V-tech Impact PC User manual

R
User’s Manual
Impact PCTM
© 2002 VTech
Printed in China
91-01237-008-000

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Dear Parent:
At VTech®we know that a child has the ability to do great
things. That’s why all of our electronic learning products are
uniquely designed to develop a child’s mind and allow them
to learn to the best of their ability. Whether it’s learning about
letters, numbers, geography or algebra, all VTech®learning
products incorporate advanced technologies and extensive
curriculum to encourage children of all ages to reach their
potential.
When it comes to providing interactive products that en-
lighten, entertain and develop minds, at VTech®, we see the
potential in every child.
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INDEX
INTRODUCTION............................................................ 1
POWER SOURCE ........................................................ 1-3
EARPHONE CONNECTION............................................. 3
MOUSE CONNECTION ............................................... 3-4
PRINTER CONNECTION ................................................. 5
ON/OFF SWITCH ....................................................... 5-6
CONTRAST SWITCH ...................................................... 6
VOLUME SWITCH ......................................................... 6
KEYBOARD DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTIONS ............... 6-8
THE KEYBOARD ....................................................... 8-11
TO BEGIN PLAY .......................................................... 11
LEVELS ....................................................................... 12
2-PLAYER MODE ......................................................... 12
SCORING ................................................................... 13
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES .................................. 14-20
HIDDEN BAR ......................................................... 20-21
CARE AND MAINTENANCE .......................................... 21
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1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the VTECH®Impact PCTM learning toy! We at VTECH®are
committedtoprovidingthebestpossibleproductstoentertainandeducateyourchild. Should
you have any questions or concerns, please call our Consumer Services Department at
1-800-521-2010 in the U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
The VTECH®Impact PCTM learning aid offersa sharp,viewingscreenthatdisplays hundreds
of animated pictures. 51 different activities include spelling, grammar, mathematics, trivia,
games, a friendly voice and an easy-to-use computer-like keyboard. Get ready for hours of
learning fun!
LCD DISPLAY
LOCK BUTTON LOCK BUTTON
CONTRAST
SWITCH VOLUME SWITCH
ON/OFF
BUTTON
CARTRIDGE
DOOR
MOUSE
MOUSE
PAD
ACTIVITY MEMBRANE
SELECTOR
TYPING KEYBOARD
POWER SOURCE
The VTECH®Impact PCTM learning product operates on 4"AA” size batteries (UM-3/LR6) or
a standard 9V 300mA AC centre-positive adaptor.
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HOW TO INSTALL BATTERIES
1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF.
2. Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the
unit and open it.
3. Insert 4 “ AA “ batteries (UM-3/LR6) as
illustrated. DO NOT USE RECHARGEABLE
BATTERIES in this unit. (The use of alkaline
batteries is recommended for best perfor-
mance.)
4. Close the battery cover.
BATTERY NOTICE
• Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+, -) signs to avoid leakage.
• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not use batteries of different types.
• Remove exhausted or new batteries from equipment when you are not going to use
the unit for a long time.
• Do not dispose of batteries in fire.
• Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries.
• The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.
• Non-rechargeable batteries are not to be recharged.
• Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the unit before being charged.
• Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision.
NOTE: If the sound becomes weak or the unit suddenly stops working, turn the unit
off for 2 minutes, then turn it back on. If the problem persists it may be caused
by weak batteries. Please install a new set of batteries and try the unit again.
While replacing the btteries, follow one of the following rules. If not, you will lose all
information stored.
• Change the batteries within 1 minute.
• Connect the unit to the 9V adaptor while the adaptor is plugged in.
The 9V adaptor must be plugged in while connection the unit to the adaptor. Make
sure the unit is turned OFF. Otherwise, all infromation stored will be lost.
AC ADAPTOR CONNECTION
Use a standard 9V 300mA AC center-positive adaptor.
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the adaptor jack on the left side of the unit.
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3. Insert the adaptor plug into the unit’s adaptor jack.
