Need Help configuring PixCon16

[CKSedg]

I'm having a problem with a new PixCon16 that I bought to control RGB pixel lights I had installed along my eaves.

I have connected an ethernet cable directly from my laptop to the controller.  Using the "Network Preferences" tool the computer can find the controller; but when I click on the controller to configure it I get the following message:  "The device configuration could not be loaded.  This could be due to a hardware problem, a network problem, or a configuration issue.  Would you like to run the troubleshooter?"  Running the troubleshooter does nothing to fix it.

Do I have to have my laptop physically plugged into my router to make this work?  [I don't know how I would do that, since I only have one ethernet port, and it is being used to connect to the PixCon16.]  Am I missing a setting somewhere?  I don't want to run it in DMX mode, just in LOR using the USB 485 with the rest of my other controllers.

I know it must be something easy, but I'm stumped!

Thanks for your help.

[BluMan]

Ok, let's as the basic questions first.  almost 90% of the problems comes from the networking side of things. (most statistics are made up on the spot)

1) Did you add or have an IP address on the computer side in the 192.168.0.xxx range?  This is important because the default IP address of the card is 192.168.0.50.

2) Are you plugged into the metal Ethernet jack on the PixCon16?

3) Remember, the PixCon16 has to run in enhanced mode.  Most other controllers don't natively run at this speed.  That's typically why most people who run pixels tend to run them on another network.

Edited April 17, 2018 by BluMan

[Mr. P]

It looks like your license is the "Advanced" level according to your profile. If you are wanting to run the Pixcon on an LOR network then it MUST be on an enhanced network which is only available with a "Pro" license. You can run the Pixcon on E1.31 with an "Advanced" license but not on a LOR network.

[CKSedg]

I hope there is someone who can walk me through this setup, step-by-step.  I would say my computer knowledge is novice to amateur, so I'm not understanding how to "add IP address on the computer side in the 192.168.0.xxx range?"  And I'm not as young as I used to be!

My license is the "Pro" level.  I am plugged into the metal ethernet jack on the PixCon16.  

Thanks for your help!

 

[Mr. P]

Follow the Pixcon checklist step by step:

• 1.  Some pixels have a front and a back. Ensure you know which side data goes IN to.  Pixels from LOR can accept data from either end, are plainly marked, or are pre-wired.
• 2.  Pixels have a voltage. Ensure you have the proper power supply.  LOR Pixels are 5v.  If your pixel package from LOR included a power supply, you do not need to worry about this step.
• 3.  Pixels have current draw (amperage). Ensure you are not exceeding the amps per channel/power supply/etc.  Pixels from LOR will draw 3A per 50 pixels at 5V (15 Watts).  If your pixel package from LOR included a power supply, you do not need to worry about this step.
• 4.  Wire power supply to PixCon16, if not already wired.
• 5.  Remember – never connect or disconnect anything from PixCon16 with power applied.
• 6.  Power up board. Follow instructions in DMX and E1.31 for pixel control document if needed.  Open Network Preferences/Find Configure PixCon16/Click on PixCon16 in list, and open the PixCon16 configuration window.  
  Only work with a SINGLE Pixcon16 connected to your network at one time until properly configured -- IP address conflicts can occur if you attempt to configure 2 or more.  
  Do not continue until you are able to reliably talk to the board and configure it.
• 7.  Ensure board firmware is AT LEAST 1.4.8. Do NOT downgrade if higher. Do not continue until firmware is updated to at least 1.4.8. Instructions are found in the manual.  If you have the LOR Control Panel loaded, UNLOAD IT before attempting to update firmware.  Updating the firmware while the Control Panel/Comm listener are running can cause the board to FAIL.
• 8.  Properly set up Pixel Type and Pixel Speed in configuration. Ignore all other parameters.
• 9.  Properly wire 1 pixel string to 4 wire connector. Follow pin-outs in the manual.   Note -- Some pixels do not have/require the clock signal.
• 10.  Connect pixels to a single port, power up. Pixels may briefly flash. Pixels that stay ON indicate incorrect pixel type or speed selected on #8
• 11.  Run hardware test from manual using buttons on the PixCon16. If pixels do not work, problem is most likely #8. Go back there. 
  Do not continue until the Hardware Test works properly.
• 12.  Wire the rest of your pixels to the 4 wire connectors. Connect them to the PixCon16. Run the hardware test again. Ensure all pixels are working correctly. Pixels that are not working indicate a problem with the pixel itself, or an under-rated power supply.
  Do not continue until the Hardware Test works properly for ALL pixels.
• 13.  On the first tab of PixCon16 configuration, ensure you have the correct option specified for J3/J4. If you will use the board in ELOR mode, turn this option ON. For E1.31 ensure this option is OFF.
• 14.  On the Second tab set up each port of the PixCon16 properly. You can use simple mode or advanced mode. All options are documented in the help file for the software or in the manual for the PixCon16. Remember, for E1.31 universes must also be set up in Net Prefs (the software will also offer to do it for you), for ELOR, 500K speed and Enhanced Light-O-Rama network (done in step 16). It is best to write down the settings.
• 15.  Ensure you have the LOR Control Panel loaded (which will load the LOR COMM Listener).  The COMM Listener is ALWAYS required to control pixels.
• 16.  Properly configure your network preferences.
  • E1.31: Ensure Universe matches universe on the board & Set IP address correctly (multi or unicast- specify).  It is easiest to use multicast.
  • ELOR: Ensure the COM port is set to at least 500K and ELOR mode is turned ON.
• 17.  E1.31: Do not disconnect anything. 
  • Both LEDs should be SOLID ON. 
    Do not continue until they are.
  • ELOR: Disconnect Network cable, ensure jumpers on PixCon16 for J3/J4 are set to LOR. Connect HS USB adapter to computer, CAT5 from USB adapter to J4 of Pixcon16. 
    Both LEDs should be SOLID ON. 
    Do not continue until they are.
• 18.  Start Hardware Utility. If asked if the HWU should take control of a port say NO. Open the pixel console. Set Pixel Console params correctly and test pixels with sliders.  
  Do not continue until you can successfully control pixels.
• 19.  Your board is now ready to use.

