Changing User Access Code on Ademco Vista 20P

Jamie Houston wrote:

Try Master Code + 8 + 03 + new code
Keypad will beep once if successful.

Jim Rojas

Thank you for the reply.  What you typed is what I've tried.  It
doesn't give any extra beeps at the end.

Should I press something else at the end?  To let it know it's only 4
digits?  Do I need to be in programming mode?  I wouldn't think so.

Jamie Houston wrote:

Then the code you are using is not the master code. Give me a call
tomorrow, and I will download your panel, and reset your codes.

Jim Rojas
(813) 884-6335

The alarm company they're trying to stiff, ought to be real happy
about that.

Jamie Houston wrote:

Aside from all the other advice you've been given I should point out
that the Ademco product you're using "forgets" the digits you've pressed
if you allow more than about two seconds between button pushes.  If
you've managed to change the codes in other locations, chances are you
have the "master" or "manager" code.

Hope this helps.

On Aug 3, 9:43 pm, Frank Olson

I've managed to change some things.  I've gotten into the program
mode, using what I thought was the master code.  And the alarm company
didn't have anything to do with the programming of the alarm or sale
of it.  It's a new construction that was never monitored before I
bought the house, so I'm tasked with setting it up (or the guy that
installed it will come out for $75/hour).

Jim - thank you for the offer.  If I can't dig up any other codes or
get this working I'll give you a call.

It would be worth the 75 bucks to fire it up.

You may have even voided their warrantee on a new house new alarm system by
messing around with it.

To me it sounds like you have the INSTALLER code not the Master code. With
the installer code, you THEN install a MASTER code (user 2) and with the
MASTER code you add/delete/change other user codes....including changing the
Master but that's a different procedure.



--
**Crash Gordon**

I was using the INSTALLER code, thinking it was the same as the master
code.  I've updated the installer code, using the master code, and now
I can program the users with no problem.

Thanks for everyone's help!

-Jamie

wrote:

Yer welcome.
That's a common mistake btw.
just make sure you test EVERYthing.

--
**Crash Gordon**

"Jamie Houston" wrote...

If user 3 is the master code, which it may or may not be on a Vista 20 (not
my specialty), you will need to enter the "master/installer code, 8, 03, new
code" twice in a row.

User code 2 is the system master code, 3 is partition 1 master code

"mleuck" wrote...

This is one area where even a DSC Maxsys is easier to work with...
You need that code to be a master code?  Done.
You need this code to be able to access only partitions 1, 4, 7 and 8?  No
problem.
You'd like me to program those now at the keypad instead of getting one of
the alpha keypads, ladder, etc. out of the van; wiring it to your panel;
getting it addressed; then programming?  No problem.

I know the Ademco systems tend to have stable panels that never die, but
can't they be a little more user/installer friendly and consistent... or
detect a lack of a siren... or maybe even a phone line?

Or perhaps check the battery more often than randomly every 4 hours?  Which
can be a real pain when trying to close out a work order but the panel
hasn't seen the new battery yet and therefore not sent a restoral to make
the monitoring station happy.

No wonder they're stable, when they don't do anything it's hard to break
them.

By the way, what is terminal 3 for?  Well let's see, that would depend on
the panel and version and version of that version.  Why have a terminal
installed onto the board that doesn't do anything other than provide you
with an extra screw in case you lose one of the others.

...Ademco rant over, for now.

Spend 40 to 45 minutes uploading the Maxsys? check! :)

"mleuck" wrote...

Well you do have a point there.  Although if you're doing it by PC-Link
instead of the modem it's much faster, perhaps a couple minutes (5?).  I
never have used Compass though.

Its a lot quicker uploading a Vista-250 with Compass than a 4020 using
DLS-2002 however the Vista doesn't have 999 user codes either :)

"mleuck" wrote...

1500 codes.  I know... it's a ridiculous number.  I don't think I've ever
used more than 200.  Although I'm sure there are systems in large
commercial/industrial applications that need the ability to go to 1500.

Although I'm glad the 1832 has gone up to 72 from the 832's 32(ish).  Many
times we've had to send a code list back to the customer to get them to
shorten it by a couple codes.  Only once have we installed a Maxsys instead
of an 832 just to have more codes available.

They must have added more in the later versions, I think the last ones
I dealt with were 3.2's

"mleuck" wrote...

3.5... perhaps the 3.3 as well

wanna chuckle? the bigger DMP panels have 9,999 user codes. I put one in
client's home and they were concerned about adding a few codes...when I told
them they had 9,990 empty slots left they thought I was joking - they can
have a code for everyone they ever knew or will know :-)



--
**Crash Gordon**