VTech MINDBOOSTER HANDHELD User Manual

User's Manual

MindBooster™ Handheld

Printed in China

91-01530-004

Dear Parent,

At VTech®, we know that kids have a lot to juggle these days

- busy school schedules, sports, extracurricular activities, and of course, homework. That’s why we created the XL Series™

- an innovative line of portable learning companions designed to fit the always on-the-go lifestyle of your school-aged child.

The XL Series™ is a powerful system of learning tools that helps giving your child the much-needed competitive edge in school through fun, age appropriate activities - and helps them learning essential skills. Created with portability in mind, XL products have a sleek, compact design in both handheld and notebook formats that allow kids to bring the learning fun anywhere, anytime. Plus, all the XL Series™ products are easily connectable to a PC and the Internet. Using the vPort accessory, kids can wirelessly access reference tools or download new educational activity sets for their XL Series™ products.

At VTech®, we are committed to create fun learning toys that foster a child’s intellectual and social development. We thank you for trusting VTech® with the important job of helping your child succeed in school!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at VTech

To learn more about XL Series™ and other VTech® toys, visit www.vtechkids.com

MindBooster™ Handheld Thank you for purchasing the VTech® MindBooster™

Handheld learning toy. The MindBooster™ Handheld is

a fun-filled learning companion for on-the-go children age 7-9 that boosts logic and critical thinking skills. At this age, kids are beginning to receive homework assignments, and are starting to apply basic skills to word problems, logic, and more abstract thinking. With nearly 40 activities, the MindBooster™ Handheld will teach kids how to apply core skills by breaking down word problems and offering tips with homework-helper software. This school companion gives kids a competitive edge for school success by promoting creative thinking and independent learning - while providing hours of fun!

Get connected to school success. Excel with the XL Series™! We at VTech® are committed to providing the best possible

products to entertain and educate your child. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call our Consumer Services Department at 800-521-2010 in the US, 1-800267-7377 in Canada.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................1

CHAPTER 2. GETTING STARTED ........................................................... 1

POWER SOURCE .................................................................................................................. 2

BATTERY INSTALLATION .................................................................................................... 2

STANDARD FOR BATTERIE TOYS ................................................................................... 2

AC ADAPTOR .......................................................................................................................... 3

CONNECTING A PRINTER ................................................................................................. 3

CHAPTER 3. YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD ..........................4

DETACHING THE HANDHELD FROM THE DOCKING STATION ............................ 4

ATTACHING THE HANDHELD TO THE DOCKING STATION ................................... 4

THE DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE PARTS OF HANDHELD ....................................... 5

THE DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE PARTS OF THE KEYBOARD .............................. 6

CHAPTER 4. SYNC....................................................................................... 7

VTech® vPort™ ....................................................................................................................... 8

ADD A NEW USER ACCOUNT IN DESKTOP SOFTWARE ....................................... 8

SYNCING YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD WITH YOUR COMPUTER ..... 9

ADDING NEW ACTIVITIES INTO YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD ............. 9

DELETING ACTIVITIES FROM YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD ............... 10

UPLOADING FILES FROM YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD

TO YOUR COMPUTER ...................................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER 5. IR............................................................................................ 11

EFFECTIVE WORKING POSITION FOR IR COMMUNICATION ............................ 11

CHAPTER 6. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES ................................... 12

TWO PLAYING MODES: .................................................................................................... 12

ON-SCREEN KEYBOARD .................................................................................................12

SELECTING ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................12

TRAINING AREA ..................................................................................................................13

WORD GAMES ..................................................................................................................... 13

MATH GAMES ......................................................................................................................14

MIND EXPLORER ................................................................................................................14

FUN LAND .............................................................................................................................15

MY WORLD AREA ...............................................................................................................18

SYSTEM OPTIONS AREA .................................................................................................21

ACTIVITY SAVING TABLE .................................................................................................. 22

SCORING SYSTEM .............................................................................................................22

SHORTCUT LIST ................................................................................................................. 22

CHAPTER 7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE ........................................... 23

TROUBLE SHOOTING ....................................................................................................... 23

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ........................................................... 23

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ........................................................................... 24

FCC NOTICE ............................................................................................... 24

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

Boost your mind with the MindBooster™ Handheld interactive learning product! This manual gives you all the information you need. By referring to it, you can get info on:

• Starting your MindBooster™ Handheld

• Identifying all the parts of your MindBooster™ Handheld

• MindBooster™ Handheld’s activities

• Personalising your MindBooster™ Handheld with your own preference settings After you become familiar with all the basics of your MindBooster™ Handheld, use

this manual for info on special operations, maintenance and trouble shooting tips.

