WIFI/ECHO/PULSE - Turning on Windows PenComm Service manually

How do I turn on the Windows PenComm Service manually if it is not running?

To get your smartpen recognized you may need to start the PenComm service manually.  To do this:

  1. Windows 8 /Windows 10- From the Start screen type "computer", select "Apps" on the right, right-click "Computer", and select "Manage" from the options at the bottom of the screen.  Windows 7/Vista/XP - Click on your Windows "Start" button, right-click on "Computer" (7 & Vista) / "My Computer" (XP), and select "Manage".
  2. If prompted for your permission, click the "Continue" button.  
  3. In the right hand window, double-click "Services and Applications" (bottom of list).
  4. In the right hand window, double-click "Services".
  5. Scroll down the list until you see "Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Service".

"Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Service" appears:

  1. Disconnect your smartpen from the USB charging cable.
  2. If you are a Livescribe wifi smartpen user shut down Livescribe Helper.   If you are an Echo/Pulse smartpen user shut down Livescribe Desktop.  For versions of Livescribe Desktop 2.2.2 or older also shut down the Livescribe Desktop Tray (in the lower right corner where your Windows System Tray shows the currently running applications right-click on the "Livescribe Desktop Tray" icon and select "Exit").
  3. Select "Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Service" and then click either "Start the service" or "Restart the service" (upper left).  NOTE: If under the "Startup Type" column the service shows as "Disabled" then there will be no options in the upper left.  Instead you will need to:
    1. Right-click on "Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Service".
    2. Select "Properties".
    3. Change the "Startup type:" drop-down from "Disabled" to "Automatic".
    4. Click "OK" for the window to close.
    5. Click "Start the service" in the upper left.
  4. Restart your computer.
  5. Connect your smartpen to the USB charging cable.
  6. Livescribe wifi smartpen users start Livescribe Helper.  Echo and Pulse smartpen users start Livescribe Desktop.

If, after starting the service and restarting your computer, you still have a problem please let us know.

"Livescribe Smartpen Service" does not appear:

  1. Close the Computer Management window.
  2. Windows 8 / Windows 10 - press the Windows key (between "Ctrl" and "Alt" on the keyboard) to go back to the Start screen, type "cmd", select "Apps" on the right, and select "Command Prompt".   Windows 7, Vista & XP - Click on the Windows "Start" button, select "All Programs > Accessories", right-click on the "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator" (7 & Vista - if you get a permissions prompt, please click "Continue") / "Open" (XP).
  3. The path that appears in the window that opens should start with "C:\".  If there is a different drive letter (e.g. "D:\" or "H:\"), click on the Command window and type "cd c:" and press "Enter" on your keyboard.  If this does not change the directory to "C:\", try typing "c:" and pressing "Enter".
  4. For 64-bit machines select/highlight, right-click and "Copy" the line of text - CD C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Livescribe\PenComm   For 32-bit machines select/highlight, right-click and "Copy" the line of text - CD C:\Program Files\Common Files\Livescribe\PenComm
  5. Click somewhere in the Command Prompt window that opened, right-click and select "Paste".
  6. Press "Enter" on your keyboard.
  7. Select/highlight, right-click and "Copy" this line of text -   PenCommService.exe -I
  8. Click somewhere in the Command Prompt window that opened, right-click and select "Paste".
  9. Press "Enter" on your keyboard.
  10. One of the messages you should see will be "Service installed successfully".  Your smartpen should now be recognized.  NOTE: If you did not get the message above but instead received a message "'PenCommService.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." go back to step 3. (above) and verify that the correct path is displaying in the Command Prompt window.  Once the path is correct then continue from step 3.
  11. Right-click on your Windows "Start" button.
  12. Select "Open Windows Explorer" (7) / "Explore" (XP/Vista).
  13. For 64-bit machines navigate to "CD C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files".   For 32-bit machines navigate to "CD C:\Program Files\Common Files".
  14. Right-click on the "Livescribe" folder and select "Rename".
  15. Change the folder name to "Livescribe2".
  16. Livescribe wifi smartpen users:  Reinstall the Windows Livescribe Helper app - 20650 - WIFI - Livescribe Helper application downloads and system requirements.  

    Echo and Pulse smartpen users:  Uninstall and the reinstall Windows Livescribe Desktop - 80111 - How do I uninstall Livescribe Desktop for the Windows?

If you still have a problem with smartpen recognition after turning the PenComm service on, please access 85121 - Windows - Smartpen not recognized by Livescribe Helper (wifi) or Livescribe Desktop (Echo/Pulse).

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