Frequently Asked Questions
Q. My magic star reader doesn't work.
A. Make sure the magic star reader is charged before every use. This way the magic star reader will always work with the books and activity cards. To check if your magic star reader is charged or not, gently press the buttons on its base. If the lights flash the magic star reader has charge left. If there are no flashing lights the magic star reader will need to be charged before it is used. To charge the magic star reader, plug the recharging jack from the main battery pack into the magic star reader. Red will make a beeping sound for around 5 minutes. When the sound stops, the magic star reader is fully charged and ready to use.
Q. My card is saying the wrong thing!
A. The technology that allows Red to identify cards and books involves colour coding. Make sure the magic star reader is pressed onto the registration star (top right hand corner) and the answer panels correctly. Red will introduce a new card if the magic star reader is pressed between two different answer panels so ensure that the users are careful when answering. You may need to register the card again. If a card continually fails to work properly return the pack to us at the address below and we will send you a new one.
Q. The magic star reader works for me but not the children!
A. A common worry! Make sure nothing covers up the flashing light at the top of the magic star reader. We designed the magic star reader to fit in children's hands so the infra red beam from the magic star reader to Red isn't interrupted. If the small flashing light at the top of the magic star reader is covered up, Red will not be able to communicate with it. Keep Red in line sight of the magic star reader for best results and make sure it is pressed firmly onto the card or story page.
Q. Red doesn't work in the classroom but he does in the corridor! What is going on?
A. Red is a very complex piece of kit. He works using an infra red beam to communicate with the magic star reader. If you have an interactive whiteboard in your area, switch it off at the plug. If you have a sound field system, simply switch off while working with Red, or switch the main control box, situated in your class to 'B'. This allows two sets of infra red technology to work alongside each other. If you have an induction loop fitted you may need to switch this off. To work best, Red needs to be away from modems or electronic equipment.
Q. I want to hear a story but Red isn't saying what is in the books!
A. Make sure you choose the correct mode. Either "Are you ready to have some learning fun?" for the activity learning cards or "shall we read a story together?" for the storybooks. Most problems occur when the correct mode hasn't been chosen.
Q. Help! Red is working but he is sometimes saying the wrong things! He was OK 20 minutes ago!
A. If you are using Red frequently make sure that his batteries and magic star reader have been charged regularly. Red needs to be looked after to work as efficiently as possible! If you use Red for 20 minutes every day, the batteries will need changing after three to four weeks. To conserve battery life switch Red off when he is not in use however if you forget to do this he will automatically 'go to sleep' after five minutes of inactivity.
Q. How do I wake Red up after he has gone to sleep?
A. Press 'Go' or switch him off and on again.
Q. Red is very quiet in my classroom. Can I increase the volume?
A. Yes you can! On Red's front there is a simple volume control. V+ increases volume, V- decreases volume. Under Red's main body is a speaker jack to allow Red to work with speakers or headphones. There is a small button on the magic star reader that will also increase the volume.
Q. I have a Red the Robot® which is programmed to Phase Two. I have bought the cards for Phase Three but am unsure how to re-programme him to recognise the new cards. Help!
A. First insert the red coloured E-book Writer installer CD into your computer. This will install E-book writer onto your machine, identified by a round Red the Robot® logo. Do not remove this programme.
If your computer doesn't automatically show a dialogue box asking to 'Install' or 'View files', open 'My Computer', double click the Red the Robot CD and open 'Setup.exe.' Follow these instructions. Once installed, there will be an 'E-book writer' icon on the desktop. Now install the USB driver by opening the PL-2303 Driver Installer.exe and follow the instructions. You may need to restart your computer.
You can now load the next Phase CD and follow the on screen instructions. Open the E-book Writer programme click 'File Open' button then navigate to the correct programme you wish to download. Finally connect the USB cable to Red. Make sure he is 'off' when the USB connector is fitted, but then switch Red 'on'. The switch is located on the battery pack. The driver will recognise the USB connection and start automatically. Download takes approximately 10 minutes.
Q. I am upgrading Red but I am having trouble with the USB Driver
A. If you haven't installed the USB Driver correctly, a pop up dialogue box will open which will say "USB Driver not installed! Do you want to install the USB Driver now?" Choose 'Yes/OK' to install the Driver or 'Cancel to quit'. Click the 'Open' button and select download to begin the transfer. To abort at any point select 'Stop'. If you haven't switched Red on a dialogue box will appear and say "USB device not detected! Please ensure your USB device is plugged in." You must connect the USB cable to both the computer and Red in order to update. Only '*** bin' files are supported. If you are still having trouble downloading to Red, please ensure you have installed the driver correctly and all USB connections have been made.
Q. What happens when I download a new Phase into Red?
A. Each time you download new files to Red, all existing files in Red's memory will be replaced. However each file includes all storybook files and generic welcome phrases as well as the relevant Letters and Sounds Phase.
