Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue TAC Xenta 121 Plug-in, Checkbox selections by mistake. Environment Xenta 121 Plug-In ZBuilder Cause Checkboxes in ZBuilder are sensitive for mouse click “outside” the checkbox.  Resolution When clicking on the same row as the checkbox might trigger the checkbox to be checked/unchecked by mistake. Changing the value of a checkbox might change the physical I/O configuration list, and the functionality of the TAC Xenta 121 device. This could happen by mistake if a user clicks the plug-in window to activate it or bring it to focus and might not be aware that the plug-in trigger this event as a checkbox selection. Be aware of this and double check your configuration settings and the physical IO configuration list before exiting the TAC Xenta 121 plug-in.

Issue Erroneous subnet/node ID mismatch warning on a LonWorks unit in the System Plug-in Environment System Plug-In LonWorks Device Cause Subnet and node IDs have gotten mixed up in the Vista database and must be recreated from LNS. The error appears as subnet/node address mismatch in the system plug-in. Resolution In the System Plug-in, on the TAC Network side, find the LonWorks unit(s) that are generating this message Taking note what LonWorks group they are a part of Delete the LonWorks units. Update the TAC network.  The previously deleted controllers will be added back into a newly created group. Move the controllers out of this new group to the correct, desired group. Delete the empty group and update Vista. The mismatch error message should not be displayed any more.

Issue Web page cannot be found message when accessing http://IP/pe/home on a B4920 Environment B4920 Cause The B4920 does not allow access via Plain English to the web server. Resolution This feature is supported in the 99XXs, the BCX and NCIIs, but not on the B4920. This feature will not be added in the future.

Issue Webpinpoint gives error, Could not connect to server. Cause:Type missing for member of type Object_ContectID Environment Webpinpoint graphics for webclient .NET Framework 1.1 Cause Hotfix issued by Microsoft (KB928366) was installed. Resolution This issue happens on webpinpoint graphics for webclient installations using .NET Framework 1.1, versions 1.6x through 1.73. A hotfix was issued by Microsoft that caused this issue KB928366. The solution is to remove KB928366 or upgrade to a version of webclient that uses .NET Framework 2.0, versions 1.74 or greater.

Issue Webpinpoint graphic shows exclamation point in a dialog box with no other information AccWpproxyserver process will not remain running on the webclient PC Environment WebClient Standalone WebServer LAN Webserver Cause This issue happens on webpinpoint graphics for Webclient installations where the server is Windows Server 2003.  It has recently been discovered that this issue can affect both Continuum  LAN as well as Single User systems.  Resolution The solution is to add the loopback address onto the IIS server by taking the following steps. Open IIS Manager Expand Web Sites> Right Click on Default Web Site and select Properties Click the Advanced button to the right of the IP address field Click the Add button and enter the IP: 127.0.0.1 and the port: 80, Click Ok,Ok Stop and Start IIS Launch Webclient and a graphic and the exclamation will no longer appear. Note: If SSL (https:) is being used, this error can also be caused by making a change to graphics and not rebooting the webclient PC. It can also occur if SSL is being used and WPPMonitor.exe.config hasn't been edited to include the SSL Machine name. Ex. The default is XPAVALON - this should match your PC name. If the above has been tried, full permissions have been granted to C:\Program Files\Continuum\DNWACserverFactory and NewgraphicsFiles folder then more than like a removal and reinstall of IIS and Continuum is needed. Be sure to select the specific items for IIS when reinstalling.

Issue Upon starting the Lon App Tunneling program, a window displays a critical error message: "Exception occurred when attempting to run C:\windows\system32\shell32.dll, control_run.dll natconfig.cpl" Environment Lon App Tunneling Program Google Desktop Cause Google desktop interferes with the Niagara LON App Tunneling service. Resolution Uninstall the Google desktop Uninstall the Lon App Tunneling program from the Windows Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs Re-install the Lon App Tunneling program Re-boot the computer

Issue Erie T200 series thermostats, display is blank, or thermostat will not hold setpoint, or thermostat function buttons do not work. Environment Erie T200 Series Cause Bad or missing thermostat battery. Resolution Replace the bad or missing thermostat battery p/n Energizer 357 or equal. Confirm voltage is between 20 and 32 VAC with 75mA to 1.2A of power is available. If the battery is good and voltage and current is within specification then replace the thermostat. Symptoms Display fades away after 1 minute then goes BLANK. No function with up/down buttons. SETPOINT will default to 70°F (21.1°C) in Heat mode and 76°F (24.4°C) in Cool mode when power is restored. If the thermostat was manufactured before 2000, the default was 75°F (23.8°C) for both Heat and Cool mode. With a good battery, the display will indicate space temperature. There are no functions with the up/down buttons. The last setpoint is maintained when power is restored.

Issue When I open my Visio file I do not get the Project Builder drop down menu on the menu bar. Environment Project Builder Microsoft Visio Cause Visio has disabled automation events. Resolution In Visio, click on the Tools menu. Click on Options. Click on the Advanced tab. Ensure that the "Enable Automation events" checkbox is checked. Click OK. Close Visio. The next time it is opened, the problem should be resolved.

Issue How many logical networks can be created on a Continuum system? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum system Cause Information on the total number of logical network supported on a Continuum system Resolution The number of logical networks that can be created in Continuum is theoretically infinite. The only limitations would be DB size (2GB for MSDE and 4GB for SQLExpress) on a standalone setup, hard drive space on LAN setup and/or any DB size constraints. The restriction would also be that each logical network would not be able to share data with controllers on the other logical networks, however Cyberstation would be able to communicate to all of them.

