Gosh Steve, thanks for the reminder.  We have had the car for oh, 7 years 
now, guess it's time not only to wash the car, but to get the oil changed! 
Smile, only kidding, but seriously, we don't wash it much out here in the 
dry west.  Jim WA6EKS


-----Original Message----- 
From: Steve Dresser
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2014 11:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: OT, Apex braille display not working

Jim,

No doubt, but that doesn't change the fact that braille displays need =
periodic maintenance.  After all, just because you wash the car every =
weekend doesn't mean you can skip the oil changes.

Steve

----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 14:51
Subject: Re: OT, Apex braille display not working


> Steve, I think I have kept the display pretty clean using a new=20
> tooth brush and denatured alcohol, carefully cleaning the display=20
> with the unit upside down on my lap so no alcohol gets down in=20
> the works.  The problem didn't come on slowly, it just started=20
> all at once.  The fact that the display works kind of=20
> intermittently is really strange.  Jim WA6EKS
>=20
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve Dresser <[log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date sent: Fri, 4 Jul 2014 14:09:22 -0400
> Subject: Re: OT, Apex braille display not working
>=20
> Jim,
>=20
> That's not really a reset; it's just a quick way to turn the=20
> display on =3D
> or off.  However, if it's making strange noises, I'd say it's=20
> time for a =3D
> cleaning at the very least, and maybe for some cells to be=20
> replaced as =3D
> well.  Unfortunately, those displays are mechanical devices, and=20
> like =3D
> all mechanical devices, they need to be maintained somewhat=20
> regularly.  =3D
> Sorry the key sequence didn't fix the problem.
>=20
> Steve
>=20
> ----- Original Message -----=3D20
> From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]
> To: <[log in to unmask]
> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 13:35
> Subject: Re: OT, Apex braille display not working
>=20
>=20
> Steve, thanks for the advice.  When the problem first occurred,=20
> I=3D20
> took out the battery and tried several regular resets but=20
> didn't=3D20
> know about the dots 2 3 reset.  Just tried it to no avail. =20
> The=3D20
> display is kind of working and makes a strange sound like all=20
> the=3D20
> dots are trying to move.  When I did the reset you suggested,=20
> I=3D20
> could kind of read the display which is actually happening now=20
> as=3D20
> I write you.  Seems like something controlling the voltage to=20
> the=3D20
> display is hosed.  Everything else seems to be fine.  The=20
> display=3D20
> is actuY getting stronger but isn't very respontive.  I also=3D20
> tried the exercise braille from the support menu which kind=20
> of=3D20
> worked as well.  Anyway, thanks and have a wonderful=20
> independence=3D20
> day and weekend.  Jim WA6EKS
> =3D20
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve Dresser <[log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date sent: Fri, 4 Jul 2014 13:26:51 -0400
> Subject: Re: OT, Apex braille display not working
> =3D20
> Jim,
> =3D20
> If you haven't done this already, turn the unit off and turn=20
> it=3D20
> on again =3D3D
> while pressing dots 2 and 3 simultaneously.  As long as your=3D20
> display =3D3D
> isn't really dead, this will activate both braille and speech. =20
> =3D20
> If the =3D3D
> above doesn't work, it's time to call Humanware.  Good luck.
> =3D20
> Steve
> =3D20
> ----- Original Message -----=3D3D20
> From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]
> To: <[log in to unmask]
> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 12:41
> Subject: OT, Apex braille display not working
> =3D20
> =3D20
> For anyone on the list who has an Apex unit, my braille=3D20
> display=3D3D20
> quit working last night.  The rest of the unit is fine. =20
> Just=3D3D20
> wondering how costly it is to fix, yah I know, a lot! I=20
> know=3D3D20
> Humanware is the only option for repairs and it will also=3D3D20
> probably take a long turn around time if I decide it's worth it. =20
> =3D20
> =3D3D20
> Could just get along using speech but love the braille.  73,=3D20
> Jim=3D3D20
> WA6EKS
>