- #FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL INSTALL#
- #FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL DRIVERS#
- #FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL UPDATE#
- #FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL FOR WINDOWS 10#
#FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL INSTALL#
Only install software on your driver station that’s needed for driving.
Since you’re only connecting to the internet for Windows and FRC software updating, the risk is low. Instead, use Windows Defender on Windows 10. Remove any 3rd party antivirus or antimalware software.
#FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL UPDATE#
This will help ensure your driver station does not reboot or fail due to update installing on the field. If you’re traveling to a competition, take time zone differences into account. Navigate to Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update, then select Change active hours. Reboot and check again to make sure you’re up to date.Ĭhange “Active Hours” for Windows Updates to prevent updates from installing during competition hours. To do so, open the Windows Update settings page and see that you’re up-to-date. This allows you time to ensure the updates will not interfere with driver station functions. Install all Windows updates a week before the competition.
#FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL FOR WINDOWS 10#
Being the most common OS now seen at competitions, bugs are more likely to be found and fixed for Windows 10 than on older Windows versions. Updated to the current release of Windows 10. If the laptop has a rotating disk, spend $50 and replace it with a SSD. It’s hard to quickly do troubleshooting on touch-only computers at the field.Ī solid-state disk (SSD). The dongles given to rookies in the KOP have a reputation for working well.Ī keyboard. Many teams find that USB Ethernet is less reliable than built-in Ethernet, primarily due to cheap hardware and bad drivers. If the Ethernet port on your laptop is dodgy, either replace the laptop (recommended) or buy a USB Ethernet dongle from a reputable brand. This is particularly important if you have a consumer-grade laptop with a hinged Ethernet port. This extends the life of the port on the laptop.
Use an Ethernet port saver to make your Ethernet connection. The hinged Ethernet ports don’t hold up to repeated use. RAM – 2GB of RAM is minimum, if you have a SSD.Ī display size of 13” or greater, with minimum resolution of 1440x1050.Ī built-in Ethernet port is highly preferred. You might even get one donated by a used computer store in your area. The FRC Driver Station and dashboard software uses very few system resources, so you don’t need to buy a new laptop – instead, buy a cheap 4-5 year old used one. Teams often graduate from it to bigger displays as they do more with vision and dashboards.Ĭonsider used laptops rather than new. The laptop provided in recent rookie kits is a good entry level machine.
There are thousands for sale every day on eBay. Lenovo ThinkPad T series and Dell Latitude are two popular business-class brands you’ll commonly see at competitions.
#FRC DRIVER STATION TUTORIAL DRIVERS#
Business-class laptops have higher quality device drivers, and the drivers are maintained for a longer period than consumer laptops. They’ll survive being banged around at the competition. Why? They’re much more durable than the $300 Black Friday special at Best Buy. Use a business-class laptop for your driver station. Dedicated means no other software except the FRC-provided Driver Station software and associated Dashboard installed or running. A dedicated machine allows you manage the configuration for one goal – being ready to compete at the field.