Itron FC200A Users Manual

T

FC200

Getting Started Guide

D R A F T !

Identification

FC200 Getting Sta rte d Guid e
TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

Trademark Notice

Itron is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc.
All other produc t na m es an d logos in this document are us e d for ide nt i fic ation

purposes only and may be tradem arks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.

Copyright Notice

Y our company has the right to reproduce this contract document provided that such
reproduction shall be subject to the same use and disclosure restrictions contained
in the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure paragraphs in the Sales Contract.

© 2004 Itron, Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of This Device

This device is to be operated by properly trained personnel only.

Warning

It is important that only authorized Itron personnel attempt repairs on Itron
equipment, as this might void any maintenance contract with your company.
Unauthorized service personnel might be subject to shock hazard on some Itron
equipment if removal of protective covers is attempted.

Suggestions

If you have c omments or sugge stions o n how we m ay impro ve this d ocument , send
them to:

• Mail: Itron, Inc.; Attention: Customer Care; 2818 N. Sullivan Road;
Spokane, WA 99216

• E-mail: [e-mail]

• Phone: [phone]

In Europe:

• Mail:
Itron BV.
Teleportboulevard 110
1043 EJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands

• Phone: [phone]

• Fax [phone]

• e-mail: [e-mail]

In Australia:

• Mail: Itron; Level 533 Erskine Street; Sydney, NSW 2000; Australia

• Phone: [phone]

• Fax: [phone]

page iii

Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Unpacking the FC200 Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Getting Familiar with Your FC200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

LED Status Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Communication Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Installing the Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Turning the Handheld On and Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using the Stylus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Entering Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Resetting Your Handheld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Calibrating the Touch Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Recording Your Owner Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Controlling the Screen Backlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Checking the Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Main Battery Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Battery Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Replacing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Battery Safety Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Battery Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Caring for Your FC200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Cleaning Your FC200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Storing Your FC200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Using Your FC200 Safely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CompactFlash Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Using CompactFlash Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Installing a CompactFlash Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Accessing Files on the CompactFlash Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using iRescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

FC200 Backups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Backup Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Viewing and Deleting Backup Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Restoring Handheld Data from a Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Installing Microsoft ActiveSync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

FC200 Best Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Daily Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page iv

Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

File Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Charging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

FC200R Best Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Handheld will not turn on or stops running . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Battery does not charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Battery does not last. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Lockups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

RF communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Infrared communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

ActiveSync communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

AC Power Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Electromagnetic Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT

Introduction

This document contains informat ion to help you get started using
your Itron FC200™ handheld computer.

For additional information, refer to the FC200’s online help.
To open online help:

• Select

You may also need to refer to some of the other documentation
available for your FC200. This includes:

• FC200 Desk Mount User’ s Guide, which co ntains instructions

• FC200 Vehicle Mount User’s Guide, which contains instruc-

Windows logo > Help > Handheld Computer Help.

for using and installing the FC200 Desk Mount, including
notes on how to use USB communications.

tions for using and maintaining the FC200 Vehicle Mount.

Unpacking the FC200 Computer

Make sure you have these items in your FC200 package:

• FC200 handhel d compu ter

• AC power adapter

• Power cord

• 2 styluses

• Stylus teth e r

• Lithium-ion battery pack

• USB client cable — 26-pin to USB client

• Serial cable — 26-pin to 9-pin

Optional items:

• Comm module cove rs

• Ethernet cable — 26-pin to RJ45

• USB host cable — 26-pin to USB host

page 1

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page 2

Styl

Getting Familiar with Your FC200

The following illustrations identify the main features of your
FC200.

Microphone

Audio in/out jack

Radio antenna connector

Touch screen/LCD

Charge status LED

Orange function key

Power key Speaker

us

Adjustable handstrap

Battery locking screws

Custom status LED

Blue function key

Keypad

External antenna

connector (optional)

Hand strap retaining clip

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT

LED Status Indicators

The FC200 has two light-emitting diode (LED) status indicators
located at the upper corners of the keypad. The LEDs light up
when a particular function of the computer is active.

LED Light Description

page 3

Charge Status Regular blinking green

(one-second intervals)
Steady green Battery is fully charged.
Irregular blinking green

(irregular blink interval)

Custom Status Alternating red/green

blinks

Red, green, or amber May have customer-specific

Communication Ports

The FC200 has two communication ports on the bottom of the
computer (see picture below). Refer to documentation included
with individual devices for details on connecting th ese devices to
your computer.

Infrared

COM port

Battery is charging.

Charging error has occurred;
contact an Itron customer
service representative.

iRescue is performing a
backup.

