Ink aware not working - Any fixes?

[G Bammer]

Ink aware does not work in any software except NOTEBOOK.
 I am on a Vista Pro machine.  Are there any fixes? Where would I get them?

If I update to Windows7 will that fix the prolem or am I better going back to XP.
I would really like to use this feature.  The other two teachers who recieved SMAR boards do not have this problem.  They are both on XP machines.

[Jeanae Graves]

Are you using the latest version of Notebook? With the latest version, you just use the transparency screen if you have Notebook open, but if you don't have it open and use the tab, then ink aware comes up. Not sure what happens in Vista.

[G Bammer]

I am using Version 10.0.631.317 this is the version that came with My brand new smartboard. I had upgraded to the newest Version 10 but then I had problems in motebook. When I had Notebook open, I picked up a pen and it would not write until I touched the pen icon.

I called smarttech and they suggested I uninstall the latest version and reinstall the version on the CD, which I did and it fixed the notebook problem but not the Ink aware/ink layer problem.

Any other suggestions?

[Mr. B (Mark the Trainer)]

take a look on your windows notification area (far bottom right of screen, those icons that are listed there). Do you see your SMART Tools icon? It should be there all the time, its a BLUE SQUARE with a WHITE Circle. If you don't see such an icon in Bottom Right, (even after you htit the little left-facing arrow to 'expand' and see ALL the icons that could possibly be showing), then this could be your problem.

If the SMART Tools are not loading when your computer starts, then, Ink Aware and Ink Layer features do not work. your SMART Pens only work when Notebook is active..

Try re-loading it by clicking the Vista "start" button (bottom left), then All programs --> SMART technologies -->SMART Board Drivers -->SMART Board Tools

[G Bammer]

Yes my smart tools icon is in the windows notification area.

If I may I would like to clarify my problem. In WORD, Excel, or any software I cannot write with the SMART pens. For example, if I have WORD open and I pick up a pen. the Ink layer does not "pop up".
But I can use my mouse, click on the tab, click on a pencil or a highlighter and I will be able to draw. Although still no Ink Layer "pops up"

Perhaps I have the wrong setting . I have been playing around with the control panel settings and maybe i changed something I should not have.

Do you know what settings I should have the ink aware and ink layer's on?

[Mr. B (Mark the Trainer)]

Hmmm.. well, just to be sure, check this:

press the SMART Tools (blue) in bottom right, and choose "Control Panel". then "configure SMART tools."

FIRST, go to "Ink Aware Program Settings" and make sure Word / PPT / Excel boxes are CHECKED. Although i doubt this is the problem, its worth checking.

Then go back to 'configure smart tools' and go to "Ink LAYER Settings" and make sure the following (defauls) are checked: "SHOW BORDER, ALLOW POP-UP BALLOON, and SHOW THE SCREEN CAPTURE...." just to be sure as well. Those are the normal default settings. The next two options ("Close ink layer with pointer.... and "Always save ink...") are normally not checked by default.

FYI I run vista with Office 2007, no problems BUT, i've seen plenty of bugs in my days.

[Mr. B (Mark the Trainer)]

Also, don't forget, there is a difference between "ink layer" and "Ink Aware". You're not supposed to see a 'frame' around the screen (ink LAYER) when you are on top of WORD, But, your pens are still supposed to work. This is because WORD is "Aware" of Smarts tools... just to be sure.

So a small TOOLBAR should pop up, called Ink Aware Toolbar, but, this is different from the full-screen "border" that pops up when you are on a PDF or website and you grab a SMART pen...

Good luck

[Juli Haen]

I am looking for a reply that will fix this problem also. Ink Aware no longer works with Powerpoint when it is in the show. I believe this happened after the last driver update. It might be a coincidence. But it is very frustrating to me as I have created all my lesson plans with Powerpoint and now have to switch to Keynote if I want to write on the Smartboard during the presentation.

I use a Mac OS/X and have had no problems until this early spring.

Any suggestions from anyone?

[Noel]

Hi Juli

I just upgraded our computers to Windows 7 running Smart 9.7 and it does the same thing. Annotations do not stick to PP. Looks like XP will live for ever. This is a Smart issue 100%

[Marianne Shibly]

I just got a Windows 7 with Office 2010. Ink aware works with converting to text but not saving as an image. When I try to save it as an image, it disappears. Any one have a fix on this?