After a power failure or reboot

[andyf0]

After upgrading to 3.2.2 just discovered an issue with one of my programs.

 

I have an occupancy test at my house. There are motion sensors in a few of the most travelled rooms. After a reboot the motion sensor status shows blank because it needs to see an ON or OFF from the sensor to update it's status.

 

I have the time-out set to 15 mins so if the ISY is rebooted while the house is occupied and the motion sensors are already ON the ISY doesn't know that. Which means if one of the sensors goes to an OFF state it thinks all the sensors are OFF (since they are blank) and shuts down the house.

 

Can the motion sensor node be queried? I suspect not, which is why the ISY doesn't respond to a query request, this would be a limitation of the motion sensor, right?

 

I don't think there's any way around this other than leaving the house for 15 mins and re-entering it.

 

Edit: Ah! Hang a towel over the motion sensors so they go OFF. That'll do it.

Edit (later): Thinking about it ... if nothing can be done the current behavior is best. If I'm away from the house it's best that it powers down or stays down ... if I'm home I can use the towel technique to get them working correctly.

[LeeG]

"Can the motion sensor node be queried? I suspect not, which is why the ISY doesn't respond to a query request, this would be a limitation of the motion sensor, right?"

 

The Motion Sensor cannot be Queried. It would be asleep to conserve battery.

 

Are you finding an 'If Status Motion Sensor is Off' is True when the Status is blank?

[andyf0]

Yes, that's the problem.

 

Edit: In retrospect it has to return True or False, it's probably better if it returns True.

[aLf]

This post brings a non-ISY (sort of) question to mind.

 

Is there a way to remotely through my routers (one house to the other) access a computer at home 1 from home 2 and run a program on that remote computer, i.e. Quicken. I know that there are programs that allow remote access, but I'd think someone at the remote house would have to allow desktop access. I can see that the data file could easily be accessed, but how about the entire program. I do have VPN's set up, could that help?

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

[TJF1960]

This post brings a non-ISY (sort of) question to mind.

 

Is there a way to remotely through my routers (one house to the other) access a computer at home 1 from home 2 and run a program on that remote computer, i.e. Quicken. I know that there are programs that allow remote access, but I'd think someone at the remote house would have to allow desktop access. I can see that the data file could easily be accessed, but how about the entire program. I do have VPN's set up, could that help?

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

 

There is a freeware program called TeamViewer which you install on both computers that will allow you to control home 1 computer from home 2 computer. When you set up the programs on each computer you pre-authorize the computer to accept your remote access. When you fire up the computer a window pops up and you actually see the full desktop of the other computer allowing you to run any programs you wish. I have been using this freeware for a year or so and it has never provided any problems.

As a side note I have had the unfortunate opportunity to operate QuickBooks remotely....it is painfully slowwwwwwww.

 

Tim

[aLf]

Tim:

 

Do you log in via http/https, or do you do it through VPN (locally)?

 

aLf

[TJF1960]

Tim:

 

Do you log in via http/https, or do you do it through VPN (locally)?

 

aLf

 

To be honest it has been so long since I set it up that I don't remember. After setting up the program on both computers, the remote computer has an icon you double click to open up TeamViewer which handles all the accessing. The only thing required is to input your password afterwards the hosts desktop opens up on the remote. It is a secured access but I really dont remember all of the specifics.

[aLf]

I just looked at their website and I'm thinking it won't work for me as no one will be at the remote home to allow access via the password, etc. Looks like a good optionthough if I can get some one to allow.

 

aLf

[TJF1960]

I'm not sure I follow. Once the program is installed on both machines no one has to be at the host to allow the remote session. Or do you mean no one is there to install the program?

[aLf]

No they state that a code and password has to be entered on the host. I assumed that if the computer re-booted, the program would expect the login/password again. Maybe it would hold the credentials. I'll look closer at it.

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

[TJF1960]

It is a one time deal, done when you set it up. My host has been rebooted probably a hundred times and I have always been able to accesss it remotely.....except for 1 time and I can't remember why at the moment.

[andyf0]

This post brings a non-ISY (sort of) question to mind.

 

Is there a way to remotely through my routers (one house to the other) access a computer at home 1 from home 2 and run a program on that remote computer, i.e. Quicken. I know that there are programs that allow remote access, but I'd think someone at the remote house would have to allow desktop access. I can see that the data file could easily be accessed, but how about the entire program. I do have VPN's set up, could that help?

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

 

There is a freeware program called TeamViewer which you install on both computers that will allow you to control home 1 computer from home 2 computer. When you set up the programs on each computer you pre-authorize the computer to accept your remote access. When you fire up the computer a window pops up and you actually see the full desktop of the other computer allowing you to run any programs you wish. I have been using this freeware for a year or so and it has never provided any problems.

As a side note I have had the unfortunate opportunity to operate QuickBooks remotely....it is painfully slowwwwwwww.

 

Tim

 

I must admit I was a little miffed that my thread had been hijacked by this remote access subject but am now overjoyed that it was.

 

Ever since Lion I have been unable to find a stable VNC client to allow me to remote in to my iMac. After reading this thread I decided to give TeamViewer a shot. After some efforts to get the configuration right to allow local LAN access working it works great.

 

So thanks Tim for the suggestion. Awesome!

 

aLf, if you're trying to access a PC from a PC then Remote Desktop is the way to go, no one needs to be at the remote PC to gain access.

[TJF1960]

Sorry Andy, it wasn’t until your last comment that I realized the thread went way off course, was just answering a question I thought I could help with, but I am glad you got something out of it too.

 

As I was reading your initial post I wondered if you were to set the MS timeout to 30 seconds or 1 minute would they more likely return an Off in your most traveled parts of the house.

I ask because back when I was using the Insteon MS I had the same problem when the ISY rebooted. So I went to the short timeouts and used programs as timers for occupancy. As I recall I had three time programs 15 minute, 30 minute and 1 hour. I would set the 15 minute program to run at reboot (this was before variables) if it was active during the reboot.

 

Anyway, just an idea.

 

Tim

[andyf0]

Sorry Andy, it wasn’t until your last comment that I realized the thread went way off course, was just answering a question I thought I could help with, but I am glad you got something out of it too.

 

As I was reading your initial post I wondered if you were to set the MS timeout to 30 seconds or 1 minute would they more likely return an Off in your most traveled parts of the house.

I ask because back when I was using the Insteon MS I had the same problem when the ISY rebooted. So I went to the short timeouts and used programs as timers for occupancy. As I recall I had three time programs 15 minute, 30 minute and 1 hour. I would set the 15 minute program to run at reboot (this was before variables) if it was active during the reboot.

 

Anyway, just an idea.

 

Tim

 

Thanks for the ideas. My main goal is to minimize ISY activity. Setting timeouts at 1 minute would mean programs running every 1 minute when a MS sent an ON or OFF. By setting it to 15 mins I reduce the ISY activity greatly. In fact when all MS are OFF I wait another 15 mins before powering down the house. Any movement during that 15 mins cancels the timeout. It's working very well except for the reboot scenario and I'll just cover the sensor with a towel until it turns off.