V-tech Language Lab Laptop User manual

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for buying the VTech®Language Lab Laptop™. The VTech®Language Lab
Laptop™ is a cool way for your child to take learning to a whole new level of fun! In addition
to brushing up on school skills such as language, math, logic, science, social studies, art
and music, the Language Lab Laptop™ introduces your child to Spanish through fun,
graphics-enhanced games. There is even a state of the art recording feature that helps
your child practice Spanish pronunciation. The Language Lab Laptop™ is loaded with
other cool features, such as tools to store personal info, bonus activity cartridges, and even
a USB cable for connecting to a PC. With the Language Lab Laptop™, your child will find
that learning and fun go hand in hand!
INTRODUCTION
Record Button
Volume/
Contrast
Buttons
Demo Button
Mouse
ON/OFF Button
Mouse
Pad
Computer Keyboard Cursor Pad
Cartridge Slot
Reset Button
Quick
Access
Category
Buttons
Progress Report Button
Desktop Software
& Expansion
Activities CD
3 Activity
Cartridges
USB PC
Connection Cable

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INSTRUCTIONS & ACTIVITIES
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
• VTech®Language Lab Laptop™
• Real mouse
• Mouse pad
• 3 bonus activity cartridges: Geography Quiz, Spanish Spelling and Story Teller
• User’s manual
• USB PC connection cable
• Desktop software & expansion activities CD-ROM
WARNING:
All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties and tags are not part of
this product and should be discarded for your child’s safety.
GETTING STARTED
POWER SOURCE
The Language Lab Laptop™ operates on 4 “AA” size batteries (UM-3/LR6) or a VTech®
9V adaptor (sold separately).
BATTERY INSTALLATION
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 new “AA” batteries (UM-3/LR6) as illustrated.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES ARE NOT
RECOMMENDED.
4. Close the battery cover.
NOTE: For best performance, remove all factory-
installed batteries and use new, alkaline batteries.
Important: When replacing the 4 “AA” size batteries, make sure the backup batteries are
in the unit. Otherwise you will lose any saved information.
BACKUP BATTERY INSTALLATION
Your Language Lab Laptop™ uses the backup battery (sold separately). To avoid damage
to the unit from leaky batteries, replace the backup battery at least once a year.
INSTRUCTIONS & ACTIVITIES

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TO REPLACE THE BACKUP BATTERY
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Using a small screwdriver, loosen the battery cover.
3. Insert 2 “AA” size batteries as illustrated.
4. Close the battery cover and tighten the screws to secure it.
STANDARD FOR BATTERY TOYS
• Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries;
• Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy before
being charged;
• Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision;
• Do not mix different types of batteries; Do not mix new and used batteries;
• Only use batteries of the recommended or equivalent type;
• Always insert batteries properly matching the plus (+) and minus (-) signs;
• Batteries that have run out of energy must be removed from the toy;
• Do not short-circuit the supply terminals;
• Do not use more batteries than recommended;
• Remove batteries from the toy if it will not be used for an extended period of time.
• Do not dispose of batteries in fire.
Important: While replacing the backup battery, the 4 “AA” size batteries must be kept in
the unit. Otherwise, you will lose any saved information.
DC ADAPTOR
Use a VTech®adaptor or any other standard adaptor that complies with EN61558 AC-DC
9V 300mA center-positive adaptor.
CONNECTING THE ADAPTOR
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the adaptor jack on the left side of the unit.
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: When the toy is not going to be in use for an extended period of time, unplug the
adaptor.
STANDARD FOR TOYS WITH ADAPTORS
• The toy is not intended for use by children under 3 years old;
• Use only the recommended adaptor with the toy;
INSTRUCTIONS & ACTIVITIES

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• The adaptor is not a toy;
• Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid;
• Never use more than 1 adaptor;
• Do not leave the toy plugged in for extended periods of time.
NOTICE TO PARENTS
Regularly examine the adaptor, checking for damage to the cord, plug, transformer or other
parts. Do not use the adaptor if there is any damage to it. The demo tag should be removed
automatically when the product is taken out of the packaging. If the demo tag is still in
position when you begin play, please remove it from the bottom of the unit to activate
normal play mode.
REAL MOUSE
Use the mouse only on a clean, flat surface, so that the roller ball is not damaged and the
cursor moves freely across the screen. Use only a mouse that is compatible with VTech®
products.
CONNECTING THE MOUSE
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the mouse jack on the back of the unit.
3. Plug the mouse into the mouse jack.
USING THE MOUSE
1. Move the mouse in the direction you want the cursor to move.
2. Click on the mouse button to make a selection.
CLEANING THE MOUSE
1. Following the arrows, use a screwdriver to open the cover on the
bottom of the mouse.
2. Take the ball out of the mouse and use a dry cloth to clean the
mouse and the ball.
3. Place the ball back into the mouse, place the cover back onto the
mouse and screw the cover closed.
CARTRIDGE
After the unit is turned ON, insert the cartridge into the
cartridge slot on the right side of the unit.
INSTRUCTIONS & ACTIVITIES

