Returning to UD after time off, re-installing ISY Launcher

[ronks]

I'm trying to install a Universal Devices ISY664i controller to drive X10 and Insteon light switches in the house from a Windows 10 system. Have got to the point where the instructions at
<http://www.universal-devices.com/docs/production/Quick%20Setup%20Guide%20994i.Rev%207.pdf> say:

> If you do not have Java installed, please install the latest for your platform. You may find the latest Java downloads at <http://www.java.com/getjava>. Please choose the latest JRE for your platform.

But all that site seems to talk about is Java in the browser.
I don't think that's what I need (or what Firefox will allow); the old desktop shortcut says

> "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_211\bin\javaws.exe" -localfile -J-Djnlp.application.href=https://isy.universal-devices.com/launcher/isy.jnlp ... blah, blah etc.

Is it safe to go ahead and install Java from that download? I think I remember there was a way to confine Java away from the browser, but it's vague.

[gzahar]

4 minutes ago, ronks said:

I'm trying to install a Universal Devices ISY664i controller to drive X10 and Insteon light switches in the house from a Windows 10 system. Have got to the point where the instructions at
<http://www.universal-devices.com/docs/production/Quick%20Setup%20Guide%20994i.Rev%207.pdf> say:

> If you do not have Java installed, please install the latest for your platform. You may find the latest Java downloads at <http://www.java.com/getjava>. Please choose the latest JRE for your platform.

But all that site seems to talk about is Java in the browser.
I don't think that's what I need (or what Firefox will allow); the old desktop shortcut says

> "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_211\bin\javaws.exe" -localfile -J-Djnlp.application.href=https://isy.universal-devices.com/launcher/isy.jnlp ... blah, blah etc.

Is it safe to go ahead and install Java from that download? I think I remember there was a way to confine Java away from the browser, but it's vague.

You should install Java from the link you referred to.

http://www.java.com/getjava

 

[Geddy]

@ronks welcome back! 

Yes, as @gzahar says get Java from the official Java site. It should install the latest version for your computer simply by clicking "Java Download" then "agree and start free download".

Once you have Java installed you'll want to download the launcher mentioned in this post:

Yes, this is the most efficient way to access that Admin Console. The Launcher was released in 2018 as development was progressing for Firmware 5.x to assure users always had matching Firmware and User Interface. Since it's been a while since you have been here you probably are running an older version of the firmware. 

Quick check - what version of firmware do you think you're running? Or do you know what you're running? If you are 4.x you should at least update to 4.9 as that is the last version in the 4.x branch and the last time the ISY994 will "auto upgrade". Any upgrades to 5.x need a lot of attention, and you probably don't need that at this point. You're mainly wanting to get back into the admin console at this point. 

 

[ronks]

Thanks, everyone!  OK, I can start the ISY Finder, though it told me "Not found" at first. The unit is cabled to the router and a 2413S.

I was able to enter the URL as http://isy/desc  but authentication fails when I try   admin | admin   as userid and password.

Have those default values changed since 3 years ago?

[MrBill]

10 hours ago, ronks said:

Have those default values changed since 3 years ago?

the factory default password is admin | admin, but if you changed it 3 years ago it's not that now.  Both user and password may be different.  To reset the password carefully follow these password reset instructions, note that if the reset button is held longer than indicated in those steps the entire unit is factory reset, not just the password.

[ronks]

Yes, thanks!  In the middle of the night it occurred to me that I changed them back when.

Even wrote it down. 

Was able to log in this morning, update the firmware to 4.9.0, and control a light bulb on a LampLinc dimmer.

[ronks]

Not sure if this deserves a new topic.

I looked for how to add an X10 switch to the list of devices controlled by the ISY Launcher, and the references are confusing. The Quick Setup Guide just mentions Insteon and Z-Wave, and the cookbook refers to an optional module I don't have (it was described as unnecessary somewhere), plus holding down the "EZX10RF Set button" which I don't understand.

Is there a reference to this task that I'm missing?

[oberkc]

7 hours ago, ronks said:

I looked for how to add an X10 switch to the list of devices controlled by the ISY Launcher, and the references are confusing.

While I consider the optional x-10 module "unecessary" (x-10 on the ISY is fully functional without it), the module does make x-10 a little easier to use.  Without the module, x-10 commands are issued by programs using house code and number.  The optional module allows one to name a given house code/number combination and add that name to the device list.  Without the module, one cannot add an x-10 with to the list of devices.

[MrBill]

to add to what @oberkc said....

It's a maze to find how to buy the optional module, and the screenshots are likely out of date for that too (I didn't look).

 

To purchase the optional $9 module choose help, purchase modules, which will open a browser window... Once you're logged in, click the My Products tab in the LEFT Center of the window

Then click "modules" next to the ISY that you want to add it to.

