X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mike1 on January 02, 2020, 03:58:13 PM
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Hi Tuicemen
Happy New Year. Question for you, this morning computer reboots. But tries to open your app Alex10 hangs, then it shows up very large on the screen. Something has been corrupted? Bridge?
Thxs
Mike
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Happy New year!
I've not maintained Alex10 for some time now, there were just too many variables to deal with in order to maintain the Program.
However there are a couple of things you can look into.
Open your web browser and navigate to HA-Bridge and be sure your running the latest version
In the Alex10 data folder there is a x10devicesettings.xml file that contains Alex10 settings, the server port is what HA-Bridge is located at and should now be 80.
It is possible this file has become corrupt if the PC suffered a hard (improper) reboot.
it is possible that the habridge.config file in the same folder has also become corrupt though that should only affect HA-Bridge Alex10 may have locked up unable to start HA-Bridge.
You should be able to open and read both with Windows notepad if you can't view one chances are it has become corrupt.
>!
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Hi Tuicmen,
So I checked x10file it has port 80. What other files should reside in the data folder ?
In the root folder I should have the Ha-bridge.jar latest version of course. java ? I believe the bridge got corrupt.
can you send me the latest Alex10 link so I can download a fresh copy.
When I open Alex10 its not picking up the Ha-bridge ? So I might have it in the wrong place, also I get an error looking for Java 8. If I recall that remains with the program files ?
Thanks again I need to get away from Alex10, what is the best other way I have a whole house filled with x10 devices. Again thanks again for your time and effort !!!
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Hi Tuicmen,
Where can I download the latest version of Alex10, I believe build 1.55 ? thxs Mike
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Hi Tuimen,
Ok got everything back. So I'm able to control thg he devices through the bridge but not Alexa. I'm either missing something or a compatibility issue. Running 5.3 bridge.
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Try removing all the X10 devices in the Alexa app and then tell Alexa to "Discover devices" again.
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hi Brobin
I did do that, is there something in the bridge that I need to activate ?
thxs
Mike
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Did Alexa discover the devices ok?
I replaced Alex10 about 9 months ago with the PiAlexaHub (for awhile) so I'll try to remember what I can.
-Make sure the port number for HABridge is entered correctly in Alex10;
-Make sure you have an updated version of Java running;
-Make sure you've made all the HABridge entries through Alex10 setup.
-Make sure the X10 devices only appear one time in the Alexa app. If they appear more than once delete all and rediscover.
Reboot the PC and start Alex10 again.
Hope this helps.
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hi Brobin
i checked everything you stated, but alexa tells me check network connection and power supply when I ask her to turn on an x10 light, was working up to this morning when my computer crashed.. I rediscovered all devices thru alexa again, checked port etc. thxs
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Are you using port 80 for Alex10/HABridge? Does anything else use port 80? if you're using port 80 try another port like 8080 or 9999.
Did you reboot the PC? That can make a difference.
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HA-Bridge and thus Alex10 can now only use port 80 for Alexa to work, using another port will not work.
I now use a PI for my Alexa and Google Home voice assistants.
I run the PiX10Hub on a $5 raspberry pi (now $12). this does all my automation and voice control
using HomeGenie and HA-Bridge
I created an Alexa Hub image for use in a PI for those that just wanted Voice control (no automation)
This uses HA-Bridge and mochad. It like the PiX10Hub was created for easy integration Of Alexa into a X10 system. However I believe the PiX10Hub is now even easier to setup for Alexa due to improvements in HA-Bridge
>!
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Hi Tuicemen
I was able to get all the devices to be discovered by Alexa, only issue now is i give alexa a command.
Alexa executes and confirms but nothing turns on? Ideas? Yes using port 80
Thxs for your help,
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In the Alexa app you need to forget (remove) each device one at a time. Forget all doesn't work correctly once you have all devices in Alexa stop HA-Bridge and run a discover devices. Alexa shouldn't find any x10 devices. if it does remove the device. and attempt a discover again. once no X10 devices are found start up HA-Bridge and run a discovery again. this time all devices should be seen and be able to be controlled.
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Hi Tuicemen
I did I removed all the devices from my android phone, stopped bridge. But used ha bridge/ echo dot to find devices. Found them but now Alexa is no thg see I'll ng them. Should I do a verbal find devices vs doingmot on yh ed bridge? Thxs again very frustrating! Greatly appreciate your help!!!
