Engineering Solutions Inc. · Tukwila, WA · (206) 241-9395 · Fax (206) 241-9411
This page contains technical support for the Stingray Keypad Test System which is no longer being produced. Mistral Keypad Test System tech support is also available.
Shorts between switches not detected If there are two switches that have a pin in common, a short between the two pins they do not have in common is not being detected. For example if there is a switch between pins 1 and 2 and another between 1 and 3, a short between pins 2 and 3 is not being detected. As a workaround turn on "Fail Keypad if more than one switch is active at a time" in the Edit Info window. Note that this is off by default so must be turned on every time a new Keypad File is created. This problem has been corrected in V1.9.3 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. We strongly recommend that you upgrade to this version if you are using V1.9.0 through V1.9.2. "Program Error" Or "Automation Error" Under Windows 2000 When running the Stingray software under Windows 2000, if a Keypad File contains more than one text box a "Program Error" will occur when the file is closed or you quit the program while a file is open. Additionally an "Automation Error" can occur at the end of testing. As a workaround don't have more than one text box in a Keypad File. This problem has been corrected in V1.8.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. Prompted for password when editing a file even though file has no password. This problem appears when opening a file in edit mode or going into edit mode with a file already open. The file was created without a password yet it asks for one. No password entered is valid. The problem was reported by one customer and only occurred on one of their computers. The cause appears to be have been unique to that computer's configuration. This problem has been corrected in V1.6.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. "Unable to calibrate pod. MeasurePath returned invalid setup number." Error This error message is displayed when starting to learn or test. The high voltage indicator (connected symbol with lightning bolt) also appears in the lower left corner of the main window. This problem occurs occassionally with some of the most recently shipped Stingray pods. The software incorrectly thinks the pod is a high voltage pod. This problem has been corrected in V1.5.1 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. Can't Stop Cycling Through Series LED's If a Keypad File contains only series LED's (introduced in V1.4.0) and LED Test Mode is set to "Cycle through LED's", you can not stop cycling after any LED has been illuminated more than once. The only way to proceed is to fail the part, end the job or press the retry button. This is a problem with V1.4.0 software. As a workaround change the LED Test Mode to "Pause after each LED" in the Edit Info window for the file. You can then use the space bar to advance from one series LED to the next. Alternately you can continue to use "Cycle through LED's" and press the space bar just as the last LED is illuminated. If you miss it, click the retry button to test the part again. This will prevent your part counts from being incorrect. This problem has been corrected in V1.5.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. "Timeout during receive." Error This error can occur when you launch the program with the pod connected and turned on. It is followed by the message "Error while trying to find pod (SetSetups)!". This indicates that you need to update to a newer version of software. We began shipping a updated version of the pod on May 1 of 2001. Stingray software shipped prior to that date is not compatible with these new pods. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version which will work with any Stingray pod. This problem applies to V1.2.3 and earlier software. Stingray software V1.3.0 or later tells you when it needs to be updated. LED Not Found Or Seen As A Swtich Some LED's will not be found when learning. Others will be recognized correctly during learning or testing but then the same two pins will come up as a high resistance path (either a switch or a short). This is a known problem with V1.1.0 and earlier versions of software when testing some types of LED's. The problem has been corrected in V1.2.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. If you have the latest version of software and are still experiencing problems detecting LED's please contact Tech Support. "The calibrated pod setups are not valid!" Error The Stingray calibrates itself automatically when starting to test and periodically thereafter. In rare cases you may get a "The calibrated pod setups are not valid!" error message. This problem has been corrected in V1.2.1 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. Can't Save Keypad Files Or Job Log Files In some cases, after creating a new file nothing happens when Save As.. is selected from the File menu or when prompted to save before a file is closed. The problem is that the program tries to generate a default file name the first time a file is saved. This default file name is based on the Part Number entered in the Edit Info window. If the Part Number contains any character that are invalid in file names (such as :, \, /, *, etc.) the Save As... dialog will not appear. As a workaround, remove any invalid characters from the part number. After the file has been saved for the first time you can add those characters back. The problem with Job Log Files is similar. In this case the program attempts to create a file name based on the Job Number entered when the job is started. If there are any characters in the Job Number that are not allowed in file names, no Job Log dialogs will appear at the end of the job. The only solution to this problem is to avoid using invalid characters in the Job Number when starting the job. These problems have been corrected in V1.4.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page to get the latest version. Program Appears To Freeze When Run Or Launches Slowly The program may appear to freeze up when launched if large detailed report files were saved in in the "Keypad Files" folder or any of its subfolders. The program has not crashed. It is just trying to determine what the file is. As a workaround, move any large report files out of the "Keypad Files" folder and its subfolders. When saving report files after finishing a job, place them in different location. This problem has been corrected in V1.3.0 software. Visit the Stingray Software Downloads page and download the latest version.
Pod Is Not Detected By Stingray Software
Using A USB Port Instead Of A Serial Port We recommend using a computer with a serial port to communicate with the Stingray. If no serial port is available though and your computer has USB ports, you can use the Stingray with a USB to serial adapter. You may notice a slight slowdown in performance compared to using a serial port. Begin by installing the USB to serial adapter, following the instructions that came with the device. Connect your Stingray pod to the serial port on the adapter and turn the pod on. Run the Stingray software and verify the pod is detected. If you get an error saying the pod was not found you will need to configure your adapter by performing the following steps. Connect only the USB to serial adapter you will be using for the Stingray to your computer. Open the Device Manager by clicking the "Device Manger" button in the System Control Panel, Hardware tab. Double click on the USB to serial port adapter under "Ports" in the Device Manager to open the Properties. In the Port Settings tab set up the port as shown below. 
Next click on the "Advanced..." button. Uncheck "Use FIFO buffers" and confirm the port is set to COM1, 2, 3 or 4 as shown below. 
Click "OK" to save Advanced settings and "OK" again to save properties. Then unplug the adapter and wait till it is no longer shown in the Device Manager. Plug the adapter back in and connect the Stingray. When you run the Stingray software it should now be able to detect the pod If you need to send your Stingray in for repair, you must call for a Return Materials Authorization. The number to call is 206-241-9395. If you have questions about your Stingray call 206-241-9395 and ask for Tech Support or email to techsupport@engsolinc.com |