Handheld Data Collector Issues
- My data collector’s screen has vertical lines on it and it won’t display properly.
- Bluetooth Connection Problems
- Syncing Problems
- My handheld data collector is running slowly.
- My Bluetooth icon doesn’t show up on my Today screen.
- I get an error stating that the Bluetooth could not be found
- My batteries went dead on my handheld and I can’t find SoloField or other programs that were previously installed.
- After my batteries died on my handheld, SoloField is asking me for a registration code.
- My data collector will not turn on.
- My data collector will not turn off.
- My TDS Ranger turns itself on and constantly cycles through the booting screen.
- My batteries don’t last as long as they used to.
- I accidentally deleted some files on my data collector. Can I get them back?
- My data collector is not working properly.
Software Issues
- I need Software Registration Codes.
- GPS connectivity issues in SoloField
- My basemaps in SoloField don’t align with my GPS data or other map layers or don’t display at all.
- I can’t get Corrected GPS using WAAS
- I can’t log any points in SoloField.
- SoloField locks up when I’m logging by interval.
- SoloField is running very slowly.
- SoloField can’t access the My Documents folder.
- My features don’t show up in SoloField anymore.
- I’ve got large spikes in my GPS data today. What’s wrong?
- SoloField error- Unknown error opening unknown file
- SoloField error- Selected location is not valid for the current zone. Cannot proceed.
- I can’t generate a grid in SoloField.
- No zone conversion in SoloField.
- SoloField can’t find a project that I copied onto my data collector.
- I can’t get acreage to calculate in SoloField. I only get hectares.
- I accidentally added data to the wrong feature in SoloField. Can I fix it?
- My TCruise volumes aren’t correct or don’t match my old cruise program.
- I can’t open a file in TCruise.
- I can’t import field data (.tce files) into TCruise Desktop.
- I got a new computer, how do I get my TCruise data onto it?
- I get an error in TCruise “Not enough sample heights for species group…..” and I
- can’t view my reports.
- TCruise locked up on my data recorder during a 100% cruise and I lost all of my plot data.
- TCruise Desktop crashes when I Run By Groups.
- I get an error in TCruise “Default Species Code is Not in The Species List”.
- I accidentally deleted my TCruise template. How can I get it back?
- My Custom TCruise Reports won’t run properly.
My data collector’s screen has vertical lines on it and it won’t display properly.
Vertical lines on handheld screen usually indicate a battery problem in which the display isn’t receiving enough power. Check power status to make sure battery has sufficient charge. If power status is OK, contact LandMark Systems for repair RMA.
Bluetooth issues cover a broad range since there are many Bluetooth devices and configuration software on the market. Here are some basic steps to help troubleshoot a Bluetooth connection;
- Make sure both the BT devices are powered ON.
- Use the BT connection wizard to find the device you would like to connect to.
- For simplicity disable all BT functions except the one you are interested in using. Example- for GPS connections only turn on the Serial COM function and leave the BT phone, printer, and activesync functions turned off.
- Determine what the outgoing COM port is for the device you wish to connect to your PC or handheld data recorder. You might think it should be the incoming, but it is actually the outgoing.
- Configure any software such as SoloField or ArcPad to look for the BT device on the outgoing COM Port.
- Use bonding or pairing if the BT device supports it to make future connections to the device much easier. You’ll need to know the device’s bonding/pairing code found in the product literature to accomplish this.
- After bonding/pairing is completed, perform a backup so that you can restore your settings in the future should something go wrong.
The following are guidelines for troubleshooting ActiveSync issues based on the model and operating system of your handheld data collector. Try them in the order listed.
Windows CE Devices (older TDS Ranger, early TDS Recon, early Trimble Geo-series)
- Make sure you have ActiveSync 3.8 installed on your PC.
- On your handheld device tap Start / Settings / Control Panel /Communication / PC Connection tab. Confirm Allow connection with desktop computer is checked and the appropriate connection method is specified ( USB or COM 1) from the dropdown list.
- If you use a USB cable to sync, try plugging the cable into a different USB port on your PC.
- Make sure that there aren’t any open applications running on the handheld unit, which may be interfering with communication (like SoloFieldCE). One way to immediately close all open applications is to perform a soft reset on the handheld device.
- Restart your PC.
