Jay M

I don't remember the steps exactly, but I think I just used a dropdown menu that is supposed to update the firmware. When I started that process it asked me to back up the current program, and that was successful. Then when I tried to update the firmware the admin console just froze. Two years ago I had a similar problem. This week I was using my Macbook, but two years ago I don't remember if I used my Windows desktop or the Macbook. I do remember that a some point in time over a year ago, I could not get my Windows desktop to connect to the ISY99. I'll try the desktop again tonight. ~Jay

Thanks Michel, Yes, I do get status from working devices. A few devices don't work anymore, but the ones that do, will show status. One thing I can't seem to do successfully is update the ISY99 firmware. I tried to do a long time ago, and now just two days ago. The laptop is wireless, but the network connection is really solid. Is there a better way to update the firmware than using the admin panel? If I'm not mistaken, I can't import the old 2.xx whatever backup into the new ISY994. Is that correct? Thanks for you help! ~Jay

I just bought a 994 ir pro to replace my 99ir Everything in my house works well enough, but not quite perfect. For example, the LEDs on the keypads don't reflect the actual status of the device they are controlling. The LEDs on some dimmers don't reflect the brightness of the lamp. In short, there are some programming errors. I have 40 to 50 devices. Should I start from scratch, or try to import old programming from the 99ir? I have an old firmware that needs to updated, and I have not been able to successfully do that. What do you suggest? Thanks, ~Jay

That's some great food for thought, I'll try to answer... Yes, technology does intrigue me. Spending an hour or so each night for a few days is fine, but every day, then you can't exactly call it automated. I hate paying someone to do a job just because I'm too lazy. I'll gladly pay somone who actually knows what they are doing. Half of the time when I pay for a job to be done it ends up being no better than if I'd done it myself. I do just want to get it working. I hadn't opened the admin panel in well over a year. But let's be honest- Insteon devices are not built to last, so as they stop working, you do need to deal with them. My house is somewhat static. Maybe once a year I'll think of something I'd like to add to the lighting system. VCR blinking 12:00? No, I did try to keep it set, and I was happy when I bought one that could set its own clock. I rarely programmed it to record. I spend way too many hours a day on the Internet. I use Chrome at work, and Firefox at home. I have no idea why on don't use the same browser in both places. I think the reason might be that there was a version of Firefox that broke flash, and that day I switched to Chrome. I never had that version at home. My smart phone is an iPhone, not because I have a gay crush on Steve Jobs, and not because I love Apple telling me what's best for me, I use an iPhone because it not just can't be tweaked, it doesn't need to be tweaked. Yes there are things I wish it could do better, but I like not having to think abut it. I need it to just work when I use it. I need home automation to be like my iPhone. When I, the household geek pushes a button, I don't want to wonder if it will work. More importantly, when my wife, who quite frankly could live the Amish life style, presses a button, there better be no mystery or trouble shooting involved. It needs to work just like a normal switch that normal people have in their homes. I just feel guilty taking so much from all of you when I have so little to contribute. But if you're willing to hold my hand though this process, then I'd rather just do it myself so I can fix it when it breaks. Thanks, ~Jay

Let's just say that when it comes to home automation, I know just enough to be dangerous. I can get it all working, but not exactly as I want. For example: I can program a keypad to turn my fountain on and off, as well as have it respond to an all lights off command. But the little detail is that the keypad button light doesn't always correspond to the fountain being on or off. Three way switches either don't work, or the bar graph on the switch doesn't reflect the brightness of the light. I think those things are the result of me not actually knowing what I'm doing. How much would it cost to hire someone to program the isy and. About 50 switches and plugin modules? I live in Valencia ca just north of LA.

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of input I need! ~Jay

What I love about the 99i is that I almost never think about it, it just sits in the entertainment center under a pile of cables and dust, and does it's job every day. For some reason, I can't figure out how to update the firmware, so half of the insteon devices are fully supported. My house is small, so I'll never have an enormous Insteon install, but almost every switch in the house plus a few relays and lamp links are installed. Right now I have less than 40 devices, and I can't imagine ever having more than a dozen more. My needs are simple. -I want reliable timers -macros or scenes where one button push sets any or all the devices to a desired state -IR to insteon so my TV remote can dim the lights for a movie -iPhone integration would be nice -simple programs to make the garage and other lights go on or off based on other actions. So for me, do I need to spend $350? If not, is there a more robust way to update the firmware on my 99ir? the Java interface through the network doesn't work. thanks, ~Jay

Ok, I figured it out. I set the ramp speed on the wrong device. ~Jay

I have a 6 keypad link that I want to turn all the kitchen lights on or off with. I created a scene that includes all the lights: -under cabinet -sink -bar -puck lights -recessed The recessed lights are dimmed by the keypadlink I set dim and ramp rates in the scene over view. In the console when I click on or off the whole kitchen responds with the proper ramp rate and dim level. When I push the ON button on the wall that dim level and ramp rates are ignored. It responds like a fast on or fast off. It does however allow to hold the on or off to dim or brighten the whole room. What am I doing wrong? thanks, ~Jay

I bought an Insteon motion sensor to experiment with and maybe use in several places in the the house. I have it in the ISY system now, but something isn't quite right. As I understand it, when it senses motion it will send an ON command, then after a predetermined time it will send an OFF command. The ISY doesn't see it sending an OFF command. If I push the button on the motion sensor it will send an OFF. Do you think the motion sensor is defective, or am I doing something wrong? thanks, ~Jay

