ROBOLAB 2.9.4 Hardware Support Chart by Operating System

How do I install it?
    If you are running the English version, you can either use the Easy Installer (recommended for all users) or the ROBOLAB Patcher (recommended for advanced users). Directions to run the ROBOLAB Patcher are also included in the patch folder in a file named ReadMeFirst.txt

• All other languages must use the ROBOLAB Patcher so as not to affect the translated text.
• The ROBOLAB Patcher requires you to manually install VISA and the new LEGO NXT Driver in order for ROBOLAB 2.9.4 to run properly(directions below).

Easy Install (ENGLISH ONLY):
1. Log in to your computer as an administrator
2. Download the Easy Installer using the links above
3. Unzip the Easy Installer file
4 . Make sure ROBOLAB is closed
5 . Run the Easy Installer (Mac: RL294PatchMAC PC: RL294Patch.exe)

*if you have multiple versions of ROBOLAB on your machine, make sure that the installer has selected the correct version*

6. Restart ROBOLAB.

ROBOLAB Patcher (Power Users and All Languages except English):
1. Log in to your computer as an administrator
2. Download the ROBOLAB Patcher using the links above
3. Unzip the ROBOLAB Patcher (RL294PowerPatch_PC.zip or RL294PowerPatch_MAC.zip)
3a. PC Users: After unzipping, RL294PowerPatch_PC.zip, you need to run RL294PowerPatch_PC.exe to access the patch folder.
4. Make sure ROBOLAB is closed
5. Right button click (ctrl click) on the icon inside the patch folder called RL29Patch3.llb and select "Open with ROBOLAB29"
6. The installer will start - it will prompt you with a few questions, answer them accurately
7. Once it is done installing, it will ask you to hit done. After that point it will recompile and resave all Robolab vis.
8. Two dialog boxes talking about "insane objects" in Pilot 4  will appear-ignore these and hit "Ok"
9. Install VISA and LEGO NXT Drivers(directions below).

* IMPORTANT: Please follow directions to install VISA and LEGO NXT Drivers. Installing VISA and LEGO NXT Drivers in the incorrect order can cause ROBOLAB 2.9.4 to function improperly.

VISA and LEGO NXT Drivers Installation:

PC
1. You first need to install National Instruments VISA. Run setup.exe inside the RL294PowerPatch_PC\Drivers\Labview directory
2. Follow the directions for the VISA Installer. *Note: you may have to reboot after this installer.
3. Now install the LEGO NXT Driver:

• Windows XP/Vista x86(32 bit) Users: Run LegoMindstormsNXTdriver32.msi inside the \RL294PowerPatch_PC\Drivers\NXT_Driver32 directory
• Windows Vista x64(64 bit) Users: Run LegoMindstormsNXTdriver64.msi inside the \RL294PowerPatch_PC\Drivers\NXT_Driver64 directory

MAC
1. Double click NI_Drivers file to start the drivers install. This will install both VISA and the LEGO NXT Driver. *Note: You will be required to reboot after installation.

 

What is new/fixed?
We have fixed a few major issues with both the RCX and the NXT and have added a few new features. Remember to use the extended help area to see example programs. Major improvements include:

1. VISTA support for the NXT 2. NXT to NXT communication using Bluetooth is supported using the existing mail icons 3. Vernier sensor support (Now support for 41 Vernier Sensors) 4. Improved the RCX firmware download reliability 5. New functions in the Evaluate Expression block (sqrt, log10, log, asin, acos, abs, modulo) 6. Support for BIG fonts and centered text on the NXT display 7. The ability to write anywhere on the NXT screen support 8. A live update of the NXT screen image on the NXT download dialog 9. Bug fixes to comparison of floating point variables 10. Faster NXT subroutines (with support for subroutines within subroutines)

Download the full list of fixes - ROBOLAB294_updates.doc

How can I learn more ?

ROBOLAB 2.9.4 includes support for interactive books that open in ROBOLAB to demonstrate software features.

Books currently available to download:

• What's New in ROBOLAB 2.9.4?

• ROBOLAB Basics

• Vernier Sensors *Requires 2.9.4 B *
  

Once you have downloaded the file, double click to open in ROBOLAB.

Questions and Help

What if I have ROBOLAB 2.5.4?  You need to buy the upgrade CD from your LEGO Education Distributor to apply this patch.  Applying the 2.9.4 patch to 2.5.4 you will result in a lot of crashing.

Is the only way to get ROBOLAB 2.9.4 on VISTA to install ROBOLAB 2.9.2 and then run the ROBOLAB 2.9.4? Unfortunately, this is the only solution . Contact if you have any issues with getting ROBOLAB 2.9.4 to work on a VISTA machine.

I have Windows Vista x64(64 bit) and I want to use ROBOLAB 2.9.4 to program my RCX? Unfortunately, the RCX USB Tower is not supported on the 64 bit version of Vista and there are no plans for future support of the USB Tower on this operating system.

I'm having trouble with my serial tower? If you still have a serial tower, check out the knowledgebase for tips on using the serial tower on various platforms.

What if I have a beta version of 2.9 ?   It's recommended that you install a clean version of ROBOLAB 2.9 and run the 2.9.4 Patch

How do I uninstall ROBOLAB? To un-install
    - PC users run the uninstaller in your Start Menu and then drag the folder ROBOLAB29 to the trash
    - MAC users drag the ROBOLAB29 folder to the trash.

Is there an easy way to run the patch/installer on 20 computers in a computer lab? Unfortunately the patch requires some user interaction. The Easy installer requires a lot less interaction and runs a lot faster. There is no "silent" mode.

I have multiple versions of ROBOLAB on my machine, how do I make sure it upgrades the correct one? The Easy Installer will ask you which one you want to use. The ROBOLAB Patcher is easy - just make sure you run it in the ROBOLAB version you want to upgrade.

How can I tell the patch was installed successfully? Hit the "About" button on the main page - it should say 2.9.4.

What should I do if I get errors while installing with the ROBOLAB Patcher? Try again. Multiple tries are required on some systems with unique configurations or permission setups.

What do I do if nothing now works and the patch has ruined everything? Reinstall 2.9.2 and then send us an email ( ) with the issues you ran into and we can see what went wrong.

How do I get to the extended help in ROBOLAB? Ctrl H will bring up the help menu - then mouse over the desired icon and at the bottom of the help menu you will see "Click here for more help" in blue - click there.

Created 2/25/08