Using ActiMates Barney with Your Computer (175943)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft ActiMates Barney 1.0
This article was previously published under Q175943

SUMMARY

This article discusses how to use Microsoft ActiMates Barney with your computer and explains how to connect the ActiMates PC Pack Transmitter.

Using ActiMates Barney with Your Computer

Before you begin playing on the computer with ActiMates Barney, play with him for a while as a standalone toy--squeeze one of his hands to play games, squeeze one of his feet to sing songs, and cover his eyes to play peekaboo. Barney will respond to these same actions while the software game is running, so the software experience with Barney may be more meaningful and fun if you've had a chance to get to know Barney first.

To get started using ActiMates Barney with your computer

  1. Make sure ActiMates Barney has fresh batteries installed. For instructions, see the ActiMates Barney Getting Started manual that came in the box with ActiMates Barney.
  2. Connect the Transmitter to your computer, as described in the "Connecting the Transmitter to Your Computer" section later in this article.
  3. Set up the ActiMates-compatible Barney software on your computer. For instructions, see the booklet inside the plastic CD-ROM case.
  4. Make sure ActiMates Barney is within 15 feet (4.6 meters) of the Transmitter.
  5. Squeeze ActiMates Barney's hand to make sure he's awake.
  6. If necessary, adjust the volume of the speakers attached to your computer, so you can hear both Barney and the software characters on-screen.
  7. Start the Barney software title and begin playing along with ActiMates Barney!

Connecting the Transmitter to Your Computer

To connect the Transmitter to you computer

  1. Turn off your computer! Connecting the Transmitter without first powering off your computer can permanently damage the Transmitter, your computer, or your sound card.
  2. Plug the Transmitter's game port connector into the 15-pin MIDI/game port on your computer, which is generally located on your computer's sound card. (MIDI devices and game devices use the same port on your computer.)

    NOTE: Make sure you don't accidentally plug the Transmitter into a 15-pin port on a network card.

    The Transmitter draws its power from the MIDI/game port and is on when the computer is turned on. There is no On/Off Switch. If connected properly, the yellow light on the front of the Transmitter will be lit when the computer is on.
  3. Tighten the screws on the Transmitter's connector so it is securely connected to the MIDI/game port.
  4. If you have a joystick or game pad, it may already be plugged into your MIDI/game port. In that case, the Transmitter's cable has a "Pass-through" port that allows you to plug both devices into your computer at once. Turn off the computer, unplug the game device, plug the Transmitter into the MIDI/game port on your computer, and then plug the game device into the Pass-through port on the Transmitter's cable.

    NOTE: Most game devices are compatible with the Transmitter's Pass-through port, however some game devices are not. If the Transmitter's yellow light goes out when the game device is connected to the Pass-through port, the Transmitter is not compatible with your game device.

Transmitter Placement and Range

The Transmitter communicates with ActiMates Barney by means of a radio link. As with most AM/FM radios, its placement and proximity to metal influence it. The Transmitter is designed to operate at a maximum of 15 feet (4.6 meters) from Barney, but this distance can vary depending on where the Transmitter is placed.

For best results, the Transmitter should be placed on the work surface or desktop, at least one foot (0.3 meters) from the computer, monitor, and speakers. Do not place the Transmitter on top of the monitor, directly on or next to the computer, on or near the speakers, or on a metal surface. If the Transmitter is placed in such a location, the operating distance to ActiMates Barney may be reduced.

NOTE: Make sure Barney stays within 15 feet (4.6 meters) of the Transmitter. If he is outside the Transmitter's range, Barney may be unable to interact with the software.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the computer is on, but the yellow light on the Transmitter is not lit:

  • The Transmitter is not getting power. Make sure the Transmitter's game port connector is connected securely to the MIDI/game port on your computer.
  • If you connected a game device to the Transmitter's Pass-through port, the Transmitter may be incompatible with the game device. Unplug the game device while using Barney with the computer. Turn off the computer, and then unplug the game device from the Transmitter's Pass-through port.
If the software is playing on the screen, but Barney isn't talking along:

  • Make sure the CD-ROM title is ActiMates-compatible.
  • Squeeze one of Barney's hands to make sure he's awake.
  • Make sure Barney has fresh batteries installed. If Barney has trouble communicating with the computer and his movements stop completely, replace his batteries.
  • Make sure the Transmitter cable is securely fastened to the computer.
  • Make sure ActiMates Barney is within 15 feet (4.6 meters) of the Transmitter.
If Barney's speech is broken up or missing words, or if the software displays a "Barney not found" message:

  • Move Barney closer to the Transmitter or a few feet to the right or left. Barney should be less than 15 feet (4.6 meters) from the Transmitter, and the Transmitter should be at least 1 foot (0.3 meters) from the computer, monitor, and speakers.
  • Try moving the Transmitter to a different location.
  • Make sure the Transmitter's cable is fully extended.
  • If you're using a cordless phone while ActiMates Barney is interacting with the CD-ROM, there may be interference between the phone and the Transmitter. Change the frequency (channel) of your cordless phone.
  • Other radio-operated electronic devices may also cause interference with the Transmitter.

    FOR EXAMPLE: Baby monitors, garage door openers, burglar alarms, radio-controlled toys, or certain types of appliances with electric motors.

    Turn off other radio-operated devices while Barney is interacting with the CD-ROM.
If you've tried all of these tips, but ActiMates Barney still isn't interacting with the computer:

  • See the Barney.hlp file included on the CD-ROM:

    1. In Windows Explorer, click the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive.
    2. Double-click the file Barney.hlp.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/23/2002
Keywords:kbHardware kbhowto kbinfo kbsetup kbusage KB175943
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.