INTRODUCTION Thank you for buying the VTech® Nitro NotebookTM. The VTech® Nitro NotebookTM is an awesome way to get busy with a whole world of learning fun! Get versed in all the basics - letters, phonics, vocabulary, math, science, social studies and more! Plus, learn to speak Spanish like a pro with fun, interactive language games. And don't forget your artistic side - fun music and art activities are just waiting for your creative input. You'll even get a whole set of cool utilities, perfect for the kid on the go! LCD screen Bonus cartridges Volume switch Contrast switch Category buttons Reset hole Demo button Cursor pad Built-in speaker Keyboard Cursor pad "enter" button Cursor pad "enter" button Progress Report button On/Off button Real mouse Mouse pad With additional cartridges, cool graphics, fun sounds, groovy melodies, and a hightech keyboard and mouse, you'll be ready to take the learning world by storm! INSTRUCTIONS & ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE · · · · · Nitro NotebookTM User's manual Real mouse Mouse pad Bonus cartridges: Story Time and Sing-Along WARNING: All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties and tags are not part of this toy and should be discarded for your child's safety. 1 65000 manual-back up 1 5/24/05, 13:20 INTRODUCTION GETTING STARTED POWER SOURCE The Nitro NotebookTM operates on 3 "AA" size batteries (UM-3/LR6) or a VTech® 9V adaptor (sold separately). BATTERY INSTALLATION 1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF. 2. Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the unit and open it. 3. Insert 3 new "AA" batteries (UM-3/LR6) as illustrated. RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. 4. Close the battery cover. alkaline batteries. Important: When replacing the 3 "AA" size batteries, make sure the backup batteries are in the unit. Otherwise you will lose any information stored in the unit. BACKUP BATTERY INSTALLATION Your Nitro NotebookTM comes with a backup battery already installed. To avoid damage to the unit from leaky batteries, replace the backup battery at least once a year. TO REPLACE THE BACKUP BATTERY 1. Make sure the unit is OFF. 2. Using a small cross-head screwdriver, loosen the battery cover. 3. Insert 1 CR2032 size battery as illustrated. 4. Close the battery cover and tighten the screws to secure it. STANDARD FOR BATTERY TOYS · · · · · · · · · · Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries; Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy before being charged; Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision; Do not mix different types of batteries; Do not mix new and used batteries; Only use batteries of the recommended or equivalent type; Always insert batteries properly matching the plus (+) and minus (-) signs; Batteries that have run out of energy must be removed from the toy; Do not short-circuit the supply terminals; Do not use more batteries than recommended; Do not mix alkaline, standard(carbon-zinc) or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries; 65000 manual-back up 2 5/24/05, 13:20 GETTING STARTED 2 NOTE: For best performance, remove all factory-installed batteries and use new, · Remove batteries from the toy if it will not be used for an extended period of time. IMPORTANT: While replacing the backup battery, the 3 "AA" size batteries must be kept in the unit. Otherwise, you will lose any saved information. DC ADAPTOR Use a VTech® adaptor or any other standard adaptor that complies with EN61558 AC-DC 9V 300mA center-positive adaptor. CONNECTING THE ADAPTOR 1. Make sure the unit is OFF. 2. Locate the adaptor jack on the back of the unit. 3. Insert the adaptor plug into the unit's adaptor jack. 4. Plug the adaptor into a wall outlet. 