How Does the Versakey Work?
THE WINTER KILLER - BEWARE - THE STATIC ELECTRICITY
Static electricity can wreak havoc with your PS2 or USB connected VersaKey. It is the number one reason for keyboard failure among end users almost 10 to 1. The VersaKey keyboard has built in resistance to static but during the months from October to May static, especially in the northern part of the U.S.A., can do everything from corrupt the recording in the S.A.K. keys, to fry the keyboard.
Just by rolling around your office or cubicle with the rug and plastic mat you can generate enough static to fry your keyboard and your computer. So here are some serious suggestions - even if they make you smile that we recommend to help reduce static hits:
Always touch something metal before you touch your VersaKey (or any electronic item for that matter) this will help drain the static off you and keep it away from your VersaKey. If your office is all plastic, as most seem to be, then get a piece of metal, piece of angle iron, large metal alligator clip, anything that you can keep handy to touch before touching your keyboard to drain the static.
Use a static guard spray on the carpet in your cubicle.
Get a small humidifier if permitted.
Be aware of your clothing - wool and synthetics can really generate the static. Nylon underwear can be a real shocker!
Even if you don't feel a "shock" you can still be draining static electricity into your VersaKey/computer if you don't take precautions. Eventually a full day of generated static electricity can have its effect on your VersaKey.
If you VersaKey does take a static hit and starts doing "funny" things or stops working etc. do the following:
Unplug from your computer and set aside for at least 48 hours. Many times this will allow the static to drain off and the VersaKey will be ready to go. You may lose some or all of your recording so we hope you have the habit of backing up your recorded keys at least once every two weeks so you can restore the recordings if needed.
If letting it "rest" doesn't work you will have to ship it to us to see if we can reset the chips. Usually that works when all else fails. In the USB VersaKey it may have to be sent back to the manufacturer for reprogramming of the chip because static can corrupt the flash chip, just like it corrupts the recording in your S.A.K. keys.
So be safe - be smart - take time to drain the static before touching your VersaKey.
Static electricity can wreak havoc with your PS2 or USB connected VersaKey. It is the number one reason for keyboard failure among end users almost 10 to 1. The VersaKey keyboard has built in resistance to static but during the months from October to May static, especially in the northern part of the U.S.A., can do everything from corrupt the recording in the S.A.K. keys, to fry the keyboard.
Just by rolling around your office or cubicle with the rug and plastic mat you can generate enough static to fry your keyboard and your computer. So here are some serious suggestions - even if they make you smile that we recommend to help reduce static hits:
Always touch something metal before you touch your VersaKey (or any electronic item for that matter) this will help drain the static off you and keep it away from your VersaKey. If your office is all plastic, as most seem to be, then get a piece of metal, piece of angle iron, large metal alligator clip, anything that you can keep handy to touch before touching your keyboard to drain the static.
Use a static guard spray on the carpet in your cubicle.
Get a small humidifier if permitted.
Be aware of your clothing - wool and synthetics can really generate the static. Nylon underwear can be a real shocker!
Even if you don't feel a "shock" you can still be draining static electricity into your VersaKey/computer if you don't take precautions. Eventually a full day of generated static electricity can have its effect on your VersaKey.
If you VersaKey does take a static hit and starts doing "funny" things or stops working etc. do the following:
Unplug from your computer and set aside for at least 48 hours. Many times this will allow the static to drain off and the VersaKey will be ready to go. You may lose some or all of your recording so we hope you have the habit of backing up your recorded keys at least once every two weeks so you can restore the recordings if needed.
If letting it "rest" doesn't work you will have to ship it to us to see if we can reset the chips. Usually that works when all else fails. In the USB VersaKey it may have to be sent back to the manufacturer for reprogramming of the chip because static can corrupt the flash chip, just like it corrupts the recording in your S.A.K. keys.
So be safe - be smart - take time to drain the static before touching your VersaKey.