Pocket PC Devices ( TDS Recon, Trimble Geo-Series, older HP iPAQ’s, Dell Axim, some early TDS Ranger X models)
- Make sure you have ActiveSync 4.1 or newer installed on your PC.
- On your handheld device tap Start / Programs / ActiveSync / Tools / Options and then select the Options button on that page. Confirm that the checkbox beside “When cradled…..” is checked, and USB is selected as the connection type.
- Try plugging the USB cable into a different USB port on your PC.
- Try disabling any personal firewall software running on your PC. ActiveSync needs certain TCP /IP ports to be open.
- Make sure that there aren’t any open applications running on the handheld unit, which may be interfering with communication (like SoloFieldCE). One way to immediately close all open applications is to perform a soft reset on the handheld device.
- Restart your PC.
Windows Mobile 5 Devices ( TDS Ranger X, Trimble Geo-2005 series, newer iPAQ’s, Dell Axim X-51 series)
- Make sure you have ActiveSync 4.1 or newer installed on your PC.
- On your handheld device tap Start / Programs / ActiveSync / Menu / Connections. Confirm Synchronize all PCs using this connection is checked, and USB is selected from the dropdown list.
- Try plugging the USB cable into a different USB port on your PC.
- Try disabling any personal firewall software running on your PC. ActiveSync needs certain TCP /IP ports to be open.
- Make sure that there aren’t any open applications running on the handheld unit, which may be interfering with communication (like SoloFieldCE). One way to immediately close all open applications is to perform a soft reset on the handheld device.
- Restart your PC.
1. Touch screen problems can be caused by debris on the edge of the touch screen underneath the handheld’s case. Take a small object such as a toothpick and gently drag it around the crevice between the case and the screen in attempt to dislodge any grains of sand, grass seeds, etc. You could also use a can of compressed air for this task, but be extremely careful.
2. Try re-calibrating or aligning your touch screen by selecting Start, Settings, System tab, Screen, and tapping the Align Screen button. Follow the instructions.
3. Soft Reset the device.
4. Hard Reset the device. Make sure you have a Backup file in place if you are using an Operating System earlier than Windows Mobile 5.
5. If all of the previous suggestions do not remedy the problem, request an RMA from the link on the LandMark Systems Support page; http://www.landmarksystems.org/support/index.htm
Like any Windows desktop PC, the most commonly seen problems on Windows CE and Pocket PC devices occur as a result of sloppy application resource management by third-party software. These problems typically manifest themselves as a GPF, or General Protection Fault, or simply a freeze or lockup of the device itself. There are two types of resets that should resolve these issues:
Soft Reset – A soft reset (also called a “warm boot”) is similar to restarting a desktop PC. It restarts the operating system and recovers system resources. A soft reset is the preferred method for dealing with lockups, and will clear all but the most severe system freezes. Any unsaved data will be lost after a soft reset. Procedures for a soft reset on various handheld devices are as follows;
- TDS Recon and Ranger X -simply hold down the [On/Off] key for 8-10 seconds.
- Older Windows CE Ranger - hold down the [shift] and [Ctrl] keys simultaneously, and then pressing and releasing the [On/Off] key, or selecting Soft Reset from the Start Menu (Start, Programs, Utilities, Reset, Soft Reset)
- Trimble Geo-Series – simply hold down the [On/Off] key for 8-10 seconds.
- HP iPAQ Pocket PC – Press the reset button on the back or bottom of the unit with the stylus pen.
- Other devices may have different methods of performing a reset so check your product documentation.
Hard Reset – A hard reset completely clears the contents of RAM (the flash disk storage is not affected), and resets the hardware interrupts for components such as the I/O ports, the keyboard and the touch screen. Only perform a Hard Reset when the device doesn’t respond to a soft reset or the soft reset doesn’t resolve the issue. Make sure there is a backup file in place or a RAM Backup has been performed prior to performing a hard reset as the device will return to its factory settings without them. Procedures for a hard reset are as follows;
- TDS Recon – Simultaneously hold down the [On/Off] key and the arrow key for 8-10 seconds and release when you hear a double “chirp”. Restore from Backup when prompted. You will lose any data saved to the Main Memory ( RAM ) since the last backup was performed.
