How to UNpair a remote?

[ntg]

I need to unpair a remote from my (dlink) boxee (or even better, find a way to pair multiple remotes to the same unit).

Why do I want to do this? Because I own 4 remotes. If no remotes are paired, then I can use them all and they will all work...but it's too late for that now since I already paired one with the expectation that I could pair more of them later. Unfortunately, pairing a second remote renders the first one useless, so unless I can UNpair all remotes then I now own 1 remote and 3 bricks.

I've been going back-and-forth with DLink support on this question and they've been useless. After continually telling me that I've made a mistake with "partial pairing", their latest response was:



Sorry you asking for something that does not exist your setup was an accident and cannot be reproduced ..we do not have a setting to unpair a remote ..

There is no such option as unpair remote


Now, I've made it clear that my setup was NOT an accident and we all know that it can be easily reproduced; but they seem to want to avoid the question entirely. Since pairing is already poorly supported I can easily believe that there's no official setting to unpair a remote, but they actually keep blaming me for "making an accident" during setup (aka "too bad")...and I bet there's a way to do it anyways, even if it's undocumented. My best guess is a full reset.

So, does anyone know if resetting the box to factory specs will unpair the remote, or will I really have to return the unit and buy another one??

I have thousands of video files and I've already spent >30hours to manually identify them, so I really don't relish setting it up again. I'll do it if that's the only way, but I need to be sure first...and if I do need to reset or replace the unit, is there a way to copy and save the database (eg to my PC) and then upload it to a different box?

Finally, does anyone know if the remote is registered to the box or if the box is registered to the remote during pairing? This sounds like the same thing but there could be a big difference, since a remote that's already been paired may not work even if I get a new box...

[LewisFamily01]

Hi,

You say you have 4 remotes, how many Boxee Boxes do you have?

Just for clarity could you provide some more explanation of how/why you are wanting 4 remotes to control one box?

If you have >1 box, then you will probably not be able to use multiple remotes to control one box, as you will find the RF signals may leak into other rooms and you will get chaotic behaviour.

...Peter

[ntg]

I simplified my situation to avoid this exact question, but here's the more detailed scenario: I have 2 boxees and 5 remotes. Box1 needs only 1 remote, and Box2 needs the remaining 4 remotes.

When there were no remotes paired to either box then yes, there was interference everywhere just as expected.

Then I paired Box1 to a single remote, and everything was perfect. At that point, Box1 worked normally with its remote and Box 2 was unpaired, so the remaining 4 remotes controlled it with no problems or interference.

Then I thought I'd be "safe" and pair the last 4 remotes to Box2...but unfortunately I didn't realize that you can only pair a single remote per box, and that there is no (supported) way to unpair them. So as soon as I started pairing these remotes it turned the rest into bricks. Pairing of remotes is one of the worst-documented of the supported features, which is what makes this so hard.

So yes, I know full well about the interference problem between remotes but Box1 only requires 1 remote while Box2 needs the rest. This was working perfectly fine until I paired a remote to Box2, and it's obvious that my only 2 solutions now are either to pair multiple remotes to Box2, or to UNpair all remotes from Box2. Ideally, the boxee software would be updated to allow multiple pairings (and some feedback about which remotes are paired!!) but that's going to be a while coming, so for now I just want to find a way to UNpair all remotes from a box. I'm guessing a return/replace will do the trick, but an easier way is probably a factory reset...if it works.


...oh, and as for why I want multiple remotes on 1 box: This has been a habit in my household for decades (I literally have 20 tivo remotes). With kids in the house, they are always misplacing the remotes or losing them in the cushions, etc. so the community box (Box2) needs multiple remotes especially when they're the only way to control it. The other box is for adults, and we can keep track of a single remote (although even there, it would be really nice to have multiples paired to a box).

[darcilicious]

You can try contacting Boxee Official Support (instead of D-Link support). See the first link below. It may be a few days before you hear back but you should get a more definitive answer (I hope).