See “Using iRescue” on

page 29.

functions.

COM4

COM1

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page 4

The following table lists the COM ports’ capabilities.

COM1 COM4 Infrared COM port

• Power in • Serial COM • Power in • Infrared

•USB •Ethernet •Serial COM

communications

Installing the Battery Pack

The FC200’s lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery is sealed in a separate
bag during shipping. Remove th e battery from i ts pack ing befo re
installation.

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT

To install the battery pack, follow these steps.

Step Action

1 Remove the FC200’s hand strap by holding the

inverted handheld in one hand and gently pushing the
elastic strap upward and away from the bottom.

2 Place the FC200 face down on a clean surface and

insert the battery into the battery compartment. Press
the top edge of the battery pack firmly to ensure that the
power connector engages securely.

page 5

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page 6

Step Action

3 Tighten the two locking screws clockwise with a flat-

bladed screwdriver or a coin.

4 Reattach the hand strap.

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT

Controls

page 7

The FC200 is equipped with an alphanumeric keypad, cursor
control keys, and special function keys. Other functions are
available via the touch screen (see “Using the S tylus ” on page 10
and “Entering Data” on page 11).

Orange function key

Alphanumeric keys

The

Orange and Blue function (FN) keys are located at the upper-

Blue function key

Shift key

Alt/Esc key

left and upper-right corners of the keypad. These provide access
to the orange and blue characters and functions printed above
each alphanumeric and cursor key.

To access the character or function shown above a key, follow
these steps.

Step Action

1 Press and release the appropriate function key.
2 Press the alphanumeric or cursor key with the desired

character or function printed above it.

The following table summarizes the functions of the keypad’s
keys and key combinations:

Key Default Shft Orange FN Blue FN

A aA|
B bB~ Break
C cC
D dD:

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page 8

Key Default Shft Orange FN Blue FN

E eE#
F fF;
G gG“ <
H hH‘ >
I iI* Ins
J jJ, /
K kK.
L lL?
M mM
N nN‘
O oO(
P pP) Pause
Q qQ!
R r R $ Print

S sS\ Scroll

T tT%=
U uU&
V vV enter

W wW@ {
X xX }
Y yY^ [
Z zZ ]
1 1 ! F1 F11
2 2 @ F2 F12
3 3 # F3 F13
4 4 $ F4 F14
5 5 % F5 F15
6 6 ^ F6 F16
7 7 & F7 F17
8 8 * F8 F18

Screen

Lock

Volume
Control*

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT

page 9

Key Default Shft Orange FN Blue FN

9 9 ( F9 F19
0 0)F10F20
. . (decimal) > Del +
Tab Tab Tab Back Tab Caps

Ctrl enter

Spc Space Space BkSp -
right

Yellow
left Yellow Left Scan Left Scan Left Scan
Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter

Control
Mode

Right Scan Right Scan Right Scan Backlight

enter
Control
Mode

enter
Control
Mode

Lock
enter

Control
Mode

S Up Arrow Up Arrow PgUp
T Down Arrow Down Arrow PgDn
X Right Arrow Right Arro w End Start
W Left Arrow L eft Arrow Home

Alt enter

Pwr Power/

Alt mode

Suspend

enter
Alt mode

Power/
Suspend

enter
Alt mode

Power/
Suspend

Esc

Power/
Suspend

*After entering volume control , press the up- and down-arrows to
change volume.

DRAFT FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04

page 10

Turning the Handheld On and Off

To turn the handheld on using external power, do one of the
following.

• Plug it into an AC electric outlet using the provided AC
adapter. Connect the adapter to the 26-pin COM port on the
bottom of the unit.

Note The AC adapter connector has spring-loaded clips that

keep the adapter attached when the unit is in use. Press in both
clip latches before attaching or removing the AC adapter to
prevent damage to the clips.

OR

• Insert the handheld into an optional cradle.

The unit automatically powers on when external power is applied.
To turn off the handheld, press the power key, or select

Windows logo > Suspend.

To turn the handheld on while using battery power, press the
power key.

Note During initial power-up and after a hard reset, it takes about

two minutes for the operating system to load. Then the software
version momentarily appears, followed by the touch screen cali­bration screen. If the calibration screen does not appear, see

“Troubleshooting” on page 38.

Using the Stylus

The FC200 stylus is designed to be lightweight, comfortable to
use, and gentle on the touch screen. It is s tored in a s leeve on the
back of the handheld.

To remove the stylus from the sleeve, do this.

FC200 Getting Started Guide - TDC-0598-000d 9/16/04 DRAFT