Monthly Archives: January 2023

Posted on by

Emerson AMS can’t talk to any live devices

So recently could not connect to any live devices on Emerson AMS, either on the device list or through the Multiplexer list. Our system uses Spectrum Connects to provide virtual multiplexers, which I found wasn’t running in the background. Further research showed that each time I tried to start Spectrum Connects it gave a an error similar to #1 Picture Not Available.

After tinkering a while, I finally went ahead and rebooted the server. I then ran Spectrum Connects which started and scanned just fine. Once complete, I started AMS Device Manager. At first it still couldn’t see any live devices so I stopped AMS Servers in the system tray, closed out Spectrum Connects, and then restarted Spectrum Connects. After Connects was online I brought AMS Servers back up and then started AMS Device Manager. At this point, it reconnected to everything and seemed to be working fine.

As a point of interest, I occasionally have to rebuild the hierarchy in AMS Device Manager or even search for all devices to get it working. We’re currently on v 14.xx of AMS but I’m not sure about Spectrum Connects.

Posted on by

PowerFlex 7000 Series PanelView Plus 1000 v 6 Fatal Error FE

If your PowerFlex 7000 series Rockwell drive has a PanelView Plus 1000 v 6 (2711P-T10C4A9) that is giving a Fatal FE error when booting, you can try the following. Note that this PanelView is now obsolete and you’ll need to contact Rockwell for the correct replacement as there is supposedly a special firmware loaded into these PanelViews that make them specific to PowerFlex 7000 use. Also, the programming is not stored on the SD card in the PanelView but is instead on an Ethernet card located near the main control boards in the black section of the drive. The SD card in question is a molded gray and contains the application that the PanelView loads on booting. The PanelView is not critical to the operation of the drive.

0: Attach USB keyboard to either PanelView USB port

1: Press and release RESET on back of PanelView

2: Immediately press and hold DEFAULT on back of PanelView

3: Once boot menu appears you can release DEFAULT

4: Press down arrow on keyboard to select boot options

5: Press right arrow on keyboard to select boot option that includes “Safe Mode”

6: Press up arrow on keyboard to select Boot with Selected Options and then press ENTER key

7: Assuming it works, you should see the normal drive graphics. You can now disconnect the USB keyboard

NOTE: This was determined by trial and error and I don’t guarantee your results will match mine. Given supply chain issues, this might help limp along. You will probably have to do this after any power cycle or reboot as I have been unable to get the PanelView in question to boot normally since initial failure.