Apex display glitch/freezing

[rixhater]

I have a brand new unit and set it up the other 3 days ago. I have the display, base, pm2, eb8, conduct probe, temp probe, and ph probe. Day 1 it worked great with no issues. when i woke up day 2 (and day3) i went to adjust the time setting for the lights and it started to glitch and freeze. when i would click the center button to show the menu it would show the home screen and part of the menu blended together. i had to exit and try again then it may or may not let me into the menu then it would do the same thing again on the next step or it will freeze and no button works. Anyone know how to fix this issue? maybe a reset or something or maybe it needs an update. It is brand new i just purchased it (from reefgeeks). I would greatly appreciate any help.

[L8ndeb]

My guess is an update on firmware/webpage is in order. Check your version: (from the New User Manual)

"You can confirm the version of your firmware that‟s loaded by using the Display module Self Test option from the main menu. It won‟t tell you the 4 character version (2D10 in the above example) but it will tell you the release and build (for example, 4.02, Build #2)"

You should be running at least v4.11

If not, an upgrade is in order.

BTW,

If you have not downloaded and read the New User Manual, do so immediately. Chocked full of info in laymans terms. The link is in the sticky at the start of this forum.

[rixhater]

i appreciate the help. i got stuck late at work so i will have to check it tomorrow morning. As for downloading the "New user manual" is it different then what is on the disc user manual that came with my product? i am new to this forum stuff so when you say the new user manual is located at the beginning of this forum on a "sticky" i am a little lost. I don't see anything that looks like a sticky or says anything about a new user manual. sorry for lack of knowledge, lol. thanks

[rixhater]

ok nevermind i was able to find the sticky. It was actually rather easy, lol. i will read it and attempt to figure out my firmware version and see if i am out dated. i never thought it could have been an option since it is brand new.

[rixhater]

ok i was able to do a self test and it told me
Rev 4.11 - AA11 Build #1 passed and then gives me a serial #. So i should be running the most current version correct?

[L8ndeb]

Hi Rix,

Sounds like you are getting things straighten out. When you downloaded the firmware zip file, inside was the firmware update AND the webpage update it is VERY important to run the WEBPAGE update after you have loaded and confirmed the firmware update. After you have the webpage updated, do a reboot of the controller (unplug it for 15 seconds or so and plug it back in) then try and doing your adjustments. Good Luck.

[rixhater]

I haven't touched the firmware or downloaded anything yet I only hit self test on the display to find out what version I had and that is what it told me. So if that is the newest version I shouldn't be having the issue that I'm having (I wouldn't think). Should I still attempt to update firmware? Not gonna lie I was a little confused on the instructions to update, lol.

[L8ndeb]

Looks like you are running the current firmware, but it doesn't mean it is not corrupted. My guess is it probably is not. At this point I would email Neptune and let them walk you through it. I think you'll find their CS is good.
BTW, are you hardwired into a computer, or is the unit being operated with just the display?

[rixhater]

I haven't connected it to CPU yet. Only display.

[RussM]

Originally Posted by rixhater

I haven't connected it to CPU yet. Only display.

Get it connected to your router, and use a web browser to manage & program the Apex. Using the display alone will result in much

[bennr]

Is Eshoops a rip off of Eshopps?

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by RussM

Get it connected to your router, and use a web browser to manage & program the Apex. Using the display alone will result in much

I will give it a try and see if it helps resolve any of the issues I'm having.

As for the "Eshoops vs Eshopps" no it was a typo. thanks for the attention to detail, lol.

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by RussM

Get it connected to your router, and use a web browser to manage & program the Apex. Using the display alone will result in much

In your opinion was this process a pain or pretty smooth?

[RussM]

Originally Posted by rixhater

In your opinion was this process a pain or pretty smooth?

It was super easy for me. But, I've been a network consultant for 20 years.

It's fairly easy for getting internal access. Getting access from the Internet can be challenging though.

Plug it into the router, wait a minute, try http://apex (if running Windows) or if using a Mac, look in the display menu to see what the IP address it was given, then use that address in the format http://192.168.1.50

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by RussM

It was super easy for me. But, I've been a network consultant for 20 years.

It's fairly easy for getting internal access. Getting access from the Internet can be challenging though.

Plug it into the router, wait a minute, try http://apex (if running Windows) or if using a Mac, look in the display menu to see what the IP address it was given, then use that address in the format http://192.168.1.50

Well i am sure being a network consultant for 20yrs made this easier. I However am not to good when it comes to network connection etc... I am going to be doing this from a mac. so i will need to get the IP address from the display itself? (if it lets me, since it is freezing, lol) I will give it a shot though. once i type in the IP address i should be connected to the module correct? at that point i should be able to update firmware if needed?

[L8ndeb]

Originally Posted by rixhater

I haven't connected it to CPU yet. Only display.

