User manual

16
When the Braille display is connected to the PC, the new hardware will be recognised
immediately and the PC will search for a driver. Insert the driver CD and let the PC
search for the new driver on it. This will then be installed automatically – follow any
instructions as appropriate.
The driver installation dialog will appear once again – let the PC search for, and
automatically load the appropriate driver again.
NB:
Installation of the two drivers is absolutely essential so that VarioPro can talk to the
PC via the USB port. One of the drivers installs the correct USB access (the virtual
COM-port), and the other the Braille display.
During installation you may receive a warning that the driver is not certified by
Microsoft - install it anyway.
When VarioPro has been connected to the USB port and the driver installed from the
CD supplied, the Braille display will be contacted as though connected to a serial
port; the driver is simulating a so-called virtual serial port. This has the advantage
that VarioPro can be used with screen readers that can only support serial Braille
displays.
Installing this driver means that in future a USB port on the computer will be regarded
as a serial port, e.g. as COM3. To ascertain which virtual COM-port has been
created, go to the Start menu on the PC, select Settings > Control Panel > System;
on the ‘Hardware’ tab select ‘Device manager’ and look through the list of ports.
Insert the rectangular plug of the USB cable into the USB port on the computer.
The other end of the cable has a small square plug which fits into the USB port on
VarioPro, i.e. the middle socket in the recess at the back of the device on the right.
USB ports do not talk to all operating systems. We recommend Windows XP.
Windows 2000, Me and 98 support USB, but DOS, Windows 3.11, 95 and NT do not.
When connecting the Braille display simultaneously to USB and serial ports, and the
Com. channel setting “auto” is selected, the USB port will only supply power to the
Braille display, and data will be transferred via the serial port.
6.2 Connecting to Virgo 4
Virgo 4.6 and later versions provide for direct operation of the Braille display.
Open the Virgo menu, select Braille/Braille display (or Braille options/Braille display)
and then select ‘VarioPro 64’ or ‘VarioPro 80’. From the dropdown list headed
“Connection:” select the serial port in current usage (USB will be treated as a virtual
serial port). Before making the connection make sure that the protocol in the System
Menu has been set to “default” (new BAUM protocol [see Chapter 5.2.1])