General questions from old Motion Sensor topic from November 2017

[CPrince]

@larryllix writes -  always, always, always factory reset every Insteon device before using with ISY. They can do really weird stuff. This can be done easily after, if already linked to ISY.

How do you do this if the device is already linked?  I always reset manually.  I did not know another way.  Restore Device to blow away the unused links?

@larryllix also writes - link MS to the lamp, via Admin Console link setup. (this is slightly more advanced and can be done later to speed up lamp response speed)

How would you go about linking devices through the console? Admin Console link setup?  I have always done this manually by going from one device to the other.

Maybe these options don't exist anymore?

[Geddy]

@CPrince why not include a link to the topic you reference in the title for a little background? 

What is it you're asking and trying to achieve?

Factory reset for any Insteon device can be found in the user manual. If it's not on the Smarthome site it's still usually able to be found in Google search for item number.

I think @larryllix and many others, myself included, will typically suggest a factory reset for any device that might have been included in a previous system to clear out any prior programming. Some also think it is necessary for any "new" device as there is a chance some factory testing links could still remain in device memory. That's hit an miss, but always a good suggestion to follow...especially for many that might just be starting out.

Linking from Admin Console has always been an option. It should still exist. I think with more background about what you're really asking and what context you expect a result will determine what kind of replies you get to your post.

 

[larryllix]

Years back I had a new device, right out of the box,  that actually reported on and off interchanged until I factory reset it. I don't know how it could happen but it stunned me to see and retest it as such.

Remember, SmartHome had n quality control at all. They practiced Quality Assurance, which means, you test it and we will replace it if it is messed up.

I also had an iRLinc with a reversed wired sensor for SmartHome, right out of the box. The cost of returning the device under warranty was higher than the device was worth, so it got garbaged. It would never function properly with my ISY anyway.

I also have a 2441WTH Insteon thermostat that reports changes back (confirms commands to alter parameters) to ISY but never actually changes anything inside. However I have an older firmware version that works correctly.

I can't remember the third defective device but all three came directly from SmartHome on one of their sales. Then they delayed shipping for two or three weeks until they shipped the "in-stock" items via USPS to CanPost. I was so impressed I never bought from SmartHome directly again.

...always, always, always, factory reset every new device.

[CPrince]

@GeddySorry for the confusion.  My question was about infromation contained in reading the post, not about the post.

@larryllixlooks like  I through you  off too.

Based on @larryllix reading your reply to a post.... Your reply is the first one. I can only find this post throught Google.

 

My question is how can you factory reset a device in ISY?  You say you can.  How?  I know  ther is a procedure in the manual.  I always do it by the procedure in the manual.

My other question was how can you link responder and a controller (MS to a lamp) inside of ISY?  You mention Admin Console link setup.  You say slightly more advanced.  Where is this as I can't find it.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

[MrBill]

Factory Reset manually, followed by Restore Device.

The think to remember is that you're not only zeroing out unused links but you are also refreshing all hardware storage locations to a known state.   There are Insteon Options that the ISY doesn't know about, for example separating the switch and the load.  How could it have been changed then?  who knows?  Maybe it arrived with trash in a register, perhaps a register that only uses a couple of bits, has some trash in another bit, does it matter? probably not.

My point is Factory Reset goes beyond cleaning up the links table.  Its possible that "Restore Device" alone will solve a problem, but it's also possible that Factory Reset plus Restore Device is what will be needed.

How are devices linked via the admin console.  SCENES.  Scenes create links.

[CPrince]

Got it, thanks.  I thought there was some magic pill in ISY I could use to factory reset a device.  I had 3 or 4 wall switches mysteriously go goofy a year ago or more.  For 2 months I had to do a factory reset on them constantly.  I called Insteon and was told my switches were old.  I ordered new switches and before I installed them the problem mysteriously went away.

I did not realize that Scenes actually created device to device links.  Never thought about it that way.  I guess deleted a scene will erase the link?

[Geddy]

18 minutes ago, CPrince said:

I guess deleted a scene will erase the link?

Not completely, you should remove the device from the scene first then delete the scene. I don't think ISY can delete the scene if devices are in it. Haven't tried that recently. Somebody else can confirm.

If you've always been ISY for the controller and you reset links when first connecting the device to the ISY then you should be decently okay. However, if you've come to ISY from Insteon Hub (or even some other hub/controller for Insteon) then it's possible devices had links from the prior setup if they were not factory reset and then linked to the ISY. 

21 minutes ago, CPrince said:

I had 3 or 4 wall switches mysteriously go goofy a year ago or more.  For 2 months I had to do a factory reset on them constantly. 

That's strange. Shouldn't usually need to reset them more than once. You probably had line noise causing issues with connectivity to the ISY. Glad it went away though. If this happens again (for these or others) you should check for line noise in the system. Reviewing the Event Viewer (level 3) can help you troubleshoot commands from the ISY to the device and vice versa. 

I think the main answer to your question is that factory reset is a manual process. It is NOT something that can be triggered from the ISY. You should be able to Google Search by item number to find the user manual if you don't have any. Last checked the links to Smarthome were not working, but some cache sites will have links to the old manuals. 

Once reset then perform a "restore device" in the ISY and it should find the device in the system and apply what the ISY knows for links and settings. You can read more about this in the ISY Cookbook (found in the Wiki)