Getting Started Using Your ScoutPalDB PDA and Socket Scanner

Carefully unpack the Pocket PC (PDA) and scanner, and save all packaging. If the PDA battery is packed separately, install it and lock the cover. Remove any card slot protective covers. Insert the scanner and memory card into their matching slots. A stylus is stored on the top right side of the PDA, you will use the stylus to tap on the screen and operate the PDA.

(Inside the Socket scanner package are optional rubber cushions. Use the one that is flat on both sides, to match the flat top edge of the PDA. The curved one will interfere with full insertion of the scanner into the PDA.)

Do not install any software from CDs packaged with the PDA and scanner. Everything has been pre-installed and setup so that you can begin using ScoutPalDB right away with your ScoutPal subscription: The ScoutPalDB program and scanner driver software are setup and ready to use, and the current database file (as of the date of configuration) is in the memory card.

Now read the manufacturer’s user guide for the PDA to learn the basics of its operation, before proceeding. For example, you will need to know how to turn it off and on, how tap the screen to make choices, how to bring up the on-screen keypad to enter and edit text and numbers, and how to start and close programs.

We setup the PDA to turn the Socket scanner on when the "Record" button on the left side of the PDA is pressed. If you have just soft-reset the PDA, the first press of this button will start the scanner driver, subsequent presses will turn the scan beam on. We also programmed the bottom left button (it has a picture of a grid) to start ScoutPalDB.  You can change the scan button to be one of the other buttons on the PDA: Tap Start>Settings>Buttons. If you have never used a scanner before, please read http://www.scoutpal.com/db/howtoscan

Tap Start (top left of screen)>Programs>ScoutPalDB to begin using ScoutPalDB. Your PDA was setup with ScoutPalDB2 following the steps published at http://scoutpal.com/db, so it is ready to use.  Do not repeat the setup steps. But you must keep the database updated. The database update is available for download at http://scoutpal.com/db/download.  (Be sure to enter "spdb2" in the DB2 Code field on the download page.)

A "plug-and-play" storage card reader is included with your package. A storage card reader simplifies and speeds up the process of copying database updates to the storage card. Plug the reader into a USB port on your computer, and give windows some time to recognize it.  Then simply remove the storage card from the PDA and plug it into the card reader. On some computers, a window into the storage card will automatically open when the card is plugged in.  If not, use the “My Computer” function to open a window to show all the drives attached to your computer. The storage card will be listed as one of your removable drive(s). Double click it to open a window into the storage card. If you are not sure which drive letter(s) belong to the card reader, unplug and plug in the reader again and you will see the drive letter(s) disappear and then reappear in the list. You may have to click on more than one drive letter to find out which one belongs to the card. Once you have the card open in Windows, you can copy and paste a new database file directly from your computer, over to the card.

To the get the latest database update:  Browse to http://www.scoutpal.com/db/download but be sure to enter "spdb2" in the DB2 Code field before downloading, so that you will download the ScoutPalDB vsn 2 update file "spdb2.zip", otherwise you will be downloading an update for the previous version.  After the download is complete, right-click the zip file icon (it will have a picture of a zipper in it) and select Extract All.  At the completion of the Windows extract wizard, click cancel, you will then see the extracted folder icon (no zipper) "SPDB2".  Now drag and drop or copy/paste the unzipped SPDB2 folder into the storage card window, replacing the SPDB2 folder and files that are already in the storage card.  When the copy has completed, put the storage card back in the PDA. The last step in the update process is to soft-reset the PDA so that it will recognize the update. If you need to learn more about how to do the basic computer operations of downloading, extracting, and copying/pasting files, click on the “How to do the update...” link that is on the ScoutPalDB Download page.

 

For general PDA or scanner usage information, please refer to the manufacturer documentation.

Contact ScoutPal Support for any issues you may have: (888) 325-5964