Sharper Image Weather Station EC-WS115 not updating

Anonymous

Thanks to this community, I have found the software for the Sharper Image EC-WS115, and I've learned how to deal with its USB issues under Windows 10.

But, it stopped updating the forecast on November 30th, 2020.

The 5-day forecast software gives me an error saying "Cannot connect to server. Please try again later" whenever I try to update the forecast.

Is anyone else having this issue, or just me? Has Foreca shut down the server used to feed information to these devices?

I don't want to send this device to a landfill.

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Anonymous

I finally had some success this morning utilizing a workaround that was developed with a lot input from a number of people. I've created a step-by-step guide as to what I did to get my Sharper Image EC-WS115 5-Day weather forecast station up and running again after the server quit working back on November 30th. If you use Windows, then this solution should work. I just got it working this morning, so I haven't fully tested it yet to see if it automatically updates like it used to or if there are any bugs in the code. If you're interested in taking a peak at the process (5 steps), then download the zip file containing all the files you will need to make it work. The step-by-step guide is a filed titled 'Read Me.pdf'. Thanks to all those who did the hard work by decompiling and writing new code in order to make it work. The zip file can be downloaded here (just click on 'download' in the upper-left-hand corner):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yin1t3oqjnyxwe1/5-Day%20Weather%20Forecast%20Workaround.zip?dl=0

Best of luck and Merry Christmas!

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Anonymous

Can anyone put a detailed process on how to get the weather station up and running. I have downloaded the zip files, gone to Weatherbit and got my personal number. But , I cannot find the file folders that I have to copy other files to.. please help me. I want to get my weather station back on line. Thanks!

Good morning Michael, as Eric mentioned in another post, check the ReadMe.pdf file that has step-by-step instructions on where everything goes. Here's also a link to a 27-minute video tutorial that steps through each step in detail. Hope this helps. Happy New Year!

https://vimeo.com/495872313/ca3d3d378e

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223 additional answers

Anonymous

2020-12-30T15:43:16+00:00

So after I had success last week, I was getting a "Cannot Connect to Server" message. My last update was yesterday morning. I just validated your troubleshooting steps above and realized the 'hosts' file had been written over to remove the three lines (below in bold) I added to it previously, based on your instructions. Not sure why that happened, but will keep an eye on it now. Also, I read somewhere online about a server4.netinfostation.com, which I was able to successfully ping, so I added that too (below in italics).

127.0.0.1             server1.netinfostation.com

127.0.0.1             server2.netinfostation.com

127.0.0.1             server3.netinfostation.com

127.0.0.1             server4.netinfostation.com
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Anonymous

2020-12-24T19:48:33+00:00

Could someone please provide a Word document on step by step instructions to the hack? Please make it so a 3rd grader can understand. Send to me and I will forever be indebted.

******@verizon.net

mcdanida at Verizon dot net
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Anonymous

2020-12-23T19:09:40+00:00

Hello Terry,

In my opinion the tutorial requires some basic understanding of File Explorer, folders and file structures in Windows. Also comfort with drag and drop and copy and paste features. I also emphasize read the instructions carefully and then re-read again. I overlooked dropping the php files into the www folder and just copied into the WampServer folder. It didn't work and then I realized my error and made the correction. Bada bing, bada boom it worked. In my case all five days data from the 5 Day Program Application was very slow to transmit to the base. This is nothing new. I am fairly tech savvy which helps but no experience in the realm of programming. I recommend if you aren't comfortable with following the tutorial and know someone tech savvy ask for their assistance.

In following the tutorial I had a hiccup with a fairly new Win10 desktop and typically as described in the tutorial a right click on a file has the Run As Administrator option. Well not on my HP Win10 PC. As an alternative I typed just wamp in the lower left corner (START) search area where then the WampServer file popped up as a result and then I was then able to right click and see the Run as Administrator option.

I am finding the workaround with the WampServer functioning seamlessly and even better than before. I use to have to unplug the transmitter every few days and wait 10 seconds and plug in again and then prompt the program to send data to base as the UV data would not fully populate each day. I also am finding the weather data is more accurate using WampServer. Over the years, my interest in weather has grown and I am a long time NWS Skywarn contributor and I also own a (PWS) personal weather station (Ambient Weather WS-5000) where I send data into the National Weather Service MADIS system. Although the PWS has a detailed weather data display base unit, the Sharper Image EC-WS5115 was my first weather forecast unit and I am quite fond of it and was delighted to get it up and going again.

Katherine
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