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Mindstorms Tips

"Lego Mindstorms" software kits provide an entertaining, educational way to learn about robotics. Taking an integrated approach utilizing a PC with Windows XP to drive "Lego Mindstorms" software can open the doors to fun and learning with robust programming capabilities. By considering common pitfalls in the software download process, first-time users can minimize frustration during the initial set-up process and get started sooner on their first Lego project.

Managing Expectations
- "Lego Mindstorms" software on a PC works as a tether to send commands to the robot. Infrared technology is used to establish the connection between a PC and robot. Be aware that known technical constraints exist, including communication latency, lost commands and queued-up commands that run despite terminating the application on your PC.
Windows XP Tips
- Download and install the Lego kit's "RIS 2.0" developer software to take advantage of the available Microsoft .NET Interface for robotic programming. Use the Windows XP version to minimize risk of software crashing. Don't forget to reboot your computer after completing the installation.
  
  Install available software patches from Lego's website to address known XP system bugs that restart Lego RIS software each time the computer system is restarted. "RIS29XPPatch.exe." is a recommended patch for XP system users.
Personal Computer Tips
- Stay current on patches and software updates.
  
  PCs that use Hyper-Threading (HT) or use a dual-core CPU are prone to system lockups when running the Lego software. Be sure to install Tower 164 patch from the Lego website as a preventative measure.
  
  To avoid installation issues be sure not to run other applications while downloading the Lego software. It's common to require several download attempts and be patient as the estimated download time is four minutes.

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