Steve S
10-31-2010, 05:13 PM
As many of us have come to learn, getting N-trig software bundles to reliably install has been something of a checkered experience. Some users have experienced few or no problems, while others have been forced to repeated attempts and heroic measures. Some users have even been forced to have hardware replaced.
Among the issues that users have encountered are:
<> The installer reports a fatal error
<> An error message that the OS is inadequate for installation, and...
<> An error message to the effect that the N-trig hardware cannot be found
It would be nice if the community had foolproof "fixes" for issues like this, but unfortunately, we do not. Usually, the user can eventually get the N-trig update to install using a couple of tricks and repeated attempts, but I am not aware of any single approach that will guarantee success if you have problems.
However, in an attempt to simplify and structure the few tricks that we are aware of, I've decided to lay out a suggested approach, starting with the simple method recommended by N-trig and then suggesting additional steps that might be effective. However, it's important to understand that this is just my take on the approach and that there may be other circumstances (for example, your digitizer may actually be broken) which may render these suggestions ineffective. As I said above, no one single approach appears to be effective in every case.
Start With The N-trig Recommended Approach: Many users have reported successful installations by simply using the N-trig recommended approach.
<> In the Programs and Featues window of the Control Panel, uninstall the N-trig software. Be sure it's the digitizer software if you have N-act also installed.
<> Restart
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
If this doesn't work, try one or more of the following modifications. The order of application of these modifications is the subject of debate, so feel free to experiment.
Restart Twice: N-trig suggests that if the standard approach doesn't work, repeat the attempt but restart at least twice before attempting the install. In some cases, one restart is not sufficient to ensure that the digitizer state has been completely restored. (I've noticed this occasionally with other applications, as well, so this is not strictly an N-trig problem.)
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart, restart
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
Uninstall And Delete The N-trig Driver(s): N-trig also suggests that it may be useful to uninstall and delete the digitizer driver. Open the Device Manager and expand the N-trig DuoSense Digitizers entry. Right click the MultiTouch HID Device entry. Under the Driver tab, click Uninstall and check the Delete the Driver Software box before clicking OK. Note that there will be more than one N-trig entry listed; the driver appears to be the same in all entries, so removing it anywhere undoubtedly removes it everywhere.
Also note that you may have to repeat this process to remove more than the current N-trig driver. Once you have uninstalled the current driver, your XT / XT2 may revert to a previously installed N-trig driver! So repeat this process until no drivers are installed.
Steps in ( )'s are optional and may, or may not be useful:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Uninstall the N-trig driver from the Device Manager window of the Control Panel
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
In this step, some other options may also be useful. It has been suggested that Ethernet be disconnected and WiFi turned off to prevent Windows from trying to find and install drivers from the Internet during this process. Alternatively, forum member Ph0neix has also suggest turning Windows driver updates off as follows:
Right Click on 'Computer' > Properties > Advanced system settings > 'Hardware' tab> Device Installation Settings> Select 'No, let me choose what to do; Never install driver software from Windows Update.
Either of these steps should accomplish the same thing, although turning off Windows driver updates looks like it would be the more foolproof step. Obviously, either of these options should be done before starting the process:
<> Turn off Ethernet / WiFi and / or turn off Windows Driver Updates
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Uninstall the N-trig driver from the Device Manager window of the Control Panel
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
<> Restore Ethernet / WiFi / Windows Driver Updates if you wish.
Rollback Tool: N-trig offers a Rollback Tool which is intended to restore the digitizer to a standardized state. It is thought that the Rollback Tool should be useful when other attempts to prepare the XT / XT2 for installation have failed. If you feel that you need this help, you are encouraged to contact N-trig through their On-Line Bulletin Board web page and request the latest version of the tool and their advice regarding how to best use it. Note that the tool comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Exactly where the Rollback Tool should be run in the sequence below is the subject of debate. This is a suggested approach:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart
<> Run the Rollback Tool
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
Remove The Battery: Removing the battery for at least 30-60 seconds removes standby power from the digitizer. When the battery is re-installed, the hardware performs a cold reset. It is believed that this might be useful in "standardizing" the state of the digitizer and thereby facilitating a successful update installation. Holding the I/O button down is thought to facilitate the discharge of the energy in the system.
Whether this helps or doesn't help is subject to debate. I have used this option to apparently help during an update, however, I also wonder about its effectiveness. However, if all of the above haven't helped, then this is probably worth a try:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart
<> (Run the Rollback Tool)
<> Disconnect the AC adapter (if used) and uninstall the battery
<> Reinstall the battery and reconnect the AC adapter
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
To date, this is what we think we know. It's troublesome that the user can't depend upon one, clearly defined, update method, but at least this spells out some alternatives. I hope they are found to be useful...
