DedicatedMicros DS2A DVD Setup Question

[pbcit 0]

Brand new to this forum so forgive a very simple question.

I have inherited responsibility for a DM DS2A-DVD 16 Way Base unit and I can't figure out how to connect to the base unit to establish the static IP that is consistent with the LAN router.

 

I have done this very thing on a network printer so I know the process but can't get the DS2A to respond to a connection for my PC.

 

So:

1) Which port do I use? My guess was the DB9 serial port - via a cable to a USB port on the PC - no luck

 

Thanks

 

pbcit in Virginia

[adamxp12 0]

Brand new to this forum so forgive a very simple question.

I have inherited responsibility for a DM DS2A-DVD 16 Way Base unit and I can't figure out how to connect to the base unit to establish the static IP that is consistent with the LAN router.

 

I have done this very thing on a network printer so I know the process but can't get the DS2A to respond to a connection for my PC.

 

So:

1) Which port do I use? My guess was the DB9 serial port - via a cable to a USB port on the PC - no luck

 

Thanks

 

pbcit in Virginia

 

Hold down the menu button on the dvr to get into installer mode then keep pressing menu until you get to system options then scroll down to network settings and set up a static ip

 

No need for a db9 cable

[pbcit 0]

OK, I'll give that a try later today. I thought it would have a feature like that.

[pbcit 0]

Well, the suggestion sounded great, but it did not provide access to any system options or anything else new.

 

I held the Menu button down several times for varying lengths - likely up to 20 secs max - and the three info screens that I had seen before were all that appeared. The info screens had the date & time fields, the list of the 16 cameras as dots, and another info screen that included the following:

 

(DM logo) Dedicated Micros

Version: 04.5 (061) M2IP - 03.1 (09.2)

Unit ID Number 00D0907AA53

 

Is there any special or specific mode that the unit has to be in other than powered-on - which it was?

 

I reviewed the DM documentation I have and I see where it says: On a page titled "Using IP cameras with NetVu Connected DS2", . . "To enter the Installer menu, press and hold the Menu button for approximately 3 seconds."

 

I did that and nothing happened.

 

Next suggestion please.

[adamxp12 0]

Well, the suggestion sounded great, but it did not provide access to any system options or anything else new.

 

I held the Menu button down several times for varying lengths - likely up to 20 secs max - and the three info screens that I had seen before were all that appeared. The info screens had the date & time fields, the list of the 16 cameras as dots, and another info screen that included the following:

 

(DM logo) Dedicated Micros

Version: 04.5 (061) M2IP - 03.1 (09.2)

Unit ID Number 00D0907AA53

 

Is there any special or specific mode that the unit has to be in other than powered-on - which it was?

 

I reviewed the DM documentation I have and I see where it says: On a page titled "Using IP cameras with NetVu Connected DS2", . . "To enter the Installer menu, press and hold the Menu button for approximately 3 seconds."

 

I did that and nothing happened.

 

Next suggestion please.

 

Might be a password have you tried reloading the firmware on the hdd

[pbcit 0]

Adam,

 

The process for updating the firmware would involve connecting the HDD to the Internet to let the DM site detect and update the firmware if a new version is available - which is likely to exist I know. However, since I can't connect to the unit as it sits now, that would involve removing the HDD from this unit and putting it in a PC chassis and . . . . then things get real confusing. I have been inside lots of PC chassis to mount boards, upgrade memory, and add a secondary HDD (for storage) but not to have the Internet talk to a HDD that has no Windows OS, known format, etc. If I can get this unit connected and talking to and through an operating LAN router then that becomes a very real update step.

 

So, I am still looking for a way to connect to the base unit.

 

I have looked through a lot of the DM documentation and found the attached pages in the DS2 Setup Guide. This would seem to say that DHCP should be enabled (default) which should enable me to communicate via the , set a static IP, subnet mask, and default gateway then disable DHCP.

 

I also found (and attached) a System Options menu - which I can't get to - that has a factory default reset option to be sure that DHCP is enabled. I looked over the physical rear and the documentation and see no recessed (paper-clip) push button to reset the unit. Any idea about this approach?

