Another lost communications thread

[Tiki]

Okay, I'm about fed up with this thing. I guess I should have done a bit more research before investing in this system (had a chance to go with a different security system). But maybe someone can solve this.

I have the same problem that many others has - HS looses the ability to communicate with the AD2USB device. I thought I had it fixed as it worked for over a week without problem, but it just failed again second time in two days. Here is the most recent error.
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Error: System.IO.IOException: A device attached to the system is not functioning. at System.IO.Ports.InternalResources.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.EndWrite(IAsyncResult asyncResult) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.Write(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 count, Int32 timeout) at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Write(String text) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.VistaAlarm.SendCmd(String CmdStr) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.HSPI.SendToAlarm(String CmdStr, String CmdName, String SecurityCode) [1.2.0.0]

Error: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the port is denied. at System.IO.Ports.InternalResources.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.BeginWriteCore(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 numBytes, AsyncCallback userCallback, Object stateObject) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.Write(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 count, Int32 timeout) at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Write(String text) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.VistaAlarm.SendCmd(String CmdStr) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.HSPI.SendToAlarm(String CmdStr, String CmdName, String SecurityCode) [1.2.0.0]
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I have v2.0 of the AD2USB (USB-B connector). I have followed the guide on the site to put a jumper on the device and even upgrade the firmware.

Following you list mnsandler from another post, here's what I've done.
1. Latest FTDI drivers as of early April installed.
2. No power cables are near the USB cable
3. Tried different USB ports.
4. Turned off power management in device manager (I thought that fixed it a few weeks ago, but failed Saturday)
5. USB has been installed.
6. Tried different circuits but this is a new construction.

As far as the electrical circuit that the security module is on, nothing else really uses that same circuit. I've went down to the basement and turned on every light or device that is anywhere near it and the system works fine.

Is this a hardware or software issue? Do the newer AD2USB (Mini-USB) have this problem?

Any other suggestions?

[mnsandler]

sorry for the troubles. Its really a hardware issue specifically in the usb connection. Maybe you should contact nutech.com about switching to an ad2usb that uses an actual serial port. or maybe yours can be switched to serial; not sure.

did you try putting a usb hub between the ad2usb and pc?

[Tiki]

Yes, I have a USB hub in between the AD2USB and computer. I even changed out cables to a shorter one too.

[Tiki]

I now have the newer (mini USB) AD2USB, still having problems.... No idea what to do now.

[mnsandler]

so the plugin continues to throw errors related to the com port

do you have the latest ftd drivers loaded? can you post a screen shot of the loaded driver with the version

can you try the beta plugin 1.2.7.x posted on the forum

[Tiki]

As of right now, there are no errors in the log just no status updates from the AD2USB. But if I try to send something, I will get an error. Below is the log of the device working, and then just stopping. There should have been a Disarm after 6:30, and some motions, but nothing. The computer was rebooted yesterday because it failed too.

