The PAC Mate has keys on the top with the ports and switches in the back. The overall size of the QX400 is 12.3 inches (31.24 cm) x 6.27 inches (15.93 cm) x 1.62 inches (4.11 cm) and it weighs 2 lbs (.90kg).
With the PAC Mate positioned on your lap or on a desktop as if you are going to type, you will find on the back surface from right to left: the On/Off switch, the Power Jack, the Mini A/B USB port, two Compact Flash Slots, the Infrared Port, the 3/32 inch (2.5 mm) Microphone Jack and the 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) Headset Jack.
The Compact Flash slots on the QX400 support both Compact Flash Type I and Type II cards and peripherals. For more information on peripherals that have been tested for PAC Mate, please visit our website.
The Compact Flash cards plug into the PAC Mate in one direction only. If you insert the card the wrong way, simply remove the card, turn it over and gently reinsert the card. Never push or force the card. When you correctly insert the card, you can feel it gently plug into place.
To remove a Compact Flash card, grasp and pull the card with your index finger and thumb.
On the top surface, just above the F3 key on the Qwerty keyboard, is the speaker and just above the Print Screen and Scroll Lock keys is the internal microphone.
The reset button is on the bottom surface of the PAC Mate. To find the reset button, turn the PAC Mate bottom side up so that the rear panel is facing you. With your left hand, locate the left middle rubber pad. Just to the left of this rubber pad is a small, round protuberance with a hole. This is the reset button. Use an unbent paper clip, Braille stylus, or similar object to press the reset button by inserting it into this hole and pressing.
Caution: The reset button erases all data and deletes all programs. For more information, please see PAC Mate Hardware, Resetting the PAC Mate.
Also located on the bottom surface is the drawer/display release. You can find this release on the right side across from the reset button. To disengage the drawer or display, pull the release gently towards the right side of the unit.
To connect the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display, align the display so that it slides easily into the PAC Mate. Then press against each unit until they are firmly engaged.
The PAC Mate is powered with a high-density lithium polymer battery that may be charged repeatedly and at any time within the battery cycle without losing capacity. When the battery has only 20% of its charge remaining, the PAC Mate announces a warning that the battery is low. At 12% of battery life, the PAC Mate alerts you that the battery is critically low and after 2 minutes the PAC Mate will automatically turn off. Once the battery charger is connected, the battery takes approximately 4 hours to recharge. You can work with your PAC Mate while your battery is recharging without harming the unit. When you get ready to charge your PAC Mate, you must charge the battery with the AC adapter supplied with the unit.
For convenience, the Today Screen indicates the percentage of battery charge available. To refresh the Today Screen so that it reflects the most current battery charge, press JAWS Key+ESC.
Note: If you do not refresh the screen before checking the percentage of battery charge available, you will not receive an accurate measurement.
Whenever possible, use your PAC Mate with the AC adapter plugged to external power, especially when connecting to a PC, using a Compact Flash card, a modem or other peripheral. This will save your battery for those situations when you are mobile and away from a power source.
Regardless of whether you are using an external power source or battery, you can conserve the amount of energy your PAC Mate is using by enabling the controls available to you in the Power Settings dialog. There are two ways to access this dialog. The easiest way is to move down and press ENTER on the last of the five items on the Today Screen, which indicates the battery charge. The other way is from the Start Menu.
From the Start menu (Windows Key), press S to choose Settings. Press CTRL+TAB to move to the System page. Press P to move to Power and then press ENTER.
With the Power Settings dialog open, press CTRL+TAB to move to the Advanced page. Press the SPACEBAR to select the On Battery Power: Turn Off Device If Not Used For check box, then move to the associated combo box to select the number of minutes. Follow this same procedure for the next control, which turns PAC Mate off when using external power.
Depending on whether you are using a WiFi accessory, you may want to keep PAC Mate from detecting any wireless signals. To get to this control option, press CTRL+TAB to move to the Wireless page and use the UP or DOWN ARROW to select the wireless signals radio buttons.
For additional information on the PAC Mate battery, please see PAC Mate Hardware, Battery and Appendix B: Special Considerations, Lithium Polymer Battery.
Occasionally it may be necessary for you to reset your PAC Mate. Particularly, if it is operating slow and sluggish or if it stops responding completely. If this occurs often, contact Freedom Scientific's hardware technical support. However, if this occurs infrequently, perform the following to get your PAC Mate running without delay.
A warm reset does not affect your files, programs or settings. Instead, it closes all running applications and returns you to the Today Screen. To perform a warm reset, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
In the event that your PAC Mate keyboard becomes unresponsive, you can also perform a warm reset by holding the power switch in the on position for approximately 10 seconds and releasing it. The PAC Mate will then perform a warm reset.
A hard reset should be used only as a last resort as this erases all files and data you have created and programs you have installed. For this reason, it is recommended that you use ActiveSync to create a backup file of all of your programs and data. For more information on using ActiveSync, please see Connecting the PAC Mate, Connecting to a PC with ActiveSync.
To find the reset button, turn the PAC Mate upside down. Locate the left side middle rubber pad. Just to the left of this rubber pad is a small, round protuberance with a hole. This is the reset button.
To reset your PAC Mate, use a straightened paper clip or a toothpick and press down gently. You should feel the button move slightly as you press.
The PAC Mate carrying case is specifically designed to protect your unit. It is lightweight, water resistant and custom fitted so all ports and switches are accessible. On the bottom exterior surface is a clear plastic pocket for an ID card.
The strap is adjustable to maximize comfort during transport or for using while standing. In addition, you can easily remove the strap and store it along with other items in the case's zippered pocket.
The case can be used when the Braille display is attached as well as when it is not attached. The cover flap closes securely around the base unit and extends to reach around the Braille display when it is attached.
To secure the PAC Mate to the carrying case:
The plastic body of PAC Mate is made of a blend of high impact polycarbonate and heat resistant polymers that meet strict environmental standards. In order to keep your PAC Mate in good working condition, it is recommended that you store your unit in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid operating the unit around liquids or food, and always operate the unit with clean, dry hands.
Clean the unit with a dry cloth and do not use commercial cleaners on any part of the unit.
Never use or store the PAC Mate in an environment where it will be exposed to extremes of light, temperature, moisture or vibration.