Re: Question on DLS software

[<thesatguy1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wish I could get Paradox panels locally so I could give them a try.  I
wouldn't use Napco on a bet but I have been looking into their new internet
module and the monitoring software.  Every time you turn around GE is doing
something stupid to drive away any Caddx users.  Filling up the Home Depots
with cheap Simons was not good for me.
And you are right the other panels do not have the connection problems you
see with DSC.

"R.H.Campbell" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:gJGdnSAk46Ynu8nenZ2dnUVZ_tOdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Thanks ! That's the first time I've heard any kind of explanation of that
> kind. Thinking back when I was using the DOS software, I don't remember
> these kinds of connection problems, so I expect there's a lot to what you
> say.
>
> I have to wonder why it seems to only pertain to DSC hardware. I don't
> have these problems with the Paradox panels, either the old DOS level
> software or the newer Windows based software. Perhaps it's because
> everything is newer, in that this company is only about 10 or so years
> old.
>
> You don't paint a very pretty picture. There are a lot of reasons lately
> why I'm steering completely away from DSC unless there is a specific
> reason to install it. I guess this is simply one more reason....:((
>
> RHC
>
> <thesatguy1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:imV4f.2924$q%.994@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> This is a very common problem that DSC is well aware of and simply
>> refuses to do anything about because they continue to claim that 99.99%
>> of the dealers never upload/download their panels.  Once upon a time I
>> conducted a so-so poll in my area and found that they were pretty much
>> correct - most dealers have no use for the upload/download features and
>> never ever use them.  Most of the 'dealers' in every area are now simply
>> trunkslammers who couldn;t care less about upload/download - the only
>> thing that matters to these guys is can they sell their paper from some
>> new nail parlor or bagel store or drycleaning substation before it goes
>> out of buiness.  They don't plan to ever see that customer again and sure
>> as heck will never dial up that account.
>>
>> So, the manufacturers play along, the panels all have upload/download and
>> it works to a certain degree in each companys' panel but when it doesn't
>> things get very cloudy and support gets very iffy.
>>
>> Have you tried a different computer?  Do you have our very own 'special'
>> modem?  Have you ever been able to connect with this particular panel
>> before?  Do you have an old 286 computer from 1985 that you could try
>> with it?  This is not very helpful tech support.
>>
>> In the case of 5010s or 1555s simply drive out there and replace the
>> board for the second or third time until you find one that works and take
>> the rest back to your distributor and watch him pitch the bad boards into
>> his 55 gallon drum running over with other bad DSC boards.
>>
>> If you plan on using the upload/download features on a board always test
>> this feature on the board on your bench in your shop while you are
>> testing all of the boards other features.  Never ever go and install a
>> board you haven't benchtested first.  And always take at least two boards
>> and two keypads with you.
>>
>> Having said all that there is a trick that most often works when you get
>> that dreaded 'unknown panel' or 'panel not supported' or 'panel not
>> responding' message on 1575s, 5010s, 1555s, 1550s, 2550s and 2007s.
>>
>> In the case of 2007s you are probably missing the project number and the
>> panel stops responding at that point - put either the correct project
>> number in or the default project number in (the software doesn;t put in
>> the default number) and that will fix that.
>>
>> In the case of all the other panels find yourself an old slow computer -
>> an old cheap junk laptop will do nicely - a 286 running a 20 mhz is fine
>> and use DSC's old dos software.  It supports 5010s and 4020s and 1575s
>> etc but it doesn't look flashy and it is pretty clunky but it works.
>> Then when you can't connect using your fast computer running xp pro try
>> the old slow one and you will discover that it works every darn time.
>> The problem is not line noise - its the speed - its too darn fast for
>> those old slow public domain communication routines.  Everything is based
>> on the Bell 102 standard which operates very nicely at 10 baud thank you
>> very much and they get over run pretty fast at high speeds.  Certain old
>> 2550s are bad about this and the first 1575s aslo hate the windows crap
>> and some 1550s are simply not suppoerted in windows.  Trust me I got all
>> of them out there...550s, 1000s, 2000,s 2500s... lots of en's <g>
>>
>> Now you can either go and replace the boards all the time and bring them
>> back to test them and find nothing wrong most of the time or you can use
>> an old computer and be happy and save a lot of gas.  The one exception is
>> the newer 5010s with the v3.2 firmware (all the other 5010s have v2.1 or
>> v2.5 in them) and DSC says there will not be any dos software upgrades to
>> any new versions of anything - dos is dead as far as they are concerned.
>> Its just like their old single and two line receivers - you must buy
>> completely new ones to do internet monitoring.  You can't upgrade them
>> either and you paid thousands of dollars and they need a $50. mod to work
>> over the internet.
>>
>> If you guys want DSC and everyone else to make upload/download better -
>> yell and scream at all the factory reps, call the factory and complain
>> every time you have a problem.   As long as all the factories think that
>> nobody really cares they won't make any effort to remedy it - they think
>> it works well enough for the few guys that use it.
>> "R.H.Campbell" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:pNCdndJcdrYf7s_eRVn-uw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>I tried to upload a version 2 DSC Power 832 (5010) this morning, and got
>>>a response that is becoming far too common when trying to use DLS
>>>sofware. I am using the latest DSC modem, and a clear line. The panel
>>>connected OK, and then tried to handshake and gave me a "cannot identify
>>>panel" crap ! I have tried to connect with two different computers, both
>>>with the latest drivers installed, and also used the "auto identify"
>>>feature as well on both computers, but to no avail. I tried going in
>>>through the event log, which sometimes works, but this time,nothing
>>>works.
>>>
>>> It seems I have to make another needless service call because of DSC
>>> crappy software !! Can anyone suggest why this bulls*it might be
>>> happening and if there is anything my end that I can do to resolve it
>>> prior to making a service call.
>>>
>>> Cripes, I don't need this mickey mouse software crap....Mark, any ideas
>>> ?
>>>
>>> RHC
>>>
>>
>>
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