidad. A la parte este hay una depresión (caída) que llega hasta al Simón bolivar.

Y por la parte sur esta otra caída hacia la calle "De las Palmeras"


Por lo tanto es difícil salir de un lugar tan congestionado.


Cuando uno  quiere salir de este sector a las horas más concurridas, ej: 7:55 a.m., aparece  el problema de un pesado transito vehicular.

En la zona donde se concentran los colegios solo se tiene de escape hacia el sur de Quito de las siguientes maneras:
  •  Bajar a la 6 de diciembre (1) y (2)
  • Dar un giro a la izquierda por el Eloy Alfaro (3)
  • Salir por "De los Nogales" y bajar a San Isidro del Inca para de ahí conectarse a la 6 de Diciembre. 
Cabe recalcar que el giro hacia la izquierda por la Eloy Alfaro (6) es muy difícil ya que los semáforos no están habilitados para ese giro.  La gente hace giros ilegales en la calle De los Alamos para tomar la Eloy Alfaro.
Las dos únicas avenidas  para ir de norte a sur son la Eloy Alfaro o la 6 de Diciembre.

Otro escape esta muy aislado por al quebrada al sur donde está la calle "De las Palmeras"  y hacia el este la "Simón Bolivar". Pero nunca he pasado por esos sitios y desconozco en que estado estarán esos pasos y si efectivamente puede salir hacia la Simón Bolívar.

domingo, 7 de julio de 2013

Belkin Media Pilot Keyboard and Mouse


I recommend that the keyboard base is a complete stable surface, otherwise you may have a hard time charging the removable keyboard.

Hardware

Hardware ID: USB\VID_050D&PID_0834

Belkin MediaPilot Keyboard - Model: F8E838-KBD
Belkin MediaPilot Keyboard (Base) - Model F8E838-REX

Drivers:


Windows 8 - 64 Bits

When you plug it on Win8-64bits it gets recognized as the standard keyboard and mouse.


 The MediaPilot Control Center "AV Programmer" seems to work. The MediaPilot Control Center "AV Programmer" works to program the remote (infrared) functions of the device, so you can control the TV, DVD, CD, VCR, etc.

 The MediaPilot Control Center "PC Programmer",to configure a different behavior on the buttons for Windows ,  does not work.

Windows 7 - 64 Bits

Working Driver: Generic MS Driver on Windows and Belkin Media Pilot Driver.

On Windows 7 - 64 bits the keyboard get recognized with the generic Windows Drivers. It works ok. Some buttons like "Search", "Desktop", "Print", "My Music" do not work. The other (My PC, Volume, Mute...) works.
 The MediaPilot Control Center "AV Programmer" works to program the remote (infrared) functions of the device, so you can control the TV, DVD, CD, VCR, etc. On Windows 7 seems to be running fine.

 The MediaPilot Control Center "PC Progammer" to configure a different behavior on the buttons for Windows ...uhm... is not working.



Web Links:

  • http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=199661
  • Manual: http://www.belkin.com/support/dl/p74669_f8e838_man.pdf 
  • http://reviews.cnet.com/keyboards/belkin-mediapilot/4505-3134_7-31263679.html
  • Archive Belkin Page Driver - http://web.archive.org/web/20051217070214/http://web.belkin.com/support/download/downloaddetails.asp?file_id=2167

sábado, 6 de julio de 2013

Hardware: Genius MaxFighter F-31U Vibration Joystick




Hardware:

Hardware ID: 0458:3019
Win Hardware ID: HID\VID_0458&PID_3019

Stuff on the back:
  • Model: MaxFighter F-31U Vibration
  • Number: 12040086100-A 
  • Made in China

Drivers:

Windows 10 - 64 Bits


The device get recognized by Windows and install the following drivers:






Windows 8 - 64 Bits

I tried it on Windows 8 64 bits. It installs by default a 10-Button USB Joystick. Which seems to work ok.

Checking "Devices and Printers" you can see it and access to the properties.



The buttons works and the slider, z rotation, point of view hat, and joysticks works fine. A "Calibration" may be required on the "Settings" tab. 

Windows recognize it as a "HID-complaint game controller" and "USB input device". The driver recognized by default is the Microsoft one.



The Specific Driver.


After installing it on Windows 8, I noticed that the Genius website has a Windows 7 driver dated from (2010-11-29). So I tried it.

The properties page was update. It also worked fine. 


The vibration test gave me problems, It will knock down the properties application. 

This driver is from Padix Taiwan: 

It has the following:
  • dyncal64.sys - Padix Co. Ltd. 6.0.6000.0518
  • rfclsvr64.dll - Padix Co. Ltd. 6.1.0.1228
  • rfvibra264.dll - Padix Co. Ltd. 6.0.6000.0518
  • rfvibra64.dll -  Padix Co. Ltd. 6.0.6000.0518


After installing  Rockfire Vibrate Gamepad Driver4.0 for Windows 8 -x32 and x64 (2013-02-01)  the vibration started to work without problems.

Windows 7 - 64 Bits. 

