V-tech PreComputer Power Pad Plus User manual

Precomputer Power PadTM Plus
User’s manual

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Dear Parent:
At VTech®we know that children have 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 enlighten,
entertain and develop minds, at VTech®we see the potential
in every child.

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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................ 1
CHAPTER 2 GETTING STARTED ........................ 2
MAIN BATTERY INSTALLATION ............................... 2
BACKUP BATTERY INSTALLATION ........................... 2
AC ADAPTOR CONNECTION ...................................3
PRINTER CONNECTION ..........................................4
MOUSE CONNECTION ............................................4
GENERAL OPERATION ..........................................4
CHAPTER 3 THE KEYBOARD ............................ 6
SPECIAL KEYS ........................................................6
ACTIVITY SELECTOR ...............................................9
CHAPTER 4 ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS ........ 11
HOW TO PLAY ..................................................... 11
CHAPTER 5 WORD PROCESSOR .................... 20
FILE OPTIONS...................................................... 21
EDIT OPTIONS .....................................................22
FORMAT OPTIONS .............................................. 23
TOOLS OPTIONS .................................................24
PRINT OPTIONS .................................................. 24
HELP ...................................................................25
EXIT..................................................................... 25
CHAPTER 6 SYSTEM SETUP ............................. 26
PRINTER SETUP ................................................... 26
TIPS OF TODAY ...................................................26
SCREEN SAVER .................................................... 27
CLEAR LAST SCORE ..............................................27
ICON BOX ...........................................................27
QUICK MENU SETUP ............................................27
CUSTOMIZE SETUP ............................................... 27
DEMO MODE ......................................................28

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RAM CART MANAGER.......................................... 28
POWER LINK .......................................................29
CHAPTER 7 BASIC.......................................... 30
INTRODUCTION ................................................... 30
GETTING STARTED .............................................. 32
BASIC COMPUTER TUTORIAL................................ 34
REFERENCE SECTION ........................................... 47
ARITHMETIC FUNCTIONS ...................................... 52
STRING FUNCTIONS.............................................53
GRAPHICS FUNCTION .......................................... 54
SUBSTRINGS .......................................................54
LOGICAL OPERATORS .........................................59
APPENDIX ...........................................................65
THE ERROR MESSAGES .......................................74
CHAPTER 8 CALCULATOR.............................. 76
BASIC CALCULATOR OPERATIONS ....................... 76
USING THE MEMORY FEATURES ........................... 76
ADVANCED FUNCTIONS ....................................... 77
TRIGONOMETRY FUNCTIONS .............................. 78
CHAPTER 9 TIME LIMITS............................... 79
CHAPTER 10 SCORING .................................. 79
CHAPTER 11 POWER LINK ............................ 81
CONNECTING THE CABLE .....................................81
CONTROLLING VTECH POWER LINK™ .................81
CHAPTER 12 HOW TO USE AN EXPANSION
CARTRIDGE ............................... 83
CHAPTER 13 CARE AND MAINTENANCE ......... 84

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LCD SCREEN
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Thank you for buying the PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS learning toy by VTECH®.
We at VTECH®are committed to providing the best possible products to develop a child’s
mind. 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.
PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS is a powerful learning computer tool featuring
120x32 full dot matrix LCD screen and a standard sized computer style keyboard that gives
the user the look and the feel of a real laptop computer. PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™
PLUS offers 38 activities that include tenses, antonyms, synonyms, grammar, spelling,
vocabulary, basic and advanced mathematics, 1000 trivia questions, logic games, a word
processor, BASIC programming with tutorial, a built-in calculator, a 75,000 word spell checker
and more. Get ready for hours of learning fun with the PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™
PLUS learning unit.
CABINET LOCKS
EXPANSION
CARTRIDGE DOOR
9 LED STATUS
DISPLAY BAR
MEMBRANE
ACTIVITY
SELECTOR
COMPUTER
KEYBOARD
CONTRAST SWITCH
VOLUME SWITCH
SPEAKER
ON SELECTOR
OFF SELECTOR
PULL OUT CARRYING HANDLE
AC ADAPTOR PORT
PRINTER PORT
MOUSE PORT

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CHAPTER 2: GETTING STARTED
The PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS learning unit operates on 4 “AA” (UM-3/LR6)
size batteries for the main compartment or a 9V AC adaptor. 2 “AA” (UM-3/LR6) batteries
are required to backup the unit.
MAIN BATTERY INSTALLATION
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the main battery cover on the back of the unit
and open it.
3. Insert 4 “AA” (UM-3/LR6) size batteries as
illustrated. DO NOT USE RECHARGEABLE
BATTERIES in this unit. (The use of Rayovac
Renewable/Rechargeable Alkaline batteries is
encouraged.)
4. Replace the battery cover.
5. Turn the unit ON.
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
it 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 toy before being charged.
•Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision.
NOTE: If the unit suddenly stops working, or the sound seems weak, turn the unit off for
15 seconds, 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.
BACKUP BATTERY INSTALLATION
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the backup battery cover on the back of the unit and open it.

