Many different software programs can be used to connect the DynaVox dedicated device to a computer. The one that I will describe here is called "HyperTerminal." I describe this one not because it is the best and certainly not because it is the easiest to use. It is however already installed on most computers that are using Windows 95 or 98. If Windows came installed on your computer you will find HyperTerminal by left clicking on the START button, scrolling up to click on PROGRAMS, then clicking on ACCESSORIES and then on HyperTerminal. If HyperTerminal is not present it means that someone has probably done a custom installation of Windows and has not selected to include this program. It can still be installed by clicking on the START button, scrolling up to SETTINGS, selecting the CONTROL PANEL and clicking on Install/Remove Programs. Select the Windows Setup Tab and check the box for the Communications programs. You might click on the DETAILS button to insure that HyperTerminal is checked. Then click on OK. You will probably be prompted to put in your original Windows CD.

Within DynaVox software is Sentient Systems' computer communications software. This is in the "File Browser" part of the program. If you have purchased Backup software from DynaVox, you can run the software on both the device and the computer and do your file transfers as described in the included software manuals.

If you have only your device, go to the transfer protocol settings under MISC SETTINGS and Select DEVICES for DynaVox One devices and the INPUT/OUTPUT Device Settings for DynaVox 2 models. The default settings are 19,200 baud, Ymodem protocol and the serial 1 port. These settings should work fine as long as both the computer and the device are set with the same settings. On the computer side you need to start hypertm.exe through the PROGRAMS and the ACCESSORIES menu. It will ask you to assign a name the connection. Pick a name and an icon that will be easy to remember. You will only have to set up the protocol and settings just one time. To use the same connection again you can just click on the icon that you have selected. The next screen has information about a telephone hookup. As this is a direct cable connection, just click on the "connect using" arrow to scroll down to the appropriate "direct to" setting. i.e "Direct to Com1" or "Direct to Com2." Correct settings will differ depending on you particular computer. If you do not know you can try Com4 first. Trial and error works as a last resort. If you "direct connect" to the COM port that your mouse is connected to, you may have to reboot. The next screen is labeled "Port Settings." Here you need to enter the settings that were in the DynaVox settings.

After clicking OK you will get to the connection screen. From the top menu bar choose TRANSFER. Then you will select to SEND or RECEIVE a file. To send a file you will select the file (remember to use the full pathway" and then scroll down to the selected protocol. The dynaVox's default setting is Ymodem. Be sure the DynaVox is set to receive the file. Then click SEND on the computer and and then START TRANSFER on the DynaVox.

If you are receiving a file from the DynaVox just click RECEIVE from the Menu Bar's TRANSFER selection. Here you will need to enter which folder you wish the transferred file to be put in. Again you will need to change the protocol to Ymodem protocol. After making sure the file on the DynaVox was marked in the file browser and you have selected TRANSFER MARKED FILES, click on the computer RECEIVE first and then the DynaVox TRANFSER FILE. If communications break off before finishing, try changing the 19,200 baud settings on both the computer and the device to a lower setting, i.e. 9600 baud.

If you are using a DynaMyte or DynaVox with Version 2.09 you may have noticed that the file browser transfer program is no longer compatible with earlier Dynavox and DynaMyte devices and/or software. These devices also will no longer transfer to PCs using the Ymodem protocol of the Windows accessory, HyperTerminal, as described in the Serial Transfer Help on my website, The DynaVox Page Exchange. Fortunately you can still do the HyperTerminal transfer if you change both the device and the computer from Ymodem to Xmodem-1K protocol. This is only slightly more cumbersome in that you will now need to type in the name of the file being received. (Ymodem does this for you) The DynaVox device stops and gives you the onscreen keyboard to allow you to do this. Although this procedure is more complex than using the DynaVox backup software or the DynaVox file browser's transfer program on both machines, until the new software is released, it may be the only way available for you to do your file transfers and backups. It is a shame that we need to go through these file transfer difficulties with this new software, but I can assure you that after trying some of the new features, the upgrade will be worth the effort.