Wednesday, March 26, 2008

error: Ntrig Applet

Most of the time when I start up the machine, I get a few errors. This one refers to the dual-mode digitizer drivers, I think. I've worked with Dell technicians several times, reinstalling drivers, and confirming that the pen and touchpad settings are "dual." I still get this error message regularly. It's followed by "can't connect to driver: failure to open device," which I believe is related.

  • Dell's press release about capacitive touch technology for the Latitude XT
  • N-trig "we've got the touch"

Any ideas, solutions? I couldn't find anything about this error on the web, despite creating googling...

LXT

15 comments:

BWTKD said...

I get this error at boot up as well - but ONLY when I am attached to the media Slice.

do you have a media slice?

obgern said...

I too have this problem of the Ntrig Applet but only when connected to the media base. Dell has not been able to fix the error yet 9 calls so far.

Unknown said...

Just received my tablet a few weeks ago and I am also experiencing the same problem. While it fails when undocking from the media base it can also happen when the unit wakes up from a sleep state. Occasionaly I get the error mentioned but usually the Input Mode selections of pen only, touch only, and auto mode are not selected. If I reselect them they don't "stick" after the apply.

Running software bundle 1.68 and driver version 1.25 with Windows XP SP3.

BWTKD said...

I have had 2 issues with the Tablets (we are running Vista) - one with Video Drivers (ATI) and one with N-Trig.
To properly update the N-Trig driver go to Device manager, and under digitizers remove all three entries (deleting the local driver when given the option) - then go to Add/Remove and uninstall the N-Trig Software bundle, Reboot.
After it comes back up - run the R177489 update, after reboot run the the other N-Trig update (long name) starts with N-Trig update Version 1.44 A02 Reboot - this has ridded my machine of the erros - not sure if XP will be different.

Unknown said...

Tried your suggestion with a few modifications for XP (update numbers a bit different) but couldn't get the 3 USB drivers to re-install. Only the first one succeeded. Ended up going back with a system restore.

zproxy said...

my xt has 4 similar issues:

1.
sometimes n-trig says:
---------------------------
Error
---------------------------
Failure to open Device
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

---------------------------
Error
---------------------------
Failed to register the message group
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

2.
Sometimes the fingerprint reader stays disconnected and that device cannot be opened.

3.
ATI fails.
atikndag.sys crashes really bad. And very often might I say.

4.
The battery lasts only 1.5 hours even after battery replacement.

Anonymous said...

I have the same anoying Ntrig problems with my Dell XT. It could be a fantastic device but I agree completely with the Ntrig problems and the battery being a joke. The Ntrig crashes all the time. I have a 400nit outdoor screen. The battery lasts no longer then 1 hour. People should not buy this expensive device till the Ntrig problem is solved and a new battery is available. The device should work 3 hours minimum!

XT_Guy said...

What Dell power scheme are you running? If High Performance, try recommended or Power saver - should extend the battery life some, but I agree the Outdoor Viewable screen does suck battery power. I know the Indoor LED is better... may also want to consider the optional Dell battery "slice" that goes under the base. Regarding the N-trig touch screen, there is known issue with booting in the media base with itunes installed. I've heard it's the Gear software driver - I think Gear had earlier issues with Vista and CD drives disappearing when iTunes was loaded. Make sure you have the latest N-trig (1.68) driver package, the latest ATI video driver, and the latest Quickset driver package installed from the dell support site. Hope this helps.

XT_Guy said...

Looks like N-trig now has a FAQ and Bulletin Board up on their site:
http://www.n-trig.com/Content.aspx?Page=Bulletin_Board

Unknown said...

Same message for me: NtrigApplet: Can't connect to driver: Failure to open Device. Brand new XT bought in February 2009. I'll look for updated drivers, but they hould already be new since the device is only a few days old. Will also try Gordon White's suggestion if my driver version is old.

Unknown said...

One more thing: On a Dell Latitude XT don't have a usb device plugged in when booting. It seems to make things worse. I have a 300G removable drive plugged into mine and Ntrig is definitely not happy upon restart.

Unknown said...

I've found that resetting the BIOS by powering off and removing the battery has fixed a few of my problems. Last word from Dell is that Vista provides a "better tablet experience" than XP.

Tom said...

I am having the same issue with several time wasting calls to dell. This is my first bad experiance with a lemon dell. Techs have no clue about the XT or he Ntrig technology. Hours and hours of wasted time.

Janakiram Sampath said...

Never in my life will I support dell.



Recently, I had purchased a Dell Latitude XT, Tablet PC with Windows XP (downgraded). I had a problem while upgrading the internet explorer from version 6 to version 7. When I tried to get support from customer support, they said that dell can offer only basic support for software’s that are installed in any laptop, in spite of opting for their 3 years complete cover (for which I paid approximately Rs 13,000 INR). After the basic level of trouble shooting, the problem did not resolve. I asked them, what’s next for resolving the issue; the executive replied that, I should get in touch with Microsoft for further support.



Hoping that Microsoft will resolve it, at no cost, I called Microsoft customer support, India. The executive gives me directions to remove IE7 and she had given me a link to download the proper setup file for installing IE7. In spite of doing so, the problem still persisted. So I called up Microsoft support again, and told them that the problem with IE7 is still not resolved, for which the executive said that for further assistance, I need to pay a fee of Rs 800 (pay per service), and she also said that it is not guaranteed that the problem will be resolved. Because the operating system that was given by the OEM (in my case, Dell) does not have the complete installation. We can provide guaranteed support for the one’s who purchase full operating system. Does this mean that OEM software is supported only by OEM’s?



I couldn’t imagine that there are so many problems that will arise in getting OEM software. And was wondering how many of laptop users know that Dell does not provide complete support to application related issues that occur in their own versions of OEM software. If Dell is not able to give any support to OEM versions of the software, why do they charge for applications (OS, Antivirus and Office suite) separately?



Now, how do I get this resolved? Please share your thoughts.

Joe said...

Hay! IT's joe. Go to here if you have Itunes. No more uninstalling Itunes. GO here.

http://www.n-trig.com/Content.aspx?Page=Bulletin_Board

It is the problem with Cannot Connect to Driver, Failure to Open Device

Scroll down to itunes error message

i don't have itunes, but i tried it anyway. It didn't fix the problem.

You should join gottabemobile.com

They talk about fixing all different types of tablets. a guy called Steve S is a wiz at fixing the Latitude Xt's problem. His wish list is to fix all problems with n-trig and other problems. He is awesome. Hope this helps.