X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: papapaul on February 17, 2010, 07:04:05 PM
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Active home on, usb cable through CM15A and CM15 plug in the circuit: no problems. I have full control of my 15 devices from the computer.
I clear the interface, dowload the timers, remove my USB cable and leave CM15A do it's job: nothing.
Do I need to buy another CM15?
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I presume the PC is still running. After disconnecting the CM15A, you need to reboot the PC to remove X10Nets.exe from loading, AHP uses X10Nets.exe to keep track of module status. If you are not using AHP, you don't need it. However, when the reconnect the CM15A, you need to reboot again to get X10Nets.exe reloaded.
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papapaul
Which version of AHP are you running?
What OS are you running?
When you disconnect your USB cable are you moving the CM15A to another location?
Are the CM15A batteries new?
We need more if before we can comment on Do I need to buy another CM15?
>!
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papapaul
Which version of AHP are you running?
What OS are you running?
When you disconnect your USB cable are you moving the CM15A to another location?
Are the CM15A batteries new?
We need more if before we can comment on Do I need to buy another CM15?
>!
AHP version 3.228
XP
No
No but still good
Thanks
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...and leave CM15A do it's job: nothing.
Please define "job" as it relates to what you are expecting the CM15A to do.
We could give you more guesses than you probably want. If you tell us exactly what you are trying to do that is not working, chances are we can help you find the solution a lot faster.
>!
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I expect my cm15a to boot the different timers in the circuit at the time they should go on.
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Silly things I know!
Did you remove the USB cord from the CM15A first?
Do you have the timers set to be stored in the interface(CM15A)?
The option is found in the timer advanced layout!
>!
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My words may not be clear (french speaking). My CM15 was working fine for the pas 2 years. It just not seems to take anymore the commands I deliver from mu AHP through the USB cable.
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I am having a similar problem - CM15A has been working for c. 6 years, no programming changes for at least 2 years, no change in computer setup either.
As of last week, modules turn on as expected but not off. No listing in Activity monitor for Off command.
After manually turning them off, they go on an hour or so after, nothing registered in Activity monitor.
Now, I cannot even turn the modules on or off from AHP.
Loaded latest version of AHP, reloaded CM15A, no change.
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Do you have auto updates on the operating system? pc vendor updates? antivirus? software? plug-ins?
Even though you didn't initiate any changes, your system might have something that updates behind the scenes.
Just a thought.
Do you have a restore point that you can revert to?
r,
eagle
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Thanks for the reply.
Why would updates to the OS or other software affect the operation of the CM15A, which normally runs these commands when the PC is off?
Does the CM15A get updated automatically, without my doing the transfer operation?
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You mentioned AHP not responding, that's why I made mention of auto-updates. It has been posted by others in the past that an AV update hammered their AHP. You just can't rule out anything with computers. Some things just happen unexpectedly and without reason. That's part of the fun factor. :)
Regarding the CM15A itself, please do look at the suggestions offered by others earlier in this thread and give those a shot.
r,
eagle
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Yep, this sure is fun! :'(
I am not moving the CM15A anywhere, it has always been connected to the PC with AHP installed, so the suggestions do not apply to me.
I've tried clearing the interface memory and reloading, but it's still not functioning.
Is there a way to reset the CM15A?
Does AHP use the CM15A to send non-timed commands like 'turn off all modules'?
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How about doing a pc reboot or perhaps going back to a restore point?
r,
eagle
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As of last week, modules turn on as expected but not off. No listing in Activity monitor for Off command.
After manually turning them off, they go on an hour or so after, nothing registered in Activity monitor.
Now, I cannot even turn the modules on or off from AHP.
Excepting the "they go on an hour or so after", your descrition could be noise problem, not AHP. Have you looked for a new noise source?
What kind of modules are turning back ON after being turned OFF. Are they being turned OFF by AHP timer or a remote (RF or wired?).
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Have not made any electrical changes or added any new devices, how would I check for noise?
The modules are WS12As which were always controlled AHP timer events.
Last night I turned off the computer, unplugged the CM15A from the electrical socket, removed the batteries and left it like that. This morning one of the 2 modules had switched back on. I have since disconnected the transceiver and it still went back on a few hours later.
I am totally confused now, I have eliminated the PC, the CM15A and the transceiver, what is left?
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I have eliminated the PC, the CM15A and the transceiver, what is left?
...noise...
...or a neighbor with X10.
One thing is for sure, it's not your CM15A. Start unplugging things to track the problem down, or get an X10 noise meter.
