Do we need to use the classmate?

[sulaiman400]

Earlier this season, our classmate unfortunately hit some issues. We could fix it, but we figured that it would be easier and cheaper to just use a laptop. I was just curious. Can you use a non-classmate laptop to run driver station during competition? And if yes, what do you need to download? Just the software from the labview CD?

[jtdowney]

Yes, you can find instructions on installing the driver station software on the Kit of Parts website (http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2011_Assets/Kit_of_Parts/Installing%20the%202011%20Driver%20Station%20on%20 a%20non-Classmate%20PC_Rev0.pdf).

[Dkt01]

And make sure your user name is "Driver" so the FMS recognizes the computer right.

[Pat Major]

Make sure you use a upper case D or the field will not recognize it.

[MotorHead]

We also learned that Windows 7 Starter is not supported by the National Instruments Utilities. There is a thread here on CD about it as well. It suggests a possible workaround to use Starter, but I haven't had a chance to try. At the Granite State Regional today, I spoke with a NI rep about this. Unfortunately he was unaware of the problem and said he would get back to me.

I suspect we will end up re-imaging using the image that came in this years KOP to update the older classmates.

[WizenedEE]

I converted my laptop into a partial driver station; just make an account called "Driver" and install FRC Driver Station.exe (probably a good idea to install the dashboard also :p)

And labview, of course. You don't need to make the Driver Station the shell of the Driver account (as the classmate is, without the start menu).

*I have never tried this with the FMS, but everything works exactly as intended at home.

[Navid Shafa]

Nope, do what you want! Uur team is using an Asus netbook this year. The classmate of ours has astonishingly low battery life, long boot-up waits, etc. Glad that alternatives are now available.

[Tommithy]

you could your laptop as one, if the software stuff is on there, thats how i tested code, i think a laptop would be better as a classmate cuz the ds has very low hard disk memory.

[Nelson]

We even got an iPhone to work as the driver station.