Frequently Asked Questions: ELO Touchscreens

How much memory is required for Elo drivers?

The amount of memory is insignificant, about the same as a mouse driver.

Can I use both my touchscreen and mouse at the same time with the Elo drivers?

Yes. Elo drivers work with your existing mouse drivers.

DOS and Windows 3.x: You must first install MOUSE.COM along with ELODEV.EXE and MONMOUSE.COM in AUTOEXEC.BAT. (For touchscreen only operation, load NOMOUSE.COM instead of MOUSE.COM).

Other: Configure the mouse normally before installing the touchscreen drivers.

I want to run multiple monitors, maybe each with a touchscreen, on one PC. Can I do this in Windows?

The latest version of the Windows 95/98/Me and Windows NT drivers have multiple monitor support built in, with integrated setup.

What is the response time for the touchscreen?

Both AccuTouch and IntelliTouch touchscreen controllers sense the quickest possible tap (contacts of only 30ms). Response time is perceived as immediate unless the application does not give proper feedback. 

How often is it necessary to recalibrate?

You should never have to recalibrate Elo touchscreens. If possible, cover the monitor’s controls so someone does not accidentally adjust the image size or position.

How reliable is a touchscreen?

There is no standard way of measuring MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for a touchscreen, but AccuTouch touchscreens have been tested to more than 35 million touches in one spot with a stylus similar to a finger, and IntelliTouch touchscreens have been tested to more than 50 million touches. Warranties for AccuTouch touchscreens are 5 years, and 10 years for IntelliTouch touchscreens. The touchscreen controller MTBFs are typically 2-4 times longer than that of the display. 

Are fingerprints and dirt a problem on touchscreens?

Dirt and fingerprints do not affect the operation of a properly sealed AccuTouch or IntelliTouch touch display. Use bright, patterned background colors to minimize the visual effects of dirt and fingerprints.

What can I use to clean the touchscreen?

Any standard glass cleaner can be used to clean the touchscreen. Always spray the glass cleaner on the cloth or towel and then clean the touchscreen. Glass cleaner sprayed directly on the monitor could possibly leak inside a non-sealed unit and cause damage.

Will vinegar or ammonia hurt the touchscreen?

No, but be careful that liquids do not leak inside non-sealed units. Again, spray the cloth and then clean the touchscreen.

Which should I use—a serial, USB, or bus controller?

Most new customers purchase monitors with an internal serial or internal USB controller installed along with the touchscreen. One cable connects the touchscreen to an available COM or USB port.

Elo also offers external serial and PC-Bus controllers. The external MX serial controllers can either be mounted to the back of the monitor or allowed to rest on a flat surface, and power must be supplied (typically by a wall-mount power supply), so there are more cables than with an internal controller. Elo supplies kits that include a power supply and connection cables. The PC-Bus controller (AccuTouch only) is installed in an ISA bus slot and may be used if no COM or USB port is available.

Serial or USB controllers may be used with an Apple Macintosh computer, depending on the port types that are available on the particular Macintosh model (see "Can I use an Elo touchmonitor on a Macintosh?" below).

What COM ports can I put my touchscreen on?

Latest versions of Windows 95/98/Me, Windows 2000 and Windows NT drivers: Any available COM port may be selected in the SETUP program.

DOS and Windows 3.x: COM 1-4 may be specified on the ELODEV command line, along with the IRQ.

Currently, the IRQ for the COM port can only be shared in Windows 95/98 and Windows NT, but only if the COM hardware and drivers support IRQ sharing.

Can I use an Elo touchmonitor on a Macintosh?

Yes, all Elo touchmonitors may be used on a Macintosh. For older Macs that have printer and modem ports, use a serial controller with serial interface cable, PN 084037-000. Newer Macs have USB ports only, so the USB controller is appropriate (be sure to use the 3000U USB controller with AccuTouch screens and the 2500U USB controller with IntelliTouch screens). Choose the appropriate driver (Macintosh serial or Macintosh USB).

Note that an external touchmonitor is not an option with iMac machines because iMacs do not have an external video port. Touch-ready iMac machines are available from Elo TouchSystems.

How far away can the touchscreen be from the computer?

It depends on the touchscreen controller configuration.

If you use a serial controller, either internal or external, then the distance between the serial controller and the PC can usually be up to 200 feet. Short-haul modems can be used as necessary beyond 50-200 feet. Note that VGA cable lengths will probably be the limiting factor, as video amplifiers or specially shielded cables are generally required beyond six feet.

The cables for the IntelliTouch PC-Bus controllers come in six and nine foot lengths, and you must use one of those specially shielded cables when using an IntelliTouch PC-Bus controller.

IntelliTouch MX external serial controllers use a standardized input cable (approximately four feet long), and that cable must be used.

With AccuTouch bus or external serial controllers, you can build your own straight-through cable and easily extend up to 50 feet. While usually not a problem, noise from long cables will be indicated by excessive coordinate jitter.

Will touchscreens contribute to EMI/RFI emissions? What about UL?

All touch systems have electronics that can potentially contribute to system EMI/RFI. Systems designed with Elo components can typically pass FCC Class A and EN550022, now required for the European CE mark. Standard EMI suppression techniques may be necessary to satisfy the requirements.

The integration of a touchscreen voids the display manufacturer’s agency approvals including FCC, UL, and CE. The manufacturer’s agency approval markings must be removed. All Elo touchmonitors and displays have been recertified for the appropriate agency approvals. See the individual touchmonitor specifications for details.