User manual DIGITAL BLUE QX3 COMPUTER MICROSCOPE PARENT GUIDE

[. . . ] While the QX3TM Computer Microscope is easy to install and a snap to use, the initial hardware setup and software installation must be done by an adult. Your children should be encouraged to keep the toy clean, but only an adult should change the bulbs. Make sure everyone understands the information in the section titled "Playing Safely" on page 5 to prevent damage or injury when using this toy. Getting help 1-(888) 800-0502 Click on the Help button to use the software's Audio Help. More detailed help is available in Online Help through the F1 function key. [. . . ] There are two light sources: one in the sample platform and another in the microscope. The base also has focus knobs, while the microscope has a magnification ring and capture button. In handheld mode, click the Capture button to take a picture. For more information on how to use the microscope in handheld mode, press F1 for Online Help. Changing magnification Choose the level by rotating the magnification ring on the microscope until the desired magnification level label faces you. In this guide, we refer to magnification as low, medium, or high. In handheld mode, focus by slowly moving the microscope closer to or farther away from the object being examined. You can get a good idea of the focal range with the microscope on the base stand and watching the upper and lower limits of the focus adjustment. NOTE: *These magnification levels are approximate and have been measured using a 15 in. Actual magnification will vary according to the size of your monitor. 4 1318 Parent Guide Final 03/12/2002 04:05 PM Page 5 PARENT QUICK START GUIDE Software notes Now that setup is complete and you are familiar with the QX3 microscope, use Your Activity Book for an overview of the QX3 software. TM TM Lighting The QX3 lights are controlled by the software. They turn off when you go to Main, where they are not needed. TM You can put a bug or a slug in the containment dish to look at, take magnified snapshots, or make short movies. Remember this-- Adding extra lighting Ordinary household light works fine with the QX3TM microscope. You may want to place a high-intensity desk lamp near the microscope to add to top lighting when using medium or high magnification. If disk space is limited, urge your children to delete unwanted captures when they finish playing. Alt-F4 is a function of Microsoft® Windows® that will quit an application. Remind your children to avoid these keystrokes when using the QX3TM software. Lighting controls You control the lights in Live View with the Lighting Controls on the screen. When you remove the microscope from the base, the top light comes on automatically. More information about software operation is in the Online Help files. Audio Help is also available to help your children learn to: Playing safely We encourage you to participate in play activity with this and other toys unless your children play responsibly when unsupervised. The QX3TM Computer Microscope, if misused, could result in injury or damage. Here are some suggestions for safe operation of the QX3TM Computer Microscope. Capture magnified pictures and movies of interesting things they find and collect. Make slide shows to share with family and friends. Uninstalling the QX3 software TM Using the right light Use the bottom light to shine light up through transparent and very thin samples (e. g. , feathers, slices of vegetables, onion skin). The light in the detachable microscope illuminates objects that are too large or heavy to be placed on the microscope's sample platform. You can also use the microscope on the stand to view small solid objects and living specimens with top lighting. To uninstall your QX3TM software from the Windows® Start menu, click Start, point to Programs, point to Digital Blue QX3 Microscope and then click Uninstall QX3 Microscope. To reinstall the software, see the section "Setup Guide" on page 3, or press F1 for Online Help. When setting up the play area, make sure your child can easily view the monitor while placing specimens on the sample platform. Be especially careful when using liquids around electrical equipment. WARNING: If you use an additional light with your microscope, do not use a lamp with a halogen or other high heat bulb that could cause burns if accidently touched. 5 1318 Parent Guide Final 03/12/2002 04:05 PM Page 6 Care and maintenance Caring for the lens cover The protective lens cover on the QX3TM microscope may become dirty with use. Never use a lens brush or other rubbing method to clean the lens cover. Avoid the use of liquid cleaners! Lens cover replacement If the lens cover becomes severely smudged, scratched, or stained, it should be replaced. To order a replacement lens cover, see "Support" on page 7. IMPORTANT: The bulbs become hot when operating. [. . . ] Please reinstall QX3 software. Solution Connect the microscope, see page 3. Reinstall the QX3TM software (see page 3) or go to Add/Remove Programs in your Computer's control panels, select the QX3TM Microscope from the menu of programs and click Add/Remove. Select the "repair" option and click "next. " Delete items from the sample collection, run the Windows® maintenance utilities, and/or delete other unused files and applications. Alt-tab to other open applications and exit them. BMP (1-bit, 2-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit color depths). [. . . ]