FreshChat Support
FreshChat is a new and improved process for getting support if you run into technical or hardware-related issues while setting up an event or on the day of an event. This should be the first option an EP uses to get help with technical issues. Following this process will result in the fastest and most detailed response. To access the support system:
- Login to your RobotEvents account
- Click Admin
- Open your event
-
Open the FreshChat feature using the speech bubble button in the bottom right corner
- Type in your question using any computer with internet access (can be the TM server computer)
For the 2023-24 competition season, FreshChat Support will be available from 10/21/2023 to 4/3/2024. The main support hours will be:
- Friday: 1:00PM to 9:00PM CST
- Saturday: 7:00AM to 6:00PM CST
FreshChat should not be used for event operation questions (judging, refereeing, etc.), which should still be directed to the Regional Support Manager. FreshChat is specifically for technical or hardware-related issues.
Prepare Before the Event
- Always set up the night before an event if possible.
- Always test the fields, displays, and sound before starting matches.
- Always test your printer and check that you have extra ink/toner.
- Have one or more VEXnet Competition Switches available (V5RC/VURC/VAIRC).
Solutions to Common Event Issues
Event Running Late
The event has progressed to the afternoon, with 8 scheduled matches per team. All is going well except it is evident that the event is going longer than expected. There are transportation concerns, or you need to end the event earlier than planned due to weather.
- Use Tournament Manager to reduce the number of matches to get you back on schedule. Navigate to Tools →Options →Qualification Matches using the menus in TM to navigate, then lower the number.
- When you return to view the list of matches, any matches over the new number of matches per team you specified will be greyed out. You will be able to proceed to finals.
- Remember to announce the change in matches and explain why the change was made.
Pit Display Stops Working
My event has one Audience Display and one Pit Display, and the Pit Display stops working.
While you troubleshoot, use Tournament Manager to show rankings and queuing on the main audience display between matches until you get the problem resolved.
- Look at the data connection to the pit display; is it connected?
- Did the computer controlling the display time out?
- Restart the display computer and ensure that the IP address is correct.
Teams Arriving Late
We are ready to start Qualification matches and three late-arriving teams are not inspected and are in the first few matches.
You have 3 basic choices:
- Run the matches without the teams (avoid if possible).
- Delay the Event.
- Best choice is: Have the Inspector do a quick Size and Safety check and allow them to play the one match.
The final decision on this rests with the Head Referee.
Not Enough Skills Fields
I underestimated the amount of Skills Fields and resources needed.
Use the main fields during lunch for skills runs if possible.
No Head Referee
My Head Referee is ill and did not show up.
Gather the remaining referees and see if one of them is certified and can take the position. You may want to plan your volunteers to include backups and alternates for key roles. Ensure you have a copy of the Game Manual handy to address any rule questions. If no certified Head Referee is available, contact your REC Foundation Regional Support Manager.
Printer Won't Work
I am ready to start the qualifications and my printer will not work.
Follow these steps:
- Use Tournament Manager to display team matches on the audience and/or pit displays. Participants can take pictures of the schedule for later use.
- Print your qualifications to Microsoft PDF writer or other generic program, save it, and transport to another printer.
- Seek another printer to use later.
Sound Issues
I cannot get the sound to work correctly on my field after restarting TM.
- Field sounds are output through the Audience Display.
- Open Audience Display on the computer that is attached to the sound system.
- There are unique circumstances when you will need to restart the Audience Display even though you see it running.
- Sounds can also be played from the Field Control window. Make sure sound is checked.
Computer Network Issues
I am trying to set up a small network of computers to run multiple displays as well as Tournament Manager. I am unable to get the machines to connect and get an error message when logging into the tournament server.
Follow these steps:
- Check to be sure all computers are running the same version of Tournament Manager.
- Make sure that firewalls are off so that machines may connect to one another.
- Check to be sure the computer is in Airplane mode.
- If a computer’s networking allows connection by both Wi-Fi (which should never be used with a Tournament Manager server computer) and a hardwire, the computer may not be able to distinguish between the two connections and will become “confused."
IP Address
I have multiple computers in a local network and have to restart TM during a hectic event. The person who set up the fields is not the person running Tournament Manager and has left the building on an errand. The person running Tournament Manager is having difficulty finding the IP address of the server to log all machines back in.
- Go to the “Help” pull-down menu in Tournament Manager to get the IP address of the server.
- A good practice/habit is to find the server IP address while setting up the system, then write the server’s IP address on either blue painter’s tape or a sticky note and place it on each machine in the network. A second label that you may wish to place on each computer is its purpose (i.e., “field timer display 1”, “field timer display 2”, “pit display”, etc.).
Erased Match Scores, Match List
Your event is running over time and a helper has decided to modify the event to reduce the number of matches being played to end on time. Unfortunately, rather than using the Tools –> Options –> Qualification Matches method described earlier to reduce the number of matches, they reran the wizard and erased all the match scores as well as the match list.
- Tournament Manager has an automatic backup feature that creates backup files of a tournament on every machine that is networked to the tournament server.
- Find and open the “VEX” folder on the main TM computer. Its location will depend on the operating system your computer is running. Once the VEX folder is open, find a “Tournament Manager” folder. This folder contains the “Automatic Backup Folder” containing a number of backup files.
- Use the time-date stamp to help identify the correct backup file.
- Restore your event with these files by opening the correct file in Tournament Manager.