Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Communication Port does not come online in Vista Classic.  The port is correctly configured in Vista and Device Manager reports it as working correctly. Environment Vista Loytec NIC-USB Loytec NIC-709 Echelon PCLTA Echelon U10 Echelon U20 Lonworks network Cause The communication port must be connected to a Lonworks network before either object will appear online in Vista.  When the communication port is first created it will appear offline even if it is correctly configured. Resolution 1.  Create a communication port object in Vista Classic and configure it according to the manufacturers recommendations.  It will appear offline in Vista at this point. 2.  In Vista 4.5 and above, right-click on the communication port and select New>Device>Lonworks Network. 3.  In the Wizard which pops up, tick the box 'Use existing port/server. 4.  Ensure that the correct port is selected in the drop-down list. 5.  Click 'Finish' 6.  In Vista press F5 to refresh the display.  Both communication port and network are now online (green)

Issue When connecting the dongle, no driver is found and dongle does not work as supposed Environment TAC Vista Windows Hardware USB dongle 000857510 Cause No driver found when connecting dongle to PC, and no separate driver is available for download from Extranet or other source. Resolution The driver is included in the Windows driver package. If the dongle is not recognized correctly when connected, run a Windows Update with the dongle still in place. The correct driver will then be installed.

Issue An attempt was made to modify the protocol service type attribute, and that attribute was not specified as configurable. Environment Vista LonMaker SNVT binding types Cause For network variables, the service type can be specified in the connection information in the Neuron C variable declaration. The options are unackd, nackd_rpt and ackd. The keyword config is the default. This allows a network management tool to change the service specification at installation time. The keyword nonconfig indicates that the service type cannot be changed by a network management tool. Resolution Echelon requests to please refer to the Neuron C Reference Guide for more information. To see which binding type is necessary, open the .XIF in a text editor and look for the following definition: XIF Definition of Line 2, Field 5: Default service type to use for connections containing this variable. Set to 0 for acknowledged, 1 for repeated, or 2 for unacknowledged. Created bindings needs to match the type defined in the XIF file.  Right click on the SNVT and go to properties.  Go to binding type.  Ensure binding type is the same, i.e. you cannot bind a Repeated SNVT type to a point that was flagged for only Acknowledged bindings. 

Issue Xenta 700 restarts when updating a Menta Time Schedule using a Central Time Schedule in TAC Vista Workstation. Environment Xenta 701 Xenta 711 Xenta 721 Xenta 721 Cause This issue is caused by a bug in the Xenta Server firmware. Resolution This bug has been fixed in the Xenta 700 5.1.7-SP1 firmware, available for download from the Exchange Extranet

Issue When logging onto Xenta Server's webpage (Xenta 701 and Xenta 721), "The Site Name" folder is missing. Xenta 701 and Xenta 721 cannot display a Value Page though the page has been created in the Xbuilder project. Environment Xenta 701, Xenta 721 XBuilder 5.1.X TAC Vista Workstation 5.1.X Cause Though Xbuilder allows the user to create a Value Page, it will not be displayed on the website. Xenta 701 and Xenta 721 only has "Service" level support of web services, therefore any web content ability is disabled. NOTE: Xenta 913 also only has "Service" level web services. However, Xenta 913 is a gateway; therefore, the Value Page feature is enabled in Xenta 913.  Resolution User can use other Xenta servers such as Xenta 731 or Xenta 913 to have Value Page feature. Or, viewing points values on TAC Vista Workstation.

Issue Vista Workstation displays a data point as a signed integer data type that reads from a modbus device, but the modbus point is defined as unsigned integer data type in Device Editor. When a modbus point's raw value is greater than 32768, Vista Workstation displays a negative value. Environment Xenta Servers Ver 5.1.4 or previous Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Device Editor Cause Xenta Servers will read Modbus data as 16-bit signed data, whether the modbus point is defined as 16bit SIGNED or 16bit UNSIGNED in the Device Template. Resolution Upgrade Xenta Servers firmware to 5.1.5 or above; Upgrade Vista software environment to 5.1.5 or above. include  Vista Server, Xbuilder, Device Template, Menta

Issue How do integrate an Xenta 913 in Vista? Do I need to give an IP address as well as a Neuron ID to integrate an Xenta 913 in Vista? Environment Vista 5.1.X Xenta Server 913 (applies to other models) Cause There may be some confusion as to whether an Xenta 913 is considered a LON device or IP gateway in Vista. Resolution If the device is being used as a Modbus\M-bus\C-bus\BACnet client only the IP address is required. In Vista workstation, right-click on the Server object and select New\Device\Xenta Server 913. Give the device a suitable name. Right-click on the device and select Properties. Set the IP address for the device. Right-click on the device and select edit. Configure the device in TAC XBuilder.

