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Connecting your Braille display

SuperNova and Dolphin ScreenReader will automatically detect your Braille display when it is connected to your computer.

If your display is not automatically detected, you should check to ensure the display is switched on, has adequate power, is correctly connected to the computer, and is using the manufacturer's recommended protocol settings. If you are confident the hardware is correctly setup and connected, then the following checks should be conducted to resolve any connection issues.

Check to ensure Braille output is not set to off

To do this:

1. Open the SuperNova or Dolphin ScreenReader Control Panel.
2. Open the "Braille" menu (ALT + B).
3. If "Braille Output" is set to "OFF", you can press ENTER to enable Braille output.

If Braille output is set to ON and problems persist, then try the following.

Check to ensure your Braille display is the selected output device

To do this:

1. Open the SuperNova or Dolphin ScreenReader Control Panel.
2. Open the "Braille" menu and select "General Preferences" (ALT + B, P). The "Braille Preferences" dialog box opens with focus in the "Translation Tables" page.
3. Open the "Braille Device" page and choose the "Select Braille Display" button (CONTROL + TAB, ALT + B).
4. Select your display from the list of devices.

If your display is not listed, then try the following.

Check to ensure your Braille display is selected in SAM

SAM is the program SuperNova and Dolphin ScreenReader uses to manage synthesisers and Braille displays. Devices that are disabled in SAM will not appear in SuperNova or Dolphin ScreenReader.

To enable a device in SAM:

1. Open the SuperNova or Dolphin ScreenReader Control Panel.
2. Open the "General" menu and select "Advanced Options" (ALT + G, A). The "General Advanced Options" dialog box opens with focus in the "System Configuration" page.
3. Select the "SAM Setup" button (ALT + S). The "SAM Configuration" dialog box opens.
4. TAB to the list of devices and use the Arrow Keys to locate your device. A successfully detected device is checked and reports a unit value of 1.
5. If your device is unchecked, select the device, and then choose the "Configure" button. Ensure the driver properties matches your configuration. For example, set to the appropriate COM Port or USB.
6. Once correctly configured, it should be automatically detected and begin to provide Braille output. If this is not the case, select the "Detect all devices now" button (ALT + D), then follow the on-screen instructions. SAM attempts to detect all devices available on the computer ad will place a checkmark beside those devices it finds.

If SAM fails to detect the braille display, namely, the device remains unchecked and reports a unit value of 0, then contact your braille display supplier for assistance or visit the Dolphin Knowledge Base to find tips on resolving more specific Braille display issues.