Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Ademco Vista20 - Lockout issues?

Hi all,
Tried a search and read all I could, and I tried the * # suggestion.

When I power the system back on it reads "BUSY - STANDBY D1". The D1 is flashing.
I hold the * # keys at power up and prior to powerup - nothing.
The system eventually boots and arms itself and the display reads "ARMED **STAY**"
If I open a door the siren goes off.
I've tried to disarm the system using a few of the suggested ADT IC codes "6123, 4110, 4120 etc.."

The unit was installed/monitored by ADT with the previous owner.
I moved in and no codes were provided by the seller(Foreclosure).

So before I go to bed I plug it in and it arms on its own. In the morning I unplug it. Bites..

My wife and kid are ready to kill me and the alarm system:thumbup:
Any ideas how to reset this pig back to default?

I'm guessing that it's a Vista 20P (that suffix is important...)

It sounds like this system has had all local programming access locked out, _and_ it was powered down in an armed state with the "power up in previous state" option turned on. The only thing you haven't tried is having someone hold * + # _while_ you restore power.

Basically, if that doesn't jump into program mode, find a source for a Vista 20p motherboard, and chuck the current one. The only thing that can access this panel is ADT's copy of the downloader software. No end-run around this.

try this unplug the transformer and the batt and then try jumping out the tamper for the door of the panel door then remove the wire on term #3 now you can work with out the siren going off then plug in the transformer and the batt while having someone hold * + # at the same time see if this gets you in to programing if it works you will see 20 on the keypad then press #20 what you see will be the ic each beep is a # ____beep _____beep _____beep ______beep try this if this works then press *99 to get out of programing give it a try what do have to lose

First, I am assuming the system is not monitored. If so, follow my instructions:

1.) Disarm with the Duress code 2580+1
This should disarm the system (will send silent hold up if monitored so needs to be on test).
2.) Enter 6321+800 (this should put you in programming, keypad should read "20"). If not, try 7321
3.) Make any programming changes needed
4.) Exit programming *99
5.) Change master code: 6321+802+_ _ _ _+_ _ _ _(new code twice in blanks.

Isn't it true if the panel is armed and 'not' locked out,
if you power down, than power up and press * + # together,
you should still get into programming. And I believe ADT does
not use one installer code in every single state all over
the country for every single one of their customers. How could
anyone tell him what the installer code is just because
he has an ADT system?

On a vista 20p there are options that can be set so that exiting with *98 will not allow reentry via either the installer code _or_ * + #.

It can also be set that way via the download software so that _all_ keypad programming access is locked out (this is true of nearly all ademco design systems).

ADT has used their standard code as a factory default on 90% of it's specifically modified systems since the 1970s. It's called "playing the odds".