X10 Community Forum

📱🖥️PiX10Hub => 🏥Help and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Tuicemen on December 22, 2018, 09:25:04 AM

Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 22, 2018, 09:25:04 AM
Discussion about the tutorial can be posted here. ;)
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 24, 2018, 01:15:02 PM
I have been playing around with Home Genie and waiting for my Pi to arrive - I got an email this morning with an updated delivery date of later this week.  Since I had some time this morning I figured I'd try getting the image onto an SD card so I would be be ready to go.

I have a USB drive attached to my desktop - that had the Drive letter of K.  I also have slots in my desktop that accept a variety of SD cards - one being a Micro SD slot, which is Drive letter J.

I inserted the Micro SD card and proceeded with Win32 Disk Imager to get the downloaded (and extracted iso) image onto the SD card.

I was getting errors after clicking the write footer button about accessing the device.

I had to disconnect the drive I had on drive letter K, reboot my machine and then it was good to go.  Not sure if anyone else has this type of setup or not, but figured it couldn't hurt to post it in case someone else ran into it.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 24, 2018, 01:20:24 PM
As part of the equipment needed, it was recommended to get 2 Micro SD cards.  I have 2- one I just got the iso image installed on.  What do I do with the other one?  Is it it intended to be a backup image (so I should also put a copy of the image on the second one, and then store it away?)
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 24, 2018, 01:24:25 PM
The second SD card is for a backup just in case things go south.
you can either wait till the first is all loaded then copy it(which is the best option) or write it now and place the backups on it once the other is all configured.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: IPS on December 26, 2018, 07:02:31 AM
Is it possible to change SSID and password on SD CARD after it has been installed in Pi zero w ?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 26, 2018, 12:30:42 PM
Yes. There are a few ways.

This is just another good reason to have a backup SD card on hand as you can just do option #2 to it and replace the SD card

 1: If you can still ssh in, once logged in type sudo raspi-config.
You can also safe power down & remove the card and add an empty file called FirstRun then place it in your pi and power back up.
2: If for some reason your router info has changed and you can no longer gain access you can power down the pi by pulling the plug and hoping you don't corrupt the card then add a blank ssh file and a wpa_supplicant.conf file. This file requires the following info :
Code: [Select]
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
country=US

network={
     ssid="Your network name/SSID"
     psk="Your WPA/WPA2 security key"
     key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

3:Still another option is to connect a HDMI cable to a monitor and plug in a keyboard to where the Cm15 is connected,  reboot if you have no display and once every thing is loaded, type sudo raspi-config


In both cases 1 & 3 you'll need to add your new info in the "network options" (#2).
If you did the second option since you added your new network info in the wpa-supplicant.config file your ready to go once powered back up
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: IPS on December 26, 2018, 03:33:41 PM
Thanks for the info. I was thinking about changing network to see if that would better Alexa response. I do have 3 backup SD cards. so I can now I can try. Like I said I don't know coding but am trying.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 07:06:22 PM
What's the latest version of HG available via the update link in HG?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 07:08:35 PM
....That runs on the Pix10 hub that is?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 27, 2018, 07:13:02 PM
All versions should work with the PiX10Hub release 1.1! I currently am running HG 1.2-stable.28
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 07:17:33 PM
So you see my cm19 issue also?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 27, 2018, 07:38:19 PM
Occasionally yes, but I currently don't believe it is a software issue as much as a location of the cm19 and maybe other factors.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 07:43:40 PM
This is not a hardware issue!
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 07:45:57 PM
The reliability of cm19a with Alex10 in my setup demonstrates that.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 27, 2018, 08:32:18 PM
This is not a hardware issue!
Actually It may well be a Zero W issue which would make it a hardware issue! The Hub was designed for the CM15 which is self powered the CM19 requires power from the ZeroW and if the power supply for it isn't supplying enough power that would explain the issue with sending RF. However it is possible the Zero just can't handle the dual software plus the added power requirements of the CM19.

