Troubleshooting Ultraware error message Host Control Mode: An improperly formatted message

Question:

I successfully connected to an Ultra 3000 drive using Ultraware, but I encountered a problem when trying to monitor the drive. After a brief period of monitoring, a popup message appears stating "Host Control Mode: An improperly formatted message was sent to the drive. Notify Technical Support." It then prompts me to choose whether I want to access this parameter in the future or not. This issue repeats for each monitored parameter before eventually losing connection to the drive. This is my first experience with Ultraware, and I wanted to seek advice from the forum before contacting Tech Support. Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Top Replies

During my previous encounter with the ultra 3000i, I encountered a similar issue. One suggestion is to adjust the baud rate to 19200. It's also important to verify if you are utilizing a USB adapter or a serial connection. The problem may stem from the adapter transmitting incompatible data signals to the drive, causing confusion.

Lowering the baud rate did not resolve the connectivity issue, but I managed to establish a successful connection by switching to an older laptop equipped with a physical serial port. Grateful for the assistance provided.

I'm curious to know which brand of USB adapter or converter you utilized. Can you please share this information with me?

I have experienced similar issues with both my GoldX (Koyo brand) and A-B (9300-USB model) converters, leading to consistent results.

I apologize for not being able to offer assistance, but I must say that the software error message in question seems quite absurd. It appears as though the development team simply created a generic error message for any issue that arises. I recently had an encounter with an Ultra 3000 that required troubleshooting, and I was confident in my ability to resolve the issue since I had successfully uploaded parameters from the same drive before. However, upon attempting to download the parameters to the replacement drive, I struggled for 15 minutes before reaching out to an Allen Bradley representative for help. It turns out that the process involved dragging and dropping from offline to online. This experience has not surprised me in light of the error message mentioned. While I do not aim to criticize the product, I feel compelled to point out when certain features, like the Ultra3000 software, appear to be lacking in development.

That does sound frustrating. In my experience, Ultraware could be quite tricky for first-time users. The error message you're describing suggests that there could be an issue with the specific parameters being monitored. Try checking if the parameters you are monitoring match with the expected format or value range. You might also want to ensure your firmware is up to date since old firmware can sometimes cause such errors. If nothing works, reaching out to Tech Support would be the last resort. I'd love to know how it goes!

Hey, it sounds to me like a possible firmware compatibility issue between your Ultra 3000 drive and the Ultraware software. I had a similar problem before and resolved it by making sure my drive's firmware was up-to-date and matched with the version of Ultraware I was using. Also, make sure your communication settings are correctly configured. However, if this doesn't help, I'd recommend opening a support ticket with Technical Support – they really helped effectively troubleshoot my problem. Hang in there, these issues can be frustrating, but are certainly fixable!

It sounds like Ultraware is receiving information from the drive that doesn't match the format it's expecting. Given this is your first experience with Ultraware, I would recommend double-checking the settings to ensure data is being sent in the correct format. This could also happen if you have an outdated Ultraware version that is incompatible with the drive. Check to see if there are any updates available for Ultraware. If there's no luck with these suggestions, reaching out to Technical Support might be your best bet. They would have more expertise on the matter. Hope this helps!

It sounds like a frustrating experience! This issue could be a result of a few different factors—perhaps a software glitch or a compatibility problem between Ultraware and your specific drive firmware. Have you tried checking for any software updates for Ultraware or the drive? Sometimes bugs can be resolved with the latest versions. Additionally, ensure that your computer's settings, like firewalls or security software, aren’t interfering with the communication. If you haven't already, connecting on a different computer or port might help rule out hardware issues. Good luck, and I hope you get it sorted out soon!

More Replies →

Streamline Your Asset Management
See How Oxmaint Works!!

✅   Work Order Management

✅   Asset Tracking

✅   Preventive Maintenance

✅   Inspection Report

We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.

To add a comment, please sign in or register if you haven't already..   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. What does the Ultraware error message "Host Control Mode: An improperly formatted message" indicate?

Answer: This error message suggests that there is an issue with the format of the messages being sent to the Ultra 3000 drive during monitoring.

FAQ: 2. How can I troubleshoot the "Host Control Mode" error in Ultraware?

Answer: To troubleshoot this error, you can try checking the communication settings, ensuring proper formatting of messages sent to the drive, and verifying the connection stability between Ultraware and the Ultra 3000 drive.

FAQ: 3. Why does the "Host Control Mode" error occur repeatedly for each monitored parameter in Ultraware?

Answer: The error may occur for each monitored parameter due to a consistent issue with message formatting or communication between Ultraware and the drive.

FAQ: 4. What should I do if I encounter the "Host Control Mode" error in Ultraware?

Answer: If you encounter this error, you can try resolving it by reviewing the message format, checking communication settings, and ensuring a stable connection. If the issue persists, it is advisable to contact Technical Support for further assistance.

Ready to Simplify Maintenance?

Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.

Request Demo  â†’