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In the Alexa app if no devices are being discovered and HA-Bridge with devices configured is running on port 80 then you most likely have a firewall rule that needs to be addressed.
stop HA-Bridge then go into the Windows firewall rules and remove all java rules, old ones can interfere with new ones. Once all are remove start HA-Bridge, Windows should detect the java application and ask if you wish to allow it click yes.
>!
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Hi Tuicemen
Getting closer, so I followed your instructions loaded everything up, Alexa recognized all my 45 devices. I ask Alexa to execute she said ok. But nothing happens? What am I missing? What's not working? Thanks for all your help. I
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Can you turn on/off a device from HA-Bridge now?
Did you reboot?
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Thxs Tuiceman and Brobin back up in running. It took a couple of days for the devices to recycle but everything is up and running. Once in awhile I have to same commands twice to get them to activate. But happy everything I'd back on line. Greatly appreciate all your help guys!
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Glad to hear it! :)%
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Good morning
Ok so Java has an update should I leave the OP old version. Again I'm experiencing no new devices being found?
Thxs
Mike
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You should always keep Java update for security reasons.
However I'd recommend you pick up a inexpensive $10 pi ZeroW and use it for Alexa. This may take a few hours to setup but at least you won't be constantly having to play with it unless you wish to.
My Alexa has been running steady problem free since last HA-Bridge update.
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Hi Tuicemen
What does it take to switch over to Pi, hardware wise, software ? So no pc to run? What are the drawbacks if any?
Thxs
Mike
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You need a PC to initialy create A SD card image however you can order a SD card with the OS already installed. So hard ware required is:
1:A x10 interface Cm11, cm15, cm19 (you already have one)
2:A pi board any version will do I recommend the ZeroW as it is a small board and can be put in almost any case( even a x10 door window sensor case) it also has Wifi and BT built in.
3: A 5 volt 2.5 amp power supply I recommend the official pi power supply not a Phone charger though that will work in a pinch. I use the USB ports on my UPS so a power outage doesn't shut down the pi.
4: a mini SD card of at least 4 gig capacity. You may already have a few laying arround to play with.
5: (optional) a case for the pi model you get.
6: depending on model of pi youll need a USB addaptor (the zero boards only have a mini usb port.
You can get pi kits which include every thing in one package. Several users have gone that route.
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You can get pi kits which include every thing in one package. Several users have gone that route.
For $27 you can get everything but the SD card in one package at: https://amzn.to/372lzY3
You might have an old 4GB card lying around from an old phone but you can use larger. The benefit to a 4GB is that it's faster to copy an image for backup.
The image and instructions are at: http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=1332.0
If it's your first time playing with a Pi give yourself some time but the instructions are very clear & step-by-step.
The PiAlexaHub is very reliable and needs no attention once you've set it up. I've mentioned the Smartenit Harmony P2 which is "plug 'n play" and does even more but, since you're familiar with HA-Bridge, I think you'll be very very happy with the Pi solution.
If you do this - or any other solution to replace Alex10 - be sure to delete all the X10 devices and routines from the Alexa app and discover devices fresh with the new hub.
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Hi Tuicemen/ Brobin
Seems pretty much a no brainer,will in be able to control Slexa and myx10 devices remotely through my phone, table TV etc?
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If you could do it with Alex10 you can do it with the Pi. The Pi is basically a replacement for the PC. The one big difference is that with Alex10 you have Mr.T's nice Windows program to manage your devices as a front-end so you don't have to work directly with HA Bridge. With the Pi you'll be working directly with HA-Bridge.
If you want to have an app to control things from anywhere then you're looking at the P2 solution. That was one of the reasons I moved to the P2, I wanted easier control from an app while out & about than my Stargate's web portal offered.
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You'll be able to control Alexa through anything you can now.
Depending on what you want to do & what you put on the pi (software wise) you may be able to do so much more.
I've mounted a zero W board into several CM15As now. These all run the PiX10Hub image (includes HomeGenie and HA-Bridge) I have one at my off grid place and one at my city place these do everything AHP did plus so much more. I can access every thing with anything that has a browser.
HomeGenie has a free Android app and a $5 version. I've used both, the $5 version is well worth the price.
The one big difference is that with Alex10 you have Mr.T's nice Windows program to manage your devices as a front-end so you don't have to work directly with HA Bridge. With the Pi you'll be working directly with HA-Bridge.
