I know the PacMate is outdated, but

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 17:19:06

I'm kind of in a pinch. Since I returned to college in 2011, I've been using a Braille Lite M40 (yeah yeah, I know, even more out of date), and considering its age and what I've put it through since then, it's worked quite well. I do have a laptop, but I prefer the Braille Lite for storing files, appointments, and contacts because of the Braille display. However, around the end of September last year, the Braille Lite started giving me problems and hasn't stopped since. If it continues to happen, my grades are going to suffer. I don't want to start lugging my laptop around campus because it's rather large and doesn't have a Braille display. The only other option for a Braille display available from our adaptive tech lab is a PacMate Omni, and since I need something immediately, I'm going to have to learn how to use one enough to at least create files, and maybe set appointments. My question is, if the PacMate does crash, what are some steps I can take to fix it without losing my files? All the rest I can probably figure out from the manual.

Thanks,
Becky

Post 2 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 17:28:22

I used an Omni. First, you won't lose your files. You can simply reset the Omni and unlike prior versions of PAC Mate, you won't lose any files.
What I did was force quit any applications I was not using, in order to save memory. On the BX that was a dot 8 with space bar followed by z with space bar, I believe. I haven't touched one since 2009, however.
But anyway there are three resets, one being like a warm boot, one a cold boot and one rewrites the image without losing your data.

Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 17:29:11

Ebay has some Pacmates as well as BrailleNotes. You may be interested in those. If not, and if you want to stay with a Braille Lite, they also have several of those at very decent prices. As for crashing, my best advice would be to save everything to a compact flash card or external flash drive. Perhaps, someone at Freedom Scientific could help you locate the software for the Pacmate, so that you can reinstall it if necessary. Good luck.

Post 4 by write away (The Zone's Blunt Object) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 17:44:37

Tif--I know this is off-topic for this post, but since you've been looking on E-bay for these adaptive tech things--have you seen a braille note apex on there recently? I'm actualy looking for one and you said they have braille notes up there--so I was just wondering.

Post 5 by Ed_G (Zone BBS is my Life) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 17:45:52

Hi Becky.

Leo is right. If you're really worried about files on the Omni though, there are
two Compact Flash slots in the back you can use to expand the storage.

The documentation for the Omnis is still up on the FS website too.

Post 6 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 19:47:25

Yes, I've seen a few apexes, but they're a few thousand dollars, if memory serves me correctly. Just go to Ebay and type BrailleNote and they should come up.

Post 7 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2014 22:56:06

plus the Pac Mate has all the documentation built right in.

Post 8 by dallas cowboy fanc (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 21-Mar-2014 4:53:44

Wow. You are so smart and cool that i would easily make you the captain of this team. I
trust your gifts.

Post 9 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 21-Mar-2014 13:38:11

Huh, Dallas Cowboy Frank is weird...

Post 10 by Dolce Eleganza (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 21-Mar-2014 14:00:50

who are you talking to? lol!

Post 11 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 21-Mar-2014 15:30:56

and what are you talking about ?