I bought the I/O Link and some cheap puck lights to test it out. It works quite well, but it does take a full 2 seconds for the lights to begin to ramp up. I'll have a new kitchen installed at the end of the year where I want this to be used. for safety, I was thinking about programming some sort of timer that will turn the lights off after a few minutes if someone leaves a door open. What is the best way to program that? BTW- Smarthome does something very strange with their shipping, it took nearly a week for delivery. I only live 3 hours away from them. Can anyone recommend an out of state dealer that might be faster and cheaper? ~Jay

I think I'll stay with 120v to be safe. Thanks for the confirmation that I can program it the way I want. I suspect I'll be asking for help again once I begin to program in a few weeks ~Jay

Ok, this might be a bit excessive, but the base cabinets in our kitchen are very dark inside, I'd like to have a light turn on when I open the door. I was thinking about using an Insteon I/O link with magnetic switches on all the doors. Some modern appliances, like the Samsung refrigerator for example, have an interior light that ramps up when you open the door. I want to program the interior cabinets the same way. Is the I/O link compatible with the ISY-99i? What is the best way to go about programming it? thanks, ~Jay

First if all I must say life with the ISY-99i has been great! I spent a few days learning it, a few programming, and now I have an easy to use push button home. My brain is not good at programming, I don't like puzzles either. That's why I'm here looking for help Right now my kitchen has two switches on the main wall, one for the kitchen overhead light, and one for the dining area chandelier. What I want to do is use an Insteon Switchlink for the kitchen that doesn't control a single light, but instead creates the primary work scene such as- recessed lights at 100%, cabinet lights at 60%, under cabinet lights at 80%. Then where the dining room light is I'd want a 6 button keypad, where the big on and off buttons turn the chandelier on and off, and the four other buttons are 4 different scenes for the area. Is this possible? What is the best way to approach it? Finally, can the Insteon dimmers dim low voltage lights, or do I need to use 120V? thanks, ~Jay

I guess I don't really understand what is a controller and what is a responder, and when to use them. As far as I know I did add it as a responder. Should it be a controller? Is it possible to change it, or do I need to remove it and re-add it? thanks, ~Jay

In my dining room I have a chandelier and I have 3 switches that need to control it: 1. the actual load bearing switchlink dimmer 2. a secondary switchlink dimmer where the old 3-way secondary was 3. A keypadlink letter I may be off on the wrong track, but here's what I did... Created a scene call dining room light added the two switchlinks and the letter G from the keypad It is very close to working but here is what it does: When I turn on the light from either the kaypad or the secondary all the LEDs do what I would expect the "G" turns on and both switchlinks show the dim level. But when I use the load bearing switchlink the other two devices' LEDs don't respond. This is particualr annoying because the G button is a toggle. What did I do wrong? thanks, ~Jay

If I understand this correctly... If I use the button on the keypadlinc, my only option is the ramp rate that button in the scene is set at? Is that because the ISY isn't doing anything? But if I use a program, then the ISY will directly address each controller and apply specific ramp rates? thanks, ~Jay

Never mind... I found it For other newbies- It's under the button attributes in the scene. ~Jay

I'm working with a Keypadlinc now. I am trying to pre-program some inline dimmers and relays for the electrician tomorrow. I have them rigged up using an old extension cord and a light. I removed and re-added the keypadlinc. I then added the dimmers and relays one a a time. I then created a scene called "Flood Lights" which includes the Flood light inline dimmer and Button "E" from the keypadlinc. The will turn on and off with the button, it will brighten or dim if I hold it, but it will not turn on at the level and ramp rate I specify. How can I make this work? Thanks, ~Jay

thanks for the quick reply! I am using an Remotelinc, and I created a scene with one light. I dragged both the light and the button from the Remotelinc to the scene. It works, but is missing some functionality. When I press and hold up or down it will dim or brighten. But it dies not push once for on or off, and double push for fast on or off doesn't work. Is it possible to do this? thanks, ~Jay

thanks! That is a huge help. I'll need to redo a few things. One thing I can't figure out- How do I assign a button on a keypad to activate a scene? I have been using a program. ~Jay

I am not only new to the ISY99, I am also new to Insteon. I understand that if you want a button on a keypad to control a light, you simply push and hold the button for 10 seconds, the the light for 3 seconds or so. The button will now control the light. When you have an ISY I think something is different. But I can't figure out what?? Am I NOT supposed to link a button to a dimmer as I described above? Here is one example: In the living room- IR remote is used to call up different scenes RF remote is used to control individual lights Keypad is is used to do both. Does all this need to be programmed in the ISY for it all to work? What happens if the ISY fails? Will I lose keypad and RF control? thanks, ~Jay

I tried closing all the browsers, then I cleared the Java cache (I didn't even know it was there), then rebooted the PC. That didn't solve the problem. I unplugged the ISY and let is sit for for a minute, then plugged it back in. I am now able to log in. I hope this won't be a pattern. If it is then maybe I'll need remote relay to re-boot it every so often. thanks for the help ~Jay

thanks for the quick reply (on both forums!) Tonight I'll try your suggestion. The sluggish feel is when switching between the tabs. If I go from the first tab, I forgot what it's called, to the Program details tab it takes about 5 seconds to switch. One time I went to program summary tab and I was booted off! I had to log back in again. I haven't used that tab since. In 2008 I expect anything computer related to be fast. The other slow part which may be an Insteon issue, is how long it takes to add a device. ~Jay

I am using the latest beta software. That release isn't quite ready for prime time, but at least it works with my Keypadlink. Last night I tried on two different PCs to log in and it won't. I just get a blank interface screen with no opportunity to log in. The programs still work, I just can't log in. Generally speaking, the the ISY is quite sluggish. Is there a chance that I have a defective unit? ~Jay