On/Off button

Reset button

LCD Screen

Sync button

IR button

Keyboard

IR ball

Stylus pen

Handheld

Release

lock key

Enter key

Docking

Station

CHAPTER 2. GETTING STARTED

Please remove the protective strip from the backup battery cover by pulling on the plastic tab to avoid the saved information lost. The backup battery cover located on the back of MindBooster™ Handheld.

POWER SOURCE

MindBooster™ Handheld operates on 3 “AAA” size batteries (UM-4/LR03) (sold

separately) or a VTech

9V adaptor (also sold separately).

BATTERY INSTALLATION

1. Make sure the MindBooster™ Handheld is turned OFF.

2. Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the MindBooster™ Handheld and use a screwdriver to unscrew the cover.

3. Insert 3 “AAA” size batteries as illustrated. DO NOT RECOMMEND TO USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES in this unit.

4. Close the battery cover.

NOTE: Remove all factory-installed batteries and use

new, alkaline batteries for best performance.

IMPORTANT!

When replacing the 3 “AAA” size batteries, make sure the backup battery is in place. Otherwise, you will lose all the information stored in the following applications: Class Schedule, Test Trainer, Address Book, Daily Journal, To Do List, Personal Profile, Creation Station, Music Composer, Artwork Studio, Preferences and all downloaded activities.

BACKUP BATTERY INSTALLATION

Your MindBooster™ Handheld comes installed with a backup battery. To avoid damage to the MindBooster™ Handheld from leaky batteries, replace the backup battery at least once a year. To replace the back-up batteries:

1. Make sure your MindBooster™ Handheld is turned OFF.

2. Locate the backup battery cover on the bottom of your MindBooster™ Handheld.

3. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the cover and take out old batteries.

4. Insert 1 CR-2032 battery as illustrated. Following the plus (+) and minus (–) signs.

5. Replace the battery cover and screw it back on.

NOTE: While replacing the backup battery, the 3 "AAA" size batteries must be kept

in the unit. Otherwise, you will lose all the information stored in the following applications: Class Schedule, Test Trainer, Address Book, Daily Journal, To Do List, Personal Profile, Creation Station, Music Composer, Artwork Studio, Preferences and all downloaded activities.

STANDARD FOR BATTERY TOYS

• Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+, –) signs to avoid leakage.

• Do not mix old and new batteries.

• Do not use batteries of different types.

• Remove batteries from equipment when the unit will not be in use for a long time.

• Do not dispose of batteries in fire.

• Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries.

• The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.

• Only batteries of the same and equivalent type as recommended are to be used.

AC ADAPTOR

Use the VTech® adaptor or any standard adaptor complying with EN61558 DC 9V

300mA AC center-positive adaptor.

CONNECTING THE ADAPTOR

1. Make sure the unit is OFF.

2. Locate the adaptor jack on the back of the Docking Station.

3. Insert the adaptor plug into the unit’s adaptor jack.

4. Plug the adaptor into a wall outlet.

5. Turn the unit ON.

NOTE: When toy is not in use for long periods of time, unplug the adaptor.

STANDARD FOR ADAPTORS

• The adaptor is not intended for use by children under 3 years old;

• Only use the recommended adaptor with the toy;

• The adaptor is not a toy;

• Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid;

• Never use more than 1 adaptor;

• Do not leave plugged-in for extended periods of time.

NOTICE TO PARENT

Regularly examine the adaptor, checking for damage to the cord, plug, transformer or other parts. Do not use the adaptor if there is any damage to it.

CONNECTING A PRINTER

• Make sure both your unit and the printer are off.

• Only the VTech® VT-41 is compatible with your unit.

• Locate the printer port on the back of the unit and plug the printer cable into it .

• Turn the unit on, then turn the printer on.

AUTO SHUT-OFF

To save power, the MindBooster™ Handheld automatically shuts down if it doesn’t receive input after several minutes. Press the On/Off key to wake your unit. We recommend that you turn off the unit when finished playing. Remove the batteries and unplug the adaptor if MindBooster™ will not be used for an extended period of time.

CHAPTER 3. YOUR MINDBOOSTER™ HANDHELD

DETACHING THE HANDHELD FROM THE DOCKING STATION

Detach the handheld from the Docking Station by pressing the Release Lock key as shown below:

NOTE: It is recommended that the unit be turned off before detaching.

ATTACHING THE HANDHELD TO THE DOCKING STATION

Attach the handheld to the Docking Station as shown below:

NOTE: It is recommended that the unit be turned off before detaching.

+ 20 hidden pages