4. Plug the adaptor into a wall outlet.
5. Turn the unit ON.
NOTE: If the unit suddenly stops working or the sound seems weak, it may be the
result of the adaptor connection. Turn the unit off and unplug the adaptor from
the unit for 15 seconds. Next, plug the adaptor back in and turn the unit on.
If the problem continues, it may be the result of the adaptor’s wiring or the
unit. Please call our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-521-2010 in the
U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
Do not leave the adaptor plugged in for long periods of time if the unit is not in use.
EARPHONE CONNECTION
Use earphones with an appropriate earphone plug.
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the earphone jack on the left side of the unit.
3. Insert the earphone plug into the unit’s earphone jack.
4. Turn the unit ON.
After finishing the above procedure, check if the earphones are working. If not, repeat
the above procedure.
NOTE: If the earphones still don’t work, try with another appropriate set of earphones.
If the problem still exists, it may be the result of the earphone jack wiring or
the unit. Please call our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-521-2010
in the U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
MOUSE CONNECTION
TO CONNECT THE MOUSE
1. Turn OFF your VTECH®Impact PCTM unit.
2. Plug the connector at the end of the mouse cable into the mouse jack at the back
of the unit.
3. Turn ON the VTECH®Impact PCTM unit. After the opening animation, select a mode
to play. You can choose either Adventure Mode or Normal Mode. When the activity
starts, you may use the keyboard and/or the mouse to play the game.
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MOUSE OVERVIEW
Once the mouse is installed you may move the mouse cursor around the screen freely. The
mouse has a roller ball in it and therefore it should be used on a flat surface. A mouse pad
provided is ideal, but you may also try a piece of paper, notebook or magazine. A clean flat
surface is important to be able to use your mouse effectively.
Your mouse is very easy to use. To use the mouse, push it in the direction that you would like
the pointer on the screen to move. To move the pointer to the right side of the screen, push
the mouse to the right. To move the pointer to the left side of the screen, push the mouse to
the left. To move the pointer to the top of the screen, push the mouse away from you. To
move the pointer to the bottom of the screen, pull the mouse towards you.
CLEANING THE MOUSE
To clean the mouse, you need to open the cover on the bottom of the mouse by using a
screwdriver. Twisting in the direction of the arrows will release the cover. Once the cover is
removed, the mouse ball should be taken out and the contents inside the mouse should be
cleaned with a dry cloth. The mouse ball should also be cleaned with a dry cloth. Once you
have finished cleaning the mouse, place the mouse ball back into the mouse, place the cover
back on the mouse and screw the cover back onto the mouse.
Cover
Mouse
buttons
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PRINTER CONNECTION
1. Turn OFF your VTECH®Impact PCTM learning unit.
2. Plug the connector at the end of the printer cable into the printer port on the rear
of the unit.
3. Turn ON the VTECH®Impact PCTM learning unit and the printer. After the opening
animation, select an activity. If you are using another printer, press SHIFT and the
PRINTER SETUP keys together to access a list of compatible printers. We
recommend using the VTECH®Canon BJC-255, made specifically for VTECH®.
4. Scroll through the list using your mouse or the directional arrow keys. When you
have highlighted the appropriate printer, press ENTER.
5. Press SHIFT and PRINT DATA / PRINT SCREEN keys together to perform the printing
function when the option is available.
Before selecting a printer, make sure the printer is correctly connected to the VTECH®
Impact PCTM learning unit using the printer cables. After setting up the printer, you can print
where the option is available.
Should you have any questions, please call our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-
521-2010 in the U.S.or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
ON/OFF SWITCH
Turn on your VTECH®Impact PCTM learning product by pressing the ON button located on
the base unit below and to the right of the screen. The unit will display an opening animation
and ask you to select a mode to play. Turn the unit OFF by pressing the OFF button located
next to the ON button.
RESET FUNCTION
If the unit suddenly stops working, press RESET on the bottom of the unit to restart.
