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Appendix B – Error Code Reporting
When a command string is entered but not accepted, a different character than the one entered will
appear. All of the AMX systems listed in the "Product Specific" Appendix support limited error code
reporting (displaying a single character). Advanced systems support error codes numbers (alone or in
addition to a single character) if the error code reporting is enabled.
Limited Error Codes; Error Code Numbers and Prefixes
Limited Error Codes
If a "?" appears instead of the command character or number you entered, the system did not understand
the command because the command string format contained an error (e.g., not indicating an input in a
Change command).
If an "X" appears instead of the command character or number you entered, the system understood the
command, but did not execute all or part of the command. For example, an "X" may appear when
entering an invalid value (such as Output 272 in a system that only has 256 outputs) or requesting a
volume setting which results in a decibel level that is outside of the range for the board / connector set.
Precis LT only – If an "E" appears instead of the command character or number entered in a Status
command, a communication failure occured between the CPU and the control panel.
Troubleshooting
When error code reporting is enabled, error codes can appear in a terminal emulation program (such as
HyperTerminal).
When you are using BCS commands, one common troubleshooting strategy is to enter the command
again. Often the command has simply been entered incorrectly (e.g., omitting an output in a Change
command). In other cases, the command has specified a value that is not valid.
When you are using an external controller, one of the most common troubleshooting strategies is to
resend the command to see if the error was simply a time out error.
Error Code Numbers
In systems that support error code reporting, an error code number beginning with E# or W# will be
displayed in addition to the command string with a ? or x. In some systems, the error code will appear
alone. Sometimes error codes appear if the system's status changes, even though a command string was
not entered.
This following section provides an overview of common error codes that can appear for systems when
this feature is enabled.
Error Code Prefixes
First letter of the code indicates:
* Because these codes very rarely appear, they are not included in the table on the following page.
For systems that support system error code reporting, the default is error code reporting disabled. We
recommend enabling error code reporting when a command string response contains the characters
"?" or "X", when troubleshooting the system, or when directed by technical support.
Instruction Manual – BCS Basic Control Structure Protocol
E – Error
W – Warning
A – Alarm*
I – Information*
Appendix B – Error Code Reporting
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