 

I am learning a lot but I wonder if I am just plagued with bad documentation?

 

Is there a DM support resource that would not charge me - yes, it is > 3 years installed so likely out of warranty.

 

Your feedback would be appreciated.

[adamxp12 0]

Easy to do the upgrade without internet

 

you have a ds2 m2ip correct?

 

https://www.dedicatedmicros.com/software_release/index_firmware.php

download the cd upgrade iso then burn it and instert it in to ds2

then go to "Time, Date and Language" and select system shutdown but instead of holding down camera 1 hold down camera 4

 

This pdf will gude you step by step

http://server.adamxp12.com/DS2_CD_Upgrade_Instructions.pdf

[pbcit 0]

Thanks, I guess I learned something. Since the unit has a CDROM drive then there is another way to get it done.

 

Thanks Again

[adamxp12 0]

Thanks, I guess I learned something. Since the unit has a CDROM drive then there is another way to get it done.

 

Thanks Again

 

No problem.

 

Did you get the ip address set?

[pbcit 0]

Not yet.

 

There are hundreds of downloads on that site and I have to find the latest one for my device. DM makes a lot of different devices. Downloads are not grouped by device but spread out by release date and the DS2 (M2IP) has had several updates over the years.

 

Also, the DM unit is at my church which is a 40 min drive away so I will likely download, burn to CD and travel there later this week, or - Sunday.

 

Thanks

[pbcit 0]

Well, things progressed, but not how I had hoped.

 

Downloaded the DM DS2A file and created a CD.

However, that's where real progress ended.

 

The instructions from DM were clear and I attempted the upgrade three times and all failed due to the same "Upgrade failed" results.

The DM instructions offered three upgrade options, all available since I was upgrading from 4.5(061) to 4.5(069).

In order:

I tried the Option 3 No Format, that failed;

I tried the Option 2 User Select and I only formatted the C: drive, that failed;

Finally, I tried the Option 1 All Drives where it formatted both the C:, and I: drives, that failed.

 

Option 3 attempt displayed results as follows:

 

Format C: Complete

I: Complete

Upgrade app

Complete

Programming boot loader now

Complete

Upgrade web

Complete

Upgrade failed

 

After each attempt, despite the failure message, I restarted (powered down/up) the unit to test the Menu button's response (hold the Menu button for 3 seconds) to bring up the installer menu to get to the IP setting section - no success.

 

The display now shows that the unit contains the 4.5(069) version of the SW. But without any operational change.

 

What confuses me is that the CM Upgrade instructions say:

 

Restart the unit:

PRESS and HOLD the MENU key to access the USER or INSTaller menu.

On the ‘Time, Date and Language’ page of the menu.

Using the quad button ( YELLOW DOWN ARROW KEY ), SELECT the SYSTEM SHUTDOWN and press

the 16 Way button ( BLUE RIGHT BUTTON ).

Once this is highlighted SELECT the quad button ( YELLOW DOWN ARROW KEY ).

 

This all works just fine. There was no "HOLD" required. Successive pressing of the menu button moved between the same 3 screens I have always had. I am not sure where the distinction between the "User" and "Installer" menus falls.

 

I am open to and in need of additional ideas as to what to do next. Reminder: the objective is to install this unit on a LAN and to do that I need to set a static IP in the unit.

 

Thanks for taking the time to assist an obvious rookie in the area of security cameras.

[adamxp12 0]

Well, things progressed, but not how I had hoped.

 

Downloaded the DM DS2A file and created a CD.

However, that's where real progress ended.

 

The instructions from DM were clear and I attempted the upgrade three times and all failed due to the same "Upgrade failed" results.

The DM instructions offered three upgrade options, all available since I was upgrading from 4.5(061) to 4.5(069).

In order:

I tried the Option 3 No Format, that failed;

I tried the Option 2 User Select and I only formatted the C: drive, that failed;

Finally, I tried the Option 1 All Drives where it formatted both the C:, and I: drives, that failed.