Remember when your comparing Alex10 and the PiX10Hub software your comparing different OSes, drivers and power delivered to the USB not just software.
If you wish to compare software compare software that runs on the same setup for example use ha-bridge with mochad on your Zero W and see what results you get with it.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 27, 2018, 09:01:37 PM
Will Pix10Hub image v1.1 run on a more robust RPi board?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: brobin on December 28, 2018, 12:16:44 AM
I have the PiZW AlexaHub (mochad & ha-bridge) running a CM19 with no issues.  I'm using a 5.1V/3A power supply but it also ran fine with a 5V/2.1A one first.  As Tuiceman says, if that works better then maybe the HG CM19 driver still needs tweaking.

@Mr.T: Could you put up the image for the Alexa hub again?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Brian H on December 28, 2018, 06:22:01 AM
I have not tested this thoroughly.
I did install 1.1 on a Pi 3B {not the latest Pi 3B+}. It was NOT automatically installed like on a Pi Zero W. I had to use the keyboard and monitor connections. Manually starting things when it seemed to lock up and stall. Typing in things like raspi-config would get me back to a proper installation.

This was for the Wi-Fi connection. Ethernet didn't seem to work. Even with the suggestions I got during the test users section here.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 28, 2018, 06:38:05 AM
Brobin reports "I have the PiZW AlexaHub (mochad & ha-bridge) running a CM19 with no issues."

Tuicemen, Isn't that what you suggested I try in your last post here?

I also have a 5v 2.5 amp supply driving mine. So input power should be good.

Futhermore, wouldn't both the cm15 and cm19 take similar processing power , they both conect via usb. The only difference would be usb 5v power draw as Tuicemen pointed out. But if that's the prob then why is Brobin's setup working?

I too think its a driver problem, but if the HG folks disagree it will never get corrected.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 28, 2018, 07:49:31 AM
@alzy In Brobin's setup he is not using HG which is a large HA software package capable of timers and macros and a large amount of other drivers.
Brobin has HA-Bridge and the Mochad driver nothing else loading down the PI for his Alexa Pi.

@ Brobin I'll see about putting the Alexa install script back together.
 However there was very little interest in it probably as it required going down the Linux rabbit hole.
I guess I could create an Alexa Hub image now using what was learned in this project. ::) :'
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 09:04:12 AM
Good morning,

My Pi Zero W arrived in the mail yesterday (earlier than expected) and having the day off today I decided to try and set it up.   I followed the instructions - and everything went well.

It is running and I can access the HA Bridge by typing the IP address (i.e 192.168.1.211) and if i use the IP address plus the port (192.168.1.211:8080) I get HA Bridge.

Not all I have to do is set up the individual x10 items in each of those and should be good to go.

I did notice the default devices appearing in HG - I will try and clean those up as I had done on the version on my PC.  Will report back later today on how the rest of the setup goes.

Thanks
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 28, 2018, 09:09:42 AM
You can actually load the backup of HG on Windows to the Pi HG, it will speed setup up considerably. ;)
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 09:11:02 AM
I can try that - how do I do that ?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 09:12:24 AM
I can try that - how do I do that ?

And can you do the same with the HA Bridge setup ?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 28, 2018, 09:14:41 AM
you need to create a backup from your windows HG configure/maintenance/configuration data
this saves to your connected device the in your pi HG go to the same location but browse for the back up file you created then click restore.
the HA-Bridge back up is a bit more involved but it is possible.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 09:24:44 AM
I only had 2 devices entered in my PC version of HomeGenie so I think I will just try setting them up manually again (I do not need to migrate all that I had in AHP as I am not moving my cameras over).  I took a look at the HA Bridge setup for the devices, and it looks like even if I restored the back from the PC I'd still have to edit each of them for the correct IP address etc.  So I will work on those manually as well.

Off to the races :)
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 12:22:30 PM
Allrighty....

I have a few of my X10 devices up working on HomeGenie and they seem to work.

I am having a problem with one that is on House Code B as opposed to A - under AHP, for the devices I have on B I have them running via RF commands not PLC (and that was the way I had them setup under Alex10 as well - they worked great).

So I am not sure if I can set up devices this way in HomeGenie.

