Once again, Admin console will not load

[abrayshaw]

I had this same problem a couple of months ago. I am again unable to get the admin console to load. I've done everything I did when I had this same trouble before, but no results. The finder opens on the Windows desktop, but when I click on my ISY, then on LAN console, nothing happens.

I have done the following:

1. Cleared the Java cache using the Java control panel app. I checked all 3 boxes.
2. I downloaded a new Start.jlnp, and ran it. Still no luck.
3. I tried downloading the admin.jnlp file from the ISY directly. That didn't work.
4. I tried all these steps sever times, rebooting the computer in between steps, and still had no luck.

The last time I had this problem, I gave up, waited until the next day, repeated them, and it worked. No idea why. This has been very frustrating, to say the least. I'm even to the point of giving up on the ISY. Of course, UD want us whow own ISY's to update to the eisy, which has way more features than I have a need for, and costs a lot more. But, with the problems I've had lately, I'm not sure it's worth trusting the upgrade.

So, any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Geddy]

1 hour ago, abrayshaw said:

The finder opens on the Windows desktop, but when I click on my ISY, then on LAN console, nothing happens.

It sounds like at least the launcher is loading since you get the IoX Finder window and see your device. What's happening is it appears that your settings are potentially corrupt and you need to remove files else on the computer.

Please review this section of the wiki:

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/Main_Page#Admin_Console_Minimized/Invisible_and_Cannot_be_Restored

I would suggest after deleting the .state files that you clear the Java cache one more time (be sure you check all 3 boxes in the process) then run start.jnlp again.

Are you running 3rd party anti-virus or VPN software? It's possible something is corrupting your temp files and causing these issues. 

[abrayshaw]

Geddy -

I followed your instructions - found 2 files from the list on the wiki. Deleted them, cleared the Java cache, disabled both my firewall and AV software, rebooted.

Still no luck. I have another Windows computer - I'm about to install Java and run the start.jlnp on that, to see if there's any difference. Any other ideas on your end?

Thanks

[IndyMike]

@abrayshaw,  If you know the IP address for your ISY you can enter it directly by clicking the "Add" button.  Use the format shown below.  

If you do not know the IP address, log into your router and locate it.  At this point you should also "reserve" the IP address for the ISY (if you haven't already).  You don't want the complications of having DHCP move this address around.

Assuming you can find the address and "Add" it successfully, "Save" the configuration to a file on your computer.  Choose a location that's easy to locate (desktop, etc).  

The next time you can't "refresh" the configuration, use the "Load" button to load the configuration file.  

I created my file in 2022 (it's been working awhile now).

@Geddy's approach is the correct one.  This is merely a workaround.  

 

 

 

[Andy P]

In the finder, is the URL listed as an IP address or some form of the name of the ISY? If it is not listed as the IP address, click on ADD and then enter https://123.123.123.123:8443/desc as the URL where you substitute the correct IP address.

 

oh, @IndyMike just posted the same thing!

Edited Thursday at 09:26 PM by Andy P

[abrayshaw]

I've attached a screenshot of my finder window. As you an see, it's listed as the ISY's IP address, and the address is reserved in the router as a static address.

So, I think I've done all that's been suggested, and still no luck. This was all working a few weeks ago, then all of the sudden, it's not.

Very frustrating, to say the least. I've resisted upgrading to the eisy, not only because of the cost, but because the ISY does all I need it to do --control z-wave and x-10 light switches. Is there something about the eisy that makes it less prone to the problem I've been seeing?

Thanks again

[Techman]

@abrayshaw

Have you tried rebooting your ISY

Another thing you can try is remove power from the ISY, Remove the SD card and clean its contacts with a soft eraser.

Support for the ISY ihas expired and is no longer available which might be a incentive to update to the eisy

[abrayshaw]

Yes, I've rebooted the ISY several times. 

I've noticed that a failed attempt to access the admin console (as I described in an earlier post) sometime requires me to reboot to get it working again. For instance, I notice the ISY won't control zwave devices, but will still control X-10 devices. Rebooting the ISY resolves this, although I still can't get into the interface.

I will try leaning the SD card -- nothing else seems to work!