Among the issues that users have encountered are:
<> The installer reports a fatal error
<> An error message that the OS is inadequate for installation, and...
<> An error message to the effect that the N-trig hardware cannot be found
It would be nice if the community had foolproof "fixes" for issues like this, but unfortunately, we do not. Usually, the user can eventually get the N-trig update to install using a couple of tricks and repeated attempts, but I am not aware of any single approach that will guarantee success if you have problems.
However, in an attempt to simplify and structure the few tricks that we are aware of, I've decided to lay out a suggested approach, starting with the simple method recommended by N-trig and then suggesting additional steps that might be effective. However, it's important to understand that this is just my take on the approach and that there may be other circumstances (for example, your digitizer may actually be broken) which may render these suggestions ineffective. As I said above, no one single approach appears to be effective in every case.
Start With The N-trig Recommended Approach: Many users have reported successful installations by simply using the N-trig recommended approach.
<> In the Programs and Featues window of the Control Panel, uninstall the N-trig software. Be sure it's the digitizer software if you have N-act also installed.
<> Restart
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
If this doesn't work, try one or more of the following modifications. The order of application of these modifications is the subject of debate, so feel free to experiment.
Restart Twice: N-trig suggests that if the standard approach doesn't work, repeat the attempt but restart at least twice before attempting the install. In some cases, one restart is not sufficient to ensure that the digitizer state has been completely restored. (I've noticed this occasionally with other applications, as well, so this is not strictly an N-trig problem.)
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart, restart
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
Uninstall And Delete The N-trig Driver(s): N-trig also suggests that it may be useful to uninstall and delete the digitizer driver. Open the Device Manager and expand the N-trig DuoSense Digitizers entry. Right click the MultiTouch HID Device entry. Under the Driver tab, click Uninstall and check the Delete the Driver Software box before clicking OK. Note that there will be more than one N-trig entry listed; the driver appears to be the same in all entries, so removing it anywhere undoubtedly removes it everywhere.
Also note that you may have to repeat this process to remove more than the current N-trig driver. Once you have uninstalled the current driver, your XT / XT2 may revert to a previously installed N-trig driver! So repeat this process until no drivers are installed.
Steps in ( )'s are optional and may, or may not be useful:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Uninstall the N-trig driver from the Device Manager window of the Control Panel
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
In this step, some other options may also be useful. It has been suggested that Ethernet be disconnected and WiFi turned off to prevent Windows from trying to find and install drivers from the Internet during this process. Alternatively, forum member Ph0neix has also suggest turning Windows driver updates off as follows:
Right Click on 'Computer' > Properties > Advanced system settings > 'Hardware' tab> Device Installation Settings> Select 'No, let me choose what to do; Never install driver software from Windows Update.
Either of these steps should accomplish the same thing, although turning off Windows driver updates looks like it would be the more foolproof step. Obviously, either of these options should be done before starting the process:
<> Turn off Ethernet / WiFi and / or turn off Windows Driver Updates
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Uninstall the N-trig driver from the Device Manager window of the Control Panel
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
<> Restore Ethernet / WiFi / Windows Driver Updates if you wish.
Rollback Tool: N-trig offers a Rollback Tool which is intended to restore the digitizer to a standardized state. It is thought that the Rollback Tool should be useful when other attempts to prepare the XT / XT2 for installation have failed. If you feel that you need this help, you are encouraged to contact N-trig through their On-Line Bulletin Board web page and request the latest version of the tool and their advice regarding how to best use it. Note that the tool comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Exactly where the Rollback Tool should be run in the sequence below is the subject of debate. This is a suggested approach:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart
<> Run the Rollback Tool
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
Remove The Battery: Removing the battery for at least 30-60 seconds removes standby power from the digitizer. When the battery is re-installed, the hardware performs a cold reset. It is believed that this might be useful in "standardizing" the state of the digitizer and thereby facilitating a successful update installation. Holding the I/O button down is thought to facilitate the discharge of the energy in the system.
Whether this helps or doesn't help is subject to debate. I have used this option to apparently help during an update, however, I also wonder about its effectiveness. However, if all of the above haven't helped, then this is probably worth a try:
<> Uninstall the N-trig software.
<> Restart
<> (Run the Rollback Tool)
<> Disconnect the AC adapter (if used) and uninstall the battery
<> Reinstall the battery and reconnect the AC adapter
<> Restart (, restart)
<> Once the desktop has stabilized, run the N-trig update installer from the desktop.
To date, this is what we think we know. It's troublesome that the user can't depend upon one, clearly defined, update method, but at least this spells out some alternatives. I hope they are found to be useful...