FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) > BetaBrite Prism Messaging Software
This FAQ contains questions and answers about the BetaBrite Prism Messaging Software.

1.	I put the CD in my computer and nothing happens.
2.	The splash screen appeared. I clicked on Install Software, but nothing happened.
3.	I clicked on Register Your Sign and nothing happens. My computer is connected to the Internet.
4.	I clicked on Software Manual (or any one of the other documents) and nothing happens.
5.	Some of the text on the CD screen looks out of place or moves around.
6.	When I clicked on Check for Updates, this message appeared: The software on this CDROM (version 2.0) may be out of date. Check the BetaBrite web site. What do I do now?
7.	When I clicked on Check for Updates, this message appeared: Unable to find a software version on the web. Check the BetaBrite web site for more information. What do I do now?
8.	Do I have to register the software?
9.	After I clicked on In Install Software, this message appeared: Welcome to the BetaBrite Prism Messaging Software Setup Maintenance program. This program lets you repair or remove the current installation.
10.	When I try to run the messaging software, this message appears: Configuration utility has not been run. Please run it from the start menu of Alpha Messaging Software File: ./Editor.ini.
11.	I tried to display the date function using the software, but the preview shows "10/30/05." How do I get my BetaBrite to display the correct date?
12.	I tried to display the time function using the software, but the preview shows "10:30 PM." How do I get my BetaBrite to display the correct time?
13.	How do I create my own graphics for my BetaBrite Prism?
14.	I received an Error #1 Message stating, "Display not connected COM 255." What do I do?
15.	I get a Fatal Error #3 message, what do I do?
16.	I received a message stating that the installation cannot find the location required for the USB driver file. What do I do?

1. I put the CD in my computer and nothing happens.
   The CD software should auto start. If it doesn't, do the following:
   
   • Double click the My Computer desktop icon.
   • Right click on the BetaBrite Prism CDROM icon and select Open. The CD's files will appear.
   • If the CD splash screen does NOT appear after a few moments, then double click the betabrite.exe file.
2. The splash screen appeared. I clicked on Install Software, but nothing happened.
   Try again. If the software installation does NOT start, do the following:
   
   • Double click the My Computer desktop icon.
   • Right click on the BetaBrite Prism CDROM icon and select Open. The CD's files will appear.
   • Double click on the software folder.
   • Double click on Setup.exe.
3. I clicked on Register Your Sign and nothing happens. My computer is connected
   to the Internet.
   Try clicking Register Your Sign again. The CD tries to connect to the Internet.
   If your computer has a high speed connection to the Internet, it should work. Slower Internet access speeds may NOT work.
    
   If the CD still does not connect . . .
   
   • Open your Internet browser.
   • Go to the BetaBrite web site (type www.betabrite.com in your browser).
   • If the BetaBrite web page does NOT appear, try registering your sign the next day.
   • If the BetaBrite web page DOES appear, type http://www.adaptivedisplays.com/cgi/forms/forms.cgi?form=6 in your browser.
4. I clicked on Software Manual (or any one of the other documents) and nothing happens.
   Try again and watch for one of the following messages.
   
   • "You need Adobe Reader software to read this manual. Go to www.adobe.com."
   • "Could not open the [name of the doc]."
   If either message appeared, then you need to install the free Adobe Reader software at www.adobe.com. If you already have the Adobe Reader software installed, then
   do the following:
   
   • Double click the My Computer desktop icon.
   • Right click on the BB Prism CDROM icon and select Open. The CD's files will appear.
   • Double click on the documentation folder.
   • Double click on one of the PDF files.
   • If this PDF fails to open, then Adobe Reader needs to be reinstalled. Open your Internet browser and go to www.adobe.com for the free Adobe Reader software.
5. Some of the text on the CD screen looks out of place or moves around.
   The text looks similar to the following example:
    
   
    
   This sometimes occurs, but doesn't affect the functionality of the software. Click on one of the links and the text will "realign" itself.
6. When I clicked on Check for Updates, this message appeared:
   The software on this CDROM (version 2.0) may be out of date. Check the BetaBrite web site.
   What do I do now?
   Either wait a few days and try checking for updates again, or call 1-800-558-7022, or 1-414-357-2020, and press 274 for Customer Support.
7. When I clicked on Check for Updates, this message appeared:
   Unable to find a software version on the web. Check the BetaBrite web site for more information.
   What do I do now?
   Either wait a few days and try checking for updates again, or call 1-800-558-7022, or 1-414-357-2020, and press 274 for Customer Support.
8. Do I have to register the software?
   You do not have to register the software. However, registering the software enables you to receive important product updates and other product related information.
9. After I clicked on Install Software, this message appeared:
   
    What do I do now?
   
   • Select Remove.
   • Click Next. The software will be removed from your computer.
   • Reinsert the BetaBrite Prism CD into the CDROM drive.
   • Click Install Software from the CD. The installation should run normally.
10. When I try to run the messaging software, this message appears:
    
     
    What do I do now?
    You must (1) delete the Editor.ini file on your computer and then (2) reinstall the BB Prism messaging software.
     
    (1) To navigate to the C:\Program Files\BetaBrite Prism Messaging Software folder and delete the Editor.ini file:
    
    • Double click the My Computer desktop icon.
    • Double click the C: drive.
    • Double click the Program Files folder.
    • Double click the BetaBrite Prism Messaging Software folder.
    
    Note: If you changed the default installation to a different location, look for the Editor.ini file in that location.
    • *Click the Editor.ini file and press the Delete key:
    
    
     
    (2) To reinstall the software, click Install Software from the CD.

    *If you do not see the Editor.ini file, it may be because system files are hidden from view. Do the following to change this setting:

    • Select Folder Options from the Tools menu.
       
    • Click the View tab.
    • Scroll down until you see Hidden Files and Folders and select the Show hidden files and folders option.
       
    • Click OK.
11. I tried to display the date function using the software, but the preview shows "10/30/05." How do I get my BetaBrite to display the correct date?
    Click the Send All button. The BetaBrite software will retrieve the date from your computer and display it on your sign.
12. I tried to display the time function using the software, but the preview shows "10:30 PM." How do I get my BetaBrite to display the correct time?
    Click the Send All button. The BetaBrite software will retrieve the date from your computer and display it on your sign.
13. How do I create my own graphics for my BetaBrite Prism?
    Only the graphics in the sign's firmware are compatible with the BetaBrite messaging software. But, a couple of alternatives include:
    • Creating DOTS files using the hand-held remote. These files are not compatible with the messaging software. To learn more, see page 37 of the BetaBrite Prism Programming Manual.
    • Writing your own software using the Alpha Communication Protocol, if your BetaBrite Prism has an RS232 port. To learn more about the protocol, refer to the Alpha Sign Communications Protocol manual.