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Thanks,
If I unplugged the transceiver, wouldn't that eliminate a neighbor's X10?
I'll be pissed if it is my neighbor, I was the one who convinced him to install X10 ;D
I have started unplugging devices, this may take a while.
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Maybe you should compare House Codes so you don't both use the same ones.
Though X10 power line signals usually would have a hard time getting from one home to another. If you are both on the same power transformer. It could happen. Even more so if one had an XTB-IIR that blasts signals on to the power line.
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Maybe you should compare House Codes so you don't both use the same ones.
Though X10 power line signals usually would have a hard time getting from one home to another. If you are both on the same power transformer. It could happen. Even more so if one had an XTB-IIR that blasts signals on to the power line.
.
It sure will save a lot of unplugging. ;)
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If I unplugged the transceiver, wouldn't that eliminate a neighbor's X10?
No.
X10 modules like the Wall Switch, Lamp Module, Appliance Module, etc. (basically every X10 module that gets connected to the powerlines but does not have an antenna) receive their commands by PLC (powerline carrier). So, considering one of your problems is modules mysteriously turning ON, I bet you found your problem...ask your neighbor if they have X10 modules acting strangely. "Yeah, how did you know" will probably be the answer.
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If you both share the same utility transformer, you essentially have one combined X10 system. You either have to agree on who uses what housecodes, or at least one of you (preferably both) will have to install the PZZ01 whole-house signal block to try to isolate the two systems from each other.
Jeff
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Good idea >! Considering X10 does not do mass marketing, the odds of two houses on the same transformer at 100 to 1. I've had X10 for over 20 years and a few of my fiends got turned on about the same time, two of them live in apartments/condos and never had a problem like that.
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Thanks for all the help.
I have installed AHP on a different computer, a fairly new one I just got for travel, there's not much loaded on it.
I tested a few commands, still no luck, some will turn on but not off, others not at all.
My neighbor is away on vacation, so I will try a few different house codes to see if that works.
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Hal2000,
Yep, good idea.
For testing purposes, move up the house code up or down to see if the device connected to it works.
Set the timer in 1 min intervals so you can see how it responds.
For giggles, do you have an extra TM751? If so, plug it in halfway between the CM15A and the device. Then create a macro that is triggered on/off by the same house code. Use RF commands vs. plc and see what happens. If it responds to both on and off commands and shows up on the monitor report, then you definitely are losing signal strength at that outlet. Next step would be to start unplugging all electronics and appliances to find the signal suckers/interference generators
For this test, try it with the macro controlled by PC only and via the CM15a. If the device responds via PC and not the CM15A, then the CM15A is the one that is at fault.
Papapaul, you haven't posted your results. Did you get your system fixed?
r,
eagle
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Here's an update on my situation.
Checked with neighbors, no conflict we are all (3) using different house codes.
One of the neighbors is an electrician and told me he had problems with installing X10 at a friends house. He resolved the issue by removing all CFLs in the house, none of which were on X10 devices. He suggested I try that as well as shutting down the main power for 5 minutes to clear any residual noise. I tried it and voila, no phantom on/off sequences.
However, most of my programmed units do not go on and not all turn off at the designated time. I decided to reload my CM15A, and now get an X10 error message that the USB device is not connected, I have tried on 2 different computers w/X10 software, the unit is not being recognized. :-\
Will unplugging and removing the batteries reset the unit, or do I have to find another one?
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To get Windows to recognize the CM15A, first, unplug the usb cable from the CM15A (not the PC) and shut the PC down. Now, plug the USB cable back into the CM15A and reboot the computer. When the PC boots and Windows loads, go into the Control Panel, click on the System icon and when it opens, click on the Hardware tab. Then click on Device Manager. Drill down to Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Click on that and expand it. At the bottom. look for X10 USB Active Home (APCI-Compliant) - That's the CM15A.
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Thanks Dave, the CM15A is now recognized.
But, I still cannot control any of my devices using it. Timed events do not work, nor do direct commands. The CM15A is plugged into an electrical outlet and connected to my PC, I cannot turn devices on or off from AHP.
Also, I noticed that downloading to the CM15A sometimes takes a ridiculous amount of time (!0 minutes), other times not more than a few seconds. AHP often tells me that I have made changes (I haven't) and shows the transfer icon on the bottom.
I also tried using a UR19A remote, I can get module A7 to turn off but not on, I cannot get A8 to do either.
