I-Tech Virtual Laser Keyboard Problems

tiger_splash · 06-03-05, 01:55 PM

I took the plunge and spent the cash to get myself one of the super-cool and snazzy bluetooth enabled virtual laser keyboards as shown on www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com

It seemed like it took forever to arrive at my house and then that charging took an eternity. Yesterday I got to try to use this new toy for the first time.

This item has been nothing but a total frustration since then. I had many difficulties pairing and even right now am unsure whether it is truly 'paired'. After going to Blueutooth Manager --> Tools --> Paired Devices --> Add it now appears on my Paired Devices list; however, the LED on top is still blinking blue which according to the instructions indicates the keyboard is ready to pair bluetooth.

After I perform what I am hoping is a 'pairing' I go into the Bluetooth manger and explore a device. When I go into BT manager --> New --> Explore a BT Device I get this error: "The device does not offer any usable services. Please enable any desired services on that device or choose another one"

Lastly, I have tried two drivers with the BT VKB. The first was the one that came with the device's CD. It is named "WinVKBBT_V40e.exe" if that helps at all. Since I was unable to get the keyboard up and workimg with that I downloaded one from the web called "VKB with Bluetooth wireless technology - Pocket PC 2003.Driver.ARM.CAB".

The bad news is that both are behaving the same way and that way is not the correct way. select the COnnections tab and choose Bluetooth. I return to the VKB tab and choose Enable VKB. It asks me "Fist time connecting to the Virtual Keyboard?" Since I have never gotten it to connect I answer yes. And that's it. It unchecks the Enable VKB box and sits there.

Please, I could use any help at all. This was alot of money to have an items that just sits on my desk and looks cool. I can be reached by this forum, by PM, and by AIM and Yahoo IM. Heck, I'll connect to anything if someone will help me with this.

Thanks.

06-03-05, 02:13 PM

Firstly, this is not a new product so it has been moved to the accessories forum

Secondly, I have not had any problems with my keyboard. It came within 3 days and took 2 hours to charge. When i get home i will put up my setup and steps to how i paired it....it has been working fine for me...

tiger_splash · 06-03-05, 02:31 PM

Sorry about putting it in the wrong forum. In my excitment I forgot it was only new to me. I also apreciate your offer of posting yoru steps.

tiger_splash · 06-08-05, 09:35 AM

It's almost a week later and I have still had no luck and don't seem to be getting any advice. I contacted the company and they are working with me to no avail. My Axim just won't see any services from this device. I have tried it on my friend's x50v and my boyfriends Audiovox 6600. Nothing seems to work. I suppose I will have to send my newest and coolest toy back as a failure.

Hobbbbit · 06-08-05, 09:54 AM

Did you upgrade your Bluetooth stack on PDA to version 1.5 or higher? Keyboard profile was added at version 1.5. Search the main X50 forum for the link to download version 1.5 or 1.6. Upgrade your PDA and then try pairing again.

biohzrd · 06-08-05, 09:55 AM

let the batteries completely drain on the device, or find some button presses that hard reset it. Also, as a last attempt, try hard resetting your axim to see if that fixes it (backup first just in case it doesnt)

tiger_splash · 06-08-05, 10:46 AM

I tried the hard resetting the PDA. Luckily Sprite lets me do this without to much trouble. That didn't work. Now this Bluetooth stack thing I knew nothing about. This sounds promising and I am off to invesitgate. I will post my results...

(Thanks for the lead)

tiger_splash · 06-08-05, 10:57 AM

I did some reading before it hit me to check the version I was working with first. According to the About screen I am running Bluetooth for Windows CE BT-PPC Version 1.5.0 Build 0801. I believe this should be able to run the keyboard.

Back to square one...

Hobbbbit · 06-08-05, 11:17 AM

Try this. Go to Bluetooth Manager->New->Connect to a keyboard (should be last option on the list). See if you can connect to a keyboard that way. If it doesn't work, try to connect to it from your PC (if you have bluetooth dongle) and see what services I-Tech provides, then check if you have that service installed on your PDA.

Added.
Actually forget about Connect to a keyboard option. It seems that VLK connects through serial connection, so it should be working with any version of bluetooth stack. Try downloading and installing drivers from here and then pairing your devices.

06-08-05, 11:36 PM

ok, sorry for my very delayed reply, I have had some very busy times lately and about no free time to come on the site.

I paired it first in the BT manager of my X50v (secure with passcode(you type it in on the pda, then on the keyboard itself)

then i opened the VKB software and hit enable, and then did the first time connection, it then proceded to work after a second or two

tiger_splash · 06-09-05, 08:07 AM

Exactly which copy of the driver did you download? I was having problems when I went to enable in the driver. Perhaps I don't have the exact right server. Please point me to the exact one you used.

Thanks

06-09-05, 01:21 PM

I used the one on the cd that came with the Keyboard....

06-10-05, 09:41 AM

Hey tiger_splash
Here are a few of the places you can get drivers to tryout (if you haven't already gone to all of them)
http://www.itechdynamic.com/html/driver.htm
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/f-a-q.asp
http://www.tsrmobile.com/products_vkb.html

If the pairing was unsuccessful try resetting the unit (it must be on when you press the reset button on the side).
Then after resetting turn it off (lift unit off table) and turn it on again.
Have your PDA search for available bluetooth devices (using your bluetooth manager software) and once it shows the device icon type "0000" then press enter on the virtual keyboard and then immediately do the same on your PDA. Hope that helps!

marksaxim · 06-23-05, 01:05 AM

I had experienced similar behavior with the virtual keyboard on the X30 (624 mhz). Has anyone got it to work on that device? Any suggestions? -Mark

tiger_splash · 06-28-05, 02:47 PM

Well, it would appear that I am out over $200 dollars over this neat looking paper weight. Nothing I do will connect it but according to the manufacturer it works because I can get it to connect to my computer. I think this may be the end of my BT accessory days. I have never, ever used such a frustrating method of connecting things. In the future I hope the manufacturers come up with something that is much simpler than the current way BT works.