[Swiper_the_Fox]

pull the battery(s) ?
thought I would ask hehe

[ntg]

Gah...neither a full Factory Reset nor pulling the batteries (for 30min on ALL remotes) changed anything; they're still paired the same as before!! Soooo aggravating. I guess I'll be taking Darcy's advice and try to contact boxee support.

If they tell me it's my own fault and it was an accident that can't be reproduced, I may just lose it...

[ntg]

You can try contacting Boxee Official Support (instead of D-Link support). See the first link below. It may be a few days before you hear back but you should get a more definitive answer (I hope).

I finally got around to trying to ask boxee support, but it turns out that I *DID* ask Boxee Official Support in the first place (using http://boxee.zendesk.com/requests/new, which is the same as http://support.boxee.tv/anonymous_requests/new except it's not anonymous).

So all the crap answers I've been getting have been from boxee all along and not dlink. Also, every question I've sent to Boxee support is always answered by the same person (and the same goes for DLink, although it's a different person).

I'm going to try D-Link support now. Absolutely no offense intended, but first-line support is never true tech support so I don't expect a real answer from either of them. This is obviously an unusual request so I know full well that it's going to have to go to 2nd-tier support (or 3rd-tier or even higher) before anybody will even have a chance at helping me.

Anyone have any hints on how to get to "real" tech support--either with Boxee or DLink?

[marcel]

@ntg ...seriously this is not possible (from 1st ,2nd ,3rd tier, 4th tier support and higher)...you can only pair one remote to one box ..

[ntg]

@ntg ...seriously this is not possible (from 1st ,2nd ,3rd tier, 4th tier support and higher)...you can only pair one remote to one box ..

That's somewhat understandable, but there must be a way to UNpair the remote and return the box to its original state. Factory resets and power outages didn't even do the trick but I'm a professional developer, so I know that even if something isn't supported that doesn't mean it's not possible.

I just opened a Jira ticket about this, hopefully something will come out of that...but are you seriously telling me that my only option is to buy another box just to regain the functionality that I previously had?

[marcel]

You can ask Dlink to RMA your remotes and try and get new ones that are partially paired and then make sure you do not pair them again..

Sorry could not help but this is a very rare request ..however i have asked product to look into a feature request of un-pairing the remote..

[ntg]

Again thanks for the suggestion but that won't help either. I *do* have some remotes that have never been paired to any device, and they don't work with anything either.

The only option I can see is truly resetting the box to its unpaired state; and since factory resets and power cuts (to all remotes and boxes) had no effect, the other half of your suggestion is obviously to ask DLink to RMA the entire box--which is pretty extreme for a tiny software switch that should be easily changeable.

I'd consider a return if that's my only option and if they pay for shipping and give me a brand-new box, but not if I have to pay for the shipping and get a refurbished unit in return (which is industry standard so there's a good bet it applies here as well). I'm also saving the "brand-new-box" option as a last-ditch effort after I've exhausted all other options since it helps nobody and costs everyone.

I realize this is a rare request but I'm surprised it's never been encountered before...especially since the boxee remotes are specialty RF units that can't be used with universal remotes.

[rwk90]

i just got a second box same problem they both change each other even 2 floors up?

[darcilicious]

i just got a second box same problem they both change each other even 2 floors up?

Have you paired each remote to its own Box?

[rwk90]

Have you paired each remote to its own Box?

i didnt realize that the remotes werent specific to each box. just hooked 2nd box up under same account and name then when i went to use it... both remotes were working on both boxes.. i lost my manual.. do i power both off and pair each one individually by holding enter button for 20 seconds? thanks for reply

[rwk90]

didnt realize remote had power to go trough 2 storeys lol

[rwk90]

ok this is interesting i had to unpug other box. guess it turned on through downstairs remote but whether it was on or off.. enter button would enter multiple times when i hit it once and scroll up and down would jump like 5 spaces.. unplugged other unit seems ok?