Issue:

 

How do I update the AlphaSmart 3000 with a System 1 SmartApplet?

 

Resolution:

 

To update your AlphaSmart with a SmartApplet (including Alphaword 1.x), you will need one of the following cables:

 

• PC updater cable

 

This cable plugs into your PC's serial port.  This cable is available only from AlphaSmart.

 

• Mac updater cable

 

This cable plugs into your Mac printer or modem port.  This is a standard 8 pin serial cable commonly available at computer stores.

 

• USB cable

 

This cable plugs into your PC or Mac USB port.  This is a standard USB cable commonly available at computer stores.

 

NOTE: SmartApplet updates cannot be done on an OSX computer, unless you can change the Startup Disk to OS 9.x and reboot (not Classic Mode).  You also cannot update your AlphaSmart using a PC Y or Mac Y cable.

 

Step 1:

 

Install the SmartApplet onto your computer. If you have a SmartApplet CD, install the program onto your hard drive. If you are downloading the SmartApplet from our website (http://www.renlearn.com/neo/downloads/as3000.aspx) download it to your desktop. Alphaword updates are the only SmartApplets that can be downloaded for free. Other SmartApplets will only install if you have an earlier version already installed on your computer. The installer will detect earlier versions.

 

Step 2:

 

Using a PC Updater cable

 

1)     Plug the Updater cable into any of your computer's COM ports (you do not need to turn the computer off to do this)

 

2)     Plug the round end of the cable into your AlphaSmart's printer port.

 

3)     Turn your AlphaSmart on and press CTRL-Command-U simultaneously. Your AlphaSmart will enter into an updater mode.

 

4)     Launch the SmartApplet on your PC and choose the COM port radio button. Next to the COM port radio button, select the COM port you plugged the cable into.

 

5)     Click "Update Now" and wait a few minutes for the update to complete.

 

6)     If you get an error message, try choosing a different COM port and click "Update Now" again.

 

Using a Mac Updater cable

 

1)     Plug the Updater cable into your Mac's printer or modem port.

 

2)     Plug the other end of the cable into your AlphaSmart's printer port.

 

3)     Turn your AlphaSmart on and press CTRL-CLOVER-U simultaneously. Your AlphaSmart will enter into an updater mode.

 

4)     Launch the SmartApplet on your Mac and choose the serial radio button. Next to serial, select printer or modem port.

 

5)     Click "Update Now" and wait a few minutes for the update to complete.

 

6)     If you get an error message, plug the cable into the Mac's other serial port (if you first plugged into the printer port, try plugging into the Modem port or vice versa) and click "Update Now" again.

 

Using a USB cable

 

Follow the steps for PC or Mac Updater cable EXCEPT ignore the steps referencing putting the AlphaSmart in updater mode. (Updater mode is not used for USB)  and choose the USB radio button instead of the COM or serial radio buttons.