Solutions To Common Problems

The following are the most common problems you are unlikely to encounter and their solutions (as determined by Play's outstanding Technical Support Team).

Symptom 1

I See The Flashing Low Battery light and No Video Signal Detected In The P/A Monitor

Problem:

There is a possible conflict with a currently installed device driver in Windows. Although you may have nothing but Snappy plugged into the parallel port, you may have drivers installed in Windows that can cause a conflict with the Snappy's software. These drivers could come from any number of devices.

Solution:

One way around a software conflict is to add a second parallel port to your system. Such ports are on a small card that plugs into a slot inside your PC. They are cheap, easy to install, and you'll have the added convenience of being able to print and use Snappy at the same time.



Symptom 2

When I run the Snappy software I get a message that says Snappy hardware not found!.

Problem 1:

Snappy may be connected to a switchbox or extension cable that may not be working properly. Try connecting Snappy directly into the parallel port, and running it again.One or more of the connections in your switchbox or extension cable not be working. All 25 conductors must be connected and pass straight through in both the cable and the switchbox.

Solution 1:

If Snappy works after disconnecting it from the cable/switchbox, then getting a new cable and/or switch box is the answer.

Problem 2:

Some parallel ports have an optional setting called EPP mode which may have difficulty with Snappy.

Solution 2:

Usually your parallel port configuration can be changed from your CMOS startup menu (you can access this menu by holding down F1, F2, Del, or Ins when starting your PC). Set it to ECP (Enhanced Capabilities Port or Output Only.

Problem 3:

Most PC programs are very good at sharing the use of the parallel port. However there are a few wayward programs that might try to use the parallel printer port when they shouldn't. Such programs can interfere with Snappy (as well most other parallel port devices).

Solution 3:

Although this is rarely a problem, one way around it is to add a second parallel port to your system. Such ports are on a small card that plugs into a slot inside your PC. They are cheap, easy to install, and you'll have the added convenience of being able to print and use Snappy at the same time.



Symptom 3

When I try to Snap a picture I get a message that says No Video Detected.

Problem 1:

One of your cables may be broken, improperly connected or stolen by men from Mars.

Solution 1:

Be sure you check your connections before using Snappy!

Problem 2:

You may have a sound card (usually Aztech) that is trying to emulate a device called the Disney Sound Source. This software emulation can interfere with Snappy. While Disney makes great movies (like Toy Story), their Sound Source hardware was never very popular so emulating it usually isn't needed.

Solution 2:

Deactivate this unnecessary emulation. In the directory that contains your sound card's utilities (probably something like c:\sgnxpro\utility\) there should be a file that disables emulation. It is probably called sgcox.exe. You may need to add the line c:\sgnxpro\utility\sgcox /off to your autoexec.bat file. See the instructions that came with your sound card for more information.



Symptom 4:

Snappy captures images that have horizontal black lines, and shifts the image down the page.

Problem:

Some of the settings on your parallel port may be set incorrectly.

Solution:

Make sure your parallel port is set to the ECP(Enhanced Capabilities Port) mode. When you go to your CMOS startup program, you'll find your parallel port mode is set at EPP/SPP. Change it to ECP and your pictures will be fine. You can access this menu by holding down F1, F2, Del, or Ins when starting your PC.



Symptom 5:

The pictures that I snap don't seem to display with very many colors, and sometimes even appear black and white.

Problem:

Your video card may be set to display only 16 colors.

Solution:

From the Control Panel choose Display. Select Settings. Choose 256 Color (or higher) in the Color Palette box.


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