There are two very important settings in Windows that you need to be aware of when using Spooky2:
PC Sleep Settings
If your computer is set to sleep or hibernate after a certain amount of time with no user activity, here’s what happens:
The contents of your memory are temporarily written to a file on the hard drive. The drive then stops spinning – this means that nothing more can be read from it into memory.
So when your PC sleeps or hibernates, it is effectively no longer working, much like a TV on standby. Consequently, Spooky2 will simply suspend transmission until you wake your PC again.
To fix this, go to Control Panels > Power Options > Change when the computer sleeps and set everything except the screen to Never. Alternatively, you can use a dark screen saver to extend display life (Control Panels > Personalization > Screen Saver).
Windows Update Reboots
If your PC is also used for the internet, be aware that default system settings mean that Windows can download and install updates automatically. It can then quit Spooky2, install the updates, and restart your PC – ending your entire Spooky2 session without any warning to you.
To fix this, go to Control Panels > Windows Update > Change settings and choose anything other than Install updates automatically. If you don’t want to lose this auto-install functionality, you can simply switch off your modem/wi-fi router before going to sleep or leaving your home. But remember to keep an eye on things while you’re at home but away from the computer. If you don’t use a wi-fi system, your computer is connected to the internet with an ethernet cable plugged into a modem or switcher. If you unplug this cable, Windows can’t go looking for updates, so your Spooky2 session can’t be interrupted.
Dear Spooky2,
It would be great to have this in the beginning of the users manual. Just sayin. 🙂
Dear Friend, Ok thank you for your suggestion.We will approve.
Sad that it can’t work when the screen saver kicks in
Yes. So we recommend you disable the screen saver and turn off sleep mode.
My computer expert told me to just dim the screen when you are away from it to prevent screen burn in. That way you don’t need a screen saver.
Dear friend, thanks for your sharing and kindness. Have a nice day! 🙂
This is such important information and yet it is not a part of the standard setting up instruction?
If you disconnect the internet cable you cannot get updates etc so how does this contributors system work???
BRB
Hi, so sorry to bring you this trouble, and thanks for your kind advice:) We will report this idea to our support team!
After you complete the software update, you can disconnect from the network to run some programs.
I had to switch lap tops and now it will only recognize one of my generators. I have a generationX and only have the two on the machine. I have tried rebooting, rescanning, changing USB cord and still only recognizes one. What can I do? The machine is less than a year old.
Hi, please feel free to contact our customer service staff, you are welcome to send your question to [email protected], they will help you have a further check and reply to you ASAP:)