Re: Cannot active program mode on Napco MA3000 ...

["Just Looking" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Do yourself a favor. Buy more than the PCI -Mini. Get a whole new system.
The MA 3000 was only good for a cheap commercial job needing commercial fire
and burglar alarm protection in one panel (where the AHJ allowed it). Napco
keeps it around just as a place filler in their product line up where they
are mostly blank when it comes to fire offerings. They don't push the
MA3000. They don't even seem to like it (since it hasn't seen any version
upgrades since the early 90's). The MA 3000 is irritating to program. It
will be in a series of data blocks and then switch gears to an entirely
different set of data blocks to continue programming the same zone features.
That is just one of its little programming issues. Most folks pull out MA
3000s rather than install any these days.

"dyz" <spambegone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:47a37a45$0$6372$607ed4bc@xxxxxxxxx
> Thanks Robert. At the moment I don't want to go to the extreme of
replacing
> the chip because, other than having its time off a few hours, the system
> works fine. I may pick up that PCI-mini adaptor listed on your web down
the
> road.
>
> dyz
>
> "Robert L Bass" <RobertLBass@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:ostoj.11088$O9.2233@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > "dyz" <spambegone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:47a24982$0$6363$607ed4bc@xxxxxxxxx
> >> Thanks for the offer. I do have the manual. One thing I noticed is
that,
> >> after entering the master code and pressing the [function] button, I
can
> >> only reach the "ACTIVATE PROGRAM" display by further pressing the
> >> [function] button repeatedly; in other words, pressing [bypass] button
> >> repeatedly won't led me to the "ACTIVATE PROGRAM" display! I initially
> >> thought both buttons should reach "ACTIVATE PROGRAM". I wonder this
maybe
> >> a hint.
> >
> > Probably not.  It's been a while since I programmed an MA-3000 but ISTR
> > you had to start with [Function] and then the [Function] and [Bypass]
keys
> > could be used to scroll forward and back through the menus.
> >
> > As to the other gentleman's comment about locking you out, he's partly
> > right.  The dealer can put a "Dealer" programming code in which can then
> > be changed.  But the "master" code is burned into the chip by Napco.
That
> > code cannot be changed.  Many alarm companies remove the label with the
> > code so the purchaser cannot make changes without their help.  It's a
> > sleazy practice.
> >
> > At any rate, if you have that code, please use the dealer programming
> > method to find and/or change the user codes as needed.  The procedure is
> > different from entering user programming.  If the code you have is not
the
> > "master" or if for any other reason it can't be made to work let me know
> > and I'll get you a replacement master chip.  It will have a new code
which
> > you (and not the alarm company) will have.  Changing it does not erase
the
> > panel configuration.  It just upgrades the OS to the current revision
and
> > gives you a new code.  I don't recall the exact price but it's around
> > $20-30.  Hopefully you won't need it but if you do at least it's not
much.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Regards,
> > Robert L Bass
> >
> > ==============================>
> > Bass Home Electronics
> > 4883 Fallcrest Circle
> > Sarasota · Florida · 34233
> > http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
> > Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
> > Customer Service 941-232-0791
> > Fax 941-870-3252
> > ==============================>
>
>