[CKSedg]

Thanks.  I found that checklist earlier.  The problem is my computer will not communicate with the PixCon16, and I don't know what to do to fix it.  I found this statement from you in another thread:  

This is exactly why I decided a few years ago that I will not run pixels on the LOR network. my personal preference as Pixies and Pixcon were not released then. RS485 is great for distance but it is just too stinking slow and I did not want the headache trying to figure out what to put on what network to keep things running.  I currently run two networks, one LOR (RS485) and one E1.31, all my ac controllers and dumb RGB controllers go on the LOR nrtwork and all my pixels run on E1.31. I am running seven CTB16PC's and four CMB24D's on the LOR network and somewhere around 11,000 pixel channels on E1.31 with Falcon and Alphapix controllers. E1.31 has a much shorter distance but it is way faster so I have two 8 port switches stretched across the yard.  This works great for me without one bit of lag so this is one headache I don't have to worry about, at least for now.

Maybe that's what I should do also???  If so, what do I need to purchase to run on E1.31?

I'm confused about the IP addresses and how that works with my computer, network, etc.

Thanks again!

[CKSedg]

I should tell you also that I run 15 CTB16PC controllers on my LOR network.  But right now nothing is connected except the PicCon16.

[Mr. P]

In order for the pixcon and computer to talk they must be in the same octet. The pixcon ip address by default is 192.168.0.50 so your computer must be 192.168.0.xxx (xxx represents the octet that your computer must be in to match the pixcon.)

- In the Windows search box on bottom left of screen type Control Panel and open the control panel.

- in Control Panel click on Network and Internet

- Click on Network and Sharing Center

- on the left side click on Change Adapter Settings

- Right click on Ethernet and then click on Properties

- In the Ethernet Properties box that opens, highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv-4) then click on the properties box

- in the box that opens click the radio button Use the following IP address then enter the ip address 192.168.0.10

- in the subnet mask put 255.255.255.0

- click OK all the way out.

- open a web browser and in the top address bar type 192.168.0.50 and then enter and the pixcon screen should open.

[CKSedg]

I did everything you told me to do, and I think I basically understand it---I just didn't know how to do it.

Well, it comes back saying:  "This site can't be reached. 192.168.0.50 refused to connect."

I have checked the settings you gave me three times, and they are correct.  I wish I had a clue........

Thanks again; I really appreciate you helping me!