So again, it doesn't seem to be the CM15A, are we back to a noise problem?
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I've had the same problem (the CM15a not recognized; not being able to control anything from within AHP; taking waaay tooo long to d/l macros to CM15a, timers/macros not working, etc.) What I've had to do is unplug the CM15a from the computer and the wall, take out the batteries, and leave the CM15a sitting there for a few hours - sometimes as long as 8 hours. I usually reboot my PC, install any Windows, java, viewers, etc. updates while I'm waiting. Once the time is up, I install the batteries, plug the unit back into the wall, and connect it to the PC again.
Once it's detected and properly recognized, I start AHP, select "Clear Interface Memory", then "Download Timers and Macros".. That's it.
At first, I had to go through this process every other day. As time went by, I've had to do it once a month or even every other month. My take on it is that the CM15a simply get confused and needs a total reset. The way I can tell that it's time to do it again is by looking at the "Activity Monitor" (F2 in AHP.) I have a bunch of X10 sensors, light switches, sockets, filters, signal amplifier, two-way floodlights, and more, which means that the "Activity Monitor" has an entry every few minutes.
If the last notification is over an hour old, it's time to reset the CM15a. Sometimes, I notice that my regularly scheduled security/outside lights don't go on/off as they should. That's another clue. I think you get the point. I would give this a shot if I were you.
In your case, since you're close to other X10 traffic (your neighboors'), it's possible that all of that combined may be throwing your CM15a into that state. good luck!
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I've done that with the CM15A twice now, leaving it unplugged and w/o batteries overnight. Both times I have Cleared Interface Memory and then reloaded Timers and Macros.
I ran a new test today, unplugged the CM15A and installed a TM751. Using remote UR19A, was able to turn off the modules at address 7 & 8, but not turn them on. Tried the same test with CM15A plugged in and TM751 removed, no luck on or off.
I will try reseting the CM15A again tonight, but it seems that I have another problem since I can't turn the modules on with the transceiver either.
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Sounds like you maybe having a signal sucker or noise issue that makes the CM15A and TM751 look like they have changed.
Have you added or moved anything in the home that is electronic. Especially computers, UPS units, cell phone or device chargers.
Some new electronically controlled appliances have been reported to cause power line problems also.
If you use CFLs one maybe near end of life and now causing problems.
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I would say the same thing. The biggest signal suckers for me were my energy-efficient washer and dryer, my laser printer, my UPS, and my wine fridge. I used a plug-in 15amp AF120 filter for each and haven't had a problem with noise since. Also, note that I had to add a signal amplifier to my breaker box to ensure the signal would bypass all the filters I ended up installing - lots of the smaller 5amp filters are all over the house.
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salut papapaul
Est-tu capable de controler tes modules à partir de AHP directement ou via une télécommande ?
Si tu vérifies dans activity monitor et que t`as pas les off, c`est surement pas un problème de bruit, le bruit empêche pas la transmission des commandes, d`autant plus que tes modules allument tous.
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hello papapaul Are you able to directly control your modules starting from AHP or via a remote control? If you check in activity monitor and that T `ace not off, C `is surely not a problem of noise, the noise does not prevent the transmission of the orders, D `as much more than your modules light all.
You have to set the house address (the letter) you want transceived. In "tools" then "Hardware Configuration". There is always a chance of a noise problem. But most likely transmission problems will be "phase issues".
Translation by http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt
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Thanks to all who have responded with help and suggestions. :)%
I finally tracked down my problem, a seldom used cable box had burnt out, but was still 'on'. Once that was disconnected all returned to normal. Now I'm wondering if I should be brave and reinstall the CFLs that I removed.
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SO, same issues here after 5+ hours it stops working. IDEAS?
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SO, same issues here after 5+ hours it stops working. IDEAS?
Have you checked you history/activity report (trying to remember the correct name/term). There might be a clue there.
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SO, same issues here after 5+ hours it stops working. IDEAS?
Have you checked you history/activity report (trying to remember the correct name/term). There might be a clue there.
I don't think I can do that, as I don't have the Active home software installed, i think what i have may use a few drivers from it though. I'll paste my other reply here:
I've had a cm15a for probably 7 years and use it with an Iphone app called x10 commander, by melloware. This lets you use an iphone to control your devices with the cm15a plugged into your computer.