 

Option 3 attempt displayed results as follows:

 

Format C: Complete

I: Complete

Upgrade app

Complete

Programming boot loader now

Complete

Upgrade web

Complete

Upgrade failed

 

After each attempt, despite the failure message, I restarted (powered down/up) the unit to test the Menu button's response (hold the Menu button for 3 seconds) to bring up the installer menu to get to the IP setting section - no success.

 

The display now shows that the unit contains the 4.5(069) version of the SW. But without any operational change.

 

What confuses me is that the CM Upgrade instructions say:

 

Restart the unit:

PRESS and HOLD the MENU key to access the USER or INSTaller menu.

On the ‘Time, Date and Language’ page of the menu.

Using the quad button ( YELLOW DOWN ARROW KEY ), SELECT the SYSTEM SHUTDOWN and press

the 16 Way button ( BLUE RIGHT BUTTON ).

Once this is highlighted SELECT the quad button ( YELLOW DOWN ARROW KEY ).

 

This all works just fine. There was no "HOLD" required. Successive pressing of the menu button moved between the same 3 screens I have always had. I am not sure where the distinction between the "User" and "Installer" menus falls.

 

I am open to and in need of additional ideas as to what to do next. Reminder: the objective is to install this unit on a LAN and to do that I need to set a static IP in the unit.

 

Thanks for taking the time to assist an obvious rookie in the area of security cameras.

 

 

Have you tried using a NULL Modem cable to serial into the dvr

Has to be a null modem I was confused awhile back as to why i could not serial in

Connect it to serial 1 on dvr then follow the instructions

 

1) Enter bootloader mode by going the menu to shut down but instead hold down 2

2) Wait for it to boot up to "Halted in bootloader"

3) Use a terminal program like hyperterminal or putty to connect to com1 (or your serial port) at 19200

4) type "+++" - a prompt should appear. or do ESC ESC ESC

5) Type the following commands (Note the character is not echoed):

M\ETHER_IP\

M\SUBNET\255.255.255.0

M\GATEWAY\0.0.0.0 - e.g. routers ip

M\STORE

RESET

 

The dvr should reboot with the network settings you assigned on step 5

This should work

[pbcit 0]

Adam,

 

This is something close to what we (a comm buddy and I) first tried. You have specified a couple options (altering the DVR status and the 19.2 baud rate) that we did not try. There are a similar set of commands in the DS2 Network Guide.

 

I will give it a try, probably Sunday.

 

Thanks again.

[pbcit 0]

Adam,

 

It has been several days since I have posted an update to this issue. I wish it was because everything has worked and I went away to celebrate. I wish. As a volunteer I have had several other tasks to work.

 

I found an older PC with a true Com1 port, the comm buddy had the null modem cable and we connected. We used your guidance for putting the DVR in a specific boot status, the 19.2 speed, etc., and gave it a try. No luck. We get no indication that we are communicating with the DVR.

 

We still try holding the menu button to get into the true installer menus with no luck. I guess I don't understand why that does not work. The menu button is responsive just not to a multiple second hold to enter the install mode world.

 

Again, I am looking for a solution to access the DVR to set an IP so true access is available.

 

As any free phone assistance available from DM? We are long since out of warranty.

 

Thanks

[adamxp12 0]

Adam,

 

It has been several days since I have posted an update to this issue. I wish it was because everything has worked and I went away to celebrate. I wish. As a volunteer I have had several other tasks to work.

 

I found an older PC with a true Com1 port, the comm buddy had the null modem cable and we connected. We used your guidance for putting the DVR in a specific boot status, the 19.2 speed, etc., and gave it a try. No luck. We get no indication that we are communicating with the DVR.

 

We still try holding the menu button to get into the true installer menus with no luck. I guess I don't understand why that does not work. The menu button is responsive just not to a multiple second hold to enter the install mode world.

 

Again, I am looking for a solution to access the DVR to set an IP so true access is available.

 

As any free phone assistance available from DM? We are long since out of warranty.

 

Thanks

 

I think the new fancy netvu models work at 38400 baud not 19200 like my older ds2 you should try that again in the bootloader mode