Check the cable plugs from the computer to the projector for bent or damaged pins.  Straighten them very carefully as they break very easly.   Sometimes it is just dust on the dongel connection as it connects to the laptop. Unplug and blow off the end that goes into the computer.  Replace the VGA projector cord (borrow one from another teacher to see if it makes a difference) before you buy a new one.                                                                          

First see that the board is powered - blue light is on.
Second see that the USB cord is plugged into the computer.
Try this next: Unplug the USB from the computer and blow out any dust in the USB connector. then reconnect the USB cable and the computer.

Other solutions:Right click (“control - click”) and hold anywhere on the board, then slide to Calibrate ACTIVboard, if it is greyed out then “quit” the application and re-start.

Use a soft lightly moist cloth. A cloth with three spays of water and one spray of a nonabrasive cleaner like “409”, “Windex”, etc.  
Do not use cleaners high in ammonia.
NEVER use cleaner-wax your board as this will nullify the non-shine surface of the board.

This update should be done with the ACTIVboard power up and attached via the USB port.

The following assumes you have already installed the driver from the ACTIVstudio CDROM.

1. Click 'start/run' and enter 'devmgmt.msc'.
2. This opens Device Manager. Look for a yellow exclamation mark beside 'Human Interface Devices'.
3. If you see it, double-click it and choose the 'Driver' tab.
4. Click 'Update Driver'.
5. When the 'New Hardware Wizard' starts, choose 'Install from a specific location' and click 'Next'.
6. Choose 'Don't search, I will choose a driver...'.
7. Click 'Next'.
8. You should now see an entry for 'USB ACTIVboard'. Select it, and click 'Next'.
9. If prompted regarding the driver signing, choose 'Continue  Anyway'.
10. The driver will now be installed, and things should work normally.

The following assumes you have already installed the driver from the ACTIVstudio CDROM. (and that the ACTIVboard is powered up and plugged into the USB port of the PC computer)
*Click 'start/run' and enter 'devmgmt.msc'.
*This opens Device Manager. Look for a yellow exclamation mark beside 'Human Interface Devices'.
*If you see it, double-click it and choose the 'Driver' tab.
*Click 'Update Driver'.
*When the 'New Hardware Wizard' starts, choose 'Install from a specific location' and click 'Next'.
*Now choose 'Don’t search, I will choose a driver...'. Click 'Next'.
*You should now see an entry for 'USB ACTIVboard'. Select it, and click next.
*When prompted regarding the driver signing, choose 'Continue Anyway'.
*The driver will now be installed, and things should work normally.

First turn it over and check for battery power. Battery lights should indicate its charge (at least 2 lighted circles).
If battery shows a good charge, remove the battery and blow any dust out of connections then reinsert. Plug in to the battery charger/power supply and hold the power button down for three seconds, it should chime on start up.
If it chimes but there is no screen image, click F2 down four times and hold for four seconds.

Alternate solution: After removing the battery, use a pencil eraser and 'erase' to clean the battery terminals on the computer (they are the gold colored metal inserts inside the battery cavity).

To have enough battery power to last the school day, charge the student laptops during nutrition and lunch. Shut down the laptops every night.

For the summer or off-track time, fully charge the batteries, remove them from the computers, and store them in a cool location for the duration of the break.

The battery should be recalibrated every few months to keep the onscreen battery time and percent display accurate.

Click on links below for details on recalibration:

For the iBooks:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

For the Gateways:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/400VTX/3501331faq38.shtml

More information on batteries:

For the iBooks:
The iBooks have a Lithium-ion battery. Recharge Lithium-ion batteries when they become depleted. Although they are not subject to the memory effect, it is suggested that you let the battery drain fully before recharging.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=10571


For the Gateways:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/400VTX/3501331faq40.shtml