[Mr. P]

Well after reading the Pixcon manual it seems that the Pixcon is set to DHCP by default so it is assigned an ip address by the computer. You can force a static ip address od 192.169.0.50 by holding down the "Factory IP" button on the pixcon while you power it up.

[CKSedg]

The Network Preferences finds the controller and shows that its IP address is 192.168.0.50, but when I click on it to configure it, I get the error message that "device configuration could not be loaded."

[CKSedg]

Also, I have tried this on two different computers, running the same version of the software, and I get the exact same result each time.

[Mr. P]

Well now that you have the ethernet set on your computer you should be able to go into the LOR network config and go to the pixcon list to set up the pixcon.

[CKSedg]

Sorry to sound so dumb, but what do you mean by "LOR network config?"  And where is the pixcon list?

Sorry!

[CKSedg]

Ok, I know where you are talking about, but when I click on the pixcon to configure it--that's when I get the error message.

[BluMan]

In the suite of programs that LOR installs on your machine, there is one called Light-O-Rama Network Configuration

[CKSedg]

The unit is listed in the window as follows:

IP Address:  192.168.0.50

Dev Type:  LOR PixCon 16 Mkll

Name:  Default Nickname-V2.0.9 (MAC E0:B6:F5:E0:17:38)

But it will not let me configure it. I just get the error message every time.

[BluMan]

ok, let's get a list of IP's that's on your machine.  here's how to do that.

1) Hold down the Windows key (has a windows symbol on it) and type "R"

2) When the run command window comes up, type "cmd" and hit enter

3) In the big black command prompt window type "ipconfig /all" and hit enter

4) Scroll the window up and then right mouse click on the title bar and select Edit>Mark and highlight the entire window in white. (the window will auto scroll as you move down)

5) Once you have the entire window highlighted, right mouse click and the white will go away.  You just copied that text to your clipboard.

6) Reply to the this thread and paste the information in the reply box (Control + V)

 

 

Edited April 17, 2018 by BluMan

[CKSedg]

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.16299.248]
(c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Craig>ipconfig / all

Error: unrecognized or incomplete command line.

USAGE:
    ipconfig [/allcompartments] [/? | /all |
                                 /renew [adapter] | /release [adapter] |
                                 /renew6 [adapter] | /release6 [adapter] |
                                 /flushdns | /displaydns | /registerdns |
                                 /showclassid adapter |
                                 /setclassid adapter [classid] |
                                 /showclassid6 adapter |
                                 /setclassid6 adapter [classid] ]

where
    adapter             Connection name
                       (wildcard characters * and ? allowed, see examples)

    Options:
       /?               Display this help message
       /all             Display full configuration information.
       /release         Release the IPv4 address for the specified adapter.
       /release6        Release the IPv6 address for the specified adapter.
       /renew           Renew the IPv4 address for the specified adapter.
       /renew6          Renew the IPv6 address for the specified adapter.
       /flushdns        Purges the DNS Resolver cache.
       /registerdns     Refreshes all DHCP leases and re-registers DNS names
       /displaydns      Display the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache.
       /showclassid     Displays all the dhcp class IDs allowed for adapter.
       /setclassid      Modifies the dhcp class id.
       /showclassid6    Displays all the IPv6 DHCP class IDs allowed for adapter.
       /setclassid6     Modifies the IPv6 DHCP class id.

The default is to display only the IP address, subnet mask and
default gateway for each adapter bound to TCP/IP.

For Release and Renew, if no adapter name is specified, then the IP address
leases for all adapters bound to TCP/IP will be released or renewed.

For Setclassid and Setclassid6, if no ClassId is specified, then the ClassId is removed.

Examples:
    > ipconfig                       ... Show information
    > ipconfig /all                  ... Show detailed information
    > ipconfig /renew                ... renew all adapters
    > ipconfig /renew EL*            ... renew any connection that has its
                                         name starting with EL
    > ipconfig /release *Con*        ... release all matching connections,
                                         eg. "Wired Ethernet Connection 1" or
                                             "Wired Ethernet Connection 2"
    > ipconfig /allcompartments      ... Show information about all
                                         compartments
    > ipconfig /allcompartments /all ... Show detailed information about all
                                         compartments

C:\Users\Craig>

[BluMan]

no space between the "/" and the word "all"