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New House Alarm - Am I locked out?

Hello all. I recently purchased a 7 year old home that has a built-in
alarm system. The previous owner chose to purchase the unit as part
of the then-new home's price rather than lease, but when he had the
monitoring turned off prior to sale it looks like they locked the
board. They used a First Alert FA147c panel and a fixed word keypad.
It permanently displays "dl" on the display, which according to the
manual means the system is disabled. No notices for zone trips are
provided and the motion sensors are shut down. I cycled the power and
used both * and # methods to try to retrieve the installer code, but
#20 makes the system display "EE" on the keypad.

It appears I'm locked out and the system is permanently disabled.
Does anyone have any experience with this board to know if this is the
case for sure? If it is locked, what are my options? Can I swap
boards with a Vista 10SE and keep my sensors as they are, or do I have
to ditch everything and start over? A drop-in FA147c replacement has
proven impossible to locate, and even then I'd have to procure a Alpha
keypad to program it. I'd just like to be able to use this alarm
locally without a monitoring service.

Thanks for your help.
 
G

GROUP MODERATOR

Jan 1, 1970
0
call the installation company and tell them you want the service. or that
you'll pay them a service call to make it a local system, if you don't want
monitoring.
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello all. I recently purchased a 7 year old home that has a built-in
alarm system. The previous owner chose to purchase the unit as part
of the then-new home's price rather than lease, but when he had the
monitoring turned off prior to sale it looks like they locked the
board. They used a First Alert FA147c panel and a fixed word keypad.
It permanently displays "dl" on the display, which according to the
manual means the system is disabled. No notices for zone trips are
provided and the motion sensors are shut down. I cycled the power and
used both * and # methods to try to retrieve the installer code, but
#20 makes the system display "EE" on the keypad.

It appears I'm locked out and the system is permanently disabled.
Does anyone have any experience with this board to know if this is the
case for sure? If it is locked, what are my options? Can I swap
boards with a Vista 10SE and keep my sensors as they are, or do I have
to ditch everything and start over? A drop-in FA147c replacement has
proven impossible to locate, and even then I'd have to procure a Alpha
keypad to program it. I'd just like to be able to use this alarm
locally without a monitoring service.

Thanks for your help.

If you own the equipment, call the servicing company and tell them to
unlock the board and program it as a "local" for you and restore the
installer code to "default".
 
B

Bob La Londe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Frank Olson said:
If you own the equipment, call the servicing company and tell them to
unlock the board and program it as a "local" for you and restore the
installer code to "default".

They should be willing to do that for the price of a service call. Remember
they have no obligation to you (you did not buy it from them afterall) and
can't be expected to work for free. Some companies may do it for you, but
most will atleast insist you pay for a service call. I also would not
totally trust what the previous homeowner told you about the status of the
system. People don't always tell the whole truth. Not saying htis is the
case, but I never take anythig at face value anymore.


--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision on who we buy from.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047
 
N

Nick Lawrence

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jason...

The former homeowner purchased the security system, you bought the house
with it already installed: therefore you own it.

The former owner had the 'monitoring turned off'. But it appears the
outgoing dealer locked the panel instead.

Options? Suggest you call the outgoing dealer, ask that they un-disable
the panel, remove the 'local programming lockout', and restore both the
'installer code' and 'CSID' to the factory default, and that they do it
today. Because it appears they did not merely 'turn off the monitoring'
(as they were instructed to do), ask for this to be done at n/c. You
will need regular telephone dialtone connected to the alarm's RJ31X jack
for them to do this.

If they are uncooperative, you might remind them that Bay Alarm Company
of Pacheco CA was brought to task for locking out consumers, in a
purported class action lawsuit.

As a sidebar, a Bay Alarm Company of Pacheco CA (a related company, and
a long story) was found by the CA alarm license authorities to have been
an unlicensed CA alarm company from 10-2000 til 12-2005.

Once it is unnlocked, there are other monitoring agencies able and
willing to help you reprogram your system, and, if you elect, to provide
monitoring service, at competitive prices.