5. Turn the unit ON. NOTE: When the toy is not going to be in use for an extended period of time, unplug the adaptor. STANDARD FOR TOYS WITH ADAPTOR · · · · · · The toy is not intended for use by children under 3 years old; Use only the recommended adaptor with the toy; The adaptor is not a toy; Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid; Never use more than 1 adaptor; Do not leave the toy plugged in for extended periods of time. NOTICE TO PARENTS Regularly examine the adaptor, checking for damage to the cord, plug, transformer or other parts. Do not use the adaptor if there is any damage to it. The demo tag should be removed automatically when the product is taken out of the packaging. If the demo tag is still in position when you begin play, please remove it from the bottom of the unit to activate normal play mode. REAL MOUSE Use the mouse only on a clean, flat surface, so that the roller ball is not damaged and the cursor moves freely across the screen. Use only a mouse that is compatible with VTech ® products. Mouse button Mouse door 65000 manual-back up 3 5/24/05, 13:20 GETTING STARTED 3 CONNECTING THE MOUSE 1. Make sure the unit is OFF. 2. Locate the mouse jack on the back of the unit. 3. Plug the mouse into the mouse jack. USING THE MOUSE 1. Move the mouse in the direction you want the cursor to move. 2. Click on the mouse button to make a selection. CLEANING THE MOUSE 1. Following the arrows, use a screwdriver to open the cover on the bottom of the mouse. 2. Take the ball out of the mouse and use a dry cloth to clean the mouse and the ball. 3. Place the ball back into the mouse, place the cover back onto the mouse and screw the cover closed. CARTRIDGE Insert the cartridge into the cartridge slot on the right side of the unit to play after the unit is turned ON. PRODUCT FEATURES PLAY MODES In · · · · · · · · the Nitro NotebookTM, you can choose from 8 different categories of play and learning: Language Lab (Spanish) Word Zone Math Mania Science World Social Studies Game Time Creative Studio My Tools ONE/TWO PLAYER MODE Press on the keyboard to switch between One Player and Two Player modes. The activities that can be played with two players are: · · · · · Carrot Patch Crazy Sponge Hoop Spree Bug Squash Double the Fun 4 65000 manual-back up 4 5/24/05, 13:20 GETTING STARTED · · · · · Ball Tumble Hide and Seek Mirror Image Memory Challenge Maze Magic PROGRESSIVE LEARNING FEATURE In most activities, if a question is answered incorrectly in the first round of a game, it will be repeated up to three times in later rounds. This feature is designed to help children learn by developing memory skills. TURNING THE UNIT ON AND OFF Pressing will turn the unit ON. Pressing again will turn the unit OFF. When the unit is turned on, you will see a short opening scene and enter the Main Menu. Here, activities will cycle onto and off the screen automatically. You can choose an activity in one of these ways: 1) press when you see an activity you like. to 2) use the cursor pad to cycle through the activities manually, and press choose one. 3) click the mouse button when you see an activity you like. 4) type the activity number and press . If you press a category key (such as `Word Zone'), the menu will jump to the first activity of that category. An activity can then be chosen in the above ways. LEVEL SELECTION Pressing will change the level of the current activity from level one to level again to go back to level one. Level one two and then level three. Press is the default setting when starting a new activity. ANSWER In most activities, the answer will be provided after a certain number of tries. SHORT BREAK MODE After you play five rounds in a row in any activity, you will enjoy a fun musical break! CONTRAST SWITCH Adjust the image on the screen by sliding the Contrast Switch to the right for higher contrast and to the left for lower contrast. 5 65000 manual-back up 5 5/24/05, 13:20 PRODUCT FEATURES ACTIVITY SELECTION: VOLUME SWITCH Adjust the volume by sliding the Volume Switch to the right for higher volume and to the left for lower volume. KEYBOARD LAYOUT Your Nitro NotebookTM has a full typing keyboard that doubles as a music keyboard. You will also find the following function keys. FUNCTION KEYS: 1. 2. 3. Press this button to see a short preview of your Nitro NotebookTM. Press this button to see how you're doing in most activities. Press one of these buttons to jump to the first activity of the selected category. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Press this key to go back to the previous screen. Press this key to change the level in most activities. Press this key to repeat the current question or instruction. Press this key for help in most activities. Press this key to see the correct answer in most activities. Press this key to delete what you have typed. Press this key to see a fun cartoon. 65000 manual-back up 6 5/24/05, 13:20 PRODUCT FEATURES 6 11. 12. 13. Press this key to turn the background music on and off. Press this key to switch between One Player and Two Player modes. / Press these keys to enter different players' answers in Two Player mode. Press these keys to cycle through choices in activities or in the Main Menu. Use the cursor pad to move the cursor on the screen. Press the "enter" button on either side of the cursor pad to select. Use these keys to enter letters in letter and word-related activities. 14. 15. 16. 17. Use these keys to enter numbers in number activities. 18. Use these keys to enter musical notes in musicrelated activities. Use these keys to change instruments in music-related activities. Press this key to change the melody tempo in music-related activities. Press this key to insert a musical rest in Melody Maker. 19. 20. 21. AUTO POWER OFF To preserve battery power, the Nitro NotebookTM will automatically shut off after several minutes without input. The unit can be turned on again by pressing . 65000 manual-back up 7 5/24/05, 13:20 PRODUCT FEATURES 7 ACTIVITIES Your Nitro NotebookTM includes a total of 80 activities. Index 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Activity Names Earful of Numbers Number Votes Picture Fun Word Train First Letter Mouse's Snack Word Cards Word Match Chat Room Talk Show Alphabet Tumble Letter Disks Alphabet Fishing Capital and Small Letter Bubbles Typing Fun Animal Votes Mouse's Lunch Rhyme Time Spelling Rescue Smart Choice Magic Hat Match Me Chat Fun Finish the Story Word Zone Language Lab (Spanish) Category Name 65000 manual-back up 8 5/24/05, 13:20 ACTIVITIES 8 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 Number Stars Firefly Count Odd One Out Number Magic Math Votes Number Seesaw Feed Fido Subtract It Shopping Spree Mouse's Dinner Catch a Firefly Mouse's Supper Animal Fair Part and Whole Costume Ball Time to Eat Animal Shadows Weather Maker Ticktock Time Show Time Earful of Sounds Sweep It Up Mouse's Cheese Surprise Gift Things That Go Word Group Sandwich Chef Social Studies Science World Math Mania 65000 manual-back up 9 5/24/05, 13:20 ACTIVITIES 9 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 Carrot Patch Crazy Sponge Hoop Spree Bug Squash Double the Fun Ball Tumble Hide and Seek Mirror Image Memory Challenge Maze Magic Picture Puzzle Party Faces Game Time Music Mixer Melody Maker Dancing Fun Stamp Factory Slide Puzzle Little Storyteller About Me My Family My Favorites Phone Book Calculator Cyber Baby Parents' Message Story Time Sing-Along Creative Studio My Tools Cartridges 10 65000 manual-back up 10 5/24/05, 13:20 ACTIVITIES Concert Master * LANGUAGE LAB(SPANISH) 01. EARFUL OF NUMBERS You will see four disks marked with numbers from 1 to 10. Choose a disk to hear the Spanish word for that number. Use the mouse, the arrow keys and Enter, or the cursor pad and "enter" button. 02. NUMBER VOTES Let's vote in an election! Vote for the number that matches the Spanish word at the top of the screen. Use the mouse, the arrow keys and Enter, or the cursor pad and "enter" button. 03. PICTURE FUN Choose a Spanish word to see its picture and hear it spoken aloud. 04. WORD TRAIN You will see a Spanish word at the top of the screen, and a train will ride by with pictures on it. Choose the picture that matches the Spanish word. 05. FIRST LETTER Do you like catching fireflies? Pick the letter that completes the Spanish word, using the cursor pad and "enter" button or mouse, or typing the letter on the keyboard. 06. MOUSE'S SNACK Let's feed the hungry mouse! Choose the letter cheese that completes the Spanish word at the top of the screen. Use the mouse, the cursor pad and "enter" button, or the keyboard to choose. 07. WORD CARDS Choose a word to learn the same word in Spanish. 08. WORD MATCH You will see a Spanish word on the screen. Use the mouse, cursor pad and "enter" button or arrow keys and Enter to choose the English word that matches it. 09. CHAT ROOM Let's have a chat! Pictures scroll by on the screen, with phrases spoken in English. Choose a picture to learn the phrase in Spanish. 10. TALK SHOW Choose the picture that matches the Spanish phras ...