On Windows 7 - 64bits it is the same procedure. It also get recognized by Windows and you can also install the Genius driver.

Vibration

I need to try some of the vibration supported games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_supporting_force_feedback

Links:


ThinkPad Full-Size UltraNav USB Keyboard


This awesome keyboard is from the "Windows XP" era, so I wanted to tried it out and keep using it more modern OSes.

Hardware

  • Windows HW ID: HID\VID_06CB&PID_0009
  • HardwareID: 06CB:0009

Stuff that says on the back:
  • Model No: SK-8835
  • FRU P/N: 02R0400

Drivers

  • Synaptics  1.9.24.5 (2015-09-22) - Offered by Driver Easy ( Not working)
  • Synaptics 18.0.7.98 - 12/17/2014 (Link Lenovo)(n15gx11w.exe) - 48.9MB (Working)
  • Synaptics  18.0.7.57 - 05Aug14 - - (n10gx25w.exe) - 48.9MB (Working)
  • Synaptics 16.2.19.9  - (Working)

Windows 10 - 64bits (21H1)

I tested this device and it worked and got recognized by Windows without any special downloader driver. If you install Synaptics  1.9.24.5 (2015-09-22) - Offered by Driver Easy, the trackpoint and ultranav will stop working.  
 
Under Investigation.

Windows 10 - 64bits (1607)

It has a similar problem as Windows 8.1, it downloads a driver from the MS site that blocks the trackpoint and trackpad (Ultranav). The keyboard works with the default MS driver.

Under Investigation.

Windows 8.1 - 64 Bits.

Working Driver:  Synaptics  18.0.7.98 - 12/17/2014  / 18.0.7.57 05Aug14 / Synaptics v15.3.39.1 23Dec11 /

I tried this keyboard on Windows 8.1 - 64bits and it worked fine with several Synaptics driver version. The last one that installed and worked ok was "Synaptics  18.0.7.98 - 12/17/2014"

Here are some pics:






Version 15.x.x.x.x was also working fine on Windows 8.1 64bits.

Windows 8 - 64 Bits. 

Working Driver: Automatically Installed by Windows - Synaptic 16.2.19.9

By Default Windows 8 - 64  bits installs Synaptics driver for this keyboard. The track point is working fine, but the trackpad was recognized but the cursor does not work at first. On the next reboot it worked without problems.






Windows 7 - 64 Bits

Working Driver: Automatically Installed by Windows - Synaptic 16.2.19.9

Windows 7 recognize both mice (trackpoint and trackpad) as "Compatible HID Mouse".  Both mice does not works by default.

So inspired on what happened on Windows 8 I found where is the  Synaptic 16.2.19.9. I found it on a Lenovo site and installed it on Windows 7. After a restart the two mice (trackpoint and trackpad) was working fine.

The only trick here was that I have to unpack all the installer in a directory just executing the exe. After that I want to Windows'sv"Device  Manager" and installed the drivers by hand by making a right click on both mice devices and selecting "Update Driver Software..." and pointing it to the driver unpacked directory.

After that it got working normally on Windows 7.



Newer Drivers:

I tried the  Synaptics drivers on the site, version  16.3.15.1, and it didn't worked with this keyboard. But I had found that version 18 that works fine on the latest Windows 8.1 64bits.

Support Page:




Nostromo N52 by Belkin

Hardware:

  • Windows Hardware ID: USB\VID_050D&PID_0815&MI_00
  • HardwareID: 050D:0815
The stuff that says on the back:
  • Model No: F8GFPC100 rev 1.0
  • Part No: P81680-A
  • Made in China
  • (N10117)

Drivers:

  • Windows Driver 3.2.4 - (21/07/2003) (nostromo_3.2.4_081607.exe) 
    • Recognized in Windows as "Nostromo N52 HID SpeedPad 2.0" version 3.0.9
    • and  "Nostromo N52 HID SpeedPad 2.0 Mouse Wheel" version 3.0.9
    • Windows also add an "HID Mouse" and  "HID Keyboard" for it

Windows 10 -1607(64bits) 

For the moment it will work as a regular keyboard part and mouse device.

When you plug it to Windows 10 (without install drivers) it will recognize it has:
  • HID-complianta mouse
  • HID Keyboard
  • USB Input Device (two instances)
Windows 10 will not install any special driver for it by default. Keys will work like a keyboard, scroll will work like the mouse, the D-pad works like keyboard arrow keys. No lights will turn on the "space bar" button.  The red button will work as the "Alt" key.


Windows 7 (64 Bits)

It works.

Windows 8 (64Bits)

??

Windows 8.1 (64Bits)

It works.

Using the driver Windows Driver 3.2.4 - (21/07/2003) (nostromo_3.2.4_081607.exe) works on Windows 8.1 - 64bits.

Checkout after the install that the "Nostromo Loadout Manager" is running and set it up in "Manual" mode to make it work with the same keyboard keys.



Profile Editor:

A cool things about the Nostromo n52 is that you can edit the profile and assign any key to each button key of the device. 

Articles:

Videos

Pictures: