Why Can't I Disable Auto-Stay Arming For My VISTA-128BPT?

You can't disable Auto-Stay Arming for your VISTA-128BPT because it is running Firmware Version 10.0. This version of the VISTA-128BPT had an error that made it impossible to disable Auto-Stay Arming for Total Connect 2.0. You can fix this problem by upgrading to Firmware Version 10.4.

Auto-Stay Arming is a feature that has your system Arm Stay even after you Arm Away if no Entry/Exit Zones are faulted during the system's Exit Delay countdown period. If you have Auto-Stay Arming enabled and you want to Arm Away, you must activate an Entry/Exit Zone during the Exit Delay period.

On the VISTA-128BPT, the feature is enabled on individual zones rather than for the entire system or entire partitions. In other words, there is no single programming location where you can disable the feature for your entire VISTA-128BPT System. If you want to truly disable Auto-Stay Arming, you must do it for each and every zone.

Normally, Arming Away from Total Connect 2.0 will have the system ignore the Auto-Stay Arming setting, as you might not be around to open an Entry/Exit Zone. But Firmware Version 10.0 of the VISTA-128BPT has an error where the system doesn't automatically ignore the Auto-Stay Arming setting when arming from Total Connect 2.0. Basically if you have FW 10.0 for your 128BPT and you have Auto-Stay Arming enabled for a zone, the setting will not be ignored when you Arm Away from TC2.

Now, if you Arm Away from TC2 for a 128BPT running FW 10.0, and you fault an Entry/Exit Zone during the Exit Delay Countdown, then the zone will still behave like you Armed Away. But this can be a real problem if you are off-site and are not around to activate an Entry/Exit Zone during the Exit Delay period. And you might not want to have to disable Auto-Stay Arming for every system zone. The feature can be very useful for preventing false alarms.

But luckily, there is a solution to this problem. Resideo released Firmware Revision 10.4 for the VISTA-128BPT to fix this problem. Users can access device program to disable Auto-Stay Arming for specific device addresses. By disabling the Auto-Stay Arming feature for the address associated with Total Connect 2.0, you can ensure that Auto-Stay Arming does not go into effect when you Arm Away from that platform.

You should check the Firmware Version for your VISTA-128BPT to see if your system is running 10.0. To check the Firmware Version, you need to look at the panel's PROM Chip. You should open up the panel's metal cabinet and then remove the large silver plate cover from the middle of the circuit board. This will require a screwdriver. There should be a smaller rectangular black chip under the cover. This is the PROM Chip, and you should see the Firmware Version written on it. If you see that it is 10.0, you will want to upgrade.

The PROM Chip upgrade for the VISTA-128BPT is not sold by Alarm Grid. If you need to get a PROM upgrade for the system, you should contact your monitoring company. Alarm Grid customers can email support@alarmgrid.com. If you rely on monitoring service from a different company, then you should contact them instead. Alarm Grid can only assist monitored customers in this regard.

To replace the PROM Chip, simply power down the system by disconnecting the backup battery and unplugging the transformer. Then take off the silver cover plate on the circuit board, and use the metal end of a blinder clip or a chip puller to carefully remove the existing PROM Chip. Then seat the new chip into place by carefully lining the prongs up with the chip socket and pressing straight down. Make sure you are careful not to bend any of the prongs on the chip. The new chip should remain secure. Power the system up using the AC transformer and battery, and check that it boots properly. Once it does, replace the square silver plate.