Restoring ISY-994i From A Backup

[smokegrub]

I started doing some programming today and the LEDS on one of my KPLs started turning off when certain buttons were pressed. I could reset the LEDS but they would all go off again. The buttons continued to work but the LEDS continued turning to zero. The more I chased this problem the deeper in trouble I got. I have decided to restore my ISY using my most recent backup before I got into this mess. My question is how do I do this on my Mac. I want to be absolutely certain I know what I am doing before taking what I consider a drastic step.

[Techman]

The problem is most likely with the KPL not the ISY. I've had this problem in the past and found that a factory reset of the KPL resolved the issue.

[smokegrub]

Techman:

 

I did a factory reset but the problem with the LEDS persists.  I have a scene where the Master Bedroom KPLA and the Family Room KPLA both are controllers; two lights are responders. When I tap either of these KPL buttons the scene runs as designed. However, all the LED lights on the Family Room KPL go to their zero setting. I can reset the Family Room KPL LED settings from the Admin Console but the next time I run the scene from the Family Room KPL the LEDS go out. The scene executes perfectly at the Master Bedroom and the LEDS remain lit.

[Techman]

Do all 8 LEDS on the family room KPL turn off when you run the scene from the family room KPL or just the A button? 

 

What are your settings for the family room KPL "led brightness"?

 

What type of load or device is the family room A button controlling?

[Teken]

I started doing some programming today and the LEDS on one of my KPLs started turning off when certain buttons were pressed. I could reset the LEDS but they would all go off again. The buttons continued to work but the LEDS continued turning to zero. The more I chased this problem the deeper in trouble I got. I have decided to restore my ISY using my most recent backup before I got into this mess. My question is how do I do this on my Mac. I want to be absolutely certain I know what I am doing before taking what I consider a drastic step.

 

Disable the program and report back what happens once you manually press the KPL. If the buttons LED's remain lit simply blow away the program and start a new.

 

If the LED's still go dark (even with a disabled program) hard reset the KPL.

[smokegrub]

Techman:

 

All 5 LEDS cease to work. They ate set at 15 on and 7 off.

 

Teken:

 

It isn't a program; it's a scene controlled by buttons at two KPLs. I will delete the scene and see what happens.

[Techman]

smokegrub,

 

 Are all the buttons in the "toggle mode"?

 

What devices are in your scene?

[stusviews]

Adjust the LED brightness manually. Even easier, if you have a Windows computer, is to use HouseLinc to adjust the brightness. Additionally, for some devices, HouseLinc has options that the ISY does not.

[smokegrub]

Removed a scene from the Family Room KPL by removing that button from a scene where it and button on the MBR KPL were both controllers. I then deleted that scene from the ISY. The LEDs on the Family Room KPL are now displaying properly. I then moved to the MBR KPL and found that its On/Off buttons on the KPL no longer controlled the overhead light which is in a 3-way circuit with a ToggleLinc. That function has worked perfectly for more than a year until today.  I have worked on that problem for hours. I created a scene linking the ToggleLinc and MBR KPL button 1 with both as controllers. Still didn't work. I did a factory reset of the MBR KPL and the ToggleLinc--no success. I deleted both devices from the ISY, relinked them and recreated the scene with both as controllers--no success. I get the message that ISY cannot communicate with MBR KPL 1. I have queried, written updates, and restored the devices--same outcome. Am I making a mistake with the scene linking both devices as ccontrollers? Throughout all of this the ToggleLinc has turned the light on and off successfully. The ISY shows the MBR KPL 1 can be turned on and off in the admin console but that change does not get made at the light. I think it is a linking issue for a 3-way circuit that I am getting wrong. Your help will be appreciated.

[smokegrub]

Adjust the LED brightness manually. Even easier, if you have a Windows computer, is to use HouseLinc to adjust the brightness. Additionally, for some devices, HouseLinc has options that the ISY does not.

I have done that dozens of times. As I noted above , I am now stumped at what appears to be 3-way circuit linking issue.

[oberkc]

It sounds to me as if you are doing things properly. Clearly, the communication error is a concern, however. Many of the inconsistencies you describe are also consistent with communication issues.

 

Still, I am reminded of my experience the other day. I became aware that I had failed to rename and organize a couple of devices I had swapped around, and lost track of which device was which. Do make sure you are confident in the devices you are programming.

 

If you are confident in devices, my suggestion is to solve the communication problems before doing any more scene creation or adjustments.

[Techman]

How many scenes are involved and exactly what devices are in each scene?  

 

On the scene you created with the ToggleLinc and the MBR KPL what device is wired to the light you're trying to control?

 

Both the ToggleLinc and the KPL should be in the scene as controllers.  If you're having trouble communicating with the KPL you could have a bad KPL or some other communication issue.  You may also want to check your wire connections on the KPL

 

Are the buttons for the MBR KPL configured as "toggle mode"?

[Teken]

If you haven't rebooted the ISY after doing all of this give it a try.

 

I would however unplug the PLM wait 15 seconds. Unplug the ISY, plug the PLM back in.

 

Then apply power to the ISY and perform the linking process again and report back.

 

 

Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions

[smokegrub]

Yesterday evening I checked on the KPL before I went to bed and the LEDs were on! I don't have a clue why. However, as soon as I pressed a button to run a simple program, the LEDs went off as before. I have erased and rewritten all scenes and programs that have anything to do with the KPL and the problem persists. And, yes, I have rebooted the ISY. I must conclude at this point that the KPL is defective. I will see if it is under warranty and, in any case, I will replace it to see if that is the problem. I love the ISY and Insteon but days of frustrating work such as this is more than just unpleasant.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Techman]

You may want to check your electrical connections for the KPL, other than that it sounds like the only option left is to replace it. Keep us posted

[smokegrub]

I owe all of you who have tried to help me an apology. After deleting all the scenes I did a careful review of my procedures and found that I had been doing the factory reset of the KPLs incorrectly. I had not deleted them from the ISY before the reset and then link them with the ISY. After I had done that correctly and rewritten the scenes all worked perfectly. I am unaccustomed to work in an environement where such a basic error does not result in an error code and message describing the error. I trust this egregious mistake on my part will not deter your willingness to help as I will surely need it in the future.

 

Thanks.

[Teken]

I owe all of you who have tried to help me an apology. After deleting all the scenes I did a careful review of my procedures and found that I had been doing the factory reset of the KPLs incorrectly. I had not deleted them from the ISY before the reset and then link them with the ISY. After I had done that correctly and rewritten the scenes all worked perfectly. I am unaccustomed to work in an environement where such a basic error does not result in an error code and message describing the error. I trust this egregious mistake on my part will not deter your willingness to help as I will surely need it in the future.

 

Thanks.

 

I can assure you most of us have gone through the same thing. The fact you stuck it out and reviewed all the steps affirms your willingness to learn and share with others.

 

Now, carry on and enjoy your home even more. Share the information with others so they too can find a solution. ️

 

 

Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions

[Techman]

I owe all of you who have tried to help me an apology. After deleting all the scenes I did a careful review of my procedures and found that I had been doing the factory reset of the KPLs incorrectly. I had not deleted them from the ISY before the reset and then link them with the ISY. After I had done that correctly and rewritten the scenes all worked perfectly. I am unaccustomed to work in an environement where such a basic error does not result in an error code and message describing the error. I trust this egregious mistake on my part will not deter your willingness to help as I will surely need it in the future.

 

Thanks.

 

 

It's a learning process, we've all been there. Glad to hear you got it resolved. I've found that the non-volatile memory in the KPL can sometimes get corrupted. The trusty factory re-set seems to put things back in order. 

[smokegrub]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback.