Flash 2 "Power Bump"

[BR8770]

Folks,
I am having a problem with one of my Flash 2 MB's. Shows its full when it is not, plus there are some other "glitches" that happened after a power bump here. I do not want to power down both the CICS and the Flash at the same time as this is a 9-1-1 center I have used the F**XTEST and all feature codes are active. I have not pwered down just the Flash either as I am afraid I will lose all programming. Will I please? Suggestions? Comments?

 

[BR8770]

Sorry about the two posts....I apparently hit the "submit" button the first time instead of "Preview"...

 

[cook1082]

In most cases or 99% or the time a reboot is that.But there is that 1% you mite,also the flash is not new.

 

[BR8770]

SORRY,I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR REBOOTING THE FLASH WITHOUT TAKING DOWN THE ICS?

I AM CONFUSED ABOUT WHEN TO POWER DOWN AND IF I WILL LOSE ANY PROGRAMMING.....SUGGESTIONS PLEASE?

 

[RikRodgers]

To reboot the Flash, open the front of the VM cabinet, remove the power cord for 10-15 seconds, replace, and wait.
Be patient. A Flash VM can take 5-10 minutes to come back up.

As for the possibility of losing programming, there are no guarantees. If you aren't confident you can reprogram the VM from scratch, I'd probably call an experienced tech to troubleshoot the issue.

 

[BR8770]

Hey Rik, thanks! I'll try that also, but I thought that if you did that you had to also reboot the ICS at the same time. Apparently, the other way is to use F**XFTEST with out having to shut down Flash....or the ICS.

Brent

 

[RikRodgers]

F**XFTEST is a wonderful tool, but doesn't take the place of an occasional power cycle to fix a glitch. Consider a PC. When something "goes weird", often the most efficient way to fix it is to reboot, even though you could spend hours of tribulation digging through software and possibly fix it without pulling the plug.

As to rebooting both simultaneously, its usually a good idea, but not always necessary. If your system's ability to hold prog is suspect, power cycle as few devices as possible. If a VM reboot alone fixes the trouble, then you haven't risked losing KSU prog by doing both.

 

[BR8770]

Thanks Rik...and yes the "power down" of both systems may create a bigger problem. The ICS has T1R1 s/w and I am just afraid that the module cap may be bad and a "system crash" possible. Otherwise I would power them both down. I dunno....but if i use the XFTEST function and remove the codes, do I have to F903 and re-enter? And.....will that default the Flash programming...?

Brent

 

[TRONIC1]

Might I suggest as well that you get a UPS so that in the event of another spike or sag in current it won't effect your equipment. Rik is quite right that the best thing to do is power cycle, but while your at it you might as well install a battery back up with some type of surge protection that you can plug both the KSU and your Flash into. I suppose there's some other things you could try besides a power cycle, but as Rik stated you could spend alot of time chasing "Gremlins" that could easily be resolved with a power cycle. Good luck.
BTW, a voicemail unit for a 9-1-1 centre?

"Hope for the best, plan for the worst

 

[BR8770]

Thankx Tronic1!! Well, we have backup UPS & natural gas generator as well. Just didn't want to risk losing ICS programming as we are in the process of bonding & grounding upgrade....yes in a 9-1-1 center, but the VM is for our admin, non-emergency lines. However, I want to try the XFTEST thing first....then if it doesn't work, take a chance on power down...But please, if I do the XFTEST thing and remove all of the codes, will I have to re-enter them w/F903 and will I lose any of the programming, or will it default back to factory stuff?

 

[TRONIC1]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you BR8770. The V/M makes alot more sense now. THIS SHOULDN'T EFFECT THE OPERATION OF YOUR KSU (There's never any guarantee). OK, lets see if we can't find a way around the power cycle of your V/M.
THIS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. THIS ACTION COULD FORCE YOU TO DO A POWER CYCLE. I MAKE NO GUARANTEE'S.
1. You can disable the v/m port(s) under> MAINTAINENCE>PORT/DN STATUS. You can use Feature 985 to find that info out.
2. Feature**TEST and remove ALL feature codes.
3. Re-enable the V/M DN.
4. You may have to use Feature903 to activate the feature codes. I've never seen this effect KSU operation or programming, but again, there's no guarantees.
I still think Rik has it, but it sounds like it's important to you that you not power cycle. What can I tell you, it's the best I can come up with.
Thanks,
John

"Hope for the best, plan for the worst

 

[BR8770]

John, thanks and I and feeling more comfortable as we work through this mentally. Not only am I concerned with losing all programming on the KSU, but the VM as well. Ok, here's the plan then:

Disable VM DN/Ports in KSU maintence
(Power down the VM (only if the process doesn't work the 1st time.)
Do the F**XTEST THING and remove all of the feature codes.
(Power the VM back up if the first go-around doesn't work)
Re-enable the feature codes w/F903

As a last resort....power both down and bring them up together.

(don't know if I can do all of this with my fingers crossed tho!!!)

Sound good?
IF I don't hear back from you to the contrary, I will perform the "operation" on Monday, after regular business hours and let you know how it came out, if you don't mind.

Thanks to both of you (just in case Rik is following this thread as well)

I really appreciate the help!!!

Brent

 

[atcphone]

I would suggest adding a second jack to each station and put one of your outside lines on each. This will come in handy if you lost your power for an extended period of time, no power equals no Norstar. This will also come in handy if you reboot and lose system programming. I would think that for a 911 call center priority #1 is being able to answer the phone under any circumstance.

Best of luck,

John Armstrong

NYC Norstar Service

 

[TRONIC1]

Sounds Good. I'd like to correct a type-O on my last post. It's Feature**XFTEST. BTW, Great idea Mr. Armstrong! I'll be predisposed on Monday with some personal stuff, but I will check in to see how it went. Ultimately, it might be an idea to get in touch with a qualified tech in your area (I'm not, more of a novice really). This person could be a real savior in a time of need.
Thanks,
John

"Hope for the best, plan for the worst

 

[BR8770]

Hey atcphone! Yes, I have power failure stations set in the center ....and thanks! We'll see what we see tomorrow guys!

Brent

 

[RikRodgers]

One word of comfort- as you're using R1T1 sw, you obviously aren't using a PRI, so even if you were to lose prog on your KSU, calls would still ring through. By default, all lines will ring to ext 21(x221, x2221, whatever you have connected to port 101.) You can transfer them from there, though your dn's will default also. To determine the current ext #, press Feature*0, and the intercom key.

 

[BR8770]

Folks & Friends......IT WORKED!!!!Thanks so much. Your kindness and patience has really been appreciated.

Brent

(and...I didn't lose a "bit" of programming either!!)