Merlin309

Older <LOL> : In 1976 I was compiling GPS software on a 16-bit HP-21MX using a paper-tape bootstrap loader followed by the OS and software on Mag Tape

Dunno if this old dog can learn any new programming tricks. I cut my eye teeth on ANSI-Standard Fortran-66. Object oriented languages are my Bane - just NOT happy if I can't write spaghetti code - I need to call what I want when I want and jump anywhere I please. <Sigh>. Yeah - I know C4 runs on Linux or similar, as does my 12TB QNAP NAS, however I've not looked 'under the hood' on either unit. I'm thinking of playing with either a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino based platform - I'd likely have to get into Linux then - - - - PS: I have downloaded DiskImager. I see that it will WRITE to a flash drive, but couldn't easily find how to READ a flash drive to an image file. I'll take another look - -

Hmmm - - Probably a very good idea. Searching E-Bay now. Just bought 'gently used' HC250 - Vendor with 99% favorable rating: $15 + $7 S&H. Cheap Insurance. Also got a 4 and a 16 GB SanDisk MicroSD card from Amazon to play with the Cloning Idea. If the HC250 doesn't recognize the 16GB card - will try again with the original sized 4GB card from the OEM manufacturer. I expect the HC250 from E-Bay will also have a 4GB MicroSD card in it that can be cloned - - BUT - as this would be new system hardware, might need a vendor to re-authorize it if disaster strikes. Hopefully this can be done remotely.

Yeah - - how technology marches on. I have also reviewed my images files and discovered that in truth, my system memory is on a 4GB SanDisk MicroSD card. But - - if it ain't broke, don't fix it ?? I'd prefer NOT to wait until it's broke. I think I'll pick up both a 4GB and a 16 GB MicroSD card, try cloning to both (I've not yet discovered the command to copy from external using DiskImager as recommended by Alan Chow above. Someone suggested updating the controller to a newer version - but it's unlikely the system copies I've stored with ComposerHE would work right with new hardware.

Awww Heck !! I was hoping to be able to avoid Linux in my lifetime. I realize DOS is still alive and well hiding under Win-10. I can write a few simple commands in a BAT file, but really didn't wanna have to learn Linux. This may be a foregone conclusion. I do have old x-86 computers built in the '90's and 2000 that I could convert (one even has Win-10 loaded as a sequential update from that HORRIBLE Win-Vista) - - UBUNTU vs Red Hat, or any of the other comprehensive Linux systems that would have to include windoze emulators. I may have to slowly go there. I do have a C4 dealer who is willing to do some things remotely - I guess the real question is whether I'll be able to do a system restore using ComposerHE if I replace the SD card with a larger one. The controller is on a static IP address within my home network, and I'd hope the controller ID is either buried in static RAM somewhere within the controller OR would be restored to the larger SD card once cloned.

DC: Thanks for the suggestion - I do have an older model controller (HC-250) so hope it will behave as you suggest by simply installing a higher capacity SD card. My system has a slot for a standard SD card rather than a MicroSD, and of course I miss-spoke regarding my ComposerHE software: it is 2.10.5 matching the OS.

Thanks Alan - - I've already been inside. That's how I know what's in there. I was amazed to find only a 1GB Flash Drive as the sole memory device. I'm pretty careful - electrostatic precautions and all - after reassembly everything still works just fine. The entire system has been purchased by me - so yes - the risks are all mine. But copying and replacing the system drive at 6 years, before failure, is worth the risk. Unless otherwise recommended, I'll probably go with a very reliable Samsung (or other) 2 or 4 GB flash disk as replacement. My Win-10 PC only has a 9TB accessible RAID-5 data drive - so saving 1GB to storage shouldn't be a problem. - If my current flash disk is only 1 GB, and I replace it writing the the system to a 2 or 4GB flash drive - will diskimager (or the C4 OS) expand the partition to use the entire disk, or will I need to use some Linux commands to expand the file system partition to allow it to use the entire disk ? Thanks again for your help

Hi - - Alan Thanks for your reply. Please let me know what steps to take to DD the SD card and expand the file system. I don't have a Linux computer system anywhere, but have LOTS of SD cards and hope there is a way to do this with Win-10. I thought the back-up was also stored on the HC250 system drive which is currently only 1GB and so would need an external drive for the backup.

I have a C4 HC250 controller as well as ComposerHE ver 1.10.5, and am a mid-level geek having built my own computers for the past 20 years. The HC250 comes with a relatively small 1GB system flash drive - but it is Linux formatted and is not recognized by my Win-10 system. Unfortunately I am Not versed in Linux or any Linux variants. Current HC250 OS version = 2.10.5.554707-res - My C4 system is now 6 years old - and I am very worried about the integrity of the HC250 system flash drive. I would like to CLONE this drive to a new 2 - 4 GB flash drive and replace the old one. How can I do that on my Win-10 PC ?? IF the HC250 won't recognize a huge system drive - please let me know the largest it can accommodate and how to proceed. - I suspect I'll need a Win-10 SSD Bitcopy/imaging program than can copy an SSD, then restore it to a new SSD while at the same time facilitating expansion of the partition boundaries. Anyone with any ideas Please Post ???

Had you posted reasonably knowledgeable responses, I'd have considered you to assume programming of my system. I have re-posted my query in the General Discussion area. You are welcome to respond.

OK - - So if I back up my project - how do I restore it to a new blank flash drive. If there is no OS on the flash drive (and I suspect the back-up is also stored on the old flash drive), how can that be restored to a c4 computer ?? I suspect I'll need a Win-10 SSD Bitcopy/imaging program than can copy an SSD, then restore it to a new SSD while at the same time facilitating expansion of the partition boundaries. Anyone with any ideas Please Post ???

Hi - - Ari: I have installed on my C4 system your Epic systems Echo Driver ver1.80 (which I am going to have to reconfigure) but that is not my current question. I have a C4 HC250 controller as well as ComposerHE ver 1.10.5, and am a mid-level geek having built my own computers for the past 20 years. The HC250 comes with a relatively small 1GB system flash drive - but it is Linux formatted and is not recognized by my Win-10 system. Unfortunately I am Not versed in Linux or any Linux variants. Current HC250 OS version = 2.10.5.554707-res - My C4 system is now 6 years old - and I am very worried about the integrity of the HC250 system flash drive. I would like to CLONE this drive to a new 2 - 4 GB flash drive and replace the old one. How can I do that on my Win-10 PC ?? IF the HC250 won't recognize a huge system drive - please let me know the largest it can accommodate and how to proceed. Thank You

Thanks - - appreciate the point of contact

chopedogg88: I have an integrator / system vendor - but he is CLUELESS regarding this issue. I have the amazon_echo_v180.c4z file which was installed several weeks ago. Is there any way with composer HE to confirm the installed version? My current version C4 OS = 10.5. I also have Composer HE 2.10.5 Alexa cannot detect any control4 devices - although I have defined "Ceiling Cans" as the trigger which matches the C4 device name The ONLY smart home skill I have enabled is TPLink KASA. IF the Epic Driver requires a specific Smart Home Skill (I could NOT find one specific to Epic - nor do they list one) - please let me know which skill to install. Thanks