Your Tablet-PC uses a specifically designed electrostatic pen or stylus
for use in tablet PC mode. Instead of relying on battery power, the energy source
for the stylus is magnetic energy produced by the excitation coil built into the
digitizer itself. The signal from the coil is picked up by the stylus and triggers
the stylus to transmit an electric field.
The transmitted electric field
is sensed by a matrix of conductive lines, accurate stylus position determined
using the low amplitude signals received on the vertical and horizontal conductors,
and an appropriate signal is transferred to the digitizer's on-board processor.
Tips come in two colors/types, blue and black. The blue tips are designed
for a "softer" writing feel. The black tips present a "harder" writing feel. The
system ships with a total of 5 (3 blue and two black) tips. These tips are easily
replaced by using the pen-tip removal tool which looks similar to an oversized
pair of tweezers. This tool also ships with the Tablet-PC.
NOTE: In the event of a suspected digitizer failure,
the pen tip should be examined. If the tip is damaged it needs to be replaced.
This will oftentimes remedy to problem with the digitizer.
The pen can function
at the default calibration or at a calibration set by you or by another user.
It is recommended that you use the pen only while it is calibrated to your personal
calibration settings. Calibration optimizes pen performance for each user.
To
calibrate the pen:
Open QuickSet.
Click System®Tablet
Settings.
On the Dell Tablet Settings window,
click Pen & Input then click Calibrate.
Follow
the instructions on the screen. The calibration markers are displayed on the screen
as plus signs (+). Tap the pen in the exact center of each of the calibration
markers.
NOTE: Be sure to calibrate the pen for use in both
portrait and landscape display orientations.
The
pen is the first component to be investigated in the event of a suspected problem
with the digitizer. Verify the tip is in good shape (free of chips, excessive
wear, etc.) by closely examining it. If there is any doubt, you should change
out the tip with a new one or one that is known to be in good condition.
You
should also verify that the touch capabilities are not affected. Switch to touch
mode and see if the problem still exists. If there are no symptoms present while
in touch mode, the pen tip is the most likely suspect. If the problem does persist
in touch mode you should run diagnostics and take the necessary steps depending
on the results.