- TDS Ranger X w/Pocket PC 2003 - Simultaneously hold down the [On/Off] key and the Ctrl key for 8-10 seconds and release when you hear a double “chirp”. Restore from Backup when prompted. You will lose any data saved to the Main Memory ( RAM ) since the last backup was performed.
- TDS Ranger w/Windows CE - hold down on the [On/Off] key and the arrow key until the display goes blank (roughly 20 seconds). After the reset is complete, the contents of the Windows directory will be restored by the RAM Backup utility (Start, Settings, Control Panel, RAM Backup), including any user-added desktop icons, Start Menu shortcuts, or program DLL’s.
- Other Devises – see product documentation.
My handheld data collector is running slowly.
When this occurs you should save any unsaved files and reboot your data collector. This will shut down all of the running programs and processes. If the data collector is still experiencing problems, check the memory usage in the Settings and reallocate some of the storage memory to programs. Sometimes moving a large data file out of the main memory and onto a storage card can also free up the unit’s RAM .
My Bluetooth icon doesn’t show up on my Today screen.
Try rebooting the device. If the problem persists, try removing and replacing the Bluetooth card in the CF slot if applicable.
I get an error stating that the Bluetooth could not be found.
Try rebooting the device. If the problem persists try removing and replacing the Bluetooth card in the CF slot if applicable
When there is a power down on PocketPC 2003 SE and older operating systems the main memory reverts back to factory settings which doesn’t include your SoloField shortcut to the Start Menu or Programs list. Hopefully you created a backup after SoloField was installed and registered. If this is the case, a simple Restore will get it back to the way it was prior to the backup. Some devices automatically look for a backup file to restore from after a power down or hard reset and prompt the user to “Restore Now”. If your device did not prompt you, simply select Start, Programs, and select the Backup? Restore utility. On iPAQ’s this is usually called iPAQ Backup and on TDS handhelds it is called Sprite Backup. Once the utility has been found in the programs list, open it and tap the Restore tab. You may be required to specify the location of the Backup file which is usually in a non-volatile location such as Built-In Storage or a Storage card. AAfter the backup has been located simply press Restore Now or Start. Reboot after the process is complete and your settings should be just as they were before.
If no backup is found or available please contact LandMark Systems technical support to reconfigure and Restore your device.
After my batteries died on my handheld, SoloField is asking me for a registration code.
Try running the Restore function from your device’s Backup utility. If this doesn’t resolve the issue please submit a Software Registration Request from the support page of the LandMark Systems website. Be sure to provide all of the required info.
My data collector will not turn on.
Plug the device into a power source and hold down the On/Off button continuously until it comes back to life. If nothing happens after about a minute, try removing the battery and then replacing it. If the issue still remains, contact LandMark Systems technical support.
My data collector will not turn off.
Hold down the On/Off button until the device reboots itself. If the device continues to be problematic, contact LandMark Systems technical support.
My TDS Ranger turns itself on and constantly cycles through the booting screen.
This is a symptom of a “boot stuck” Ranger. This is caused by a misaligned keyboard membrane that holds the On/Off button down. This problem will require that the unit be sent in for repair. Please use the support page of the LandMark Systems website to get an RMA request.
My batteries don’t last as long as they used to.
All batteries lose charging capacity over time. You should completely charge the battery and run it completely dead twice. If this doesn’t remedy the problem you may have a battery that is defective or needs to be replaced. All handheld and GPS batteries from LandMark Systems carry a 1one year warranty and are rated for at least 300 cycles.
I accidentally deleted some files on my data collector. Can I get them back?
Unless your data recorder is an older Windows CE device that has a Recycle Bin, you files are likely gone for good.
My data collector is not working properly.
This could be anything!!! Always try a soft reset first, then a hard reset after making sure there is a backup file in place and all data has been backed up on a PC.
I need Software Registration Codes.
Submit a Software Registration Code Request from the link on the LandMark Systems Support page.
GPS connectivity issues in SoloField
In the event that your GPS system will not track, you should try the following;
- Reset your Handheld data recorder. The GPS port could be occupied by another program and the reset will close all running programs.
- Check your SoloField settings including Receiver brand, COM Port , and Baud Rate on the Settings, receiver tab.
- Make sure the battery is connected properly and is charged.
- Check any other cable connections.