This has worked out great for years, 7 years. Now, every few hours it stops working and commands don't work, unless I unplug the cm15a out of the outlet and wait a bit and try it again. When I do that, all the commands that I tried to use from the iphone will happen afterwards (like it stored the command I pressed on the iphone in memory somehow, which then makes a lot of stuff turn off and on later) It's gotten worse over time and didn't just instantly start doing this. But now I can only go 3-4 hours before it stops doing the commands. Ideas?
I was going to get a new cm15a but after reading a few posts, it seems that may not fix it.
All I need installed for this to work was the host app, x-10 commander, on the pc, and the x-10 commander app on the iphone, which works over 3g or wifi. In task manager the only things I see are: X10commander.exe and X10nets.exe
Any advice is welcome as this is driving me insane. THe app also have it's on log file, but it doesn't show any errors for this type of problem it seems.
Also, I don't use the active home software, I don't need it with this, but I think there are files installed in the background of course to make my setup work.
I recently installed this yesterday, but it didn't fix the issue. The below is from one of the authors of x10 commander that was trying to hekp me also. "Jackie install this http://melloware.biz/download/warez/ahsdk_install.exe
The above install, installs the latest Active HOME and DLL drivers. You can
see from the X10 Commander log you sent me here is the version of the
DLL you are running right now.
12/15/2018 4:26:50 PM [ INFO] INIT X10 COM Object found and being loaded
12/15/2018 4:26:50 PM [ INFO] INIT X10 COM v313
12/15/2018 4:26:50 PM [ INFO] INIT X10 DLL v3.0.0.313 "
I have also found if I unplug the cm15a for 10 sec (no batteries in it) then re-plug back in, then close you the x10 commander app and re-open it will work again, but maybe for only 1 hr, 5 hours, then it stops.....
Edit, some other things that we may not know about, not sure if I should try any of this:
https://forums.homeseer.com/forum/lighting-primary-technology-plug-ins/lighting-primary-technology-discussion/x10-homeseer/99169-x10-cm15a-plugin-beta-releases?postcount=3
https://www.hcatech.com/download/V13/Doc/TechNote_CM15_10.pdf
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LATEST:
Nothing is plugged into the usb on front of the computer except this. In the back, just mouse, keyboard and printer that have always been there.
I then found a brand new printer usb cable that takes the same end as the cm15a, and it worked for a while, then stopped again. I also unplugged and IR543 that wasn't in use. Same thing.
I did try the device manager to see the connection for the cm15a in there, and sometimes it says "unrecognized"
Now, the last thing is, I have the cm15a plugged into a battery backup that goes to the pc without other things plugged into it of course. I did replace this battery backup like 6 months ago and this new one is a different brand. The ONLY thing I didn't try yet it plugging in the cm15a into a stand along outlet, but I don't have one close, that's why I have the battery backup, which everything is plugged into. Maybe I need an extension cord to bypass the cm15a from being plugged into the battery backup???
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Maybe I need an extension cord to bypass the cm15a from being plugged into the battery backup???
^^^^THIS
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Maybe I need an extension cord to bypass the cm15a from being plugged into the battery backup???
^^^^THIS
Damnit! Tried a new outlet with it not plugged into the battery backup, tt worked for like 5 hours, then stopped again. New outlet. Crap... THen I unplugged it, waited 10 sec, plugged back in, and then the command I had hit earlier all happened after plugging back in. I thought this might have fixed it, but no... Now what? I can try another outlet since I have this extension cord, but just tried it....
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It does sound like you have issues with the USB connections.
Could be the USB controller in the computer, the USB cable or the CM15A has issues.
Have you verified you have the latest USB drivers for the computer?
UPS units can be signal suckers if its AC Line input is connected to the same circuit as the CM15A interface. CM15A should never be on the UPS's filtered outputs. I have my UPS on a ten amp FilterLinc and the automation interface plugged into the front unfiltered pass through AC outlet.
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It does sound like you have issues with the USB connections.
Could be the USB controller in the computer, the USB cable or the CM15A has issues.
Have you verified you have the latest USB drivers for the computer?
UPS units can be signal suckers if its AC Line input is connected to the same circuit as the CM15A interface. CM15A should never be on the UPS's filtered outputs. I have my UPS on a ten amp FilterLinc and the automation interface plugged into the front unfiltered pass through AC outlet.
Thank you Brian! I do have the monitor for the computer plugged into a filter first before it goes into the ups as years ago I figure out that the 24” monitor made noise that made other switches not work. Only filter I have and ever needed.
I have never updated the usb drivers. It’s windows 7 machine that is probably 7 years old. Have advice on how to do that? somewhat of a newbie but can understand instructions :)