Connecting a computer

After installing the interactive whiteboard, connect a computer to it. The interactive whiteboard will be touch sensitive after you install SMART Product Drivers on the connected computer.

You can also connect a guest laptop.

The interactive whiteboard has a USB 2.0 peripheral interface that runs at speeds of up to 12 Mbps. The unit works with full-speed USB 2.0- and USB 1.1-compliant interfaces.

Connect the interactive whiteboard and the computer using the included 16' 5" (5 m) USB cable.

How you connect the interactive whiteboard to the computer depends on how the interactive whiteboard is configured:

  • If a basic power module is attached to the left side of the pen tray, connect the USB cable from the computer to the USB Type-B receptacle on the bottom of the pen tray.

  • If an Extended Control Panel (ECP) or Appliance Control Panel (ACP) is attached to the left side of the pen tray, connect the USB cable from the computer to one of the USB Type-B receptacles on the ECP or ACP. The ECP or ACP then connects to the USB Type-B receptacle on the bottom of the pen tray.

  • If a CAT 5 USB extender or wireless connection module is attached to the right side of the pen tray, use that module to connect the computer to the interactive whiteboard.

Warning 

For operating safety and to prevent damage to the interactive whiteboard, connect its USB connector, or SMART connection extenders, only to a computer that has a USB compliant interface and that bears the USB logo. In addition, the USB source computer must be compliant with CSA/UL/EN 60950 and bear the CE mark and CSA and/or UL marks for CSA/UL 60950.

Consult the installation document included with the product for instructions on how to install, connect and secure the interactive whiteboard.

After the interactive whiteboard is installed and connected to your computer, you can install SMART Product Drivers.

After you install SMART Product Drivers on the computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s surface will respond to the touch of your finger or a pen tray pen. SMART Product Drivers includes the tools you need to control computer applications with your finger or a pen, and to write over them in digital ink.

Note 

If you don’t install SMART Product Drivers, interactive whiteboard tools such as the pens and the eraser don’t work, but you can move the mouse pointer and perform mouse functions by touching the interactive surface.

To install SMART Product Drivers

  1. Download the SMART Product Drivers.exe (Windows computers) or SMART Product Drivers.dmg (Mac computers) file to the computer from the disc or link included with the interactive whiteboard or from smarttech.com/downloads.

    Note 

    In most cases, SMART Product Drivers is downloaded and installed automatically when you install SMART Notebook or SMART Meeting Pro software.

  2. If necessary, turn on the projector to see the projected computer image on the interactive whiteboard.

  3. Locate the installation program and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

    SMART System Menu opens automatically.

  4. If SMART System Menu doesn’t open:

    • On a Windows 7 computer, select Start > All Programs > SMART Technologies > SMART System Menu.

      On a Windows 8 computer, go to the Apps screen, and then scroll to and select SMART Technologies > SMART System Menu.

      On a Windows 10 computer, select Start > All apps, and then scroll to and select SMART Technologies > SMART System Menu.

    • If you have a Mac computer, open Mac HD, and then select Applications > SMART Product Drivers > SMART Board Tools.app.

    The Ready light in the interactive whiteboard’s pen tray turns from flashing green to solid green and the SMART Board icon appears in the Windows notification area or Mac Dock, indicating that the interactive whiteboard is communicating successfully with SMART Product Drivers.

You can now pick up a pen from the pen tray and write over the desktop or any projected application, and use all the other features of the SMART software. For more information on using SMART software, press the SMART Board icon, and then select Help.

For optimal configuration, use the following settings for the computer connected to the interactive whiteboard.

Setting

Details

Recommended settings

Configure the computer’s power management settings to turn off the monitor after one hour of inactivity and to put the hard disks into standby mode after two hours. This extended period prevents the computer from shutting down unexpectedly (for example, during presentations or meetings that have gaps in computer activity).

The computer will stop sending a video signal to the projector after a period of idle time, which may trigger the projector to go into standby mode. Similarly, you can put the projector in standby mode by following the manufacturer’s instructions included with the projector. To change the settings, see the instructions included with your computer’s operating system.

Matching the computer’s resolution to the projector’s resolution

Ensure that the resolution settings for the projector and computer match. If the computer’s resolution doesn’t match the projector’s native resolution, the image won’t appear correctly or will be distorted. Determine the projector’s native resolution, indicated in the projector’s user’s guide, and then set the computer’s resolution to match. You can change the computer’s resolution in Windows Control Panel or in the Mac System Preferences. If you need further help changing the computer’s resolution, see the instructions included with your computer’s operating system.

See Getting the Best Image Quality on Your SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard (docs.smarttech.com/kb/127199) for more information.

You might also need to adjust the computer’s refresh rate to obtain the best results. Set the computer to an initial refresh rate of 60 Hz, and then adjust this rate up or down until you determine the ideal refresh rate. For more information on changing the computer’s refresh rate, see the instructions included with your computer’s operating system.

Perform the brief calibration and user orientation procedures (Calibrating the interactive whiteboard) to ensure the interactive whiteboard interprets the location of your touch accurately.

If you want to connect a guest laptop without installing SMART Product Drivers on it, disconnect the USB cable from the resident computer, and then connect it to the laptop. You’ll immediately have touch control of the interactive whiteboard, but won’t be able to use digital ink. You’ll also need to connect a video cable between the laptop and projector.

Note 

With a laptop connected, the Ready light on your interactive whiteboard flashes until you install SMART Product Drivers. This is normal. See Power buttons and indicators for more information about Ready light states.

You must also install SMART Product Drivers (refer to Installing SMART Product Drivers) on your laptop if you want to use all the features of the interactive whiteboard.

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