Certainly get it hooked up to your computer. Changes are SOOOOO much easier.
Let Russ show you the way. He is the resident expert! Got mine up and running.

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by RussM

It was super easy for me. But, I've been a network consultant for 20 years.

It's fairly easy for getting internal access. Getting access from the Internet can be challenging though.

Plug it into the router, wait a minute, try http://apex (if running Windows) or if using a Mac, look in the display menu to see what the IP address it was given, then use that address in the format http://192.168.1.50

ok my display has completely frozen and i can't get it to show anything. it lights up but thats all it does. i made it to the option of "IP address" and when i clicked it the screen went blank but lit up like it is now. i tried unplugging display and plugging back in but no luck. i currently have the base hardwired to modem/router but do not know how to get the IP address of the apex since i can't use display unit. help?

[bazineta]

The flash updaters have a discovery option that will find Apex controllers on the local network. You could try that to determine what the IP address is.

[rixhater]

Ok it only took me till almost 4am but i finally got it. That wasn't that easy for someone with my computer skills but its done. I really don't think it was that difficult it just took me a little longer cause some of the terms thrown around in computer lingo went right over my head (proxy, DHCP, Ports, enabling and disabling things) lol... but it is done and it fixed the freezing and glitching. i just got done messing with the unit and it seems to be ok now. Also being able to set things up from the computer versus the display is 100 times easier. thanks for the advice and all the help.

[L8ndeb]

Rix,

Now the next step is to give you control remotely over the internet. If you have an iPhone, there is a free app just for that. Search the iPhone apps for Neptune AquaController, download then install. You will need your computer ip address (static) with "/apex" on the end of the address (or whatever you have named it if is not Apex) without the quotes, the port number you are using, and Apex user name and password. You will also need to set up port forwarding in your router/modem. Lastly, you will probably need to open a free account with "dyndsn.org" to get a static ip address. Most of us have. Again, Russ is the guy for details. And again, he helped me get mine setup in a New York minute. Good Luck

[RussM]

Originally Posted by L8ndeb

Neptune AquaController, download then install. You will need your computer ip address (static) with "/apex" on the end of the address (or whatever you have named it if is not Apex)

Huh?

http://ip-address-of-apex OR http://apex (Windows only)
The two are not combined in a URL.

Computer's address does not come into play here at all.

[L8ndeb]

Alright, alright, that's why I threw your name in there cause I knew WHEN I got it wrong, you'd be there to clean up the mess! ) As semi-computer literate as I think I might be, I still have problems with the terms.

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by L8ndeb

Rix,

Now the next step is to give you control remotely over the internet. If you have an iPhone, there is a free app just for that. Search the iPhone apps for Neptune AquaController, download then install. You will need your computer ip address (static) with "/apex" on the end of the address (or whatever you have named it if is not Apex) without the quotes, the port number you are using, and Apex user name and password. You will also need to set up port forwarding in your router/modem. Lastly, you will probably need to open a free account with "dyndsn.org" to get a static ip address. Most of us have. Again, Russ is the guy for details. And again, he helped me get mine setup in a New York minute. Good Luck

I actually have an android phone (EVO 4G). i downloaded the app but have not got it working yet. i think i am entering the wrong info into the required field "enter a URL for this controller". something tells me i am entering the wrong thing. My other thought is it might not be working since i may not have everything set up to allow access remotely. I did sign up for an account from dyndsn.org
i signed up for the account but am not sure exactly how to use it. I believe i have the apex controller set to a static ip address and i can connect to it at home on that network. but i need to set it up to access it remotely before i can operate it from my phone correct?

[L8ndeb]

Check out Russ' post #21 correcting me. Either of those should be entered at the URL.

I had a little trouble with the DNS thing. Under Hostname, you will enter the name you have chosen for your controller. Under service you should have "host". Under details is the ip address of your computer. I took that info from my details page. I hope I got it right. If not, Russ will be along to ***** slap me. ) Good Luck.

[rixhater]

ok i am learning a lot here but still missing something. i can access my apex by entering in the IP address in my web browser. It functions great and no issues. I am attempting to set it up for use outside of my network. i have the apex unit set with a static IP. (when i look at network settings inside the apex my IP looks like the private IP and not the Public is this a issue?) I have also registered with dyndns and created a host name. i installed and launched the updater (it shows a green dot next to the name i created and i checked the box titled "enable updating for this host") i read in the instructions that i can now refer to this name and forget about the IP but where do i type this name? do i need to have it in the apex somewhere or do they simply mean when i type into the web browser? I am missing something but not sure where. i have hot spot service on my cell phone and can disconnect off my network and connect to my hotspot on my laptop and check to see if i can connect out of my network but it won't do it. I have a feeling it is one of the settings in the apex under network settings. I figured somewhere in there i would think it should be looking for dyndns?