sparki only works when plugged into usb, and only partially

running windows 8

installed the latest software (1.0.5.4c).

plugged in the sparki to the usb port and it turns on when i do this. status light is solid green. I opened the restore_default program and uploaded that.

if i turn on the sparki while it’s plugged in the range finder keeps going back and forth and it sounds like the motor for the wheel is engaged but nothing is spinning.

in this state (plugged in, turned on) i can use the remote to control the led and to control the range finder. None of the other remote functions work correctly. they either do nothing, or do something they arent supposed to do.

if i unplug the sparki and turn it on, nothing at all works. the lcd panel is not lit up. the remote does nothing. The status LED is solid green.

basically nothing at all works if the sparki is not plugged in other then the power led being lit up green.

if the sparki is plugged in, i have mixed results as far as what works.

anyone have any ideas whats going wrong here?

looks like this is what happens when the batteries are low. swapped in some newer batteries and it appears to be working fine