X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: dwc on October 22, 2008, 12:08:15 PM
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I am having a problem with X10nets.exe. When the computer starts and windows is loaded the computer runs very slow. Programs take a long time to load (5+min). Windows task manager show the CPU at 100%. X10nets.exe is at 99% and stays there. If I end X10nets.exe process the CPU Returns to normal and all programs operate normal. I have checked X10nets.exe for virus and it's clean. The date of the file is 11/12/2001. This just started about 5 days ago.
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It's X10Nets.exe and it loads with Windows to transmit module status to AHP. If you reboot the PC and open AHP, you will see modules you know are on as off.
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Why is it sucking down my CPU.
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Could be you don't have enough RAM. :(
I don't have any problem (WindowsXP) with it.
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2.2G processor, 1G ram. AHP ran ok since 2003 until 5 days ago when computer slowed way down. Why is X10nets.exe using 99% of processor resourses all of a sudden?
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Because 1GB of RAM may not be enough. What else loads with Windows?
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I am having a problem with X10nets.exe. When the computer starts and windows is loaded the computer runs very slow. Programs take a long time to load (5+min). Windows task manager show the CPU at 100%. X10nets.exe is at 99% and stays there. If I end X10nets.exe process the CPU Returns to normal and all programs operate normal. I have checked X10nets.exe for virus and it's clean. The date of the file is 11/12/2001. This just started about 5 days ago.
Whoa! I haven't heard of that sort of problem with X10nets.exe since about version 3.185 first came out!
Mine (in Program Files\Common Files\X10\Common) is version 1.0.0.1 dated 11/12/2001.
Does it exhibit the same behaviour if you start the computer without the CM15A connected?
As with any "It used to work, now it doesn't" situation, the key is figuring out what changed. At least you have some idea when the problem started, that should help.
Did you add, upgrade or remove any hardware or software (to include Windows updates) about that time?
Did you change any setup in AHP (add or remove modules; add, change, delete macros, etc.)?
Have you tried using Windows "System Restore" to go back to an earlier date (you can always undo it if it doesn't help)?
That's all I can think to suggest at the moment.
Good luck and keep us posted!
>!
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I have run registry booster 2 multiple times.
Uninstalled Windows updates installed just before the problem started.
Uninstalled AHP
Defraged all drives using Smart Defrag.
System runs normal. No problems. All other programs run fine.
System restore doesn't go back far enough.
Reinstalled AHP, X10nets.exe takes over processor and keeps it at 99%, no other programs will run.
Uninstalled AHP system returns to normal.
x10nets.exe takes over at windows start-up even with no programs selected to start at windows start up. Doesn't matter if interface is connected or not.
At a loss
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My guess: it's the PC itself. If you have a good PC service shop in your area, take it to there. To me it sounds like a problem within the CPU itself.
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Why only AHP?
With AHP removed system runs fine. Even Auto Cad runs good. Could there be a problem with SP 3?
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Why only AHP?
With AHP removed system runs fine. Even Auto Cad runs good. Could there be a problem with SP 3?
You still have some kind of PC problem. I have XP SP3 and AHP 3.228 and X10nets.exe does not hog the CPU
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I have run registry booster 2 multiple times.
Uninstalled Windows updates installed just before the problem started.
Uninstalled AHP
Defraged all drives using Smart Defrag.
System runs normal. No problems. All other programs run fine.
System restore doesn't go back far enough.
Reinstalled AHP, X10nets.exe takes over processor and keeps it at 99%, no other programs will run.
Uninstalled AHP system returns to normal.
x10nets.exe takes over at windows start-up even with no programs selected to start at windows start up. Doesn't matter if interface is connected or not.
At a loss
Did you ever get around to trying re-booting with the CM15A disconnected from the computer?
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Another AHP user who suddenly experienced high CPU usage by x10nets.exe about four or five days ago. AHP has been on the PC for three or four years - without this problem. Something set x10nets off. I disabled it in services at this point.
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Did you notice that AHP no longer shows module status with X10Nets.exe not running? It's what sends module status to AHP. I've never experienced X10Nets.exe ever hogging the CPU ever.
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Another AHP user who suddenly experienced high CPU usage by x10nets.exe about four or five days ago. AHP has been on the PC for three or four years - without this problem. Something set x10nets off. I disabled it in services at this point.