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PRODUCT FEATURES
PLAY MODES
In the Language Lab Laptop™ you can choose from 8 different categories of play and
learning:
• Foreign Language (Spanish)
• Word Fun
• Math & Logic
• Science
• Social Studies
• Game Zone
• Creative Studio
• Cool Tools
Press on the keyboard to switch between one-player and two-player modes.
The activities that can be played with two players are:
Dots & Boxes
Balloon Blow Out
Number Battle
TURNING THE UNIT ON AND OFF
Pressing will turn the unit ON. Pressing again will turn the unit OFF.
ACTIVITY SELECTION:
When the unit is turned ON, you will see a short opening scene and enter the Main Menu.
Here, activities will cycle onto and off the screen automatically. You can choose an activity
in one of these ways:
1) Press when you see an activity you like.
2) Use the cursor pad to cycle through activities manually, and press to
choose one.
3) Click the mouse button when you see an activity you like.
4) Type the activity number and press .
If you press a category key (such as ‘Word Fun’), the menu will jump to the first activity of
that category. An activity can then be chosen in the above ways.
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LEVEL SELECTION
Pressing will take you to the level selection screen. Use the arrow keys, mouse
or keyboard to select level 1 (easy), 2 (medium) or 3 (hard).
ANSWER
In most activities, the answer will be provided after a certain number of tries.
VOLUME AND CONTRAST CONTROL KEYS
To adjust the volume, press the main (center) key once, and hold down the “+” or “-” key to
reach the level you want. Press the main (center) key a second time to adjust the screen
contrast in the same way. Press the main (center) button a third time to go back to regular
play mode. You may also press Esc at any time to go back to regular play mode.
CURSOR PAD
Use the cursor pad to control the movement of the cursor on the screen.
KEYBOARD LAYOUT
Your Language Lab Laptop™has a full typing keyboard that doubles as a music keyboard.
It also features the function keys described below.
FUNCTION KEYS:
Press this button to see a short preview of your Language Lab Laptop™.
Press this button to see how you’re doing in most activities.
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Press one of these buttons to jump to the first activity of the chosen category.
Esc: Press this key to exit an activity.
Level: Press this key to set the difficulty level (easy, medium or hard).
Caps Lock: Press this key to type in capital letters. Press it again to switch to
small letters.
Shift: Hold this key down to type capital letters. You can also use this key to
use the alternate functions of certain keys. These functions are marked
on the keys in a different color.
Status/Help: Press this key for information about the current activity. Press Shift
and Status/Help together to see the current activity status.
Repeat: Press this key to repeat an instruction or a question.
Hint: Press this key for help with a question. Your score will be lowered
when you use this key.
Answer: Press this key to see the correct answer to a question.
Sym.: Press this key to use the symbol menu. Use the mouse to click on a
symbol.
Space Bar: Press this key to type a space between words or characters.
Cartridge : Press this key to play cartridge games: SpanishSpelling, StoryTeller
and Geography Quiz.
Player: Press this key to choose one or two-player mode.
Arrow Keys: Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right or left.
Enter: Press this key to enter an answer or choice.
Delete: Press this key to delete the last action, letter or character.
Backspace: Press this key to erase the character to the left of the cursor.
Letter Keys: Press these keys to enter letters in letter and word-related activities.
Number Keys: Press these keys to enter numbers in number activities.
Musical Note Keys: Press these keys to enter music notes in music-related activities.
HOT KEYS
Press this key to enter the Personal Profile activity.
Press this key to enter the Word Processor activity.
Press this key to enter the Card Maker activity.
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Press this key to enter the Phone Book activity.
Press this key to enter the Calculator activity.
Press this key to enter the Saving Calculator activity.
Press this key to enter the Alarm Clock activity.
Press this key to enter the Calendar activity.
Press this key to enter the Book Finder activity.
Press this key to access the Screen Saver function.
Press this key to turn the background music on and off.
Press this key to enter the Word Translator activity.
Press this key to enter the CD Download function.
Press this key to connect to a printer and print files.
VOICE MATE
Your Language Lab Laptop™ is equipped with the Voice Mate feature, a built-in recording
system that provides a great way to improve your foreign language skills and express your
creativity. Voice Mate appears automatically in certain foreign language activities. Press
the onscreen “Record” icon to try your hand at Spanish pronunciation, and compare
your recording with the given pronunciation. To hear your recording, press the onscreen
“Play” icon .
NOTE:VTech®accepts no responsibility for the content of any audio recorded using the
Voice Mate feature.
AUTO POWER OFF
To preserve battery power, the Language Lab Laptop™ will automatically shut off after
several minutes of inactivity. You can turn the unit back ON by pressing .
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ACTIVITIES
Your Language Lab Laptop™ offers a total of 105 activities including 3 activities on bonus
cartridges.
Activity No. Activity Names Category Activity Description
1 Spanish Letters Foreign Choose a letter to hear its Spanish
Language pronunciation. You can also click the
Record icon to record your own reading
and compare.
2 Spanish Words Foreign Choose an English word to learn what it
Language means in Spanish. You can also click the
Record icon to record your own reading
and compare.
3 Word Match Foreign You will see a Spanish word at the top of
Language the screen. Use the words you learned in
the “Spanish Words” activity to choose the
matching English word. Use the mouse,
cursor pad, arrow keys to answer.
4 Phrase Teacher Foreign Choose a short English sentence to learn
Language what it means in Spanish. You can also
click the Record icon to record your own
reading and compare.
5 Phrase Match Foreign Use the phrases you learned in the “Phrase
Language Teacher” activity to match each Spanish
sentence with its English translation. Use
the mouse, cursor pad, arrow keys to
answer.
6 Spanish Chat Foreign Choose a chat and watch the screen to
Language learn what is being said. Click the translator
key to switch between English and
Spanish. You can also click the Record icon
to record your own reading and compare.
7 Let’s Chat Foreign You will see part of a chat in Spanish. Use
Language the chats you learned in the “Spanish Chat”
activity to choose the phrase that comes
next.
8 Spanish Singular Foreign Find the singular form of the plural Spanish
Language word at the top of the screen.
9 Spanish Plural Foreign Find the plural form of the singular Spanish
Language word at the top of the screen.
ACTIVITIES