What is the name and city of the outgoing alarm dealer?

Give me a call if you'd like, phone number at the website below.

Nick Lawrence
http://911Alarm.com
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeez...I wonder what the ng reaction would have been if I had
suggested that......:)))

RHC
 
Thank you for the responses. I'll get the monitoring company on the
phone tonight to see if we can work something out. I hadn't planned
on getting land line phone service, so they'll definitely need to at
least send someone out. I'll let you guys know what they say. I
would have simply called them right off, but assumed they'd just tell
me they owned the system and I needed to sign up for monitoring no
matter what.

I'm inclined in this case to trust the previous owner. Long story
short, they built a new house and the homebuilding company bought
their old house as part of a "guaranteed sale" program so they no
longer had any interest in the sale of the home. Of course, it was an
elderly couple and they may simply be mistaken. Then I could be in
trouble. We'll see.

Thanks for the help so far!
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Nick's advice is sound. This panel now belongs to you and they have no
right to lock it since presumably there is nothing owing on the system
or previous monitoring contracts. I see this type of shit so often
it's almost becoming a weekly event.

If the people who locked it are the same people who installed and
monitored it for the previous owner, then they ethically should put it
back into unlocked mode for you, since they had no business locking it
in the first place (assuming nothing further was owed on the account).
They may very well be able to dial into the panel remotely and unlock
it, which makes any talk of a service charge pretty "iffy". If they
refuse to do it without extorting another long term contract from you,
then tell them you'll take it to the local media, as well as launch a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This is YOUR property and
they have no business putting any sort of hold on it (which amounts to
a lien of sorts). And above all, don't listen to the bleating on the
ng in response to this post that you may be cheating someone out of
monies owed. Most of that, with rare exception, is bullshit !!

I wish you luck.
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Nick's advice is sound. This panel now belongs to you and they have no
right to lock it since presumably there is nothing owing on the system
or previous monitoring contracts. I see this type of shit so often
it's almost becoming a weekly event.

If the people who locked it are the same people who installed and
monitored it for the previous owner, then they ethically should put it
back into unlocked mode for you, since they had no business locking it
in the first place (assuming nothing further was owed on the account).
They may very well be able to dial into the panel remotely and unlock
it, which makes any talk of a service charge pretty "iffy". If they
refuse to do it without extorting another long term contract from you,
then tell them you'll take it to the local media, as well as launch a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This is YOUR property and
they have no business putting any sort of hold on it (which amounts to
a lien of sorts). And above all, don't listen to the bleating on the
ng in response to this post that you may be cheating someone out of
monies owed. Most of that, with rare exception, is bullshit !!

I wish you luck.
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Nick's advice is sound. This panel now belongs to you and they have no
right to lock it since presumably there is nothing owing on the system
or previous monitoring contracts. I see this type of shit so often
it's almost becoming a weekly event.

If the people who locked it are the same people who installed and
monitored it for the previous owner, then they ethically should put it
back into unlocked mode for you, since they had no business locking it
in the first place (assuming nothing further was owed on the account).
They may very well be able to dial into the panel remotely and unlock
it, which makes any talk of a service charge pretty "iffy". If they
refuse to do it without extorting another long term contract from you,
then tell them you'll take it to the local media, as well as launch a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This is YOUR property and
they have no business putting any sort of hold on it (which amounts to
a lien of sorts). And above all, don't listen to the bleating on the
ng in response to this post that you may be cheating someone out of
monies owed. Most of that, with rare exception, is bullshit !!

I wish you luck.
 
A

alarman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thank you for the responses. I'll get the monitoring company on the
phone tonight to see if we can work something out. I hadn't planned
on getting land line phone service, so they'll definitely need to at
least send someone out. I'll let you guys know what they say. I
would have simply called them right off, but assumed they'd just tell
me they owned the system and I needed to sign up for monitoring no
matter what.

I'm inclined in this case to trust the previous owner. Long story
short, they built a new house and the homebuilding company bought
their old house as part of a "guaranteed sale" program so they no
longer had any interest in the sale of the home. Of course, it was an
elderly couple and they may simply be mistaken. Then I could be in
trouble. We'll see.

