V-tech Monster Fun User manual

Scholastic was founded in 1920 with the
mission of encouraging a lifelong love
of reading, learning, and celebrating
childrens’ individuality and creativity. We
invite you to experience our new collection
of quality toys which reinforce the vital
connection between fun and learning
through play.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.......................................................... 1
POWER SOURCE ........................................................ 1
BATTERY INSTALLATION ............................................. 1
AC ADAPTOR CONNECTION ..................................... 2
MOUSE CONNECTION ............................................... 3
MOUSE OVERVIEW .................................................... 3
MOUSE MAINTENANCE .............................................. 3
VOLUME SWITCH ...................................................... 3
CONTRAST SWITCH ................................................... 4
AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF............................................... 4
KEYBOARD DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTIONS ............. 4
THE KEYBOARD ......................................................... 5
TO BEGIN PLAY ........................................................ 8
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES ..................................... 9
LURKING LETTERS ...................................................... 9
MISCHIEVOUS MATH................................................ 10
GHOULISH GAMES................................................... 12
TASTY TUNES ........................................................... 13
SCORING ................................................................. 14
ONE-PLAYER MODE.................................................. 14
TWO-PLAYER MODE ................................................. 14
CARE AND MAINTENANCE ...................................... 14

1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Monster Fun learning toy! We are committed to
providing the highest quality products to entertain and educate your child. 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.
Monster Fun features a large, clear LCD screen that displays hundreds of animated
pictures and a friendly monster voice that actively encourages children. With 32 different
activities to choose from, children can spend countless enjoyable hours learning.
POWER SOURCE
Monster Fun operates on 4 “AA” size batteries (UM-3/LR6) or a 9V 300mA AC
center-positive adaptor (not included).
BATTERY INSTALLATION
1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF.
2. Locate the battery cover on the back of the unit
and open it.
3. Insert 4 “AA” batteries (UM-3/LR6) as illustrated.
(The use of new, alkaline batteries is recommended
for maximum performance.)
4. Replace the battery cover.
Keyboard release button
LCD screen
Membrane selector
Keyboard
Mouse
Mouse pad
Volume switch
Contrast switch

2
BATTERY NOTICE
• Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+,–) signs to avoid leakage.
• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not use rechargeable batteries.
• Do not use batteries of different types.
• Remove the batteries from the learning toy when it will not be used for an
extended period of time.
• Do not dispose of batteries in fire.
• Do not short-circuit the supply terminals.
• Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries.
NOTE: If for some reason the program/activity stops working, please follow these steps:
1. Please turn the unit OFF
2. Interrupt the power supply by removing the batteries.
3. Let the unit stand for a few minutes; then replace the batteries.
4. Turn the unit ON. The unit is now ready for play again.
If the problem persists, please call our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-521-
2010 in the U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
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 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.
In the U.S.A.: Many retailers carry this type of adaptor. However, if you are unable
to find one locally, the AC Adaptor is perfectly suited to operate your Monster Fun
learning laptop. For information on how to purchase a AC Adaptor, call our Consumer
Services Department at 1-800-521-2010 in the U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada.
NOTE: If for some reason the program/activity stops working, it may be the result
of the adaptor connection. Please follow these steps:
1. Please turn the unit off and unplug the adaptor for 15 seconds.
2. Reinsert the adaptor plug into the adaptor jack.
3. Turn the unit ON.
If the problem persists, it may be the result of the adaptor’s wiring or the unit. Please
contact our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-521-2010 in the U.S. or 1-800-
267-7377 in Canada.

3
MOUSE CONNECTION
DETACHING THE MOUSE FROM THE MAIN UNIT.
Please note that the mouse should not be detached completely from the unit. It
has a retractable cord and is intended to be used attached to the unit.
1. Locate the mouse on the back of the unit.
2. Lift the back end of the mouse away from the main unit.
3. Gently pull the mouse cord out until fully extended.
RETURNING THE MOUSE TO THE MAIN UNIT
1. Place mouse cord carefully back inside the main unit.
2. Click the mouse securely back into the storage area.
MOUSE OVERVIEW
Once the mouse is free from the unit you may move the mouse cursor around the
screen freely. The mouse has a roller ball in it and therefore should be used on a
flat surface. A mouse pad is ideal, but you may also try a piece of paper, a notebook
or a 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.
MOUSE MAINTENANCE
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 and screw the
cover back onto the mouse.
VOLUME SWITCH
Adjust the volume by sliding the Volume Switch to the right to
raise the volume and to the left to lower the volume.