Issue Menta file Simulates (F12) and Generates OK and even downloads from Vista apparently OK, but monitored values shown the message 'Failed to read signal'. Connecting to the controller with the serial lead and entering online simulation mode gives a 'PARSER ERROR'. The Memory Usage stats show less free space than would be expected for a file of this complexity. Environment Vista Menta Xenta Cause The Menta file has some corruption that is not visible when viewing the Functional Block Diagram. Resolution Some files may be rescued by copying the FBD into a new empty Menta file: Create a new empty Menta file with the same Device and Program Specifications as the corrupted file. Open the corrupted file in a second instance of Menta. Drag a selection box around the entire visible FBD and enter Ctrl+C to copy. Switch to the new Menta file and enter Ctrl+V to paste the FBD. Please note that this procedure will copy references to named constants across to the new file, but it will not copy the constant definitions. Selecting F12 will highlight the function blocks containing the references to the missing constant definitions.  Edit the block and press 'OK'.  A dialog box will pop up for each constant where you can fill in the value, unit and public parameters.  Repeat this procedure by selecting F12 until Menta enters simulation mode without errors.  You will also need to create the OP tree and any trend logs from scratch. If you are lucky, the new file will download and run without errors.

Issue When running Vista in high security level Vista will add the NT group "Domain admin" as a user group in Vista at startup. Is it possible to avoid this? Environment Vista 5.1.7 Cause When running Vista in high security level Vista will add all users in the computers administrator group as users in Vista at the startup of the Vista server . This is not possible to prevent.  Resolution Either run Vista in low security level or take away the "Domain admin" group from the administrator group on the computer.

Issue Xenta Server firmware installation takes several minutes before it starts up When launching an installation of the Xenta Server system software it takes several minutes before it starts Environment Xenta 7XX Xenta 5XX Xenta 9XX Cause This rare issue has been seen on some PCs with a huge amount of files in the Windows/temp folder. It could be various other programs conflicting, in one case it has been the process setpoint.exe that was conflicting. Resolution Delete all files in the users temp folder. Here is a sample of the path: "C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\temp" or "C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp". Easiest way to access the temp folder is by entering %temp% in the path in explorer. If  setpoint.exe (Logitech) or KiesAirMessage.exe (Samsung) is an active process in task manager, end the process. It has also been seen that the process net.exe is blocking the installer. If the above steps does not work, try stopping that process.

Issue Is it possible to get Host ID locked licenses for Vista IV? Environment TAC Vista IV (Versions 3.30 to 4.50, using the Privilege Licensing system) Cause Since virtualization and other non USB/LPT dongle friendly applications are getting more common, a Host ID locked version of Vista IV is requested.  Resolution Vista IV was withdrawn in the end of 2011. The support is very limited, and Host ID locked licenses are not available. Suggest upgrading site to Vista version 5 where host ID locked licenses are available. Note: Beginning 2012, PSS will no longer support the Privilege License System. The Tamfs26 Server will be retired along with TAC License Server software. It would be wise to inform the customer of this important information to plan for future upgrade in the event that their site license has issues.

Issue Is TAC Vista creating a new IP connection every time it communicates with a Xenta server?   Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 and earlier versions Cause When TAC Vista communicates with a Xenta server https is always used and a new connection is used every time Vista likes to communicate with the Xenta server. When Vista is communicating with a Xenta 911 http is used and one connection which is connected as long as possible is used even if it is silence long period of times. Resolution When TAC Vista communicates with a Xenta server https is always used and a new connection is used every time Vista likes to communicate with the Xenta server.  

