I have a Vista 20p to which I want to add a new control pad. But I have two problems/challenges to overcome.

1) I don’t know the installer code (and I can’t get my installer to reveal it to me)
2) the popular *backdoor* method on power-up won’t work, meaning the panel is locked

What do you all think about the possibility of obtaining this code through brute force. Imagine standing at the panel all day, trying every possible 4-digit pin followed by the requisite [8] + [00]. Eventually that thing is going to go into programing mode and the display is going to change to “Installer Code 20”, letting me know that I’ve entered the correct code. (I have a computer interfaced to the Vista and can automate this process)

So it would be like this. I would start guessing the installer code with MYGUESS=0000

• I “enter” [MYGUESS]+[80]+[0] and wait a bit for a change in the LCD
• IF the system goes into programming mode:
  • save / print the 4 digit code that worked
  • send *99 to the vista to exit programming mode
  • done
• OTHERWISE (code failed)
  • add 1 to MYGUESS and try again?

Do you think this could work? Any danger of adverse effect from entering a bunch of invalid pins and such?