5/20/2012 9:27:53 PM 	Vista Alarm 	[0000000110000000----],013,[f70000071013000028020000000000],"FAULT 13 OFFICE MOTION "
5/20/2012 9:27:57 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Setting Partition 1 to Disarmed-Ready
5/20/2012 9:27:57 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Clearing all zones for Ready mode.
5/20/2012 9:27:57 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Setting System to Disarmed-Ready
5/20/2012 9:28:11 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Setting Partition 1 to Armed Stay
5/20/2012 9:28:11 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Setting System to Armed Stay
5/20/2012 9:28:11 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Processing msg on Partition 1
5/20/2012 9:28:11 PM 	Vista Alarm 	[0011030110000000----],008,[f70000071008038c28020000000000],"ARMED ***STAY***You may exit now"
5/20/2012 9:30:10 PM 	Vista Alarm 	Processing msg on Partition 1
5/20/2012 9:30:10 PM 	Vista Alarm 	[0010000110000000----],008,[f70000071008008c28020000000000],"ARMED ***STAY*** "
5/20/2012 10:30:00 PM 	Event 	Event Trigger "Lock All Doors at Night"
5/20/2012 10:30:00 PM 	Device Control 	Device: Main Kitchen Lever Door Lock (Q30) Value set to 255
5/20/2012 10:30:00 PM 	Device Control 	Device: Main Kitchen Deck Deadbolt Door Lock (Q17) Value set to 255
5/20/2012 10:30:00 PM 	Device Control 	Device: Basement Garage Entry Deadbolt Door Lock (Q21) Value set to 255
5/20/2012 10:30:00 PM 	Device Control 	Device: Main Garage Deadbolt Door Lock (Q9) Value set to 255
5/20/2012 11:00:00 PM 	Event 	Event Trigger "Turn off Outside Garage Door Lights"
5/20/2012 11:00:00 PM 	Device Control 	Device: Main Garage Door Outside Lights (Q40) OFF
5/20/2012 11:59:58 PM 	System 	Switching to a new log file.
5/21/2012 2:10:01 AM 	Device Update 	Device: Main Foyer Deadbolt Battery Battery Level 24%
5/21/2012 2:24:22 AM 	Device Update 	Device: Z-Wave Z-Wave Interface Child 9 Temperature Inst 3 value set to 68.2 (6820/F)
5/21/2012 3:25:43 AM 	Device Update 	Device: Z-Wave Z-Wave Interface Child 9 Temperature Inst 3 value set to 68 (6800/F)
5/21/2012 6:29:44 AM 	Device Update 	Device: Z-Wave Z-Wave Interface Child 9 Temperature Inst 3 value set to 68.2 (6820/F)
5/21/2012 6:30:00 AM 	Event 	Event Trigger "Turn on Bedroom Lamp"

And here, I just now tried to send a Armed Away command

5/21/2012 8:27:56 AM Vista Alarm Sending code+2
5/21/2012 8:27:57 AM Vista Alarm Error: System.IO.IOException: A device attached to the system is not functioning. at System.IO.Ports.InternalResources.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.EndWrite(IAsyncResult asyncResult) at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.Write(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 count, Int32 timeout) at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Write(String text) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.VistaAlarm.SendCmd(String CmdStr) at HSPI_VISTAALARM.HSPI.SendToAlarm(String CmdStr, String CmdName, String SecurityCode) [1.2.0.0]

The only way I can access the COM port again is to do a full restart of the computer - can't even do it by logging off.

The FTDI driver is version 2.8.24.0 from 4/10/2012



I will try the beta plugin.

[mnsandler]

Tiki,
most users can just restart HS and get the com port working again.

btw if the usb hub isn't helping, i would remove it.

[Tiki]

If all I had to do was restart HS, then it wouldn't be that bad. But I have to restart the computer.

The hub doesn't seem to be working, so I'll remove it tonight.

[mnsandler]

Then there must be something more serious going on with your installation.

can you correlate the outages to anything else in the house? Another user figured out his washing machine was making his drop offline.

keep a log (date&time) of when you restart the server and when it drops offline

[Tiki]

Just a little update, I took the USB hub out and so far so good. Been running for just over 2 weeks without incident. I think the newer model AD2USB fixed the problem. We'll see if it lasts...

BTW, I did not update to the beta plugin. Figured I would take it one step at a time to try and determine were the problem is at.

Also, looking at interference was one of the first things I did but couldn't find anything that was causing the problem. The outage would happen at different times - mostly when we left the house and nothing was running. I even went down to the basement and turned on every light, etc. and nothing.

[mnsandler]

How's your connection doing?

[Tiki]

Was doing great until two days ago when the power flickered and that computer rebooted. I think the new AD2USB fixed my problem, all worked great for the two or three weeks since I got it.

Thanks.

[mnsandler]

Was doing great until two days ago when the power flickered and that computer rebooted. I think the new AD2USB fixed my problem, all worked great for the two or three weeks since I got it.

Thanks.

Tiki,
i just posted v1.2.10 that i think will solve the usb disconnect problem. Please give it a try if you have time