Issue When communication is lost to an AC1 module, the doors lock down even if they are unlocked by schedule. Environment AC1 module Cause The doors will attempt to default to a secure position. Resolution When you lose communications to AC1 modules they will automatically fail to a secure position.

Issue If I am doing a Vista classic network and do not have the TAC toolpack installed where are my xif files for 100 series controllers? Environment Vista Classic Network Xenta 100 series controllers Cause If LonMaker or NL220 are installed, then XIFs for TAC products are stored in the Import\TAC folder. However, on a classic network, this software wouldn't be installed, so the file path to find the 100 series XIFs changes. Resolution If running vista 5.1.3 and prior the file directory is: C:\Program Files\TAC\TAC Vista X.X.X\$ini If running vista 5.1.4 and up the file directory is: C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\TAC Vista X.X.X\$ini

Issue Registration of TAC Vista OPC server as service fails Environment OPC Server Cause During the installation of TAC Vista OPC server, it might fail to register as a Windows server if you do not have a valid license for the TAC Vista OPC server during the installation phase.  Resolution Uninstall the OPC Server Make sure you have a valid license Reinstall the OPC Server

Issue System requirements for SQL 2005 Express Environment SQL 2005 Express Microsoft Windows Cause Since TAC Vista version 5.0.1, the free version of SQL that is supported is SQL 2005 Express. If you are upgrading from a previous version of TAC Vista that uses the SQL 2000 MSDE version, an automatic upgrade to SQL 2005 Express will be made. Resolution SQL 2005 Express does have some requirements of service packs for the different Windows versions. Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Windows XP Service Pack 2 Computer with Intel or compatible Pentium III 600 MHz or faster processor (1 GHz or faster is recommended.) Minimum of 192 MB of RAM (512 MB or more is recommended.) 525 MB of available hard disk space (Not including the space needed for the SQL database)  See further at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=220549b5-0b07-4448-8848-dcc397514b41&displaylang=en

Issue Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) is not supported by the TAC Vista Licensing system. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 Remote Desktop Connection Cause This feature is often seen as remote control feature but is actually a terminal server feature. Resolution The TAC Vista Licensing system does not support this feature. Using this feature as a remote control application causes every connection to spawn a new instance of the terminal server. When disconnecting, this instance will remain loaded and all applications started will continue to run. This can, of course, generate some problems like opened graphics generating a lot of unnecessary traffic on the field buses.

Issue Restoring a NL220 Backup might "Wipe out" some data on your hard drive. Environment NL220 Vista Cause When restoring or creating a new database in NL220, files can be overwritten. Resolution When restoring a database in NL220 you need to be aware of that any existing files and subfolders in the path specified as "Project's path" will be deleted. Always make sure to specify a folder that is empty or that does not contains any files you don't want to lose.

Issue Unable to use plug-ins to configure devices in LonMaker or NL220, even after installing the DRF kit. Product Line TAC Vista Environment LonMaker NL220 Device Plug-in Cause The DRF (Device Resource Files) kit is not installed before devices are added in Lonmaker or NL220 (and other tools) Resolution The DRF kit must be installed and properly registered in the PC before any devices are created. If you are in this situation you will need to remove all devices and the device templates and you need to start all over. It is therefore recommended that the DRF kit are installed before adding any device and that you create one device and test the plug-in to make sure that the DRF kit are properly registered before adding a number of devices into the database.

Issue Do I have to install the Continuum Reports "add-on" for versions 1.7 or higher? Environment Continuum Reports Cause Continuum supplies many Report templates that include attractive bar-chart templates, pie-chart templates, and trend templates - giving Reports a customized "look and feel." To use these templates (and thus, reports in general) you must import them during the Continuum installation process, in version 1.7 or higher. Resolution It is not necessary to install report add-ons for versions 1.7 or higher because this is done during the installation procedure. In the Database Initialization dialog, check the Create/Update Graphical Report Settings checkbox. (For more information, please see the Continuum Installation Guide, 30-3001-720.) If you do not check this checkbox then reports are not available.

Issue I/NET Seven fails to install with existing MSDE version of SQL. Environment I/NET MSDE Windows XP Cause MSDE may need to be installed manually Resolution Download MSDE2000 from Microsoft’s website. Run the downloaded program, and it extracts itself into another directory. At that directory, run drive:\directory its located in\Setup.exe SAPWD=”any password you make up” After the MSDE is installed, run the I/NET installation as usual.

Issue Use Modulus in Menta Expression Block. Environment Xenta programmables Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Menta Cause The Modulus operation in Menta is used to obtain the remainder of a division. If for example you want to perform 10 Modulus 7 the result would be 3. Resolution To perform this function in Menta, use an expression block with the contents of A%B. However, the built in Modulus function does not work with numbers larger than 65535. To perform the Modulus function with such large numbers, write out the Modulus calculation in the expression block instead of using the % symbol. This expression accomplishes the same thing: A-(B*INT(A/B))  

Issue I can not get my Xenta Groups to come online under my Echelon LTA in Vista classic or Xenta 911, or don't get any alarms from any of the Xenta's. The LTA is online and the LonWorks network is commissioned and online, but the Xenta groups will not come online. Environment Xenta Programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Echelon LTA Vista Classic network Cause The group master may be offline causing the entire Xenta group to also report an offline status. It may also be due to spaces in the naming conventions of the network. Resolution Verify that the Xenta group master controller is online Verify that no object has a name longer than 20 characters LTA name, LonWorks group name, or any Xenta group or Xenta name Verify that there are not spaces in the LTA name, LonWorks group name, or any Xenta group or Xenta name. Use underscores (_) instead of spaces. Verify that there are not \ or / in the LTA name, LonWorks group name, or any Xenta group or Xenta name. Use underscores (_) instead of back slash and forward slash.