Desperately Need Help Starting

[charmed1]

I just got my cricut machine and I purchased SCAL. I loaded SCAL, hooked up my cricut machine and tried to use SCAL to cut some fonts. A box "Cutting With Cricut" appeared then it said "Checking Mat..." after that, nothing. I couldn't even cancel it. The cricut worked well on it's own. What am I doing wrong? I really need a step by step tutorial so I can get started. I just thought I would get the program, get the cricut, hook it up together, then be able to use it and start cutting all the fonts I have. I would really appreciate any help I can get. THANKS in advance.

[wreed06]

You may need to install the firmware. See message http://forums.surecutsalot.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1988 to learn about the firmware. Other than that, I'd say try rebooting and turning your Cricut off then on after your machine boots up. Also, make sure your Circut is plugged into a USB port on your computer (not on a hub).

[papasue]

You also need to have a cartridge in the Cricut. Any one will do it doesn't do anything but for some reason you have to have it.

Susan

[charmed1]

I really appreciate the responses I got, but nothing seemed to work for me. I went to the site, downloaded the old version of DS, but when I tried to run it, it gave me a message that it was corrupt. I am thinking that the old version won't run now because cricut doesn't want anyone using SCAL with their machine cause then they won't make money selling cartridges, so they disabled the 1.1 firmware. Is there any other way for me to get it?

[svestdonley]

I am having the exact same problem - just rec'd my Cricut machine today and have been using my software for a couple of weeks. I was sure I could hook everything up and cut right away, but have been stuck at 'checking mat'. Argghh! Please help us!! Thank you!

[wreed06]

You don't have to have DS run in order to have the firmware loaded. To check the firmware version, in SCAL, click on Edit, Preferences. At the bottom of the general tab, it will say Cricut: Personal and the version number. That will at least tell you if you have the firmware installed and the version number.

[svestdonley]

Okay - I just checked my Scal help and under the General tab on mine - cricut : N/A after I have uninstalled my DS. Also, I tried to cut with Scal after uninstalling DS and get the same result - stuck on Checking mat... I will try reinstalling my DS and see what it says under the General tab then. Thank you

[svestdonley]

Just reinstalled DS and in SCAL, Cricut: still = N/A.

[amcolley]

When you turn your Cricut on, what number does it say? The Cricut display will tell you the version of the firmware when you turn it on.

[svestdonley]

There it says v1.0