Actually HA-Bridge now has a HomeGenie helper which integrates HomeGenie devices directly into HA-Bridge with simple mouse clicks.
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Understood... I thought he was looking at the non-HG 'PiAlexaHub' version to work with his existing controller.
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I'm not sure Mike has committed to any route yet.
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I get the impression, perhaps mistakenly, that mike1 is looking for a very simple to implement replacement for Alex10 to maintain Alexa control with whatever he's using.
To clarify for mike1, there's the Pi route where there are two excellent options; the basic PiAlexaHub which simply replaces the Alex10 program and the PiX10Hub which is the HomeGenie program with HA-Bridge integration that can replace your current controller.
The other option mentioned is the Smartenit P2 which is an off-the-shelf product.
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You might have an old 4GB card lying around from an old phone but you can use larger. The benefit to a 4GB is that it's faster to copy an image for backup.
That setup is fairly complete and if you use all the components it's a fair price. I can't find the card alone for much less though it's list price is $10. Just be aware the Zero is fairly low powered compared to the RPi3 or RPi4. If you are just doing HG, it will work fine but I would recommend the full board unless size is crucial.
Also, if you backup to a PC then 4GB is faster to perform the backup and will take up less space. However, if you use RPiClone to duplicate the card contents to another device (anything connected to the RPi but I recommend another microSD for easy swap), then it doesn't take long at all and only duplicates used space rather than storing the empty partitioned space.
https://github.com/billw2/rpi-clone
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Hi Tuicemen,
I hope your doing well, here I am again, Alex10 won't load, everything was working pretty nicely. Not sure what happened, something changed. But Alex 10 won't load and doesnt load the Ha-bridge.
Unfortunately I have a demanding job, only have a few hours on the weekend to fuss with this. Just like to be able to control my devices remotely from work and when I get home. So I want to commit to something quick and easy and that will work for the forseen future. I currently run about 35 or more x10 devices that I control thru Alexa makes my life easier. So he we are at a cross roads. thanks again and Brobin for all your help !!! greatly appreciated !!!
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These are the two easy alternatives I recommend: The PiAlexaHub if you don't mind setting up a Raspberry Pi or the Smartenit Harmony P2. I've used both.
The PiAlexaHub runs HAB without the Alex10 interface but if you're already comfortable with HAB that's not a problem.
The Smartenit Harmony P2 uses an app and has an Alexa skill and, as a consumer product, is the most "quick and easy" solution. From out of the box to Alexa control in under 30 minutes. That's what I've used now for almost a year. Additionally, it gives you app control of all your devices as well as scheduling so you don't have to use AHP if you don't want to. The P2 updates automatically to remain compatible with any Alexa changes. The Smartenit P2 and 2412U PLM bundle is $75 at https://smartenit.com/product/harmony-p2/
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Hi Brobin
Thanks I think the Harmony P2 is the way to go . So do i still use the cm15a? Also will i be able to control light brightness via Alexa voice etc. Any limitations?
Thxs again
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Yes, dimming is supported for both Alexa & Google Home. The only limitation is if you have any X10 devices that need extended codes for dimming.
You do not need the CM15a with the P2. You do need the 2412U PLM that you'll find under "choose an option." If you're running schedules with the CM15a you can continue to do so or run schedules from the P2 if you want. I have two like-new CM15a's if anyone needs them :'
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I've been using the PiX10Hub ($5 pi zero w+cm15) solution with a now for a while. It takes about 1/2 hour to setup (depending on internet connecton) provides everythinh AHP did plus Alexa and so much more. However brobin's solution may be best suited for what you want.
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Thxs so dimming is possible with x10? Like I stated previously I have over 35 to 40 x10 devices too expensive to replace. So your solution should work for me.
By the way it was a bridge corruption I put everything back except back to not finding devices this gets very frustrating!!!
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I don't do any dimming myself but according to the engineer I emailed at Smartenit, the answer is yes on dimming with Alexa.
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The big issue is windows updates this messes with the windows defender java permission settings and HA-Bridge. I've never had a issue using a pi or linux and HA-Bridge.
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Thxs guys I'm going to look into using Harmony. For now let me see if I can get java to work for now.
Best.
Mike
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I think you'll be happy with that decision. Always ready to answer any questions.