Pulling Program Off CTouch BW MK1

Hey all...

I've been browsing through the forum for the last few days, trying to find a solution to get the programming off of a Mk1 BW CTouch unit in my building. I've tried the various solutions that have been proposed to other people who have been having difficulty, with no success...

I haven't been able to get anyone from the company that did the install to provide the original project...

The unit is running firmware version 3.42.0. I've tried the below in various combinations of Toolkit 1.11.0, 1.10.0, 1.10.9, 1.5 and PICED 3.4.1, 4.7.2, 4.8.4, 4.10.1 to try to get firmware to line up.

So far, I have tried:

- Direct serial connection to the back of the unit with an RJ45-DB9 // RS232 to USB. The RJ45-DB9 cable was stored in the back of the mounting box that the touchscreen is in, so I can only assume it is a correct, working cable. Regardless, I don't have a different one I can try... The USB-RS232 adapter is the same one that I use for every other serial device in the building, so I know it works... PICED says that it is connecting on COM3 (correct port), there is some audible clicking from the touch screen, and then it times out.

- Transfer project via CBUS... If I open PICED, and create a new project by transferring from an existing unit, it will default to connecting to unit address 255. I haven't found a setting to change this default. I changed the unit address in toolkit to 255 to try it, then hit continue in PICED, it tells me to connect to CBUS first. I can't connect to CBUS without closing the 'new project' dialogue, but when I do close the dialogue, it closes the program entirely.

- Transferring project via CBUS second attempt... I created a blank project in PICED for a Mk1 touchscreen, with a unit address of 4, to match the unit. I can now connect to CBUS, connect to the unit, but when I select "transfer project from unit", the transfer box that pops up has every single option, and every single box, greyed out so I can't select anything.

I can happily connect to my PAC over CBUS (and directly) using the above methods, just not the MK1 touchscreens. I don't want to get any deeper into troubleshooting without a bit of guidance - I certainly don't want to accidentally brick the unit (or wipe the programming) by fiddling with firmware and the like!

Thoughts?

 

It might be possible for us to diagnose this from the log. Try this:
1. In the log, enable the option to show C-Touch messages.
2. Attempt to transfer the project
3. Post the relevant log messages for us to look at (everything in the period of the attempted transfer)

 

Log doesn't seem to show a huge amount:

Debug : Free Memory: 244.1 MB
Debug : CPU Usage : 0.0 % to 100.0 %
24/04/2012 2:44:45 PM Info : Connecting to unit at 9600 baud
24/04/2012 2:44:45 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:46 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:47 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:48 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:49 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:50 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:51 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:52 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:53 PM Info : Connecting to unit at 38400 baud
24/04/2012 2:44:53 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:54 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:55 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:56 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:57 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:58 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:44:59 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:45:00 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 00 00 06 FF 7A "
24/04/2012 2:47:33 PM Info : Received Operating System Time Change Message
24/04/2012 2:47:33 PM Info : Clock adjusted from 2:46:49 PM 24/04/2012 to 2:47:33 PM 24/04/2012
24/04/2012 2:47:33 PM Info : - all schedules in this interval will be executed

This was on COM7 (the correct port), using a brand new Dontronics USB-Serial adapter... The receive LED on the adapter didn't light once, which would seem to confirm what the log is saying. There was, again, audible clicking coming from the CTouch in time with the transmit LED on the Serial adapter.

Ian

 

Correction:

The above log file came from a "Connect to Unit" command...

"Transfer Project From Unit" resulted in an identical log, with the addition of:


24/04/2012 2:57:44 PM C-Touch : Tx "80 02 00 0C 00 00 10 10 00 10 FF 42 "


At the bottom.

 

From the log it is clear that C-Touch is not responding to any messages.

The ticking sound from C-Touch means that the incoming messages from the PC are incomplete or corrupted. It would be good if you could try connecting to the C-Touch using a computer with a serial port rather than a USB/RS232 adaptor. It is possible that this will allow you to communicate with the C-Touch.

 

I'm going to struggle getting a PC with an actual RS232 port on it close to the unit... Is there any other option? I'm aware that transferring over the CBUS network takes quite a long time, but it seems like it would be more convenient than dragging a desktop PC out to the site... Any trick to getting that to work?

Just asking!

 

Hi iHendrick,

(I answered the other similar Mk1 thread at the same time with the same text in case you deja vu'd)

I would suggest that you use the RS-232 cable supplied with the unit, (or your new replacement unit). I use a USB to Serial Converter on my HP notebook that comes up in Windows device manager as 'Prolific USB-to-Serial Com Port (COM9)'. I have two converter leads that are completely different looking (one is see through clear plastic and the other charcoal / Dark Grey) but both come up the same in Windows device manager and both work identically so are perhaps different OEMs of the same cable. It plugs in to the other cable directly without any gender benders etc. Works for me every time to the MK1s.

Look, I don't want to get all mercenary on you, but I have 7 of these B&W Mk1s in my house and so my notebook is well setup with PICED versions and projects etc to talk to this particular model. If you are getting nowhere in a reasonable period yourself, I will happily offer my outsource and can come onsite as 'your company' and can replace/swap out the dead unit for your replacement unit. Sorry but I would obviously need to charge you to do this as it could take several hours if there are any firmware related problems etc. Best Effort basis getting original program off of course. PM me if you get stuck, it gets urgent or you have better things to do.

Anyway, try to find the USB converter above and an original cable and you will be best off.

All the best,

Brad