Notes by Bill Alive

AlphaSmart Neo2: Factory Reset

If you get a strange error on your Neo2, e.g. “File overflow”, try a factory reset.

WARNING: You’ll lose all your files.

But your Neo2 will work again.

  • Turn off.
  • Hold down Right Shift and Backspace
  • Turn on.
  • Enter password: tommy
  • Confirm that you want to reset.

Done.

When You Might Need to Reset

I had to learn how to do this reset after I changed the watch battery on a Neo2 I’d just purchased.

When I first unpacked the device, it looked fine, and I easily could have skipped installing the watch battery. But I knew I would never be more likely to take the trouble… unless I waited until the current battery actually died, and lost my work.

The install was a bit tense, but it seemed to work fine. I was able to start the Neo2… but then it gave some message about detecting a new lithium battery, and asked to press Y to do some kind of reset. I assumed Y was the best choice…

But when it rebooted, it got stuck on this cryptic error about a File overflow.

Disaster.

No matter how many times I rebooted, I got the same error.

It took way too long to find the answer online. It wasn’t specific to this error; it’s just that a factory reset can wipe the slate clean and give you back your device.

If you’re here, I hope this factory reset helps you save your Neo2.

Full original instructions

Source: https://support.renaissance.com/techkb/techkb/5192042e.asp

Resolution:

To reset the NEO to factory defaults:

  1. Start with the device turned off.

Note: The NEO cannot be reset when it’s plugged in via AC adapter.

  1. Press and hold the <right-shift> and <backspace> keys.

  2. While holding the <right-shift> and <backspace> keys, turn the unit on by pressing the <on/off> key.

  3. When the dialog “Are you sure you want to reset the AlphaSmart to factory defaults?” appears on the screen, press Y (for yes).

  4. Enter the reset password: tommy

Note: Sometimes multiple keystrokes can be registered while typing the reset password. Make sure only one asterisk appears per letter typed.

  1. Press <Enter>.

Note: If you performed the factory defaults reset correctly, you should see Initializing AlphaSmart System. If it was not done correctly, it will take you right back to the last file you were in and you will need to try it again.