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AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF
If there is no input into the VTECH®Impact PCTM learning unit for approximately 8 minutes,
the unit will automatically shut off to save power. After the unit has automatically shut off,
you will need to press the ON button again to restart the unit. We recommend that you turn
the unit OFF when not playing with it. If the VTECH®Impact PCTM learning unit is not going
to be used for a long period of time, remove the batteries and unplug the adaptor.
CONTRAST SWITCH
Use this switch to change the light/dark CONTRAST on the screen.
VOLUME SWITCH
Use VOLUME switch on the unit allows you to raise or lower the level
of sound.
KEYBOARD DESCRIPTION AND
FUNCTIONS
THE ACTIVITY SELECTOR
The VTECH®Impact PCTM learning unit features a convenient one-touch activity selector.
You can press the membrane selector at any time to select an activity.
Spelling
Tenses
Singulars
Plurals
Antonyms
Synonyms
Sound
Alikes
Grammar
Quiz
Word
Munch
Sentence
Builder
Word
Puzzle
Guide
Words
Analogy
Attack
Mathematics
Math
Quiz
Secret
Sequences
Fractions
Graph
Problems
Big
Buyer
TickTock
Clock
Geometry
Magic
Grid
3DTic
TacToe
Treasure
Hunt
Rumbling
Ranks
Block
Breakout
Magic
Key
SpanishTranslator
SpanishTester
GermanTranslator
GermanTester
FrenchTranslator
FrenchTester
Science
Geography
Extinct or
Rare
Inventions
Word
Recall
Time
Tutor
Smart
Alarm
Calculator
Notepad
Card
Maker
Private
Pad
Art
Studio
Calendar
Day
Planner
Cartridge
Adventure
Mode
System
Setup
QuickTag
Demo
Typing
Challenge
The CARTRIDGE button is for accessing the expansion cartridges and will not work unless
an expansion cartridge has been inserted into the unit. Cartridges should be inserted when
the unit is OFF.
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ADVENTURE MODE
The ADVENTURE MODE button is for accessing the activities through a challenging adven-
ture. The goal of the Adventure Mode is to help the famous adventurer, Douglas Daring,
return safely home by gathering treasured jewels. These jewels are needed to successfully
operate the time machine so Douglas Daring can have a safe adventure back. The player
has to pass a round of questions and then finish a game before one jewel will be granted. A
timer will be set in the Adventure Mode.
Access:
The Adventure Mode can be accessed by the following two ways:
1. After turning on the unit, choose between “Normal Mode” and “Adventure Mode”.
2. Press the “Adventure Mode” key any time after the unit is turned on.
Goal:
To reach the END GAME or destination by collecting a total of at least 3 jewels from
the checkpoints on the map. You can gather only one jewel from each checkpoint on
the map.
General:
1. Starting point and Ending point do not contain any learning activities.
2. Player has to answer 10 questions in the chosen checkpoint.
3. Player has to answer correctly 6 out of 10 questions in order to get the pass mark.
4. A pass mark indicator will be shown on the status bar.
5. Pass mark bar will be reset once 10 questions are completed.
6. END GAME (destination) cannot be entered if not enough jewels are collected.
7. There are 4 difficulty levels and levels can be changed at any time during an activity.
8. The game flow will be the same as the activities in normal mode.
9. One category for each checkpoint.
The player has to complete the adventure by visiting checkpoints where questions will be
asked. For each check point, 10 questions will be asked. The player has to obtain the pass
mark and then finish a game before one jewel will be granted. A timer will be set in the
Adventure Mode.
The SYSTEM SETUP button is for adjusting the settings for the following:
Background Music ON / OFF
Math Input Direction Left-Right / Right-Left
Date Format DD-MM / MM-DD
Screen Saver ON / OFF
Status Bar Auto Pop Up ON / OFF
Auto Messenger ON / OFF
Time Format AM / PM / 24HR
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