Subject: Richard-s trouble shooting guide for use when the audio-visual system (as used on Sachmo computer, for presenting stimuli to the fMRI subject)

????abstract?????

Notes on the Audio and Video setup in the fMRI lab

We have (hopefully) simplified the connections betwixt all of the various pieces of audio and video devices in the lab. Most of the wiring is now out of sight--and with luck, solid and stable. This document is a guide of what connects to what, why they connect, and how, should the need arise, to disconnect them without grief.

New on 5/27/98: With the acquisition of the Epson Color Stylus 800 printer, we've added a new section! See the end.


The Audio System

Patients in the magnet can receive headphone sound from a variety of sources: the stimulus Macintosh (Satchmo), the VCR, CD, tape, or radio. The stereo volume dial controls the volume in the control room--NOT the volume to the patient. Volume to the patient is controlled by the small silver knob labeled "EARPHONES" on top of the Signa console. Note the guidelines to the right of the patient volume knob.

For CD, tape, or radio input:
€Press the appropriate button on the front of the stereo. The patient will receive the source you have selected.
For computer or VCR sound to the patient:
€Select "Video/Aux" on the front of the stereo.
€Choose between VCR and computer sound with the switch on top of the Signa console between the phone and the patient volume control.

The switch has four buttons, labeled (oddly enough) 1, 2, 3, and 4. Selecting "1" will send VCR sound to the patient, while "2" will send computer sound to the patient.

Troubleshooting:

1) Patient isn't hearing anything.
€Check that the stereo is turned on.
€Check that the patient volume control is not turned all the way down.
€If trying to send CD, tape, or radio to the patient, check to see that the display on the front of the stereo indicates the appropriate mode. If not, press the appropriate button.
€If trying to use computer audio, check to see that the stereo is set "Video/Aux" and that the selector switch on the top of the Signa console is set to "2".
€If trying to use computer audio, check the computer volume setting. You can do this in the Control Strip (the thing you can pull out at the side of the screen) or in the Monitors and Sound control panel. Make sure that the volume is not turned down very far.
€If trying to use VCR audio, check to see that the stereo is set to "Video/Aux" and that the selector switch on the top of the Signa console is set to "1".
2) Patient is hearing sound, but the control room isn't.
€Check the volume dial on the stereo. It controls the volume in the control room.
€Check the speaker wires on the back of the stereo.


The Video System

You can send visual stimulation to the patient by two methods: goggles or projector. When using the projector, only computer video can be used. The goggles can receive from either the computer or the VCR.

Using the Goggles:

€To use the goggles for viewing VCR video:

1) The goggle power must be on. The power supply is located in the computer room near the patch panel, behind the half-height cabinet labeled "ANMR RF". It's a flat silver box. When the power is on, a green light next to the switch will be lit.
2) The VCR must be on.
3) The TV monitor must be on.
4) The VCR must be set to "VCR" input with the remote control.

If all of these conditions have been met and there is still no image appearing in the goggles, try turning the goggle power off and back on.

€If you want the option of computer-driven stimulus video, these additional conditions are necessary:

4) The stimulus delivery Macintosh must be on.
5) The screen resolution must be set to 640X480@60 Hz.
(There are a few other options, but this is the easiest to use. For more details, see the user manual for the VP-4M-PCI graphics card. This can
be set in the Control Strip by selecting the checkerboard monitor
module and selecting "640 X 480, 60 Hz (NTSC)". Note that this is
different from the non-italicized "640 X 480, 60 Hz" above it.
Alternatively, you can use the Control Panel "Monitors & Sound" and
selecting the abovementioned screen resolution.
6) The VCR must not be playing a tape.
7) Both of the A/B switches on top of the Mac must be set to "A".
NOTE: Make sure the Mac is shut down before changing these switches.

If you've done both of these, then you should see the Mac computer screen on the TV and in the goggles.

Using the Projector:

Using the projector involves a different procedure. The projector can project a live image of the Macintosh screen onto a screen in the projector room. Before using the projector, make sure that the screen is in place over the bore of the magnet.

Turning on the projector:

1) Make sure that the stimulus Macintosh is shut down.
2) Switch BOTH of the two A/B switches on top of the Mac to "B".
3) Turn on the projector with the red switch on the back thereof.
4) Wait one minute, then press the yellow button on top of the projector, holding it down for about half a second (like starting a dryer).
5) Turn on the Macintosh.

After a minute or two, the Macintosh screen should appear on the screen in the magnet room.

After you're done with the projector, you must turn it of according to the following procedure:

1) Shut down the stimulus Macintosh.
2) Press the yellow button on top of the projector twice fairly quickly.
Ideally, this will turn off the lamp but leave the fan on. The timing of the two presses is the critical factor. If both the lamp and fan shut off, you're probably still OK...just don't turn the lamp back on.
3) Wait at least five minutes.
4) Turn off the projector with the red switch on its rear end.
5) Switch both of the A/B switches on top of the Mac to "A".

