New Classmate Software for Veteran Team

[bhsrobotics1671]

We recently purchased a new netbook to replace our classmate that was stolen We heard that veteran teams with new DS would need something equivalent to the rookie USB drive. Where do we need to go in order to get the necessary software to get our new netbook up and running?

[vhcook]

I think Kate Pilotte (the KOP coordinator) said something during kickoff about needing to call FIRST for help with getting an appropriate image if you had something other than the 2010 or 2011 Classmates.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by vhcook

I think Kate Pilotte (the KOP coordinator) said something during kickoff about needing to call FIRST for help with getting an appropriate image if you had something other than the 2010 or 2011 Classmates.

I find it hard to believe that FIRST would produce a restoration key with custom drivers for every single team who bought a custom laptop. Kate did say to let them know if you got a 2011 key and had a 2010 laptop or vice-versa, but I suspect only the two existing keys are available.

Assuming that 1671 did not get the new classmate, and rather bought a random netbook, you'll need to install the software manually. Install the LabVIEW update, then the Utilities update, then the driver station update as detailed on the driver station update page. http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/2263/lang/en If you plan to do development on the netbook also, install the appropriate programming software from the DVD in the KOP prior to the updates.

[vhcook]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

I find it hard to believe that FIRST would produce a restoration key with custom drivers for every single team who bought a custom laptop. Kate did say to let them know if you got a 2011 key and had a 2010 laptop or vice-versa, but I suspect only the two existing keys are available.

I can't imagine it being anything but an administrative nightmare, but I found Kate's video and at 0:46 she did indeed ask teams with exotic driver stations to email FIRST for help.

[bhsrobotics1671]

Originally Posted by vhcook

I can't imagine it being anything but an administrative nightmare, but I found Kate's video and at 0:46 she did indeed ask teams with exotic driver stations to email FIRST for help.

Thank You Everyone! We emailed frcteam@usfirst.org yesterday but haven't heard anything yet. I did not know of the frcparts@usfirst.org email address.

[darkorbit]

What's the model of the classmate did you get? My team also got another classmate but It was a different model than the 2010 model. I used the vet image and it worked but I was missing some drivers that I obtained on the classmate website. Other than that It worked fine.

[bhsrobotics1671]

Originally Posted by darkorbit

What's the model of the classmate did you get? My team also got another classmate but It was a different model than the 2010 model. I used the vet image and it worked but I was missing some drivers that I obtained on the classmate website. Other than that It worked fine.

At first we weren't sure why we needed to contact FIRST for new netbooks for veteran teams then learned it was mainly just for the drivers. We actually didn't get a classmate, we purchased another netbook locally so we could have it quickly. Now that we know the only real difference was the drivers we are going to proceed with using the veteran key to flash our netbook.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

Good Luck This Year!

[jhersh]

Originally Posted by bhsrobotics1671

Now that we know the only real difference was the drivers we are going to proceed with using the veteran key to flash our netbook.

I strongly recommend against using the thumb drive that came with your kit on anything other than the classmate that it is intended for. The drivers will not match and you will just have headaches. If you already have an OS on it, then all you need is the Tools from the NI DVD and the Driver Station update installer. If you need an OS too, I recommend you get it elsewhere.

-Joe