I cannot collect votes using CloudVOTE (or other ARS App)....I do have other ARS software open. (ie. PowerPoint with Ez-VOTE add-in)

If you are attempting to run your CloudVOTE software but responses are just not coming through, there could be an issue if you have another piece of ARS software (Pptx. w/Ez-VOTE) open before opening CloudVOTE.   What is happening is that, by opening your PowerPoint presentation first, the COM port for your base was "captured" first and is being used by Ez-VOTE, thus preventing the COM port with the base from being used by Cloud-VOTE.  

(This fix also applies to our other, non-PowerPoint based Apps - EZ-PRESENTER, EZ-POLL-IT, EZ-CATEGORIES, EZ-TRIVIA, etc.)

Here are a few things you can do to get your base to work with the CloudVOTE software.

One: ​Simply open up the CloudVOTE software first so that the COM port is grabbed by that ARS software before you open up your PowerPoint presentation.


Two: You can inactivate the Ez-VOTE Add-in in PowerPoint, essentially turning off the ARS functionality of the presentation, so that you won't have to worry about which software to open first.


First step - Locate your EZ-VOTE icon and right-click on it and select "Run as Administrator" from the drop-down menu.




Next, locate and click on Add-ins to bring up the Add-ins window.  EZ-VOTE should be listed among the Active Application Add-ins.  At the bottom of the screen, next to Manage: make sure COM Add-ins is listed in the drop-down menu and select Go.



Pressing Go will open up the COM Add-ins window...go ahead and uncheck the boxnext to EZ-VOTE and click OK. 



This process will place the EZ-VOTE Add-in under the Inactive Application Add-ins heading..make sure you see EZ-VOTE listed there.



When you close this window, the Meridia tab will not be present among the tabs in PowerPoint, indicating that the ARS software is no longer part of the software and the COM for your base will not grab the base.  

Now when you open up CloudVOTE, your base should be able to collect votes from your keypads, even if you open your pptx. file first...no issue.


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