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Setup


Buildup of static electric charge on membrane switch keypads is a common occurrence. If a static discharge occurs through the Mistral it can cause erratic behavior and may result in damage to the pod or your computer. It is strongly recommended that you use the Mistral only at a static-safe workstation.

Connecting The Mistral

  1. Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet and connect the power plug to the Mistral.
  2. Plug one end of the flat ribbon cable into the Mistral pod and connect the other end to the Keypad Test Adapter.
  3. Switch the unit on.
  4. Connect the Mistral to the PC using the included USB cable. You should see the left LED on the pod turn green indicating the Mistral is ready to go. If the LED is orange, verify that the USB cable is connected to the PC USB port.

When you connect the Mistral to the PC for the first time, you will be asked to install the drivers. See Installing Mistral USB Drivers below to learn how.

Installing Mistral USB Drivers
The Mistral Keypad Test System communicates with the PC using the included USB cable. Before you can use the Mistral you must install driver software. Note that installation of drivers may require that you are logged in using an administrator account.

Begin the installation by connecting the Mistral pod to an available USB port on the computer. Windows® will indicate that it has detected new hardware. Note if nothing happens when the Mistral is plugged in see Troubleshooting below.

When the computer detects the Mistral for the first time, you will need to tell Windows where to find the drivers. The steps to do this vary depending on which version of Windows you are using. In general, select the advanced search option in the first window and click Next. Then check Specify a location and if necessary, click the Browse button. For Windows 2000 select Search for suitable driver and then Specify a location in the next window to bring up the dialog box where you can select the driver location. Select the "Drivers" folder in the folder where the program is installed (usually C:\Program Files\Mistral\). Windows should then be able to locate the drivers and install them.

Examples of the install windows for Windows ME and XP are shown below.

Windows ME Driver Installation

Install

When the Mistral is plugged in for the first time a window such as this will appear. Select Specify the location of the driver and click Next.

Install

Choose Search for the best driver and select Specify a location. Then click Browse.

Install

Select the location of the drivers. They will be in the "Drivers" folder located in the folder where the program was installed. This is usually "C:\Program Files\Mistral\". After you select the Drivers folder, click Ok and then click Next.

Install

This window should appear after Windows locates the correct driver file. Click Next to install the drivers.

Install

The installation was a success. Click Finish.

Windows XP Driver Installation

Install

When the Mistral is plugged in for the first time a window such as this will appear. Select Install from a list or specific location and click Next.

Install

Choose Search for the best driver in these locations and select Include this location in search. Then click Browse.

Install

Select the location of the drivers. They will be in the "Drivers" folder located in the folder where the program was installed. This is usually "C:\Program Files\Mistral\". After you select the Drivers folder, click Ok and then click Next.

Install

This window will appear to indicate that the drivers are not tested by Microsoft. Click Continue Anyway to install the drivers.

Install

The installation was a success. Click Finish.


Removing Mistral USB Drivers
The Mistral USB drivers can be removed by running the "Add/Remove Programs" program.

  1. Run "Add/Remove Programs" in the "Control Panel" in Windows.
  2. Select "Mistral Keypad Test System USB Driver" from the list
  3. Click the Add/Remove button.
  4. Follow the instructions displayed to remove the software.
Remove

Windows ME Driver Removal

Remove

Windows XP Driver Removal


Updating Mistral USB Drivers
After you've updated the Mistral software, the program may tell you updated USB drivers are available. Because the Mistral software may require the updated drivers to operate reliably, you should install them when instructed to do so. Note that you may need to be logged in using an administrator account to update drivers.

  1. Make sure the Mistral is connected to the USB port.
  2. Run the "System" program in the "Control Panel". In Windows XP you may need to select "Performance and Maintenance" from the "Control Panel" to access the "System" control panel.
  3. In the "System Properties" window select the "Device Manager" tab or open the Device Manager by clicking on the button in the "Hardware" tab, depending on the version of Windows you are using (see below).
  4. Double click on "Mistral Keypad Test System" under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers" to open the "Properties" window.
  5. Select the "Driver" tab and click on Update Driver....
  6. Follow the steps given in Installing Mistral USB Drivers to install the updated drivers.

Mistral USB Driver Troubleshooting
In some cases the drivers may not install properly. If this occurs the Mistral will not be recognized when it is plugged in. You will need to remove the device using the Device Manager and re-install the drivers.

  1. Connect the Mistral to the USB port.
  2. Run the "System" program in the "Control Panel". In Windows XP you may need to select "Performance and Maintenance" from the "Control Panel" to access the "System" control panel.
  3. In the "System Properties" window select the "Device Manager" tab or open the Device Manager by clicking on the button in the "Hardware" tab, depending on the version of Windows you are using (see below).
  4. Select "Mistral Keypad Test System" under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
  5. Click Remove or press the Delete key.
  6. When prompted, confirm that you want to remove this device.

Disconnect the Mistral from the USB port. Wait a moment and then reconnect it. Windows should report that new hardware has been found. Follow the instructions for Installing Mistral USB Drivers above.

Windows ME Updating or Device Removal

Device Removal

Open the "System" program in "Control Panels" and go to the "Device Manager" tab.

To Update...
Double click on "Mistral Keypad Test System" under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers" to open the "Properties" window. Select the "Driver" tab and click on Update Driver.... Follow the steps given in Installing Mistral USB Drivers to install the updated drivers.

To Remove...
Select "Mistral Keypad Test System" (it may be located under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers") and click Remove. When prompted, confirm that you want to remove this device.

Windows XP Updating or Device Removal

Device Removal

Open the "System" program in "Control Panels", go to the "Hardware" tab and click Device Manager. You may need to select "Performance and Maintenance" from the "Control Panel" to access the "System" control panel.

Device Removal

To Update...
Double click on "Mistral Keypad Test System" under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers" to open the "Properties" window. Select the "Driver" tab and click on Update Driver.... Follow the steps given in Installing Mistral USB Drivers to install the updated drivers.

To Remove...
Select "Mistral Keypad Test System" (it may be located under "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers") and press the Delete key. When prompted, confirm that you want to remove this device.

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