4
LURKING
LETTERS
CONTRAST SWITCH
Adjust the image on the screen by sliding the Contrast Switch
to the right for higher contrast and to the left for lower contrast.
AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF
If there is no input into the Monster Fun learning toy for about 8 minutes, the learning
toy will automatically shut itself off to save power. To turn the unit back on after
an automatic shut off, you will need to press the ON button again to restart the learning
toy. If the Monster Fun learning toy is not going to be used for a long period of
time, we recommend that you remove the batteries and unplug the adaptor.
KEYBOARD DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTIONS
THE ACTIVITY SELECTOR
ON BUTTON
Press the ON button to turn the unit on and enter the wacky yet prestigious
halls of Monster Fun. A whole brigade of mischievous monster scholars
can’t wait for you to join them!
OFF BUTTON
When you’ve had enough learning for one sitting, press the OFF button
to bid farewell to your monster friends. They’ll be waiting anxiously for
you to return!
LURKING LETTERS BUTTON
There are plenty of letter and word activities lurking in Monster Fun.
To get them started, press the Lurking Letters button at any time when
the learning toy is on.
ON
OFF

5
MISCHIEVOUS MATH BUTTON
Do you think that math can be tricky? It’s not tricky! It’s just being
a little mischievous. Join the games to make yourself a master of
mathematics. Press the Mischievous Math button at any time to start.
GHOULISH GAMES BUTTON
Ready for some logic games? Press the Ghoulish Games button and let the
games begin!
TASTY TUNES BUTTON
Mmmm…I’m feeling hungry for some tasty tunes! Start up the music
by pressing the Tasty Tunes button and enter Monster Fun’s jamming
music studio.
DEMO BUTTON
Would you like to know how the activities are played? The DEMO button
is available at any time to show you. Pressing the DEMO button in the
main menu will demonstrate all of the activities in every category before returning
to the category selection screen. Pressing the DEMO button during activity selection
will cause Monster Fun to demonstrate all of the activities within the selected category
before returning to the activity selection screen. If the DEMO button is pressed when
a player is in an activity, it will only demonstrate that particular activity. Once the
demonstration is done, it will return to that activity.
THE KEYBOARD
The Monster Fun learning toy has a full alphanumeric QWERTY hard-key keyboard.
MISCHIEVOUS
MATH
GHOULISH
GAMES
TASTY
TUNES
DEMO

6
LETTER KEYS
Use the Letter keys when inputting answers for word-related activities. The QWERTY
layout will familiarize your child with the standard computer keyboard and typewriter.
NUMBER KEYS
Use the Number keys when inputting the answers in number-related activities. The Num-
ber keys may also be used to select a level when the Level key is pressed or to select a
song when the Ghoul Jams activity is activated.
NOTE KEYS
Use the Note keys to create a song or input a melody in the Monstrous Melodies and
Note Mimic activities. Three additional function keys are used only in the Monstrous
Melodies activity. The PLAY key allows you to listen to the song you have created.
The PAUSE key inserts a pause or rest into the music. During PLAY mode, the PAUSE
key allows you to stop the music. Pressing PAUSE again allows you to resume the
song where you left off. The RESET key clears the song that you have created.
CURSOR BUTTONS
Use the four cursor buttons to move the cursor to the right, to the
left, up or down on the screen. When used in combination with the
SHIFT key, the cursor buttons can be used to control the mouse
pointer on the screen.

7
FUNCTION KEYS
DELETE KEY
Press the DELETE key to erase letters or numbers before you press the
ENTER key.
HELP KEY
Press the HELP key if you need help within an activity. The help feature
will give you a hint to aid you in answering a question. Please note
that the HELP key is disabled in 2-Player Mode for all activities.
ENTER KEY
Press the ENTER key after you have typed or selected the answer to a question.
SHIFT KEY
Press this key together with the four directional cursor keys to control the
mouse pointer on the screen.
ANSWER KEY
Press the ANSWER key to learn the correct answer to any question. The
ANSWER key is disabled during the first player’s turn in 2-Player Mode
for all activities.
LEVEL KEY
Press the LEVEL key to change the difficulty level within an activity. There
are three levels of play within most of the activities. The first level is the
easiest and the third level is the most challenging. Levels can be changed
at any time during an activity.
PLAYER KEY
Press the PLAYER key at any time to change from single-player mode
to two-player mode. Please note that not all activities offer the two-player
mode option.
PLAYER A / PLAYER B KEYS
In 2-player head-to-head competition, when a question is asked, the
first person to press his or her player button will get the opportunity
to answer the question first. If this player does not answer correctly,
the other player has the opportunity to answer.
REPEAT KEY
Press the REPEAT key to repeat the instructions or the question.