The fact that it happened to two of you at the exact same time might indicate a software conflict that resulted from an automatic update you both received.
* What Anti-virus software/ Internet security are each of you running (name and version)?
* Do you have windows update set to automatic?
* What other programs load automatically at boot that also auto-update?
* What "updating software" messages do you remember seeing just before the problem started?
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Yes, AHP no longer detects the module without x10nets.exe running. Had disabled it in Services; just set to automatic, restarted, access AHP, changed back to disabled until I figure this out.
Antivirus: Nod32 version 3.0.669.0; signature updates daily.
Windows update to notify only.
Latest Microsoft updates on11/11/2008: KB951535, 954430, 954459, 955069, 957097.
No auto-update programs that load at boot.
Just the Microsoft updates above.
On 11/6/08 updated Hauppauge drivers for HVR-1600.
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Betcha it's the antivirus program that's the culprit. Try disabling it and re-enable X10nets.exe and see if you still get the CPU overload. If you don't, get a different antivirus program
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Yes, AHP no longer detects the module without x10nets.exe running. Had disabled it in Services; just set to automatic, restarted, access AHP, changed back to disabled until I figure this out.
Antivirus: Nod32 version 3.0.669.0; signature updates daily.
Windows update to notify only.
Latest Microsoft updates on11/11/2008: KB951535, 954430, 954459, 955069, 957097.
No auto-update programs that load at boot.
Just the Microsoft updates above.
On 11/6/08 updated Hauppauge drivers for HVR-1600.
Just for grins, disable Nod32, reboot (without Nod loading) and see if the cures it... There's a SW conflict somewhere and selectively disabling everything that autostarts will help you find it. Also check ESET's site and see if there are any recently posted issues with an updated they snuck through the update process (as far as I know, they all "sneak" app changes through their signature updating routines).
PS - I'm assuming the problem started long after the MSFT updates correct? If it was around the same time, you might try uninstalling those updates and see if that solves it (you can always reinstall them later).
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I got the same problem in the last few days. My PC slows to a crawl and x10nets.exe is using nearly 100% cpu. If I open 'Services' x10 service says it is starting up and I can't stop it. If I set the service to start up Manualy then restart, it starts by itself, but never gets to 'started'. I can disable the service and it won't start next time I reboot, but my Outlook won't receive email, but it will send email.
I remember installing x10 a while back to try to use a ATI Remote Wonder remote control, but I no longer use it. Is x10 also part of windows?
Where can I download and install the latest x10 service?
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Ken
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X10 is not part of Windows, it's built to run under Windows. AHP is what most Windows users use to control their X10 systems. As to X10nets.exe using 100% of the CPU, as has been noted in this thread, it's usually some other program that is the culprit. Let us know what other programs you have load with Windows.
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A lot of things load at startup on my PC, what sorts of things should I look for?
I can't think of anything that has changed recently, except perhaps a Windows update. I'll revert the updates one at a time and see if the problem changes.
I have never installed AHP, but used to use a ATI Remote Wonder that installed X10 as I recall. I am running Vista 32.
When I went through Control Panel / Programs and Features and uninstalled X10, it did not uninstall the x10 service or drivers: x10Hid or XUIF. Should it?
Again, the X10 service is stuck on "Starting" and never gets to "Started".
Any idea why if I stop the x10 service it would affect Outlook's ability to get my email messages?
Thanks,
Ken
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A lot of things load at startup on my PC, what sorts of things should I look for?
I can't think of anything that has changed recently, except perhaps a Windows update. I'll revert the updates one at a time and see if the problem changes.
I have never installed AHP, but used to use a ATI Remote Wonder that installed X10 as I recall. I am running Vista 32.
When I went through Control Panel / Programs and Features and uninstalled X10, it did not uninstall the x10 service or drivers: x10Hid or XUIF. Should it?
Again, the X10 service is stuck on "Starting" and never gets to "Started".
Any idea why if I stop the x10 service it would affect Outlook's ability to get my email messages?
Thanks,
Ken
I have no idea. X10 has no affect on Outlook or Microsoft Office. I'm beginning to feel you should back up any programs you absolutely need and reformat your Hard Drive and reinstall Vista. Something is very corrupt in your PC. A Google Search for ATI Remote Wonder yield no references to X10. What X10 devices do you currently have?