Thanks for the help so far!

Some people tend to conveniently forget their obligations when they move.
That might be why you're locked out. Why not call the alarm co and just ask
why they locked the board?
js
 
C

Crash Gordon

Jan 1, 1970
0
Why should they do it for free? Granted it would be good pr and all that,
but why would you *expect* them to do it for free? They have no relationship
to the new owner at all.



| Jason...
|
| The former homeowner purchased the security system, you bought the house
| with it already installed: therefore you own it.
|
| The former owner had the 'monitoring turned off'. But it appears the
| outgoing dealer locked the panel instead.
|
| Options? Suggest you call the outgoing dealer, ask that they un-disable
| the panel, remove the 'local programming lockout', and restore both the
| 'installer code' and 'CSID' to the factory default, and that they do it
| today. Because it appears they did not merely 'turn off the monitoring'
| (as they were instructed to do), ask for this to be done at n/c. You
| will need regular telephone dialtone connected to the alarm's RJ31X jack
| for them to do this.
|
| If they are uncooperative, you might remind them that Bay Alarm Company
| of Pacheco CA was brought to task for locking out consumers, in a
| purported class action lawsuit.
|
| As a sidebar, a Bay Alarm Company of Pacheco CA (a related company, and
| a long story) was found by the CA alarm license authorities to have been
| an unlicensed CA alarm company from 10-2000 til 12-2005.
|
| Once it is unnlocked, there are other monitoring agencies able and
| willing to help you reprogram your system, and, if you elect, to provide
| monitoring service, at competitive prices.
|
| What is the name and city of the outgoing alarm dealer?
|
| Give me a call if you'd like, phone number at the website below.
|
| Nick Lawrence
| http://911Alarm.com
|
|
|
| [email protected] wrote:
| > Hello all. I recently purchased a 7 year old home that has a built-in
| > alarm system. The previous owner chose to purchase the unit as part
| > of the then-new home's price rather than lease, but when he had the
| > monitoring turned off prior to sale it looks like they locked the
| > board. They used a First Alert FA147c panel and a fixed word keypad.
| > It permanently displays "dl" on the display, which according to the
| > manual means the system is disabled. No notices for zone trips are
| > provided and the motion sensors are shut down. I cycled the power and
| > used both * and # methods to try to retrieve the installer code, but
| > #20 makes the system display "EE" on the keypad.
| >
| > It appears I'm locked out and the system is permanently disabled.
| > Does anyone have any experience with this board to know if this is the
| > case for sure? If it is locked, what are my options? Can I swap
| > boards with a Vista 10SE and keep my sensors as they are, or do I have
| > to ditch everything and start over? A drop-in FA147c replacement has
| > proven impossible to locate, and even then I'd have to procure a Alpha
| > keypad to program it. I'd just like to be able to use this alarm
| > locally without a monitoring service.
| >
| > Thanks for your help.
| >
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Assuming of course no monies were owed on the panel, the issue is
really the correctness or not of locking it in the first place.
Assuming they did lock it for no valid reason, then they DO have an
obligation to make the situation right (since they had no right to
make the situation WRONG to begin with). It's called restitution for a
wrong committed.

Obligations or not to the new owner has nothing to do with it. It's
called doing the right thing.

RHC
 
G

GROUP MODERATOR

Jan 1, 1970
0
what usually happens is the old owner moves and fails to notify the alarmco
or notifies after the phone has already been disconnected so the alarmco
can't upload the panel. the OP has no phone line. so now it requires a
service call. how is that the alarmco fault?
 
J

JoeRaisin

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello all. I recently purchased a 7 year old home that has a built-in
alarm system. The previous owner chose to purchase the unit as part
of the then-new home's price rather than lease, but when he had the
monitoring turned off prior to sale it looks like they locked the
board. They used a First Alert FA147c panel and a fixed word keypad.
It permanently displays "dl" on the display, which according to the
manual means the system is disabled. No notices for zone trips are
provided and the motion sensors are shut down. I cycled the power and
used both * and # methods to try to retrieve the installer code, but
#20 makes the system display "EE" on the keypad.

It appears I'm locked out and the system is permanently disabled.
Does anyone have any experience with this board to know if this is the
case for sure? If it is locked, what are my options? Can I swap
boards with a Vista 10SE and keep my sensors as they are, or do I have
to ditch everything and start over? A drop-in FA147c replacement has
proven impossible to locate, and even then I'd have to procure a Alpha
keypad to program it. I'd just like to be able to use this alarm
locally without a monitoring service.

Thanks for your help.

First thing you need to do is to ascertain whether or not the smoke
detectors in your house are connected to the 110VAC circuits or are
controlled by the alarm panel.

Its likely that they are connected to the 110 and in that case you have
no problem. If they are controlled by your DISABLED alarm panel then
you need to have someone come out and rectify this at once.

Please look into this immediately.
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
Why should they do it for free?

If they locked it out when it was already paid for, that was a major ethical breach. It's tantamount to stealing. Thus they
*should* undo the wrong they did. Unfortunately, if that is what they did there's between nil and zero chance they'll do the right
thing now.

OTOH, there is the possibility that the previous homeowner didn't buy the system. If it was leased they had the right to lock it
out. It's their hardware. They can unlock it if they choose and they can charge a fee for doing so if they want.

The problem for the current homeowner is twofold. First, he might not be able to prove the system belonged to the seller. Second,
if the seller was telling the truth the alarm company isn't likely to be any nicer to him than they were to someone who paid them
for services.

Most of the time these things end up with the new owner replacing the panel. Either that or he can get Jim Rojas to unlock it for
him. If he wants to replace it, I can help.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-925-8650
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
G

GROUP MODERATOR

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert L Bass said:
If they locked it out when it was already paid for, that was a major
ethical breach. It's tantamount to stealing. Thus they *should* undo the
wrong they did. Unfortunately, if that is what they did there's between
nil and zero chance they'll do the right thing now.

OTOH, there is the possibility that the previous homeowner didn't buy the
system. If it was leased they had the right to lock it out. It's their
hardware. They can unlock it if they choose and they can charge a fee for
doing so if they want.

The problem for the current homeowner is twofold. First, he might not be
able to prove the system belonged to the seller. Second, if the seller
was telling the truth the alarm company isn't likely to be any nicer to
him than they were to someone who paid them for services.

Most of the time these things end up with the new owner replacing the
panel. Either that or he can get Jim Rojas to unlock it for him.

unless it's a brinks. ;)
 
I

I brive a dus

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeez...I wonder what the ng reaction would have been if I had
suggested that......:)))

RHC <

I'd just chalk it up to you being a feeble minded old geezer who
babbles away about ducks hiding in a butterdish and the nurse stealing
your socks. :)
Someone close the backyard gate before grampa wanders into the
neighbor's yard and pees in their garage again.
 
I

I brive a dus

Jan 1, 1970
0
Nick's advice is sound. This panel now belongs to you and they have no
right to lock it since presumably there is nothing owing on the system
or previous monitoring contracts. I see this type of shit so often
it's almost becoming a weekly event.

If the people who locked it are the same people who installed and
monitored it for the previous owner, then they ethically should put it
back into unlocked mode for you, since they had no business locking it
in the first place (assuming nothing further was owed on the account).
They may very well be able to dial into the panel remotely and unlock
it, which makes any talk of a service charge pretty "iffy". If they
refuse to do it without extorting another long term contract from you,
then tell them you'll take it to the local media, as well as launch a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This is YOUR property and
they have no business putting any sort of hold on it (which amounts to
a lien of sorts). And above all, don't listen to the bleating on the
ng in response to this post that you may be cheating someone out of
monies owed. Most of that, with rare exception, is bullshit !!

I wish you luck.





- Show quoted text - <

Grampa is telling that story about Nick's advice being good again. Oh
boy this must be the 3rd time he's told that story today
 
C

Crash Gordon

Jan 1, 1970
0
eggsactly


| what usually happens is the old owner moves and fails to notify the
alarmco
| or notifies after the phone has already been disconnected so the alarmco
| can't upload the panel. the OP has no phone line. so now it requires a
| service call. how is that the alarmco fault?
|
| | > Assuming of course no monies were owed on the panel, the issue is
| > really the correctness or not of locking it in the first place.
| > Assuming they did lock it for no valid reason, then they DO have an
| > obligation to make the situation right (since they had no right to
| > make the situation WRONG to begin with). It's called restitution for a
| > wrong committed.
| >
| > Obligations or not to the new owner has nothing to do with it. It's
| > called doing the right thing.
| >
| > RHC
| >
| >
| > On Apr 18, 7:50 pm, "Crash Gordon" <[email protected]>
| > wrote:
| >> Why should they do it for free? Granted it would be good pr and all
that,
| >> but why would you *expect* them to do it for free? They have no
| >> relationship
| >> to the new owner at all.
| >>
| >>
| >> | >> | Jason...
| >> |
| >> | The former homeowner purchased the security system, you bought the
| >> house
| >> | with it already installed: therefore you own it.
| >> |
| >> | The former owner had the 'monitoring turned off'. But it appears the
| >> | outgoing dealer locked the panel instead.
| >> |
| >> | Options? Suggest you call the outgoing dealer, ask that they
un-disable
| >> | the panel, remove the 'local programming lockout', and restore both
the
| >> | 'installer code' and 'CSID' to the factory default, and that they do
it
| >> | today. Because it appears they did not merely 'turn off the
| >> monitoring'
| >> | (as they were instructed to do), ask for this to be done at n/c. You
| >> | will need regular telephone dialtone connected to the alarm's RJ31X
| >> jack
| >> | for them to do this.
| >> |
| >> | If they are uncooperative, you might remind them that Bay Alarm
Company
| >> | of Pacheco CA was brought to task for locking out consumers, in a
| >> | purported class action lawsuit.
| >> |
| >> | As a sidebar, a Bay Alarm Company of Pacheco CA (a related company,
and
| >> | a long story) was found by the CA alarm license authorities to have
| >> been
| >> | an unlicensed CA alarm company from 10-2000 til 12-2005.
| >> |
| >> | Once it is unnlocked, there are other monitoring agencies able and
| >> | willing to help you reprogram your system, and, if you elect, to
| >> provide
| >> | monitoring service, at competitive prices.
| >> |
| >> | What is the name and city of the outgoing alarm dealer?
| >> |
| >> | Give me a call if you'd like, phone number at the website below.
| >> |
| >> | Nick Lawrence
| >> |http://911Alarm.com
| >> |
| >> |
| >> || [email protected] wrote:
| >>
| >> | > Hello all. I recently purchased a 7 year old home that has a
| >> built-in
| >> | > alarm system. The previous owner chose to purchase the unit as
part
| >> | > of the then-new home's price rather than lease, but when he had the
| >> | > monitoring turned off prior to sale it looks like they locked the
| >> | > board. They used a First Alert FA147c panel and a fixed word
keypad.
| >> | > It permanently displays "dl" on the display, which according to the
| >> | > manual means the system is disabled. No notices for zone trips are
| >> | > provided and the motion sensors are shut down. I cycled the power
| >> and
| >> | > used both * and # methods to try to retrieve the installer code,
but
| >> | > #20 makes the system display "EE" on the keypad.
| >> | >
| >> | > It appears I'm locked out and the system is permanently disabled.
| >> | > Does anyone have any experience with this board to know if this is
| >> the
| >> | > case for sure? If it is locked, what are my options? Can I swap
| >> | > boards with a Vista 10SE and keep my sensors as they are, or do I
| >> have
| >> | > to ditch everything and start over? A drop-in FA147c replacement
has
| >> | > proven impossible to locate, and even then I'd have to procure a
| >> Alpha
| >> | > keypad to program it. I'd just like to be able to use this alarm
| >> | > locally without a monitoring service.
| >> | >
| >> | > Thanks for your help.
| >> | >
| >
| >
|
|
 
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