Head shakes from side to side

If the camera head nods when power and USB are connected the system is OK and ready to use.

If one or both heads shake from side to side it means there is a problem.

The shaking is a diagnostic feature showing that the processor in the base of the simulator cannot communicate with the processor in the camera head.

This may be because the camera processor is not programmed correctly (unlikely) or that the white cable connecting the two has come loose.

Click here for the procedure to reprogram the unit.

Checking the camera cable

Step 1

1. Undo the four screws securing the base.
2. Be careful when opening the case. The bottom will come loose.

Step 2

1. Turn the top over and lay it down carefully.
2. Take care not to damage the camera heads on the other side.

Step 3

1. The camera cable is the white ribbon cable passing through the case top.
2. The cable is held in place by a white connector.

   Things are the wrong way round when upside down - so make sure you are looking at the correct cable.

Step 4

1. With your finger and thumb gently lift up the top of the connector.
2. WARNING: the connector does not come apart but you will feel the top of the connector ease upwards enough to release the cable.
3. You will need to hold the top of the connector up (only by about 3mm).
4. With your other hand gently pull out the cable so it is clear of the connector.
5. Now gently push the end of the cable back into the connector - make sure it is square to the connector.

   Do not push hard - this will bend the cable. You should "feel"the end of the cable slide into place

   The cable must be fully in and must sit squarely in the connector.

6. Now gently push down on both sides of the top of the connector to secure the cable in place.

Step 5

1. Turn the case the correct way up. There is no need to refit the base yet.
2. Connect the mains power and the USB cable. Note: you do not need to run the DryFire software to check if the system is OK.
3. If the head nods up and down the problem is fixed.
4. If the head shakes from side to side there is still a problem. Try this procedure again taking great care when pushing the cable into place.
5. Put the case back together and fit the screws.

Step 6

1. Check the condition of the white cable.
2. Check particularly where the cable enters the body of the camera head.
3. Look carefully for any possible damage or breakage in one of the small wires on the edge of the cable.

   We can provide replacement cables or we can fit new cables to units returned to us. (See the contacts page for details of returning a unit to us.)

Step 7

1. Fit a new cable to the inside of the head before fitting it to the main circuit board
2. The top of the camera head is glued to the bottom using a spot of super-glue on each corner.
3. Use a small flat screwdriver to carefully twist near one corner to break the glue bond.
4. Do the same on each corner
5. Carefully slide the top of the head from the bottom

Step 8

1. Make sure nothing is moved inside the head.
2. The cable connector on the camera circuit board is the same as on the main board.
3. Disconnect the old cable, fit the new one and push the connector back into place.
4. Fit the cover top to the bottom using a small drop of super-glue on each corner - hold in place for a few seconds until set.
5. Now push the cable through the slot in the top of the metal case and fit to the main circuit board
6. Take care with the right angle twist in the cable - make sure it looks correct.
7. Refit the head to the bracket on the metal case. When the simulator is connected to power and USB the head should point horizontally forward - if not, remove the head and fit again.

Do not do this unless you are advised to do so by us.

1. You will need to change the file DRYFIRE.INI which is in the DryFire folder.
2. Load the file into any text editor, like Windows NOTEPAD,

   Do not use a word processor like Word - it must be a simple text editor!

3. Find the line towards the end of the file which shows:

        Reprogram=

4. Change this line to:

        Reprogram=YES

5. Replace the file.
6. Run the DryFire software again and reply "Yes" when asked if you want to reprogram the system.
7. When the programming screen comes up, click on the top left button which says "Program system". This will take a few seconds.
8. Click on the Exit button (bottom right). Do not attempt to use any of the other functions on this screen.
9. Close down the software, unplug the simulator and try again.
10. If it works you will have to change the DRYFIRE.INI file again to take out the word "YES".