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3. Insert 2 “AA” (UM-3/LR6) size batteries as illustrated.
DO NOT USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES in this
unit. (The use of Rayovac Renewable/Rechargeable
Alkaline batteries is encouraged.)
4. Replace the battery cover.
5. Turn the unit ON.
NOTE: While replacing the backup batteries, the 4 “AA” size
batteries must be kept in the unit or the unit must be connected
to the 9V adaptor while the adaptor is plugged in. If not, the
information stored in the following activities will be lost:
•Word Processor
•BASIC
•User Name and Personal Message
•Last Scores
•Quick Menu Icons
AC ADAPTOR CONNECTION
Use a standard 9V 300mA AC adaptor.
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the adaptor jack on the back of the unit.
3. Plug the adaptor into a wall outlet.
4. Plug the adaptor into the unit’s adaptor jack.
5. Turn the unit ON.
NOTE: Do not leave the adaptor plugged in for a long period of time if the unit is not
in use. 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 persists, 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., 1-800-267-
7377 in Canada and a service representative will be happy to help you.
The VTECH®AC adaptor is perfectly suitable to operate this product. Many retailers
carry the adaptor, however, if you are unable to find one locally, you can send
$10.00 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling (Illinois residents please add an 8.25%
sales tax.) to:
Adaptor c/o
VTECH®Industries, LLC
101 E. Palatine Road
Wheeling, IL 60090-6500
Please do not send cash.

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PRINTER CONNECTION
The PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS learning unit can support 12 different kinds
of printers. For details, please refer to Chapter 6.
MOUSE CONNECTION
Use our standard mouse, included with the PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS.
1. Make sure the unit is OFF.
2. Locate the mouse jack at the back of the unit.
3. Slide open the mouse port door and insert the mouse connector into the unit.
4. Turn the unit ON.
5. The mouse will work best if it is kept on the mouse pad.
The mouse functions the same as a real computer mouse. Move the cursor on the screen
by moving the mouse in the direction you would like the cursor to move. The Left mouse
button functions as a select key (Enter key) while the Right mouse button functions as
an Esc key.
GENERAL OPERATION
ON BUTTON & OFF BUTTON
Turn on your PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS learning unit by pressing the ON
button located at the upper right-hand side of the Membrane Activity Selector. A welcome
animation will be displayed and you can begin play. Turn the unit off at any time by pressing
the OFF button.
®
This 'ARROW' shows the unlocking
direction.Lock by pushing to the
opposite side of the 'ARROW'
Left Mouse
Button Right Mouse Button
®

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Automatic Shut Off
If there is no input into the PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS unit for about 20 minutes,
the unit will automatically shut off to save power. To turn the unit back on after an automatic
shut off, press the ON button again. We recommend turning the unit OFF when not in
use. If the PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS unit is not in use for a long period
of time, remove the main compartment batteries or unplug the adaptor.
CONTRAST SWITCH
Depending on your lighting conditions, slide the Contrast Switch to the left or right to allow
for better viewing.
VOLUME SWITCH
Adjust the volume by sliding the Volume Switch to the left or right.
LED STATUS DISPLAY BAR AND LCD SCREEN
LED Light
There are 9 icons on the LED status display bar. Each icon represents an activity or function.
LCD SCREEN
On top of the LCD screen, a status bar is displayed.
Left Player's
Left Player's
Right Player's
Right Player's

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CHAPTER 3: THE KEYBOARD
The computer keyboard on PRECOMPUTER POWER PAD™ PLUS combines the operation
of a standard computer keyboard with several other functions described below.
SPECIAL KEYS
Enter Key:
Press this key after typing or choosing an answer to input your selection.
Shift Key:
Press this key to type capital letters or the symbols shown on top of the number keys.
Esc Key:
Press this key to exit an activity. By repeatedly pressing the ESC key, you can return
to the main menu.