atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems Executone-Isoetec Telephones & Systems IDS 84 Mostly down

Customer called with an Executone IDS 84, with which I am not familiar. Contractors turned off the power and all the phones are dead now except for one-reception maybe. Another "technician" already ordered another CPU card, and it didn't help. It seems to me that if one phone is working, the CPU is ok. I would guess station cards or programming would be the problem. Before going on site, I could use some help. I have a few questions.

1. password?
2. Is the IDS 84 menu driven?
IOW, if I log in w Procomm (if I can get a password), can I walk through this if need be?
3.What do you think the problem could be?


Thanks in advance.

Have you ever worked on any of the executone IDS platforms before?

It is the same as a 108, or 228.

Good luck trying to get connected to the 84, You ' might ' need a special cable to connect, there is a rj45 type connector on the Cpu/Vcm card(yes, it is all in one)

My guess is the battery on the cpu is no good, and it lost all it's programming.

I can't remember, but, I'm thinking when the cpu defaults, only the recption phone will still ring in, ask them to try dialing out, if it takes a real long time, because in default mode, the lines will dial out Rotary! , then You will know for sure.

You can maybe save the day, IF there was a recent(or even not so recent backup disk on-site)

Never worked on any Executone key systems.

What kind of special cable? I have most including null modem.

The phones have no dial tone except for one. Doesn't this system have a default configuration?

Can someone email the usual password for the IDS 84?

PM sent

Thank you.

I'm looking at the programming manual now. Boy, what an antique! I've got 80's nostalgia!

Antique?

That system would run circles around half the crap out there today!

Unfortunately, Executone went out of business a few years ago....

yeah try finding something as beneficial as the C-Screen nowadays.
I wish I'd worked on these in their hayday.
that would have been sweet.

OK. I went on site and scoped out the system. It has a red (alarm?) light flashing on the CPU, but all else looks ok as far as hardware is concerned. 7 out of 8 phones are working and can dial internally to the extensions. All CO lines are down-I believe this is just programming;

Main problem. I can't access programming. As nonameyet said,it requires a "special cable". I wouild guess this mean a serial port DB9 to 8 pin rj45 jack.

1. Can this special cable be obtained somewhere?
2. Can I use another adapter?
3. what's the procedure for dialing in?

red led is normal, blinking heartbeat!

the co lines down? can they receive calls?

Did you try to dial out(read my other post)

You can try to get connected via the built in modem(default baud rate was only....300)

OR, if they had the optional 1200 baud modem installed(daughter board on the CPU)

Use Procomm, when the call is answered at the operator phone, have them hit Trans/Con 99 and hang up, You should get the modem tone.

Can't receive calls-except one phone

cannot dial out- NDT at all -except same one phone

What is Trans/Con 99? Is this one button or press Trans/Con and dial 99? (I know this sounds like a dumb question, but I take nothing for granted in this switch)

trans/con is a key programmed on the phone.

Depending on the Type of phone...It could have been a ' hard coded ' key.

transfer/conference is the LONG name.

Do any of the phones on-site have a Display on them? If you press the # key while the phone is idle, it will show you the ext number and Name.
also, If you have a display, and the exts start with 3XXX , dial 7# , that will put that phone into a test mode, press any key, and look at the display, it will tell you what is programmed for that key.


How many cards are in the cabinet?

the cards are 4X8, they are all the same, except for the last 2 slots on the left side, they were universal slots for other types of IDS cards from the 108 or 228

try swapping the 4X8 cards?

Power down(You don't have to, but they already have problems)

Like nonameyet says ,it sounds like the system has defaulted on you.You should be able to dial out with a code.IE to access line 1 dial 9001 or try 9*.

Thanks for the info. There are 4 cards in cab. From right side, they are CPU, STA, STA, STA. I was contemplating rolling the cards but I haven't yet.

I need some basics-

1. Shouldn't I have dial tone as soon as I pick up the handset and press a line button?

2. It sounds like the cards marked "STA" are actually line AND station cards. Is this correct?

PVJ- Before I dial 9001 or 9, just pick up the handset, or do I press intercom button, or press line button?

What you are missing is that you no longer have any line buttons. The system defaulted. If you pick up the handset and dial 9001, you should get line 1. If that does not work, try 9*. You might want to try to find someone in your area who is familiar with IDS programming to pass this one off to. Or, you might be able to pay someone to dial in (at 300 baud) and do the programing remotely.

Hopefully there's a backup on site.
As paul said you might want to find someone familiar with the ids product.

You probably can't pull a line, because the system is trying to access a line that is not there(like the last one in the system) It doesn't know anymore that it might only have had 6 lines, but it is configured for 12.(you said 3 STA cards)yes, they are Combo cards.

The system battery failed and the system went back to Default.

Your best bet would be to get someone here or someone like Aable communications (603-421-1840)to dial in and program the system for you. They could get the system up and running with in a hour and could modem in later to do any fine tuneing.

Sorry, I don't frequent this board enough, or frequent this part of it in order to be recognised. If I didn't have my 30 years of working on phone systems and encountered this on Norstar, Avaya, Trillium, Panasonic, and other systems, then sure, I would call another phone tech (like me) working for another telecom company (like mine). I realise that we don't want novices poking around in these systems, nor do I want to lead wannabes through stuff like this so they can get freebees. But, since I am an experienced telephone tech, as many techs here on the board know me, plus I have the manual I need, and have some help from this board, I believe I can learn the basic programming necessary to bring this switch back up,just as I have in the past for switches I haven't worked on before. Even obscure ones like Trillium! With a little help from fellow members of this board sending me emails, I think I can muddle through this as well. Without the help I have received from Sundance board, I would not have made it this far. We all need help sometimes. Thanks. I appreciate the help!

This programming format reminds me of the old Eagle system.

Apparently the trunk group defaults when power is lost.I am wondering if the trunk group must be changed from default in order to use Uni keys with sub codes on each set button.

PM sent

Any unused co port should be programed to trunk group 0 in the "B" screen. UNI keys were used mostly for incomming or transfered calls, group keys are used for out going ie 300sub1 for group one 300sub20 or sub100 for LCR. The system is probably the most flexable system out there and it is a shame that InterTel didn't contune the platform after they bought Executone. When the system was new it was a pain because of poorly developed equipment and software that was released before the bugs were weeded out. I wish it was still being developed.

I agree, it has a lot of features including ACD, that I am only seeing now that I'm into detailed researching. Key 300 sub1 or sub 2 is probably what I need. I'm going to the site now. Thanks for your help.

It was the programming.It was a simple task but a complex system. I couldn't have done it without help. Thanks guys.

I have the same issue with a client. I built the RJ45 to DB9 cable and used Procomm. All I get is grabage on the screen. I will double check my cable, but do not have passwords if it does start talking. Help!!