Download a PDF copy of the IBearM manual:
IBearM.
Q. I cannot get consistent retrieval from the DataBear connection. What is wrong?
A.
IBearM does not connect reliably over the serial COM ports when opened within Windows operating systems.
1) Be sure you are operating in DOS-only mode. To use this mode, shutdown Windows and, when presented with the option, reboot in DOS-only mode. Then open IBearM. The software is reliable in this mode. (If you are manipulating data retrieved from previously saved native files, you can operate in the MS-DOS window within Windows.)
2) Some older laptops do not have a floating-point processor built in. For this reason a slightly slower version of the program, using software floating-point capabilities, should be used. This is "eIBearM". eIBearM can also be used with those machines that do have fp installed.
3) Be sure you are connected to the identified COM port. Usually COM1 by default.
Q. My data did not store. Why?
A.
You are not prompted to store the retrieved data To save it for future use you must do so using a command.
1) ALWAYS SAVE AS A "NATIVE" FILE; this is your primary archival data. Use Command 7.
2) Optionally also save as an ASCII file (Command 8); this is much larger. An ASCII file can be created any time in the future by opening the 'native' file. ASCII files can also average your data, a convenience. ASCII files cannot be retrieved within IBearM or read using the MacOS dedicated software. Native files can be used by either system.
3) Command 9 automatically saves both types of files from all data collected. It is a convenience.
4) IBearM does not verify that your files have been correctly stored. They normally are. However, if a floppy (or internal or other) disk is full, the file name will be allocated but no data will be stored. The file name will show zero bytes! You can verify all data are saved by viewing the directory and observing the file size.
Q. Am I Y2K compliant?
A.
IBearM is not yet upgraded to be Year-2000 Compliant. It will be within 1999. The DataBear Measurer itself requires an adjustment, in software, to be compliant. This has been done in the Macintosh 'Sense-Your-World!' software, but the IBearM upgrade is not released. However, you can do the following:
1) If you are going to be operating beyond January 1, 2000, and you do not have a copy of Version 2.00 (or greater) of IBearM, simply use a date that is ten years earlier. Use 1989/1990 instead of 1999/2000. You can adjust the date later in your data processing. By just changing the year (using 890515 vs. 990515, for example), everything will work just fine.
2) If the DataBear Measurer time has been set in 1999 or later by the MacOS software, it will show a year much earlier (SYW uses -68 years for a reason). IBearM will not report this earlier date accurately so it is necessary to reset the time. Then all will be well after the next data sample is stored.
Q. The date shows early in 1988. Why?
A.
If all power has been disconnected from the DataBear Measurer, it will completely reset ('hard' reset, meaning 'hardware' reset.)
1) On serial numbers of 1600 and thereafter, all calibrations, channel designations and the sample period are retained but the DataBear does not know the new time. By default it is set to begin operation on January 1, 1988, at 00:00:00 hours. Looking at the time elapsed, you can determine when the hard reset occurred. To bring to current operating time, simply reset the time.
2) On earlier serial numbers, the channel designation, sample period and calibrations must be reentered and modified as needed, in addition to setting the time. By default these earlier DataBears begin with five channels sampling each minute with a slope of 5.000 and 0.000 offset (thus reporting millivolts). All must be reentered. It is a good idea to keep a copy of these settings.
Q. My data will not advance, but everything seems correctly set. What is happening?
A.
Retrieve the Information Block. The DataBear can store up to four separate time-stamped sets of data. If all have a time and show samples gathered, the data acquisition has stopped, by design.
1) This condition is part of the DataBear operating firmware; it was included to prevent loss of data. Separate time-stamped data sets occur when Operating Power is removed for more than 300 seconds.
2) The ONLY way to reset is to create a hard reset: remove BOTH Operating Power (the coaxial connector) and Maintenance Power (which may be mounted under the side case on some instruments and requires a 5/64th hex wrench to access.) Three red flashes will occur when power is reestablished by either OP or MP after a hard reset. (See "The date shows early in 1988", above.)
Download a PDF copy of the IBearM manual:
IBearM.