- Check the GPS configuration by selecting Tool, GPS Configure from the SoloField Menu Bar. Press the Restart button on the Reset tab.
- Call LandMark Systems at (850) 385-3667 for further support.
My basemaps in SoloField don’t align with my GPS data or other map layers or don’t display at all.
When this situation occurs it is almost always a mismatch in coordinate system or units. The coordinate system settings in SoloField must match the basemap’s coordinate system and measurement units or your GPS position will not align with your basemaps. You should also check the basemap layer’s properties to make sure the distance units are properly displayed. Another cause could be missing image world files that cause the layer to be displayed at O,O on the X,Y axis rather than its correct location. Make sure any world files or other referencing files are located in the same folder as the basemap file.
I can’t get Corrected GPS using WAAS
Make sure you have an antenna that is WAAS enabled. When powering up your antenna you should make sure you have a clear view of the sky. Position the antenna so that it faces the southwestern sky as the WAAS satellites are now positioned on the equator above the Pacific Ocean . This will give the antenna a better chance of finding and locking onto WAAS. You should be able to see the WAAS sat #35 (#122 on some units) in the sky plot screen. If the antenna doesn’t lock on to WAAS initially it will cycle through and look for other SBAS sats. If this happens simply power down the antenna and power it back up.
There will be occasions while collecting GPS data in the field that the real-time differential correction signal will be unavailable. Some obstructions (building, tree, ravine, mountain, etc.) blocking the southwestern sky can affect the signal. You can still collect uncorrected data in SoloField if you have unselected the Use only GPS data while logging check box in the Signal tab of the SoloField settings screen. Using uncorrected GPS can reduce accuracy by several meters so be aware. Currently there is no way to correct these uncorrected positions using post-processing using the Garmin antennas.
I can’t log any points in SoloField.
- You must be tracking at least 4 satellites
- The DOP value must be less than or equal to your max DOP value (usually 4 for HDOP or 6 for PDOP). This value is set on the Signal tab of the SoloField Settings.
- You must have corrected (DGPS) if you have “Use only DGPS data when logging” selected on the Signal tab.
- Make sure the “Log with” in the Log menus is set to GPS .
SoloField locks up when I’m logging by interval.
This could be caused by using a logging interval of 1 second or a very small distance interval. Try increasing the time interval to 2 seconds or more or extending the distance interval
.
SoloField is running very slowly.
Because of the Pocket PC operating system’s architecture SoloField may begin to slow down when a project reaches about 1000 points. To combat this issue you can simply create a new project and load your previous UDF project file in as a basemap.
SoloField can’t access the My Documents folder.
This is often caused by a hidden file called “Ignore My Docs” that can only be seen in Windows Explorer on the PC when the mobile device is synced up. You will also have to have the “Show hidden files” selected in the folder options. If you delete this file via Windows Explorer in the location to which you would like to store data, the issue should be resolved.
My features don’t show up in SoloField anymore.
You may have accidentally deleted the feature file which usually resides in the Solo folder and has a .fea extension. You will have to paste a new feature file in the same folder. Your LandMark Customer CD has some sample feature files as does the support page of the LandMark Systems website. Check the client login section.
I’ve got large spikes in my GPS data today. What’s wrong?
This is unusual with newer antennas that employ velocity filtering to smooth out dynamic data. However, during the summer GPS data can be subject to electrostatic interference generated by solar weather. While this is infrequent, we do see a few data sets each year that are significantly affected by points that are placed several miles away from where they should be. If you have experience this type of data spike, delete any flyer points in attempt to correct the geometry. If too many points are affected you should probably re-map the area in question another day.
SoloField error- Unknown error opening unknown file.
This error is usually found SoloField is being used on a handheld device that has the UDF project files routed to a Storage card. The error indicates that there is a problem with the handheld accessing the storage card. Try resetting the device and see if the problem persists. If so, you should copy your project files to another location in the devices built-in memory. For some TDS Recon handhelds, a firmware update to version 4.2.5 can remedy this issue.
SoloField error- Selected location is not valid for the current zone. Cannot proceed.
This error is caused by a bug in SoloField and usually arises when there is no antenna connected or no GPS signal while using the NAD 27 horizontal datum. The are two easy work-around to solve this issue. The first is to change the datum to NAD 83. You can also select a valid position on the screen using Stylus Selects Manual X,Y location. Just make sure both x and y values are positive.
