SOAR PROBLEMS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

ARE YOU HAVING A PROBLEM USING YOUR SOAR?
SEE IF THE "SYMPTOMS" MATCH ANY OF THE ONES LISTED BELOW.

If your problem isn't included, or if the remedies don't work, consult your vendor, or you may email Cindy Henk at henkmc@lsu.edu or call her at

(225) 578-8860.

CLICK ON TEXT BELOW TO GO STRAIGHT TO SOLUTION

A.	NO PICTURE ON TV, RED LIGHT NOT SHINING ON SOAR CRADLE
B.	NO PICTURE ON TV, RED LIGHT IS SHINING ON SOAR CRADLE
C.	1X IMAGE IS STRANGE COLOR
D.	*1X OR TOUCH AND VIEW* IMAGE OBJECT IS TOO DARK OR TOO LIGHT AGAINST BACKGROUND**
E.	*200X INVERT AND VIEW* IMAGE IS TOO DARK OR TOO LIGHT AGAINST BACKGROUND**
F.	1X IMAGE APPEARS FUZZY
G.	30X OR 200X IMAGE APPEARS FUZZY OR HAS THE SAME DARK SPOTS NO MATTER WHAT SAMPLE IS VIEWED
H.	30X LENS COMES APART
I.	IF NONE OF THE ABOVE HELPS

A. NO PICTURE ON TV, RED LIGHT NOT SHINING ON SOAR CRADLE

BACK TOP

Check that power cord is plugged in and well connected to SOAR, and cradle switch turned on.

B. NO PICTURE ON TV, RED LIGHT IS SHINING ON SOAR CRADLE

BACK TOP

1. Check that video cable is well connected to TV or VCR " video in" port and SOAR output port

2. Check that "ON" button is pressed on handset

3. Check that correct channel or line is selected on TV and/or VCR.

Unfortunately there is no industry standard. If you do not have access to the instructions for your set, try the following.

On your TV, try the channel below #1, or the one above the highest #, or if you know which channel is used for video games, select that one.
A VCR may automatically select the correct line if you insert a videotape.
It may also have a switch on the back or on the menu to choose between lines "1 & 2" or "A & B" or to choose "A/V in". Try this switch.
When you see an "A" or "B" in the lower right corner of the TV screen, you know that your SOAR is now being displayed on the TV.

When you have determined the proper setup steps, write them down on a label and attach it to the TV/VCR!

If you cannot establish communication between the SOAR and your model of TV, contact the TV or VCR manufacturer (try the web) or check with Cindy Henk (see header above).

C. 1X IMAGE IS STRANGE COLOR

BACK TOP

1. Press the ERASE button or the ON button and choose the better color

2. Adjust ambient lighting by increasing or decreasing the light level in the room or area.

D. 1X OR TOUCH AND VIEW IMAGE OBJECT IS TOO DARK OR LIGHT AGAINST BACKGROUND

BACK TOP

Change the darkness of the background, perhaps by using black, white, or gray paper.

E. 200X INVERT AND VIEW IMAGE IS TOO DARK OR LIGHT AGAINST BACKGROUND

BACK TOP

Using a work lamp with a shade, adjust the position of the lamp above the SOAR, rotating or offsetting the shade slightly so that the light angle on the specimen will vary. Some details will appear better with one light position and others with a different one.

F. 1X IMAGE APPEARS FUZZY

BACK TOP

1. Focus the image by turning the knurled black ring at the periphery of the lens.

2. See G-3 below.

G. 30X OR 200X IMAGE APPEARS FUZZY OR HAS THE SAME DARK SPOTS NO MATTER WHAT SAMPLE IS VIEWED

BACK TOP

1. For TOUCH AND VIEW make sure that contact tip is attached properly

2. For 30X, allow for focus of recessed areas by removing contact tip (DON'T LOSE IT!), and supporting handset at appropriate distance from specimen. For 200X, adjust white focus ring until image appears focused. (Ring will not be screwed tightly against its black or gray base.)

3. Remove lens and check that no foreign object is in handset or on back of lens. You may use a compressed air duster to remove dust particles, but ALWAYS BE SURE TO HOLD THE DUSTER CAN UPRIGHT OR YOU WILL SQUIRT LIQUID SOLVENT INTO YOUR SOAR! Stubborn particles may be LIGHTLY brushed off of the small green rectangle in the handset with a cotton swab. For a particularly bad contamination problem you may need to consult your vendor.

H. 30X LENS COMES APART

If someone inadvertently unscrews this lens, collect the parts. You should have 3 main pieces: the contact/non-contact cone and tip, a doughnut shaped piece and a piece with an "axle":

2 different styles of 30x lens with their component parts

BACK TOP	1. While everything is apart, remove any dust. See G-3 above!!

2. Find the small index mark on the perimeter of the doughnut-shaped insert. This is the light unit and contains the lights and polarizing filter.

3. Look at the part with the black "axle" (the optical lens). One end has only two metal studs showing. Above the screw threads at the periphery is another TINY index mark.

4. Hold the light unit so that all of the metal dots will be facing the metal studs in the lens unit.

5. Rotate the pieces so that the index marks are lined up and gently jiggle the light unit into place. Part will extend above the edge of the lens unit.

6. Screw the cone/tip section back into place against the screw threads of the lens unit, making sure all is firmly secured in place.

I. If none of the above works

Please contact Scalar