Scoreboard stopped working

Read the scoreboard Status

1. Go to Scoreboard | Options and select your scoreboard in the list.
2. Check its Status.
   • Not Loaded: close and reopen FinishLynx.
   • Not Running: the Serial Port is set to none. Go to "Serial boards" below.
   • Not Connected: a network scoreboard isn't connected. Go to "Network boards" below.
   • Running: FinishLynx is sending data. That doesn't prove the board is receiving it, so still check the port, cable and board.
3. If the scoreboard isn't in the list at all, for example on a new laptop, set it up again: Connecting a new scoreboard.

Serial boards: set the port and the script

1. Set Serial Port to where the board's serial cable is plugged in. It must not be none.
   • The 9-pin SERIAL port on the back of the camera: <Camera Name> (Body)
   • The serial port on a Connection Box (linked to the camera's Connection Box port by the connection box cable): <Camera Name> (C-Box)
   • The computer, or a USB-to-serial adapter on it: its COM port
2. To find the adapter's COM number, open Device Manager and look under Ports (COM & LPT). Windows can give the adapter a different COM number from the one FinishLynx is set to, for example on a new computer.
3. If the COM port isn't in the list, plug the adapter in and restart FinishLynx: ports are read when FinishLynx opens.
   • If Windows doesn't recognize the adapter, reinstall its driver from the Drivers and utilities page and check that it appears in Device Manager. See also the COM port isn't listed.
4. Make sure Script is set too. Choosing only the COM port isn't enough.
   • Choosing the script fills in the baud rate, parity and other serial settings when the script includes them, so you don't normally change them by hand.
5. Set Running Time to Normal and Results for your board, click OK, then close and reopen FinishLynx.
6. Check the serial cable is firmly seated at both ends.

Network boards: prove the network first

1. Give the FinishLynx computer a static IP address on the same subnet as the board, for example 192.168.0.5 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0 for a MicroTab at its default 192.168.0.123.
2. Ping the board's IP address from a Command Prompt. If it doesn't reply, check the cable, the computer's IP settings and the board's IP address before changing anything in FinishLynx.
3. Make sure the computer is on the timing network. A laptop joined to another network, such as a school or college network, may not use the IP settings you gave it.
4. In Scoreboard | Options, check the IP address and port match the board.
5. If Serial Port offers no Network choices, update FinishLynx. FinishLynx 13.00 and later include the Network ComPort (NCP) feature that adds them.

Test it

1. Go to Scoreboard | Show Time of Day. If the board shows the time, FinishLynx is reaching it. Turn Show Time of Day off again before you open your first event.
2. Check the board is in its FinishLynx mode, for example "rd" on an Electro-Numerics Raceclock or Base Program on a MicroTab. See Raceclock by Electro-Numerics and MicroTab LED Display.

If the clock runs but won't stop, or results never replace it, see Time missing or clock won't stop. If the Status is Running, the port and cable are right and the board still shows nothing, use the button below.