Issue Is LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) supported in Vista? LDAP is an application protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an network. Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X Cause Customer has a requirement for distributed directory access on their network. Resolution LDAP is not currently supported in Vista.

Issue Xenta Server Error: Ethernet autonegotiation error (Error#: 59) Environment Xenta Server System Error log Xenta 527 Cause The Ethernet negotiation error comes from bad connection with the Ethernet switch. The negotiation is the low level negotiation between the PHY (physical layer) interface on the Xenta and the PHY on the switch. It negotiates speed (10/100 Mbps ) and duplex. This error can indicate a bad cable or other problems with the switch. Resolution Replace any patch cables Replace connectors on any suspected bad cables Use a different port on the ethernet switch. *Note that the Xenta Server Ethernet port is only capable of 10 Mbps. Speed negotiation is unnecessary if the port on the switch can be manually configured.

Issue Vista server crashes several times every day. Error message written in Windows event viewer: Faulting application Tacos.exe, version 5.1.7.219, faulting module Tacdbi.dll, version 5.1.7.219, fault address 0x00075799. Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 Cause When doing a backup and the option "Retrieve trendlog data" is marked Vista will do a search for all trendlogs in the server and then go out and retrieve the logdata. Vista crash when the search for the trendlogs is made.   Resolution In the backup object unmark the "Retrieve trendlog data" option.

Issue Get error message "bad quality" reading values from Vista OPC server with a OPC client. Environment Vista OPC server 1.x.x Cause The problem was that the LON license which is a part of the Vista server license was missing. Resolution Installed the Vista server license and the OPC client could read the values fine.

Issue Remote Alarm Manager running on a Vista server loses license. Environment RAM Remote Alarm Manager License entitlement Cause There are two issues here. Issue one: Remote alarm manager running with TAC Vista Occasionally (2- 4 weeks) the Remote alarm manager indicates a temporary read error of the TAC license server. This can be seen as: - Unable to check out a licence Dongle failure 30 day limited mode entered - expires **/**/**** *:**:** This in itself is a minor issue but when combined with the second issue has a major impact on the operation on site. Issue two: Remote alarm manager running with TAC Vista Remote alarm manager fails to recover after its license management briefly loses a valid license from the TAC license server. Remote alarm manager doesn't recover This can be seen repeated in RAMs database as: - Checking for TAC Licence Server. Checked out a single licence OK Licence state - 1 interface(s) in demo   Resolution Contact Product Support and provide the following information: To facilitate a quick solution for this issue please supply the following details: - Site company name and address Copy of the original Remote Alarm Manager registration form. Copy of TAC license entitlement form. Confirmation of Vista version installed. Confirmation of Remote Alarm Manager version installed. Type of installation (engine, interface and consul ((installed on Vista server or remote)  The computer operating system for the R.A.M./Vista installation.

Issue When an alarm is sent to an email alarm handler, no email is received. No email system alarms are indicated in Vista. An entry in the b0warlog.txt is created and will look like this: "Mon May 21 10:40:27 2012 alrdisp  >> Error while instantiating MAPI server: -2147221164" Environment Vista 5.x.x Windows 7 Norton 360 Cause It has been found that if using Norton 360 antivirus software, this prevents the mail handler file "tacalarmmailer.exe" from being installed. To check to see if this is the case, check for this file under the Vista 5.x.x default directory. For Windows 7 and Windows XP the default path is C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\TAC Vista 5.x.x. Resolution Check for the file "tacalarmmailer.exe" in the TAC Vista installation folder, if this file is not installed the easiest solution is to disable the Norton 360 and reinstall Vista.

Issue Loytec NIC does not work Windows can not find driver for my Loytec NIC Environment Loytec NIC TAC Vista LOYTEC Network Interface Software Cause You have to install the LOYTEC Network Interface Software from Loytec. This will install the necessary drivers and the Lconfig that you need. Resolution Go to loytec.com Search for "LOYTEC Network Interface Software" Download and install, follow the instructions given.

Issue The ERR-block in Menta indicate that one or several switches on I/O modules are on manual control but they are not. Environment TAC Vista Tac Xenta 400 with I/O modules Cause When this problem occur it is very unlikely that is a software issue, therefore the I/O module need to be replaced. Resolution Replace the I/O module.