Using AAC Keys

Configure AAC Keys

Select a computer COM port

Select an unused COM port on your computer.

If you have a modem, do not select the COM port that the modem is using.

Select a Baud Rate

The baud rate you select for AAC Keys must match the baud rate you select on your communication device.

Set Run at Start Up

If you want AAC Keys to automatically start each time you start your computer, check the Run at Start Up box.

Select OK to use your new settings or cancel to exit AAC Keys set-up without making changes.

A small AAC tray icon will appear on the system toolbar on your computer. This icon is used to access the AAC Keys program while it is running.


To view the current settings, move your mouse over the icon.		To access other features, click on the icon and make a selection from the menu that appears.

Connect Your Communication Device to your Computer

Use the PC interface cable that came with your device.

Connect one end of the cable to the serial port on your communication device. Connect the other end of the cable to the COM port you selected in the AAC Keys configuration on your computer.

Set the OUTPUT MENU on your Communication Aid

Go to the Toolbox.

Open the OUTPUT MENU.

Select RS232 (To use IR, see your device operator's manual and the instruction sheet for the IR receiver you have.)

Turn Output On

Set Output Mode to Immediate

Set Baud Rate to match the rate you set for AAC Keys.

Exit the OUTPUT MENU.

Using AAC Keys

Open a word processing application on your computer.

Type on your communications device to send information to the computer.

Some devices contain computer pages that you can load. These pages allow you to do complete computer emulation. You can emulate a mouse and all of the computer keyboard keys. See your device manual for complete information.

If your device does not include these pages, you will need to set it up for computer emulation or load special vocabulary that includes these commands. See the Computer Emulation section of your manuals.

Troubleshooting

Problem:	Solution:
The computer skips some characters when you send a large amount of text.	Turn on Character Pacing in the Output Menu Choose a lower Baud Rate.
Incorrect characters appear on your computer screen.	Make sure the Baud Rate setting on your device matches the AAC Keys setting. Choose a lower Baud Rate.
The computer does not display any characters you send only when on-line (or your modem is in use).	If your modem is on an odd COM port, e.g. COM1, COM3, etc., use an even COM port for emulation. If your modem is on an even COM port, e.g. COM2, COM4, etc., use an odd COM port for emulation. (Technical answer: Windows dial-up networking does not like to share COM port interrupts.)
The computer does not display any of the characters you send until they scroll off of the display on your device or until you activate Enter or Return.	Set your serial output to Immediate instead of Delayed.
The computer does not display any of the characters you send at all.	Make sure that your device has serial output turned on. Make sure your device is connected to the COM port AAC Keys is configured to use. Make sure the Baud Rate setting on your device matches the AAC Keys setting.