what should unlocker results look like?

[kparris]

The house I bought has a Vista 15 v6.1 panel installed. I have the Master code. There is no monitoring service and the panel is not connected to a phone line. The star-pound option during power up gives a long beep, so entering installer mode by that method has been locked out. I bought the unlocker plugin to discover the installer code.

There are repeating messages from the panel, Check 100 and Check 103, plus disarmed chime ready to arm.

I started the unlocker plugin and left it alone for about six hours, when I went back to look it was still cycling through codes. Looking in the log file I found three complete passes and stopped it part way into the fourth.

When does it stop? How can I tell which codes it found? All I see in the log file is what it is sending, and the messages from the panel.

[kevin]

If I recall correctly, it just cycles through every permutation of code possible until it enters programming mode with the right installer code. If it hasn't entered programming mode after trying every code there is a problem. You have verified you are able to send commands to the panel from the alarmdecoder device, correct? If so, then there's something likely happening on your panel.

[kparris]

Yes, I can use the Virtual Keypad to arm away, arm stay, disarm, set chime mode, clear chime mode, and it displays all the same messages as the physical keypads. Physical keypad displays change to show the results of actions (arm/disarm) on the virtual keypad, and vice-versa.

There is at least one code that causes a beep from the keypad, I heard that while it was scanning, but don't know exactly - I went to look at the virtual keypad display and know the "territory" it was in at the time, but haven't tried to pin it down yet.

As for the panel, I do know the star+pound during power-up option to enter installer mode has been locked out - it gives a long beeeep instead. But I figured the actual code ought to still work. Or do you suppose the monitoring service, used by the former owner of the house, dialed in and blocked all local options when they stopped the monitoring contract?

[mathewss]

Yes, I can use the Virtual Keypad to arm away, arm stay, disarm, set chime mode, clear chime mode, and it displays all the same messages as the physical keypads. Physical keypad displays change to show the results of actions (arm/disarm) on the virtual keypad, and vice-versa.

There is at least one code that causes a beep from the keypad, I heard that while it was scanning, but don't know exactly - I went to look at the virtual keypad display and know the "territory" it was in at the time, but haven't tried to pin it down yet.

As for the panel, I do know the star+pound during power-up option to enter installer mode has been locked out - it gives a long beeeep instead. But I figured the actual code ought to still work. Or do you suppose the monitoring service, used by the former owner of the house, dialed in and blocked all local options when they stopped the monitoring contract?

if it were locked out with 98 and has been setup to only enter installer mode via Compas and the very large lock id your only option is to factory your panel and reprogram it. How this is done is something I can do over the phone on Monday but suffice it to say it does require some bravery :c) and a plan B if your panel does not survive the operation.

Anyway call us on Monday or send us an email to ad2usb@support.nutech.com and we can arrange a time to discuss your next options.

Re
Sean M

[kparris]

Thanks for the offer, and I apologize for the long delay - was away on vacation the week of Thanksgiving and just busy with this and that since then.

What I know about the Vista panel in my house: previous homeowner installed it, after a while got tired of it, discontinued monitoring service, unplugged a/c power adapter from the wall. At least three years went by.

Then when I bought the house, they told me the Master user code they had been using, and when I plugged in the power for the panel that code worked and I changed it to one of my own choice. The system works, as it is. But for the ad2usb to be able to send things, I have to disconnect one of the keypads - without installer mode I can't program another keypad address - and I want to keep all 3 keypads in service.

But Star + Pound during power up, or during first 30 seconds after power up, neither way works to enter installer mode - it gives a long beep instead.

I ran your unlocker module via the ad2usb (when it was set to a keypad address the system recognized for command input) and it did not find installer mode, so it looks like the company did dial-in and lockout everything when the previous homeowner discontinued their contract. I put the keypad back online and set the ad2usb to another address - it can't send any more, but it still provides a nice log file of all that happens in the system.

There are a couple of options I am thinking about. One is call up the monitoring service (their phone number is on all the keypads) and ask them to unlock the panel, since I own it and they, by the lockout, are improperly depriving me of the full enjoyment of my property. I would be as nice as I can in this conversation, but I have no idea how they may respond. I'm not planning to subscribe to any monitoring service, but I do like having a working alarm system with siren in the house - it might scare off anyone who does try to break in.

The other is to look around at other panels I could install to replace the Vista board, and continue using the existing keypads and door/window/motion/smoke sensors - plus gain addition features. I don't know if a locked-out Vista 15p circuit board has any market value, or not.

These are philosophical, not technical, questions, but I welcome any opinions anyone would like to share.

[kevin]

A locked 15p will not have much value unless the person who is interested has methods to unlock or is willing to go through the pain of having it unlocked. A new 15p or 20p would be pretty cheap to drop in place without having to get any equipment and reuse everything you have.