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Thanks for your suggestions.
I uninstalled ATI Remote Wonder drivers and the x10 service and its drivers went with it, so my problem is solved. I recall needing to install x10 to get my Remote Wonder to work. If I ever want to use my Remote Wonder again, I'll see how it goes.
This does not solve the mystery of why the x10nets.exe started hogging the CPU all of a sudden a couple weeks ago. The original poster in this thread, DWC, and another poster, skloter, also had this problem all starting within the last month. Most curious. Again, the only thing I can think of that changed is a Windows update. Is everyone using Vista like me?
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I'm having the very same problem - it started this morning (11/28/08). It took me several hours to determine what was going on. Everything locks up after X10nets.exe tries to start, even boot processes - can't run Firefox or much of anything else. Now I'm a windows programmer and I know that taking the sledge hammer approach by reformatting my HD and reinstalling is total bull.
I know that I didn't have this problem on 11/27/08, so I tried rolling back my system to 11/25/08 and this didn't fix the problem. I also tried booting with the USB cable to my CM15A disconnected.
After I stop X10nets.exe with the Task Manager, everything works normally as it should except that AHP will not run. It tries to start X10nets.exe, which in turn hogs all of my CPU resources and never starts up completely.
I set X10nets.exe to start manually in services and this solves the boot problem, however until this issue is resolved, I can't run AHP!
Since there are a least three of us who have experienced this same problem in the same time frame, there has to be something going on with X10nets.exe.
Is there a way to reinstall X10nets.exe?
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Same set of problems here. X10nets.exe hogs the system resources. Started at about the same time as everyone else. No recent updates made to XP Home Media edition. Any more thoughts about the source of the problem and its solution?
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very new on trying x10, but got esactly the same problem... on a clean PC....
suddnly after 2 days use.. it f*** up my CPU.. 100% ...
tryed to uninstall, re-install etc etc... NO luck....
Now I cant use X10net...
I had to find another X10 software, witch working 95% cpu power less.. *SSS*
I guess tha author of Activehome sould fix this bug...
Greetings Eddie
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EVERYBODY that is having trouble with X10nets.exe, it's ALWAYS some other program that is causing it.
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I'm all of a sudden having the same problem on Dec 6th...I've had activehome pro on this PC since the beginning in 2004...I do NOT leave the CM15a hooked up to the PC .
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Now I'm a windows programmer and I know that taking the sledge hammer approach by reformatting my HD and reinstalling is total bull.
Thanks for stating that! It will solve nothing most of the time! ::) :'
The best thing to do in order to root out the problem is:
Run MSCONFIG
Stop all none Windows services and programs that start on boot up except X10nets.
Reboot and see if the same issue occurs! That will tell you if it is a windows service that is interfering or another program!
If it works slowly enable start up and services one at a time with MSCONFIG until you find the offender!
If your worried about viruses, unplug your internet connection while your doing this!
>!
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I have cured the problem. All the doomsday soothsayers touting computer problems were all wet. Testing of processor and memory revealed no problems. Backed up what was important, Formated hard drive. Re installed Windows XP with service pack 3 and all is well.
The first program I reinstalled was AHP and I checked the services each time I reinstalled a program. The system is running fine now. I think that the problem was with a Windows update which might have had a conflict with other previously installed updated. BTW My MS Outlook had stopped working also, my contact list took a trip to the far reaches of Cyberspace and still has not returned.
After all the diagnostic analysis the cause is still unknown. I will keep a close eye out for any changes to my system.
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anyone tried uninstalling and re-installing AHP to fix this problem? Seems a bit simpler than reinstalling Windows...
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Read what dwc posted. That's exactly what he did. That may work for him and you, others may have to do what Tuicemen suggested or use the "atomic bomb" of computer problems and reformat the hard drive. Microsoft was been putting out some buggy updates for XP lately. The last one makes screen savers go wonky and refuse to end when you move the mouse. The prior one made Outlook make false messages tha it can't find the mail server.
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UNless I am confused, DWC says he wiped his hard drive clean, re-installed windows, and then re-installed AHP. I want to know if anyone has just deleted and re-installed AHP
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Sorry.
