iPac 4 errors.

[Bored28]

My ipac4 is giving stuck key input on boot. The led flashes 5 times on boot and then stays out. Anyone got any info? Has the latest firmware and is in keyboard mode.

[PL1]

My ipac4 is giving stuck key input on boot. The led flashes 5 times on boot and then stays out. Anyone got any info? Has the latest firmware and is in keyboard mode.

Check your connections -- you've probably got one of the input wires on an NC (normally closed) terminal instead of NO. (normally open)

The easiest way to troubleshoot this on a big control panel is to:

1. Power off.

2. Disconnect the daisy-chain ground(s) at the IPac.

3. Boot up the system.
- If you still have the error, something other than the daisy-chain is probably shorting an input to ground.
- It could still be an NC terminal connection problem if the daisy-chain is shorting to ground somewhere other than at the IPac.
-- Power down before doing a continuity check between the IPac ground terminal and the daisy-chain(s) -- the meter should read open/no continuity.

4. Open Notepad or a keyboard test program.

5. Carefully re-connect the daisy-chain ground(s) at the IPac.

6. Check the microswitch connections for the input corresponding to the pressed key(s).


Scott

[Bored28]

Thank you for your response,

I unplugged the ground and still got the 5 flashes. I guess next is the keyboard test program. How would I do a continuity check?

[Bored28]

I also noticed I have one button that still works with the ground disconnected. This might be the problem.

[PL1]

I also noticed I have one button that still works with the ground disconnected. This might be the problem.

That button's input is getting ground from somewhere.
- Is the IPac resting directly on a conductive surface (metal frame, ESD bag, etc.) instead of PCB legs or some other non-conductive surface?
- Is the daisy-chain connected to or touching frame ground? (metal power supply case, etc.)
- Did you remove all ground connections from the two"GND" terminals? (upper left of pic)
-- Sometimes people connect both ends of the daisy-chain to ground.

How would I do a continuity check?

Make sure power is off, unless you want to fry your multimeter.   
- The easy way to be certain is unplug the IPac's USB cable.

Here's a tutorial on how to use a multimeter.




Scott

[Bored28]

It is kind of just floating right now because I didn't have a way to screw it down. Will it take the same screws as a motherboard? I may cover the back with electrical tape until I get that worked out. I did remove both ground wires on the board. I am going to get back at today. Kind of annoyed. Everything is done but the controller board.

[Bored28]

Still trying to troubleshoot this. I pulled all the wiring and just plugged in the ipac4. It gives 5 flashes and then goes dim. That's all I got right now, is the ipac4 broken?

[PL1]

I pulled all the wiring and just plugged in the ipac4. It gives 5 flashes and then goes dim. That's all I got right now, is the ipac4 broken?

That sounds like a reasonable diagnosis.

Not sure which error/condition causes the 5 flashes.   

E-mail Andy.


Scott