Reset kills key moves & macros

[pa911]

Now that I finally finished the on/off macro for the TV & SAT I realized just now that a remote reset (code 980) kills the key moves and the macros - the devices remain.

This is rather bad in my case since I prepare the remote for other users and they certainly cant fix this themselves.

Is there a way to avoid deleting these through a remote reset?

[The Robman]

There are 2 reset commands, 980 and 981.

981 is a factory reset, so this one will obviously remove all of the programming.

980 is designed to delete all of the user programming, so it will delete everything except the upgrades (as they assume upgrades were added either at the factory or by you sending your remote in).

If 980 didn't erase macros and keymoves, what exactly do you think that it should erase? (Just FYI, it also deletes learned signals).

[pa911]

Yes - I thought it would only delete the learned signals.

Is there then a code that only deletes the learned signals leaving the rest?

[Capn Trips]

In IR, it's simple to delete learned signals, but I'm unaware of a way to do so from the keypad. Why do you need to erase learned signals? If you don't need a particular learned signal, don't use it. If you need to learn a NEW signal over it, just do that. It will learn and overwrite the previously-learned signal without requiring you to manually "erase" it.

[pa911]

I actually dont need to delete the learned signals - ideally I would like to deactivate the reset, so that users cannot by accident delete my key move and the macro with 980.

Is there a way to learn key moves with the remote only ? macros are easy but key moves are not possible as far as I know.

just to explain shortly:I prepare the remote with one TV and several receivers. The end user can then program his own reciever onto the SAT key and my macro (on/off for receiver and TV) works fine for any of the receivers I put into the remote.

BUT if a user starts to do more - he might delete all my work and cant use the remote anymore the way I prepared it. Thats why ideally I would like to deactivate the reset - or as an alternative - have an easy way to repair the remote manually...

Is that possible?

[The Robman]

The only way to deactivate built-in functionality is to install an extender (if there's one available for your remote, you didn't mention which remote you are programming). However, extenders are only really intended for people who are programming their remotes using JP1 as the extender also deactivates everything else that you might do via the keyboard.

If all of the SAT receivers that you are loading have discrete power codes (ie, ON and OFF), my recommendation is that you pick two buttons to be the designated ON and OFF buttons, then when you arrange the buttons in each of the upgrades that you create, assign the discrete codes to these two buttons. Then in your macros, you can include these buttons where appropiate.

Then, even when the user changes the SAT code, the macros will still work.

If some, or all, of the receivers don't have discrete codes, programming the macros will be a bit more tricky.

[vickyg2003]

The only way to deactivate built-in functionality is to install an extender (if there's one available for your remote, you didn't mention which remote you are programming).

Most extenders only disable the built-in when they are active. Removing the batteries would leave the remote vulnerable to the built-in functionality again. I've changed my setup codes and reactivated my extenders when I didn't have my jp1 tools available.

[pa911]

About using an extender - after what I understood, I would not want to use it - its too complicated and risky.


Finding discrete codes and using two buttons - I am afraid - will not be accepted by the end users who is used to ONE on/off button.

However as I learned now, resetting the remot e will destroy the key move as well as the macro - I will have to put a warning on the users manual that resets are "deadly" and should under noc circumstances be done.

[The Robman]

1. Regarding the macros and how many buttons to use.

You still haven't mentioned which remotes you are using, so I don't know if your remote allows macros on the device buttons, but if it does, you could program macros onto the device buttons that send the discrete on for the TV and the discrete on for the SAT.

You could then program a second macro on the power button that sends the discrete off for the TV and the discrete off for the SAT.

When you program the keymove for the TV power code, you could program it to shifted buttons, that way the user is less likely to activate it accidentally.

2. Using an extender.

This would be acceptable if the user didn't need to change the SAT code, but as they do, I agree that you shouldn't use it.

3. Programming keymoves.

These can be programmed using the 994 function.

4. Deleting the power macro.

When the macro is deleted, the POWER button will revert to the code that you programmed to it as part of the upgrades that you added. And if you didn't assign a code to it, it will be blank.

[underquark]

If you wanted an extreme solution and were willing to do all the programming yourself and "lock" the remote to avoid the user doing any changing you could, I suppose, open the remote and paint over the Set (Magic, Shift, whatever) key conductors. The user then couldn't erase anything but could not, either, enter their own setup codes nor use shifted functions directly.

[pa911]

-> The Robman

1. I will check back with some users if they would like two separate buttons for on/off - but another main reason why I hesitate is that I have to figure out so many dicrete on/off buttons - for each receiver that I program and for the TV which should be similar to some Hitachi.

-> the idea with the shifted key move is really good! I'll do that

3. Thanks! This way I can now at least write a little rescue manual in case a user resets the remote with 980

4. Thats actually quite good - so the remote remains usable after a reset


-> underquark
I would have never thought about that ! I have to try opening the remote without scratches... Thanks

[The Robman]

UQ's solution is designed to prevent the user from making ANY changes, whereas you want them to be able to change SAT setup codes, so that won't work.

If you did want to do something like that, you don't need to do something as permanent as painting on, or breaking the traces on, the PCB, all you need to do is put a small piece of electrical tape under the button on the PCB.

[pa911]

Oh of course - you are certainly right - that does not work in my case!

I was too fast with my reply....

[unclemiltie]

Which remote are you using? Is it a JP1.3?

If so, I can probably build you a special solution that would do what you want. PM me and we can discuss off-line.

If you're using a run-of-the-mill JP1, I think you're out of luck since the only real solutions will give you an all-or-nothing disabling of setup.

[pa911]

no its a jp 1.2