He had no idea what what was causing the problem with x10nets.exe hogging the CPU, so reformat, reload XP and AHP was the only solution. Now that AHP is working and x10nets.exe behaving, He should re-install his other programs one at a time until he finds the problem. If it's Microsoft's patches, he should disable Automatic Updates and be very selective which patches he wants only. The last two, BTW are very buggy.
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I did the un-install/re-install bit with AHP and had no success. I have been in touch with X10, and they are looking at a variety of things. The last communication that I had with them was about three days ago. Hopefully they will have some words of wisdom very soon.
In the mean time, I am making contingency plans for having to use something other than AHP--and, for that matter, X10. Has anyone here had any experience with Insteon? Supposedly, the Insteon controllers can operate X10 devices. I'm thinking of the option of moving to Insteon and using my existing X10 devices. Then, as I need to upgrade/replace the X10 devices, I would switch to the Insteon equivalents. Thoughts?
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wister you will find all protocols have a issue of some sort! it is a matter of if you can find a work around that suits your setup!
check out some of the other forums!
Try Smarthome (http://www.techmall.com/default.asp) but probably the best for true unbiased Insteon info would be Access HomeAutomation (http://www.accessha.com/forums/index.php?) ;)
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Any updates on the problem :' or are we just >*<
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I'm unhappy...I've had AHP since about day 1 in 2004...I don't make many changes these days, but my CM15A starts acting real funny every couple months, so I clear the memory and reload...but I can't due to this annoying x10nets problem! As I'm not prepared to flatten and reload my hard drive, my one possible solution is to load AHP on a different computer...So, how do I got the software and whatever activation codes? and, that PC is far from teh outlet that seems to work well, so if I unplug and move the AHP, will it really retain memory, and for that matter, does it need to be plugged into an outlet when downloading from a PC?
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So the solution is to reload windows and cancel updates ???
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I had the same issue at about the same time as the others. I did all the newest update of windows and then still had the issue, so I solved it by changing the "Log on as" part of the X10 Device Network Service (X10nets.exe) in services.
1. Press ctrl-alt-delete, find and select "x10nets.exe" in the process tab, and click the "end process" button. If you can't find it, skip this step. You can then close the "Windows task manager" window.
2. Go to start RUN
3.Type "services.msc" in the run dialog and hit enter
4. Find the x10 device network service, (should be all the way to the bottom in alphabetical order.)
5. Right click on the "x10 device network service" and click properties.
6. in the "log on tab" click the "This account" selection bullet and click browse.
7. in the select user box, click advanced.
8. Click the find now button without doing anything else in the advanced "select user" window that just opened.
9. Select Administrator in the name (RDN) column of the list and click OK EDIT** You can use any user you want**
10. Click Ok once more in the other windows where administrator appeared in the "Enter the object name to select" box
EDIT****
Thanks Wister for this input, I added it here so that "the fix" is complete here!. There is a thing to know about the password, here is the quoted post from Wister.
Quote " The "trick" to this had to do with the password noted in step 11 of the original "fix" posting. I did not have passwords for any of the accounts on the system, since it was always used by trusted users. I went back and created a password for my account and used that account and password in steps 9 through 11. After that all way well.
I hope this helps clarify things for others who may have tried the "fix" without success."
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11. Put a password and confirm it in the password and confirm password box.
12. click ok .
13. back in the servies window, right click the x10 device network service service in the list and click start. The service status should change to started quickly and the log on as column should read .\administrator.
14. Start Active home pro. it should start fine, mine did.
Try it out and tell me if it works for you, I know it worked for me!
EB :)%
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Appears to solve the problem!
How in the heck did you figure that one out????
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I'll have to try "the fix" tomorrow. I got tired of waiting for a response from X10 tech support, so i dragged out my 6 year old desktop that has been in mothballs for about two years. It hasn't had any updates since before SP2 came out for XP. I was successful in getting AHP loaded and working. So, I'm at least back in business for the time being. Maybe "the fix" will allow me to put the system back into mothballs...
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jimbike
A very Helpful first Post #:)
I'm sure others will find this info helpful!
>!
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Appears to solve the problem!
How in the heck did you figure that one out????
I noticed that I could start the X10nets.exe service under my user name, but when it was started by the system it was hanging. Therefore, I told windows that this service would now be available not from the system but from a user. Should also work for any other log on user that you put in as long as this user is available when you try to start Active Home.