(this assumes that your product is already in UDI's database, if it's not you need to add the ISY as well).

[ronks]

On 2/25/2022 at 4:04 AM, oberkc said:

> While I consider the optional x-10 module "unnecessary" (x-10 on the ISY is fully functional without it), the module does make x-10 a little easier to use

Thanks! I may try it in time, but for now I'd like to try doing without it.

But I haven't found the necessary steps; are they documented, or examples given somewhere?

----------

And to add a second query here, I see that the title bar in my ISY Launcher window (using Windows 10) reads

> ISY Finder : Not Found

That sounds like an error, but I don't get what it means. Is it anything to be worried about? I can open the admin console and the dashboard; if something's missing I don't know what it is.

[oberkc]

8 hours ago, ronks said:

But I haven't found the necessary steps; are they documented, or examples given somewhere?

They are potentially in the user manual or wiki.  I did not check.

X10 can be used as a program condition or action.  I am on ISY software version 5.3.something and x-10 is an option in the drop-down boxes used when creating programs, just like any other condition or action.  I don't specifically recall earlier versions of the ISY software, but I don't think this approach has changed much over the years.

[MrBill]

10 hours ago, ronks said:

But I haven't found the necessary steps; are they documented, or examples given somHelpewhere?

Help > Purchase Modules.   It opens a browser window to the UDI website, but things can be un-intuitive once there.  First login via the portal. Next find in the center left side and click "my products", assuming you have a portal account for your ISY you should find it listed on the next page.  Click the Modules button on the right end of that line.  The next page will show the X10 module which is $9.   

10 hours ago, ronks said:

> ISY Finder : Not Found

If your ISY isn't listed in the finder window one of several things could be the problem.  The most common are, 1) the ISY obtained an IP address on a different logical network 2) the laptop finder is on has firewall rules blocking finder from finding the ISY 3) You have an advanced router with VLANs that isn't configured correctly.  4) your router doesn't support the method the ISY uses to autofind the ISY.   and other less common....

If there is a network path, the ISY can manually be added to the finder window using the add button, the URL for a 994 is http://192.168.XXX.YYY/desc (of course the IP address must be fixed to equal that of the ISY.

[Geddy]

12 hours ago, ronks said:

But I haven't found the necessary steps; are they documented, or examples given somewhere?

Perhaps this might help from the Wiki - https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-994i_Series_INSTEON:Enhanced_A10/X10

 

Otherwise, take a look through the X-10 threads in the forum.

I don't have any X-10 experience, but wanted to give tips on possible places that would document how to add them to the ISY. Of course, they probably rely on having the X-10 module, but take a look and you might find what you're looking for to go without the module.  But, if the module is $9 it could be a little cost for a huge time saver option. Just saying. (and @MrBill has documented how to get the module purchased)

 

[ronks]

I don't begrudge them the nine bucks or anything; I just want to try the simplest way first.

About the "ISY Finder : Not Found", the URL I use in the Finder is "http://isy/desc". Except for the message in the title bar it seems to work, but ideally I would like to fix that. 

> the URL for a 994 is http://192.168.XXX.YYY/desc (of course the IP address must be fixed to equal that of the ISY.

I'm unclear on how to get those XXX.YYY values; viewing "Network" on Windows 10 does not show it.

[MrBill]

5 minutes ago, ronks said:

http://isy/desc

as long as that works on your network don't worry about the other methods. 

The problem is not every method works behind every router.

7 minutes ago, ronks said:

I'm unclear on how to get those XXX.YYY values; viewing "Network" on Windows 10 does not show it.

usually you find it via a DHCP clients table in your router's interface.  Seems like there is a way to find it via the windows "cmd" interface... but the windows command isn't coming to me at the moment and I can't think if I have it book marked somewhere.

[ronks]

Thanks!  Actually I did find it with a little digging in

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:Quick_Start_Guide#Finding_ISY.27s_Current_IP_Address

It's the command (no admin privileges required)

 arp -a

but entering the numbers didn't avoid the "Not found" title. Doesn't seem to matter though, so I won't worry about it for now.  I think I see how to send X10 commands based on a time schedule, so that's the next task.

[MrBill]

47 minutes ago, ronks said:

I think I see how to send X10 commands based on a time schedule, so that's the next task.

I misread your post above... to enter X-10 into a program

Choose "Send X10" in the first dropdown of a Then or Else action and adjust the remaining House, Unit, and Command that appear when you choose "Send X10"

[ronks]

Yes; I've got two scheduled X10 tasks coded already. Another six to go, and I won't have to worry about repairing my 1132CU controller again if it blows another capacitor.