[IndyMike]

@abrayshaw, you mentioned that you've been unsuccessful loading from Lan.  Have you tried loading from the cloud?

[Andy P]

I don't know if it matters, but your finder shows http. Try ADDing an entry with https:// and use port ipaddress:8443

[abrayshaw]

I finally got it working, but don't ask me how.....

This morning, I followed Techman's advice, and removed the micro SD card, cleaned the contacts, and reinserted it. While i was at it, I completely removed Java and reinstalled it. Then I ran start.jlnp, the icon was back on my desktop, finder loaded, I clicked on the ISY's displayed line, chose LAN and it started up like it used to. Whew!

The only thing I did that I hadn't done yesterday was to clean the msd card. So, still can't be sure that was the solution. The last time this happened (couple months ago), I did get it solved but there was no clear reason as to how I got there. But, I won't argue with success.

BTW, I had tried choosing the cloud option in the finder (IndyMike's idea) and while that displayed an interface, the contents were incomplete and I couldn't edit programs. So, not sure what that option's even good for. Still much to learn.

Thanks for all the help.

[Geddy]

8 minutes ago, abrayshaw said:

BTW, I had tried choosing the cloud option in the finder (IndyMike's idea) and while that displayed an interface, the contents were incomplete and I couldn't edit programs. So, not sure what that option's even good for. Still much to learn.

Based on this information and the information your supplied originally I would say it might have been an issue with the SD card. What you described originally made it sound like just the actual admin console window wouldn't come up. That's typically evidence of the *.state file for that window being corrupt. That's why I suggested deleting any of those related files. But then if you tried the cloud method and the window at least appeared, but not all your items and couldn't fix/edit programs that might have been an SD card issue.

Since you had cleared cache and downloaded new start.jnlp it wouldn't seem to be a mismatch of UI and Firmware, but that is also sometimes an issue if items or programs do not load properly. Since you're using an ISY994 there hasn't been any updates applied so the admin.jnlp option might be your best route rather than using the start.jnlp method. 

As always...the firewall and antivirus software can (and will) interfere with the process along the way. Since those types of software always update "definitions" they'll sometimes add random files to a threat list and delete/remove/hide files that we need as IoX users. 

Glad this one sorted out again. Good luck until next time!

[abrayshaw]

Geddy -

Thanks again for the feedback. I neglected to include that I deleted 2 files found in the c:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Temp folder, but that's something I had already done yesterday without success. So, maybe it was the SD card.

As for firewall issue -- I had turned the firewall off while troubleshooting, but can you tell me if there are any files/folders that I can add to the fw's exceptions list to avoid possible interference in the future?

Thanks again! I'm learning a little more each time I have trouble, thanks to folks like you.

[Geddy]

28 minutes ago, abrayshaw said:

I neglected to include that I deleted 2 files found in the c:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Temp folder

Yeah, you mentioned that in a reply higher up. Since that didn't help and your later mention that you tried the cloud option and some devices showed up, but not able to edit programs does seem to indicate the SD card might not have been seated properly or needed that little cleaning that you did (from @Techman's suggestion). 

  

24 minutes ago, abrayshaw said:

can you tell me if there are any files/folders that I can add to the fw's exceptions list to avoid possible interference in the future?

I don't use any firewall programs so can't offer suggestions. I will just refer you to the wiki for possible info:

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/Configure_Firewall_Software

 

I'm not sure of the need for firewalls on computers, especially if/when they're on home networks behind a router (that's a generic firewall and doesn't allow direct access from the internet). I've come to rely more on just the standard Windows firewall settings and Windows Defender so not to run 3rd party applications. 

 

19 hours ago, abrayshaw said:

I've resisted upgrading to the eisy, not only because of the cost, but because the ISY does all I need it to do --control z-wave and x-10 light switches. Is there something about the eisy that makes it less prone to the problem I've been seeing?

To answer this portion of an earlier post...since the Admin Console is currently still Java based you would probably have similar admin console issues that you faced recently (although not this (seemingly) SD card issue). If the ISY994 is working for you and does all you want/need at this time then there is little reason to upgrade. It's certainly a workhorse!