Also this service relies on an other Windows system service called RPC (i believe), so what I would like to know is what the heck happened for my system and active home software with 4-5+ years running flawlessly (almost) to start hanging like that. I am usually very careful with updates, something must have changed a month or so ago... But what, if anyone can figure this out, my hat goes off to him (or her).
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9. Select Administrator in the name (RDN) column of the list and click OK
10. Click Ok once more in the other windows where administrator appeared in the "Enter the object name to select" box
11. Put a password and confirm it in the password and confirm password box.
12. click ok .
13. back in the servies window, right click the x10 device network service service in the list and click start. The service status should change to started quickly and the log on as column should read .\administrator.
I tried the instructions exactly as posted.
At step 13 I got an error message indicating that X10nets could not start. As a result, AHP did not start.
Any further suggestions/hints?
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9. Select Administrator in the name (RDN) column of the list and click OK
10. Click Ok once more in the other windows where administrator appeared in the "Enter the object name to select" box
11. Put a password and confirm it in the password and confirm password box.
12. click ok .
13. back in the servies window, right click the x10 device network service service in the list and click start. The service status should change to started quickly and the log on as column should read .\administrator.
I tried the instructions exactly as posted.
At step 13 I got an error message indicating that X10nets could not start. As a result, AHP did not start.
Any further suggestions/hints?
If you open the X10 Device Network Service properties again and go in the log on as tab, is the selection bullet still on this account? Also, when you try to start X10nets in services, or you try to start AHP, in the windows task manager process tab (ctrl-alt-delete) the x10nets.exe process tries to start as administrator or system?
One more thing I found out, is that if you restart the RPC process Locator, in serviices, then you will be able to start the x10nets.exe process in services under system.
So, you could try this,
go in run: services.msc then go to x10 ndevice network properties and put the service in manual, not automatic, and in the log on tab, use "local system account".
Restart your computer.
then once the computer reboots, go in run: services.msc, and start or restart "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator" process.
then go back down to x10 device network and start it, it should start quickly.
Of course using this method, you will have to go back to start or restart the RPC Locator process everytime you reboot your computer, but at least it may get you in AHP.
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OK, I'm good to go now.
The "trick" to this had to do with the password noted in step 11 of the original "fix" posting. I did not have passwords for any of the accounts on the system, since it was always used by trusted users. I went back and created a password for my account and used that account and password in steps 9 through 11. After that all way well.
I hope this helps clarify things for others who may have tried the "fix" without success.
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I had the same issue at about the same time as the others. I did all the newest update of windows and then still had the issue, so I solved it by changing the "Log on as" part of the X10 Device Network Service (X10nets.exe) in services.
1. Press ctrl-alt-delete, find and select "x10nets.exe" in the process tab, and click the "end process" button. If you can't find it, skip this step. You can then close the "Windows task manager" window.
2. Go to start RUN
3.Type "services.msc" in the run dialog and hit enter
4. Find the x10 device network service, (should be all the way to the bottom in alphabetical order.)
5. Right click on the "x10 device network service" and click properties.
6. in the "log on tab" click the "This account" selection bullet and click browse.
7. in the select user box, click advanced.
8. Click the find now button without doing anything else in the advanced "select user" window that just opened.
9. Select Administrator in the name (RDN) column of the list and click OK EDIT** You can use any user you want**
10. Click Ok once more in the other windows where administrator appeared in the "Enter the object name to select" box
EDIT****
Thanks Wister for this input, I added it here so that "the fix" is complete here!. There is a thing to know about the password, here is the quoted post from Wister.
Quote " The "trick" to this had to do with the password noted in step 11 of the original "fix" posting. I did not have passwords for any of the accounts on the system, since it was always used by trusted users. I went back and created a password for my account and used that account and password in steps 9 through 11. After that all way well.
I hope this helps clarify things for others who may have tried the "fix" without success."
****
11. Put a password and confirm it in the password and confirm password box.
12. click ok .
13. back in the servies window, right click the x10 device network service service in the list and click start. The service status should change to started quickly and the log on as column should read .\administrator.
14. Start Active home pro. it should start fine, mine did.
Try it out and tell me if it works for you, I know it worked for me!
EB :)%
This worked for me! Thanks!