Troubleshooting:

Goggles

1) Goggles are totally black.
€Check the power supply to the goggles in the computer room.
€Check whether the TV, VCR, and computer (if using the computer) are on.
2) Goggles are dimly lit with vertical lines and no image.
€Check that the TV, VCR, and computer (if needed) are on.
€Use the "TV/VCR" button on the VCR remote control to switch the VCR settings.
€Check that the goggle power supply is on.
€Turn the goggle power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it on again.
3) Image in the goggles is not the computer screen.
€Make sure that the VCR is not playing a tape.
4) Goggles are working, but I get no sound.
€Make sure that the selector switch is correctly set ("1" for VCR, "2" for computer).

Projector

1) No image from the projector.
€Check to make sure the projector is on. (Red switch should have the "|" side down when on.)
€If the projector is on, check to see if the lamp is emitting a bluish light (This may take a few minutes to happen after you turn on the projector for the first time). If not, turn the lamp on by pressing the yellow button on top of the projector once firmly (like a dryer).
€If the projector and lamp are both on, check to see that both A/B switches on the Mac are turned to "B". If not, shut the projector and Mac off before switching them.
€Check to see that the Mac is on.
2) Image from the projector is distorted or flickering.
€Check to see that the Mac is set to a resolution of 640 X 480 at 60 Hz.
€Check to make sure that the video adapter is in place between the back of the Mac and the cable out to the projector, and that the three switches labeled "7", "8", and "9" on the adapter are set to the "ON" position.

General

1) The image is on the goggles (or projector) and OK, but the colors are really weird.
€This happens every time you reboot the Mac, it seems. Fortunately, it's easy to fix. Under the Apple menu, go to "Control Panels". Find "Display Goodies". Select "TV Output". Click the "Activate" button at the lower right.
€ Check to see whether your subject is taking hallucinogenics.



The Glidepoint
or
The Beast from Hell

The patient can give feedback during an experiment using the GlidePoint, which is the small pad device in the magnet room. This device can operate as a pointer controller or keyboard. It has two buttons, each of which can be programmed to send any keyboard character when pressed. These settings can all be customized in the "ALPS GlidePoint" control panel.

There have been problems in the past with the GlidePoint interfering with the normal operation of the keyboard and mouse. These were generally resolved by unplugging the GlidePoint and keyboard/mouse plugs, chanting and making sacrifices to the Great ADB Gods, and plugging them back in. We've recently resoldered the connectors on the GlidePoint, and hopefully the days of lamentation are past. However, should there be a problem, there is one thing you MUST AVOID doing.

Do NOT unplug or reconnect the GlidePoint, keyboard, mouse, or splitter while the Mac is on.

Doing so can damage both the input device and the Macintosh, neither of which is easy or cheap to replace. The correct procedure is as follows:

1) SHUT DOWN the Mac.
2) Gently unplug the ADB splitter from the back of the Mac. It's the thing on the left side of the back of the Mac (as you're looking at the back) with two plugs connected to it.
3) Gently unplug the keyboard and GlidePoint from the splitter.
4) Scream in frustration.
5) Gently reconnect the keyboard and Glidepoint to the splitter.
6) Gently reconnect the splitter to the ADB port on the back of the Mac.
7) Restart the Mac.

NOTE: You may have noticed that you haven't actually done anything. We think that this has worked in the past because the connectors were fragile. Since we've rewired the connectors, this hopefully won't happen. Thus, if it does, this may still work. Or, it may not. Let one of the lab gurus know.

If, at this point, you can both move the mouse and get input from the GlidePoint, all is well. If either does not work, repeat the above sequence.
You may be tempted to try to save the forty seconds or so it takes to shut down and restart the Mac by disconnecting the devices with the power on. This will sometimes work. It will also sometimes fry expensive electronics. Please don't do it.

Troubleshooting:

1) I unplugged the stuff with the Mac on, and now nothing works at all.
€You fool. Prepare to receive the wrath of the lab gods.
2) After shutting down the Mac, messing with the plugs, and restarting the Mac, I can't start it up with the keyboard power button.
€This probably means that the Mac can't see the keyboard. First, shut down the Mac. Unplug the splitter and plug the keyboard cord directly into the ADB port on the back of the Mac. Now try turning the Mac on. If it works, shut down the Mac and try reconnecting both cables to the splitter. If not, contact one of the lab gurus.
3) The GlidePoint buttons aren't sending keystrokes to the Mac.
€If you're sure that the Glidepoint is connected properly and that it can move the cursor, check the GlidePoint control panel. You may need to change the button settings.

The Printer

On 5/26/98, the lab acquired an Epson Color Stylus 800 printer. At least for now, this printer is not accessible from the network. Thus, if you want to print anything, it must physically reside on one of the hard disks connected to LadyDay (i.e. LadyDay 1, LadyDay 2, or Joule 8880). Assuming that the file you want to print is, in fact, on one of those disks, here's how to print it.

Preparing to print:

1) Select "Chooser" from the Apple menu.
From original by: Richard DuBois
Created on 3/31/98
Last editing 5/27/98
Edited&posted to how2 page 7/798, R. Lee