KTroubleshooting FAQs

This is a compilation of frequently asked questions I have received from users. If you do not find an answer to your question here please feel free to contactComments and Upgrades me.


KWill Lap Timer work with MS Windows XP, NT and 2000?

Yes, Lap Timer 2000 is designed to run on MS Windows XP, NT and 2000 systems.


KWill Lap Timer work with MS Windows 95/98?

Yes, Lap Timer 2000 is designed to run on MS Windows 95/98 and ME systems as well.


KThe cable I built doesn’t work?

Not all printer I/O ports are fully IBM PC compatible. If your lap counting sensors are working for some lanes, but not others then this most likely means that your printer port is not compatible with the full IBM PC spec. You may find that installing a third-party I/O card solves the problem. Most after-market I/O cards implement the full IBM PC printer specification. Use the Edit | Test I/O Ports menuEdit Menu command or Alt+O shortcut to open the port testingI/O Port Testing window. This window can be used to test the individual lanes sensors.


KLap Timer locks up my computer when I run it?

Lap Timer 2000 uses a high speed timer interrupt to poll your computers I/O ports. Older computers may not be able to handle the high speed interrupts required to sample the ports at 1/1000 of a second. Try reducing the timer resolutionLap Timer Settings to 10 ms. A 10 millisecond timer interrupt will sample the ports once each 1/100 of a second, this should be sufficient for even the oldest i486 machines. If you inadvertently changed the port selection or the timer interrupt period and Lap Timer 2000 no longer runs properly use the /resetCommand Line Arguments command line switch to restore the default port and timing settings.


KLap Timer records multiple laps!

Some cars, especially Formula 1 cars, may generate multiple lap counts when they pass over the lap counter. Use the Debounce Delay settingLap Timer Settings to increase the quiet time after an initial lap triggering event. Formula 1 cars often trigger a lap when the front wing passes over the photo-cell and then a second lap when the rear wing crosses over it too. Multiple laps may also be recorded if the lap counter itself is located at a slow speed portion of the raceway.


KHow do I resize the main window?

Use the Edit | Settings menuEdit Menu command or Alt+S to open the Lap Timer 2000 SettingsLap Timer Settings property sheet. You can select screen resolutions of; 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864 or 1280x1024 from the screen resolutionLap Timer Settings drop list provide on this property sheet.


KWhat does inverted switching logic mean?

Lap Timer 2000 can be used with lap sensor switches that are either normally open or normally closed. The default is a normally open switch that closes momentarily when a car passes over the lap counter. If you use a switch that is normally closed and only opens when a car passes then you will need to invertLap Timer Settings the switch logic. Photo-cells are an example of a switch that is normally closed, and will need to use invertedLap Timer Settings switching logic.


KLap Timer windows and dialog boxes move!

Some versions of MS Windows incorrectly report desktop window locations. If the main Lap Timer window location changes position each time it is launched, or the various tabs on the Lap Timer Options property sheets cause the window to move during use turn off the Retain Windows Sizes and Locations optionConfiguring Lap Timer setting.


KSend E-Mail to Author produces a MAPI error!

To use this command your Internet eMail client must be configured as the default simple MAPI client. In Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express check the options:


[x] Make Outlook Express my default e-mail program

[x] Make Outlook Express my default Simple MAPI client


To configure these settings use the MS Outlook Express Tools | Options menu command and then select the General tab.


If you use a different email client check the documentation that accompanied the program for more information regarding simple MAPI client settings. 


KLap Timer Options Do Not Work!

This problem is related to the Common Controls Library module installed on your system. If selecting the File | Options menu item does not open and display the Lap Timer Options property sheet please visit my web site, and then go to the MS Windows Essentials page, from there you can download Microsoft's latest Common Control Library Update module. This module includes an automated setup facility and will fix several minor bugs associated with earlier releases of the Common Controls Library including Y2K updates.


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