Sharper Image Weather Station EC-WS115 not updating

Anonymous
2020-12-07T00:50:36+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2020-12-20T19:05:29+00:00

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!

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2021-01-01T14:40:14+00:00

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

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

223 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-12-10T16:41:38+00:00

    I just sent a message to Sharper Image.   

    This product was possibly manufactured by the original Sharper Image who went bankrupt in 2008.  A couple of acquisitions have taken place since then.  The Sharper Image - Wikipedia   In 2019, Three-Sixty Group acquired the Sharper Image rights.   Who knows which company negotiated the recently expired contact with FORECA?

    I will share the response presuming I get one.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-10T17:57:13+00:00

    I sent a message to Foreca, and received this reply...

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message. Unfortunately this is not Foreca's product, Foreca has only provided the weather data to the device manufacturer. The contract between Foreca and the manufacturer has ended recently.

    To get technical support or more details, please contact the device retailer.

    Please find some of the retailers' support contact information below:

    The Sharper Image® Internet Weather Station 5-Day Weather Forecaster

    Online: *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

    Phone: 1.888.856.6781 (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm)

    Best regards,

    Anna

    Foreca Ltd

    That is not encouraging at all!  To be fair this device has worked for a long time, not that I want it to stop.  

    Anyone know of something similar with a clock and weather on it?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-10T18:49:49+00:00

    I sent a message to Foreca, and received this reply...

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message. Unfortunately this is not Foreca's product, Foreca has only provided the weather data to the device manufacturer. The contract between Foreca and the manufacturer has ended recently.

    To get technical support or more details, please contact the device retailer.

    Please find some of the retailers' support contact information below:

    The Sharper Image® Internet Weather Station 5-Day Weather Forecaster

    Online: *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

    Phone: 1.888.856.6781 (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm)

    Best regards,

    Anna

    Foreca Ltd

    That is not encouraging at all!  To be fair this device has worked for a long time, not that I want it to stop.  

    Anyone know of something similar with a clock and weather on it?

    So not good but for the age to be expected. the problem is I HATE throwing things away just because they are old.  we are such a throwaway society and we don't fix things anymore because of price.  so I like my weather station and it still worked.  the problem is in the "5-Day Forecast" code probably pointed to a server/feed that Foreca took down at the end of the contract.  it would probably cost them $0 to keep it running but there is maintenance and another factor that contribute to it so they are not going to do that.  the new company that owns the "Sharper Image" name is not going to renew or start up the contract again because it's not even their product unless swarms of people call thier support. if anyone has code experience and can get into a different RSS feed then it may still keep going.  not sure if the 2017 was a server issue or contract issue, I'm guessing server.  my $0.02

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments