X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ivy-Cat on December 29, 2011, 09:45:54 AM

Title: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Ivy-Cat on December 29, 2011, 09:45:54 AM

Hello All,
 1.  I was involved with X10 several years ago and had lightning wipe out some items, and I gave it all up.  Well, I had another use so I purchased the FireCracker serial unit and the RF Transceiver TM751.  Installed the CM17A on an older desktop at home for testing.  The CM17A software was installed and com port 1 was used.  Everything worked OK.  Took the units to the office and did the same install.  Problem I found was it installed on com port 2 and that is the only port there when you click the down arrow in the setup file.  It will not work on com 2.  Cannot get it to any other port.  Any ideas what could be wrong with this unit?

2.  Will the USB version of the FireCracker operate the TM751?  If so, I may get one of them and use it.

Thanks,
I.C.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Tuicemen on December 29, 2011, 10:17:56 AM

Yes the USB firecracker (CM19A) will controll the TM751!

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Noam on December 29, 2011, 01:02:20 PM

What version of Windows was on each of the PCs?
I don't think the serial Firecracker software worked past Windows XP.

It may also be possible that the serial port on the second PC is not set up correctly.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Ivy-Cat on December 29, 2011, 02:25:29 PM

Quote from: Tuicemen on December 29, 2011, 10:17:56 AM

Yes the USB firecracker (CM19A) will controll the TM751!

Thanks, I may just order one of those.
I.C.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Ivy-Cat on December 29, 2011, 02:28:14 PM

Quote from: Noam on December 29, 2011, 01:02:20 PM

What version of Windows was on each of the PCs?
I don't think the serial Firecracker software worked past Windows XP.

It may also be possible that the serial port on the second PC is not set up correctly.

They were both XP home.
Well, in device manager it stated it was enabled and working.  I will look more into that.
Thanks.
I.C.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: luke03 on December 29, 2011, 03:55:23 PM

Com1 most time is 9pin D-sub connector on PC. Do you have com2 also on 9pin D-sub?  If not, make sure your have the com2 ribbon cable wired correctly. There are two different ways to connect the 10 pin header from motherboard to 9 pin D-sub connector. You have to make sure your motherboard wiring matching the com2 cable.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Ivy-Cat on December 29, 2011, 11:05:01 PM

Quote from: luke03 on December 29, 2011, 03:55:23 PM

Com1 most time is 9pin D-sub connector on PC. Do you have com2 also on 9pin D-sub?  If not, make sure your have the com2 ribbon cable wired correctly. There are two different ways to connect the 10 pin header from motherboard to 9 pin D-sub connector. You have to make sure your motherboard wiring matching the com2 cable.

This was not on a home built machine that could have wires in the wrong places.  It is on an old IBM Netvista.  I would think they would have wired it correctly.
I.C.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Brian H on December 30, 2011, 06:16:21 AM

I have seen my old IBM LapTop take a Com Port for its IR interface.
It could be your Com1 is allocated for something and the Com2 Port was a header on the motherboard. Not brought to the outside world.

Title: Re: FireCracker Port problem
Post by: Ivy-Cat on December 31, 2011, 04:59:39 PM

Well, that would be a good reason for it not working.
I.C.