How to Connect a Desktop to a SMART Board

Connecting a SMART Board to a computer requires only a USB cable.

SMART Technologies provides various models of interactive whiteboards for use in a classroom. Once connected to the classroom computer, the system provides teachers with the technology to present interactive discussions and lessons transmitted from their computer to the whiteboard with touchscreen capabilities. The SMART Boards work with SMART Classroom Suite software, which also provides teachers with classroom management tools such as built-in grade books and assessments.

Things You'll Need

• Provided USB cable
• SMART Product Drivers CD

Instructions

Connect the Computer

1. Connect the provided USB cable to the USB captive connector on your previously installed SMART interactive whiteboard display. Use a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 cable if the USB cable provided with the interactive whiteboard is not available.

2. Connect the opposite end of the provided USB cable to an available USB port on your desktop computer.

3. Turn your desktop computer on to power up the interactive whiteboard and continue the connection process.

Install Driver Software

1. Install the SMART product drivers onto your desktop computer if it has not been done or if your computer does not automatically detect and install the drivers with your assistance using the driver installation wizard.

2. Power on your projector and insert the SMART Product Drivers CD provided with your interactive whiteboard system into your computer. Click "Start" on your desktop and select "Run" so that you can type in "(the number/letter of your CD drive):autorun.exe," if the CD does not run automatically.

3. Follow the instructions provided on the screen to install the drivers from the CD onto your computer.

4. Go to www.smarttech.com/us Support > Download software > SMART Notebook collaborative learning software and choose your computer's operating system to find the available download for the needed drivers if you do not have the installation CD provided with the product.

Tips & Warnings

• To obtain the best compatibility between your computer and the interactive whiteboard display, follow the directions for configuring your computer and orienteering your whiteboard provided in your systems user guide. If you do not have user guide they are available for download from the SMART Technologies website.

• You may connect more than one interactive whiteboard to a single computer by simply connecting an additional USB cable from the interactive whiteboard to the computer, though a second projector is required for the additional whiteboard.

• You may also connect a guest laptop to the interactive whiteboard by removing the USB cable from your computer and placing it into a USB port on the laptop. Driver installation is not required for this set up but a Bluetooth wireless or RS-232 serial cable connection is required between the laptop and original computer as well as a video cable connection between the laptop and interactive whiteboard.

• If you need a longer USB cable to connect your computer to the interactive whiteboard display, you can use a USB extender cable or hub to reach the needed length. Extender cables or hubs used to extend the length must be compatible with USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 interfaces and supply at least 300 mA to your interactive whiteboard to enable the system to function properly.

References

• SMART Board™ 600 and D600 Series Interactive Whiteboard: Installation and User's Guide
• SMART Technologies: SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards: For Education

Resources

• SMART Technologies: Support: Download Software
• SMART Technologies: Support: 685ix Series
• SMART Technologies: Support: 600i Series
• SMART Technologies: Support: 600 and D600 Series