3M™ Digital Library Assistant User Guide
Troubleshooting
This section includes solutions to some common problems that may occur.
DLA startup problems
Problem
The DLA does not appear to work.
The power will not come on (screen remains blank).
Lines appear on display or the display appears distorted.
The DLA Home screen does not appear.
The DLA displays “No Database” or “Invalid Database” messages when you insert a memory card.
Invalid Database
Solution
Perform the DLA Reset Procedure described in the 3M™
Handheld RFID Reader Owner's Manual.
Insert a fully charged battery into the DLA and follow the startup instructions (See the 3M™ Handheld RFID Reader
Owner's Manual.)
Either of these two messages is usually the result of corrupted data on the memory card.
Invalid database found on memory card.
Export data to memory card again.
Problem
This data corruption is usually the result of removing the memory card from the memory-card drive before the Data
Manager export is complete.
-or-
Not using the Windows Eject command before removing the memory card from the Data Manager memory-card drive.
OK
No Database
DLA_061
No database found on
Memory card.
Insert a memory card with a
Valid database.
OK
DLA_053
Some of the information on the DLA display is missing.
For example, the first line (primary information) may be missing but the second line is okay.
Solutions
Try the export procedure again.
If the DLA continues to display database error messages when you insert the memory card, reformat the memory card.
(See the 3M™ Handheld RFID Reader Owner’s Manual for format instructions.)
3M recommends using only SanDisk memory cards and SanDisk memory-card readers for use with the DLA and Data Manager software.
Check the Data Manager software export log for instances of missing primary and/or secondary information fields. The error log allows you to trace the problem back to an individual record.
Check for missing primary and/or secondary information fields in the list files generated by your circulation system.
You may want to correct any errors in your circulation system item records.
Occasionally, a corrupted memory card can result in missing display information. If this occurs, format the memory card. See the 3M™ Handheld RFID Reader
Owner’s Manual for information.
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3M™ Digital Library Assistant User Guide
Problem Solution
The DLA displays incorrect item information.
For example, the DLA displays a title where there should be an author.
Start Data Manager software, check (preview) the export format that you assigned to the list.
If the export format is set up correctly, check for problems in the various lists generated from your circulation system.
If the DLA indicates a misshelved item but the item is shelved correctly.
Catalog errors
Check the spine label to make sure it matches the item data displayed on the DLA. If the two are different, the circulation system record may have an error or the spine label may be incorrect.
The call number in your circulation system database may be incorrect.
An item appears to be out of order but the DLA indicates that it is correctly shelved.
The DLA is finding excessive shelf-order errors.
“Item not in database” message appears.
Other
The shelf-order list (exported from Data Manager) may be out of order, or the items are shelved differently than what the shelf-order list indicates. Make sure that the shelf-order lists in the Data Manager screen are in the order that matches the physical shelving of items.
Thin items: In some situations (such as large groups of thin items,) you can change the item-width setting. If you are reading thin items and the item-width setting is set to medium or thick, you may experience excessive false shelf error alerts.
The DLA will not report any shelf-order errors that occur within the order limit range assigned to the Item Width
Setting.
If you use the thin setting for normal or thick items, you may notice reduced accuracy (some detectable shelf-order errors may not be reported).
If you use the thick or medium order-limit setting for thin items, you may experience excessive false shelf-order errors for items that are in the correct position.
The call number in your circulation system database may be incorrect.
The shelf-order list(s) (exported from Data Manager) may be out of order, or the items are shelved differently than what the shelf-order list indicates.
Thin items: In some situations (such as large groups of thin items,) you can change the Item Width Setting.
The order and search lists on the memory card do not include this item.
Check your Data Manager software for the following:
Check the Data Manager export log to make sure that you exported the correct shelf-order lists to the memory card.
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3M™ Digital Library Assistant User Guide
Battery life seems too short
(Model 802)
Battery life seems too short
(Model 803/804)
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Problem
The Find function does not locate the item.
DLA is not reading any tags
The DLA is not reading all of the items.
Solution
Check the Data Manager software setup to make sure that any new circulation system records were added to the shelf-order and/or search lists. This usually requires generating new lists from your circulation system and exporting them to a memory card.
If applicable, make sure that the correct barcode filter was exported to the memory card. In addition, you can use the
DLA’s admin menu Barcode Filter Test to test the barcode filter that is on the memory card.
“Item not in database” message will not affect the data collection function. You can still collect data and save it to the memory card.
The item that you are trying to find must be on one of the shelf-order or search lists located on the memory card.
The find criteria must occur at the beginning of the field(s).
If a title is entered as find criteria, you must include all the characters at the beginning of the title (including any articles such as “a”, “the”, and “an”).
Make sure the Tag Protocol setting is set for the type of tags used at your site. For more information on Tag
Protocol settings, see Changing the Tag Protocol setting on page 34.
Determine which items are not being read and/or why they aren’t being read:
Metal shelf dividers – items must be separated by 0.5 in.
(1.3 cm) from metal shelf dividers.
Metallic book covers – metallic materials used in some book covers can interfere with tag reading.
Improper antenna positioning – see Shelf reading basics on page 36 for more information.
Moving the DLA too fast – move the DLA at a rate of about
one item per beep when the pacing tone is heard. (See
Shelf reading basics on page 36 for more information.)
Make sure the Tag Protocol setting is set for the type of tags used at your site. For more information on Tag
Protocol settings, see Changing the Tag Protocol setting on page 34.
Damaged tags
Missing tags
Thin items
Handheld Model 702 and Model 802
Excessive use of the screen backlight option will reduce battery life.
Handheld Model 803/804 hardware
When not in use, remove the battery to conserve the
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Problem
3M™ Digital Library Assistant User Guide
Solution charge.
Start each day with a fully charged battery.
If your site has a Handheld Model 803/804 and a Handheld
Model 702 or Model 802, do not use the batteries that came with the Model 702/802 in the newer Handheld Model
803/804. They will not last as long as the batteries shipped with the Model 803/804.
Always use 2400mA/hr or greater batteries in the
Model 803/804.
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