I can’t generate a grid in SoloField.
Make sure you have the polygon you wish to generate the grid inside selected. Use a stylus use of Logged Data or Basemap feature depending on whether the polygon is a logged feature or a shapefile.
No zone conversion in SoloField.
This error indicates that there is a problem with a user specified custom zone file.
SoloField can’t find a project that I copied onto my data collector.
Make sure the file has a .udf or .spf extension and that you select the appropriate file type in the Open an Existing Project dialog box. Another reason the files may not be showing up is because they are buried too deep in the file structure. Move any project files into the My Documents/Solo folder.
I can’t get acreage to calculate in SoloField. I only get hectares.
To get acres simply change the distance units in the SoloField project settings to US Feet and try again.
I accidentally added data to the wrong feature in SoloField. Can I fix it?
Yes. You can delete the erroneous points by using the Edit, Delete procedure or you can use the sticky log procedure to log a new feature by snapping to points created on another feature.
My TCruise volumes aren’t correct or don’t match my old cruise program.
This situation is usually because there is a difference in cruise parameters and not a calculation problem with TCruise. TCruise is simply a calculator and from experience we feel very certain that its calculations are correct. When testing TCruise versus another program’s calculations make sure you verify the following;
1. Cruise method (Point, Plot, Dbl Point, 100%,)
2. Plot size of BAF factor
3. Height measurement type (total ht., merch ht., or product stopper ht.)
4. Volume function (equation, table, taper function)
5. Merchandising specs
Please call or email LandMark tech support if you continue to have problems with these volume calculations.
I can’t open a file in TCruise.
You may be trying to open a file created in a newer version of TCruise than you currently have on your PC or data recorder. To update the program simply download and install the latest version from the www.timbercruise.com website. Click on the Download Center link to view all of the versions.
I can’t import field data (.tce files) into TCruise Desktop.
TCWinCE Pro must be registered in order to import .tce files or ASCII plot data. You should have received a TCWinCEPro registration code when you registered the desktop version. Select the File menu and choose Utilities, and then Register Data Recorders and input the code.
I got a new computer, how do I get my TCruise data onto it?
Re-install TCruise form the www.timbercruise website and request registration codes by competing the Software registration Request form on the support page of the LandMark Systems website. Make sure you specify that this is a re-authorization. To get your old cruises on the new machine simply copy the TCruisePC folder from the My Documents folder of your old machine and paste them in the same folder on the new computer.
I get an error in TCruise “Not enough sample heights for species group…..” and I
Can’t view my reports.
This is a common error generated in TCruise. The program automatically performs height sub-sampling and requires at least 20 trees per species group to be measured to develop the regression. If less than 20 trees are measured from any group then TCruise uses a default regression to estimate heights. You can choose to ignore the error and view the reports by selecting the View menu and choosing View Output.
TCruise locked up on my data recorder during a 100% cruise and I lost all of my plot data.
Ouch!!! When you don’t periodically save your plot data you are at the mercy of the device’s operating system. We recommend that for 100% samples and cumulative tally that you save the file after you enter the first tree and then re-open the file by selecting Edit, Edit Plot to continue adding plot data. You should also set a 5 minute auto backup before collecting data by selecting File, Backup Options and checking both options and specifying the time interval of 5 minutes.
TCruise Desktop crashes when I Run By Groups.
Whenever you experience problems with TCruise Desktop it is usually best to download and install the latest version of TCruise from the www.timbercruise.com website. If the problems with crashing persist it is probably due to some custom dll or special convention in the program. Make sure you have the current custom dll’s for your application. You may want to download and re-install them just in case.
I get an error in TCruise “Default Species Code is Not in The Species List”.
To correct this error simply click on the Params button on the Setup toolbar or either select Active Cruise Parameters from the Templates menu. Next input the code of the desired default species code that you setup in the first column of the Volume Function Assignment window in the Default Species Code field. Make sure you assign a default species code for the Site Index species also.
I accidentally deleted my TCruise template. How can I get it back?
If you can’t get it back out of your Recycle Bin, you can also extract it out of an existing tcd document by opening that document and selecting File, Save As Template and giving it a name followed by the .tct extension.
My Custom TCruise Reports won’t run properly.
Uninstall the existing version of