This document provides troubleshooting tips for common technology issues with an ActivBoard, designed to be completed in under three minutes. It offers step-by-step guidance for resolving problems such as no image display, ActivBoard connectivity, and writing issues with the ActivPen. Users are encouraged to contact the technology support team if problems persist after following the outlined steps.

1. An ActivEducator’s Tips + Tricks
ActivBoard: Troubleshooting Tips
Here is a quick reference sheet that can help you troubleshoot basic technology issues before needing to contact the Technology
Support Team for assistance. These quick tips will save you time in resolving minor technology problems that may occur.
All of these tips combined should take no more than three minutes to complete.
If at any time the problem is resolved, stop troubleshooting and continue what you were doing when the problem first occurred. If
you have any questions or continue to experience problems after completing all the steps below, contact your Technology Support
Team for assistance.
Problem Troubleshooting Tips
No image or a blue 1. Check that your projector is powered on (look for a green light on the underside of the projector).
screen is displayed • If the power is not on, then press the Power button on the projector remote. If the remote control
on the ActivBoard is not working, press the Power button on the underside of the projector.
• If the power is on, then…
o If there is no image displayed, press the No Show or Mute button on the projector
remote to see if the lamp is turned off
o If a blue screen is displayed, press the RGB or Computer 1 button on the projector remote
to change sources
o If you are connected via a laptop, press FN+F4 or FN+F7 depending on your laptop model.
Wait 5 seconds, and then repeat (up to 3 times) until the image is displayed on both the
laptop and the ActivBoard.
2. Check that the VGA cable is plugged into the computer or laptop docking station.
*If you are using a docking station, ensure that the laptop is securely connected to the docking station.
ActivBoard is not 1. Check that the ActivBoard power cord is plugged into an electrical wall socket. *If your ActivBoard is
working
plugged into a power source, the indicator light (in the top left corner of the ActivBoard) will be lit.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall, wait 10 seconds and then plug the power cord back in
2. Check the ActivManager icon located on the system taskbar near the clock on your windows desktop
• If the ActivManager icon looks like , then your computer is recognizing that the ActivBoard is
connected.
• If the ActivManager icon looks like , then your computer is not recognizing that the ActivBoard
is connected
o Check that the ActivBoard USB cable is plugged into your computer or laptop docking
station. *If you are using a docking station, ensure that the laptop is securely connected to
the docking station.
Unplug the Promethean USB cable, wait five seconds, and then plug it back into
the same USB port
Check that the other end of the USB cable is properly plugged into the ActivBoard
port on the wall
3. Turn off the power to the ActivBoard: unplug the ActivBoard from the wall, wait 10 seconds and then
plug the board back in.
4. Restart the computer
ActivPen will not 1. Check the nib of the pen
write • Is it missing, worn down or broken? If yes, email the Technology Support Team for a replacement.
2. Try another pen from the room next door
Cursor is not aligned Calibrate the ActivBoard (refer to How to Calibrate a Promethean ActivBoard)
with the ActivPen
*ActivStudio®, ActivInspire® and the Promethean design mark are registered trademarks of Promethean, Inc.
ActivBoard: Troubleshooting Tips Danielle Klaus, 2009
An ActivEducator’s Tips + Tricks http://activeducator.edublogs.org/