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I had the same issue at about the same time as the others. I did all the newest update of windows and then still had the issue, so I solved it by changing the "Log on as" part of the X10 Device Network Service (X10nets.exe) in services.
1. Press ctrl-alt-delete, find and select "x10nets.exe" in the process tab, and click the "end process" button. If you can't find it, skip this step. You can then close the "Windows task manager" window.
2. Go to start RUN
3.Type "services.msc" in the run dialog and hit enter
4. Find the x10 device network service, (should be all the way to the bottom in alphabetical order.)
5. Right click on the "x10 device network service" and click properties.
6. in the "log on tab" click the "This account" selection bullet and click browse.
7. in the select user box, click advanced.
8. Click the find now button without doing anything else in the advanced "select user" window that just opened.
9. Select Administrator in the name (RDN) column of the list and click OK EDIT** You can use any user you want**
10. Click Ok once more in the other windows where administrator appeared in the "Enter the object name to select" box
EDIT****
Thanks Wister for this input, I added it here so that "the fix" is complete here!. There is a thing to know about the password, here is the quoted post from Wister.
Quote " The "trick" to this had to do with the password noted in step 11 of the original "fix" posting. I did not have passwords for any of the accounts on the system, since it was always used by trusted users. I went back and created a password for my account and used that account and password in steps 9 through 11. After that all way well.
I hope this helps clarify things for others who may have tried the "fix" without success."
****
11. Put a password and confirm it in the password and confirm password box.
12. click ok .
13. back in the servies window, right click the x10 device network service service in the list and click start. The service status should change to started quickly and the log on as column should read .\administrator.
14. Start Active home pro. it should start fine, mine did.
Try it out and tell me if it works for you, I know it worked for me!
EB :)%
It worked It worked >! where do I send the donation for your help #:)
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to post the FIX.
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Interesting issue. I too have experienced the X10nets.exe hogging up my processor for the past couple weeks. Before reading the posts I tried reinstalling AHP s/w, cleaned out the Program Files AHP folder and Common folder, and deleted all X10 instances from the registry. Even uninstalled all Bill Gates updates from the time the issue started--forward. Nothing worked. My issue also included AHP not starting, and giving error "Can't start X10 Net Interface."
MY fix...Modify the logon info in Services.msc as mentioned above, but use the "Local Computer" as the account, and the same p/w as my PC login. Strange issue!
As asked in earlier posts, I'd like to know what changed after several years of flawless operation?
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I did not have "Local Computer" as an option so I used "Local Service" instead. All is fine now.
Win 7 64bit
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I was wrong " local service" disables refresh on activity monitor and some things on AHP. Instead I used "Network Service" everything seems to work again.
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I deleted the saved settings and everything is working like it was!!! Go here and delete all the settings files then restart
C:\ProgramData\X10 Settings
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The rampaging X10nets.exe problem happened to me after these automatic Microsoft Updates this morning:
Update for Microsoft Silverlight (KB2495644)
Installation date: ?3/?17/?2011 3:02 AM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Important
This update to Silverlight improves security, reliability, accessibility support, startup performance, enhances line-of-business support and includes several fixes to better support rich internet applications. This update is backward compatible with web applications built using previous versions of Silverlight.
More information:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=208901
Help and Support:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=105787
Update for Windows Vista (KB971029)
Installation date: ?3/?17/?2011 3:01 AM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Important
Install this update to restrict AutoRun entries in the AutoPlay dialog to only CD and DVD drives. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com
(The Vista update had failed previously)
Update for Windows Vista (KB971029)
Installation date: ?3/?15/?2011 11:37 PM
Installation status: Failed
Error details: Code 80070005
Update type: Important
Install this update to restrict AutoRun entries in the AutoPlay dialog to only CD and DVD drives. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com
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But I also had another problem at the same time with an apparently corrupted PDF file stuck on an HP printer queue. This happened to me once before (the PDF was sent from the same real estate office), and I think it is related to how Adobe Acrobat formats the file for printing (vs. the way Adobe Reader formats it, apparently much better, since it doesn't get stuck on queue if printed from Reader).
I was able to clear the queue with HP Print Diagnostic utility. Then removed Acrobat and installed Reader on my wife's laptop computer.
I have no idea if the two problems are related, but it was highly coincidental. anyway, FWIW.