Device communication issues after replacing PLM

[ResIpsa]

I recently began having issues with communication and device-status tracking in an otherwise rock-solid system so I figured my old 2412S PLM was failing.  On Friday I replaced it was a new 2413S.  That began a weekend of nightmares.

 

Before anyone asks, I did carefully follow the Wiki instructions for replacing a PLM; I did not select "Delete Modem".  I have a 994i IR/PRO so I also made sure to click the battery icon to disable automatic updates to my small number of battery-operated devices.  I plugged in the new PLM (using the factory-reset method), waited 30 seconds, then connected the ethernet cable from the PLM to the ISY, waited another 10 seconds, and then booted the ISY.

 

The first boot after replacing the PLM resulted in communication errors with every device; every single device query failed.  No problem, I simply restored the ISY from the backup I had taken earlier in the day.  After restoring the backup I had the same problem - every single device query failed.  I then tried restoring my devices but that process failed because there was no communication with any devices.

 

After doing some research on these forums over the weekend I realized my backup may be the issue due to the failing PLM.  So yesterday I repeated the entire process by factory resetting the new PLM, etc, only this time I restored the ISY from a backup I had taken back in November. 

 

Voila!  Now when I load the admin console it shows every device without communication errors.  All fixed, right?  Wrong.  My devcies are not showing the correct status, none of my devices respond to commands sent via the admin console, and they are hit-or-miss on responding to controllers.  I have tried restoring devices one at a time.  The process either appears to be proceeding normally and then results in a communication error, or it appears to complete normally but then a 1011 icon appears next to the device.  When I select the "write updates to device" option the updating process appears to proceed normally, but the 1011 icon never goes away.  When I query the device I get an error message like "Failed writing device link (device name) [=200000/-51]".

 

I am really at a loss here, and would appreciate any feedback.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Tim,

 

I am so very sorry to hear. At this juncture, I sure hope you have a good backup from BEFORE the PLM died. If you do, please follow the instructions here:

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:File_Menu#Restore_Devices

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[ResIpsa]

After once again carefully following all the steps for restoring a PLM and then my devices, I am sorry to report that I continue to have the same communication issues, even after restoring a backup from last March.  Am I at a point where I need to factory reset my ISY and PLM and start fresh to make any progress?

[ResIpsa]

Anyone?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Tim,

 

Did you restore devices AND NOT restore PLM?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Teken]

Hello Tim,

 

You could try performing a restore device on each piece of hardware and see if it solves the issue. If it doesn't sadly the only true method is to delete a component, add it back, and associate those links with the scenes of interest. Its entirely up to you to decide is the time waiting for dozens of *Restore Device* the best use of your time.

 

From personal experience you have a 50/50 chance of success vs failure . . .

[Michel Kohanim]

Thanks Teken. You are very correct with one addition: your ISY must have the latest configuration with the new PLM. That's why I sent Tim the link to Restore Devices.

 

With kind regards,
Michel

[ResIpsa]

Just to close the loop on this I ultimately decided to factory reset both my ISY and my new PLM and start fresh. This had the unexpected benefit of really cleaning up my organization and control strategies. For example, I am now relying far more on scenes and far less on programs (which were a hold-over from my early days of limited comprehension of the technology). It also lead to me investing in a number of new range extenders and replacing some of my oldest devices with new dual band devices. These upgrades have had a DRAMATIC impact on not only reliability, but most notably the write times when adding/deleting/configuring devices.

 

The one downside of the process has been the harsh reminder of how many outlet devices I have, and how it's basically impossible to factory reset them without a helper. I wish Smarthome would come up with a better method than flipping the breaker while holding the set button (and no, I'm not interested in uninstalling devices just to factory reset them).

[Teken]

Just to close the loop on this I ultimately decided to factory reset both my ISY and my new PLM and start fresh. This had the unexpected benefit of really cleaning up my organization and control strategies. For example, I am now relying far more on scenes and far less on programs (which were a hold-over from my early days of limited comprehension of the technology). It also lead to me investing in a number of new range extenders and replacing some of my oldest devices with new dual band devices. These upgrades have had a DRAMATIC impact on not only reliability, but most notably the write times when adding/deleting/configuring devices.

 

The one downside of the process has been the harsh reminder of how many outlet devices I have, and how it's basically impossible to factory reset them without a helper. I wish Smarthome would come up with a better method than flipping the breaker while holding the set button (and no, I'm not interested in uninstalling devices just to factory reset them).

 

Hello Tim,

 

Thanks for circling back with the forum members and letting us know the final outcome. As you probably noted sometimes starting from scratch is ultimately the best choice. Please do ensure you create a back up and store a few copies in the cloud and on a local drive.

 

RE: Hard resetting the outlet linc - I agree and would ask you to place this idea in the Insteon Wish List: http://forum.insteon.com/forum/main-category/new-insteon-device-wish-list You will need to create a new account and once authorized you can create a new thread about how a local reset switch would prove helpful.