I also have HA Bridge set up for the same devices (Forgot the ones I had on there and did a Discover to get the new ones).  They show up in Alexa (and HA Bridge) but trying to turn them on or off is not working - either in HA Bridge itself or via Alexa.

Assuming I have something set up incorrectly.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 01:23:22 PM
Allrighty....

I have a few of my X10 devices up working on HomeGenie and they seem to work.

I am having a problem with one that is on House Code B as opposed to A - under AHP, for the devices I have on B I have them running via RF commands not PLC (and that was the way I had them setup under Alex10 as well - they worked great).

So I am not sure if I can set up devices this way in HomeGenie.

I also have HA Bridge set up for the same devices (Forgot the ones I had on there and did a Discover to get the new ones).  They show up in Alexa (and HA Bridge) but trying to turn them on or off is not working - either in HA Bridge itself or via Alexa.

Assuming I have something set up incorrectly.


Got Alexa working :)  Watched the video under the Help topic on this board here and realized (based on Tuicemen's comment about the password) that I was indeed missing something.  Followed the steps, updated the Legacy field for Header and bingo!

Still working on a few trick X10 modules on the B house code - need to find out how to use an RF for them I think
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: brobin on December 28, 2018, 03:10:45 PM

@ Brobin I'll see about putting the Alexa install script back together.
 However there was very little interest in it probably as it required going down the Linux rabbit hole.
I guess I could create an Alexa Hub image now using what was learned in this project. ::) :'

I think that now that you've refined the hub image concept there may be more interest in the Alexa (only) Hub from those of us who already have controllers that we're happy with. In addition to those who may continue with AHP, there are HomeSeer, Ocelot, StarGate, HRRBI and several other flavors that would benefit from it.  Installing the Alexa Hub image required more of a peek into rather than a trip down the rabbit hole and was pretty simple.  The image did all the heavy lifting.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 28, 2018, 03:18:56 PM
Allrighty....

I have a few of my X10 devices up working on HomeGenie and they seem to work.

I am having a problem with one that is on House Code B as opposed to A - under AHP, for the devices I have on B I have them running via RF commands not PLC (and that was the way I had them setup under Alex10 as well - they worked great).

So I am not sure if I can set up devices this way in HomeGenie.

I also have HA Bridge set up for the same devices (Forgot the ones I had on there and did a Discover to get the new ones).  They show up in Alexa (and HA Bridge) but trying to turn them on or off is not working - either in HA Bridge itself or via Alexa.

Assuming I have something set up incorrectly.


Got Alexa working :)  Watched the video under the Help topic on this board here and realized (based on Tuicemen's comment about the password) that I was indeed missing something.  Followed the steps, updated the Legacy field for Header and bingo!

Still working on a few trick X10 modules on the B house code - need to find out how to use an RF for them I think


I've got things up and running for the most part, down to 3 problem devices - all ones I had issues with in AHP but was able to use macros to get to work:

1) Kitchen Sink light - this is an X10 dimmer switch.  Currently turns on but will not turn off from HG or Alexa.

2) Table Lamp (currently used for Christmas Tree) - in AHP, I had a macro defined so that when a specific PLC command for a trigger device was hit it would send an RF signal to the x10 device for this.  I had 2 macros - one for on and one for off.   

3) Living Room Lights - same issue as #2, and in fact the same room.  Similarly, I had macros to trigger RF commands when triggered and these had been working in AHP but not working in HG / Alexa.

Taking a break for now, am going to leave things running in the Pi Hub and shut down the PC and see if my timed events I set up in HG get triggered correctly.

Any help on setting up HG macros to send RF x10 commands would be appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 28, 2018, 03:20:49 PM
An Alexa Hub driving a cm19a to replace my Alex10 install would be very useful to me!
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: alzy on December 28, 2018, 04:04:55 PM
Running on a Pi Zero W that is.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: soxfan1966 on December 29, 2018, 08:35:05 AM
Allrighty....

I have a few of my X10 devices up working on HomeGenie and they seem to work.

I am having a problem with one that is on House Code B as opposed to A - under AHP, for the devices I have on B I have them running via RF commands not PLC (and that was the way I had them setup under Alex10 as well - they worked great).

So I am not sure if I can set up devices this way in HomeGenie.

I also have HA Bridge set up for the same devices (Forgot the ones I had on there and did a Discover to get the new ones).  They show up in Alexa (and HA Bridge) but trying to turn them on or off is not working - either in HA Bridge itself or via Alexa.

Assuming I have something set up incorrectly.


Got Alexa working :)  Watched the video under the Help topic on this board here and realized (based on Tuicemen's comment about the password) that I was indeed missing something.  Followed the steps, updated the Legacy field for Header and bingo!

Still working on a few trick X10 modules on the B house code - need to find out how to use an RF for them I think


I've got things up and running for the most part, down to 3 problem devices - all ones I had issues with in AHP but was able to use macros to get to work:

1) Kitchen Sink light - this is an X10 dimmer switch.  Currently turns on but will not turn off from HG or Alexa.

2) Table Lamp (currently used for Christmas Tree) - in AHP, I had a macro defined so that when a specific PLC command for a trigger device was hit it would send an RF signal to the x10 device for this.  I had 2 macros - one for on and one for off.   

3) Living Room Lights - same issue as #2, and in fact the same room.  Similarly, I had macros to trigger RF commands when triggered and these had been working in AHP but not working in HG / Alexa.

Taking a break for now, am going to leave things running in the Pi Hub and shut down the PC and see if my timed events I set up in HG get triggered correctly.

Any help on setting up HG macros to send RF x10 commands would be appreciated.

Thanks

I'm going to move this part to its own thread under HG.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Hollybrook on April 15, 2019, 12:38:31 AM
Its been a while since I was last here, but didn't the tutorial use to have a link to the SD card image?  I have been looking around the forum for any links and am not seeing any. Maybe its late and I should be sleeping...

I have some old images stored, but they are all from the beta program.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: bkenobi on April 15, 2019, 12:46:09 AM
Tuicemen will have to answer your question.  I think the image was stored on his forum and I heard that he shut it down recently.  Don't take my word for it though as it was 3rd party knowledge...
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Hollybrook on April 15, 2019, 12:49:08 AM
Yes, his forum does not currently appear to be up.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on April 15, 2019, 08:02:46 AM
The links use to be in this thread http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=30714.0
not sure where they went but I'll get them reposted as soon as I wake up.
My forum is up you just may have an old link, the link to that is http://forums.tuicemen.net
http://forums.tuicemen.com also should still work
Update: links are now in the tutorial thread once again
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Hollybrook on April 15, 2019, 12:33:16 PM
Thanks for adding the SD card image back into the tutorial!

The reason I couldn't find your forum is that I made you singular (i.e. Tuiceman).  It was late...   B:(
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on April 15, 2019, 02:05:49 PM
Thanks for adding the SD card image back into the tutorial!
The removal of the links was unintentional, I most likely was either still asleep or to tired and should have been in bed.
Quote
The reason I couldn't find your forum is that I made you singular (i.e. Tuiceman).  It was late...   B:(
rofl lots of people do that so your not alone. ;)
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Hollybrook on April 16, 2019, 10:22:18 PM
Thanks for the quick response -- I am up and running again.  The newer code looks very nice and I am happily configuring HG.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on May 21, 2019, 11:21:50 AM
Lately I've found myself digging into the HG code B:( (something I didn't wish to do) ::) :'
This was done to address issues with the OpenWeatherMap add which replaced the Weather Underground app and widget that personally affected my setup. Some originally reported March 27th
Recently I created a Pull request so these changes can be added to HG in a future update.
Although you can update HG from the PiX10Hub these fixes have yet to make there way into a HG build.
I'm thinking about creating a updated image with these issues fixed as Gene seems to have found himself busy with other things.
However if I do that and Gene releases a new update with out implementing the pull the issues will reappear. >*<
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 18, 2019, 12:03:59 PM
 
i amtrying to setup Pi following newby instructions splash screen never appears no power light indicator so I called vilros Mfg for support they want me to download NOOBS to the mini SD they claim Pi wont boot without it. Is NOOBS and the image one and the same?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: brobin on June 18, 2019, 02:05:24 PM
I also bought mine from Vilros and it worked exactly as the PiX10Hub instructions are written. I have never needed nor used NOOBS.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: petera on June 18, 2019, 02:28:16 PM

i amtrying to setup Pi following newby instructions splash screen never appears no power light indicator so I called vilros Mfg for support they want me to download NOOBS to the mini SD they claim Pi wont boot without it. Is NOOBS and the image one and the same?

A little BS from the supplier. Will work with Raspbian Stretch Lite (download here recommended for anyone wanting to install HomeGenie https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/ )

The NOOBS just fills your SD card with unwanted software and messes with your partition.

Might be best to start with a fresh install of Raspbian and HomeGenie as there's been a few subtle changes to Raspbian since that image on this forum was created.

We are on the verge of a Raspbian Buster release (it will replace Raspbian Stretch) so Pi X10 users be mindful of this. It won't be just a simple case of a distribution upgrade either.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on June 18, 2019, 06:17:48 PM

i amtrying to setup Pi following newby instructions splash screen never appears no power light indicator so I called vilros Mfg for support they want me to download NOOBS to the mini SD they claim Pi wont boot without it. Is NOOBS and the image one and the same?
noobs is  not on the image, nor is it required
You will not get a splash screen if your using the PiX10hub 2.0 version intended for Pis that are not a Zero W.
The pi needs the SD card inserted into the SD slot with the image already written to it.
Both images include Raspbian Stretch lite so you don't need to download from link petera supplied unless you wish to install HG manually yourself.
 >!
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 18, 2019, 06:30:47 PM
Thank You all for your replies, I really appreciate it.  After re reading Tuicemens instructions I realized I had to download that image and I have done so. I was not able to figure out configuring yet and the config splash screen no longer comes up. Is there a way to get the config screen up?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 18, 2019, 08:29:13 PM
 No need to reply to this I have come across a tuicemen post informing how to get into config screen
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: petera on June 18, 2019, 09:13:44 PM

i amtrying to setup Pi following newby instructions splash screen never appears no power light indicator so I called vilros Mfg for support they want me to download NOOBS to the mini SD they claim Pi wont boot without it. Is NOOBS and the image one and the same?
noobs is  not on the image, nor is it required
You will not get a splash screen if your using the PiX10hub 2.0 version intended for Pis that are not a Zero W.
The pi needs the SD card inserted into the SD slot with the image already written to it.
Both images include Raspbian Stretch lite so you don't need to download from link petera supplied unless you wish to install HG manually yourself.
 >!

Unless you've updated that image recently there's been a number of changes to the Raspbian firmware/kernel particularly where the wpa_supplicant.conf is concerned and there's been changes to SSL validation. I've built my own Raspbian kernel as a result.

Maybe your image is still valid but links to repositories are beginning to change and I'm already pulling in Debian Buster repositories for other purposes. Mono will probably be the hardest hit here and if the HomeGenie author doesn't get the finger out the same problems like email notifications etc will become an issue.

I'm too many years using Linux using all of its flavours to know when there's a major release of Debian you sit up and take note. I've been through HG on Wheezy, Jessie, Stretch and now with the impending arrival of Buster you either stay current or die. It's entirely up to you.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on June 19, 2019, 07:01:39 AM
All OSs require updates to keep up with advancements. Updating Linux is no different. However I continue to read recent post of users still using wheesy and wondering why things stop working in their setup. :o ::) :'
The image was last updated when the version of HG that is on it was released. True this still does not have all the current drivers. That is up to the end user to keep up with.
That being said I do plan to update the image shortly after the next Raspbian version is officialy released. This will include either the latest HG (if Gene releases a newer version) or a modified version I run which fixes issues with the Open Weather Map.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: bkenobi on June 20, 2019, 10:42:46 AM
True this still does not have all the current drivers. That is up to the end user to keep up with.

But I thought the whole point of the hub was to make it transparent to the user.  In the docs for the hub it never says "if you don't maintain the distribution things will stop working."  Having used HG for years, I understand that this will happen and have accepted that if I don't work on it at least once a month I will lose functionality.  The user base for the hub is not going to perform any updates ever unless they have it built in.  Since the process can't really be done that way and the system will stop working without updates...
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 20, 2019, 07:42:20 PM
 I have been playing w HG ver. 1.3-stable.5 up until now and am ready to complete RPi image install and I see Tuicemen states HG is part of the image so do I uninstall HG from my desktop before RPi image install and  just use a HG backup I created to re establish my macros and schedules in HG that is part of image?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: petera on June 21, 2019, 10:59:02 AM
I have been playing w HG ver. 1.3-stable.5 up until now and am ready to complete RPi image install and I see Tuicemen states HG is part of the image so do I uninstall HG from my desktop before RPi image install and  just use a HG backup I created to re establish my macros and schedules in HG that is part of image?

If you decide to go with the image posted by Tuicemen you start fresh with a blank SD card. I'm not sure what additional macros/routines he has on this image but you can of course back up your current config and restore it on Tuicemens image as soon as you have installed it.

The caveat still remains of course. Tuicemens image will have an older version of Raspbian Stretch Lite (assuming its Raspbian Stretch Lite he used and not the Desktop version) and older firmware too. You'll need to update your install to reflect this.

I still recommend installing HG from official sources and building and testing your own setup. You can easily obtain assistance from the many HG help sources on the web and of course from here.

The idea of an Pi HG X10 hub as a plug'n'go appliance is more of an aspiration rather that a reality with HG in its current form. A lot more work would need to be done on the core code as well as the introduction of some form of integrated hardware/software solution which I doubt will happen anytime soon.

In the meantime I suggest you experiment with the HG application as much as possible and try out the many routines available out in the wild until you find a setup that suits you.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 21, 2019, 12:30:47 PM
 
once I complete step 7tuicemen newbie pi setup instructions I do not get a screen prompt to finish instead I get x10$ with a blinking prompt. any idea what im doing wrong
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: edjal on June 21, 2019, 12:42:22 PM
 after the pi boot up when x10hub has the blinking cursor one of the line descriptions reads "failed to startdhcpcd on all interfaces" not sure if significant
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on June 24, 2019, 02:06:12 PM
When the pi is booted you will only see a command prompt there is no GUI. You need to use a browser from another device pointed to the pis ip and GH port. However since you are seeing an error on booting it sounds like you missed a step in the setup like setting up your routers connection.  Type sudo raspi-config and check your settings
Title: Re PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Kamextemy on August 10, 2019, 12:30:36 AM
it fails on the initial setup process just after downloading the program. ive already tried rebooting the pc but it still fails. im not sure if there is something in my pc preventing the setup.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on August 10, 2019, 06:57:59 AM
This is ment for a Rpi not Pc.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 26, 2019, 06:24:30 PM
Okay, I need some assistance.  I decided to try pix10 after Alex10 stopped working.  I put together the Raspberry Pi W as specified.  Downloaded and installed the software as specified. but I just get a pi@raspberry screen.  I never see the splash or the menu.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 06:44:08 AM
What pi are you downloading to and whick hub version are you attempting to use?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 12:54:32 PM
I am using the Pi W and am using the Alexa Pi image that you had posted.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 01:00:31 PM
The Alexa image is not the PiX10Hub image
the PiX10Hub image has 2 versions 1.7 and 2.
 1.7 is currently for the Pi Zero W boards only.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 01:22:38 PM
I mean Pi zero W
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 01:47:56 PM
yes but what PiX10Hub image version it makes a difference.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 01:54:15 PM
I got it from your site yesterday.  Where would the version be?  Can I get it from the login screen?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 01:56:06 PM
I can start over.  What image would you like me to use?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 01:58:48 PM
use the 1.7 image from this post and follow the install directions http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=30714.0
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:00:24 PM
that was what I used
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:01:51 PM
ok are you logged in with putty?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:03:47 PM
yes
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:14:15 PM
ok type 
Code: [Select]
sudo systemctl status homegenie.service and see if is running
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:24:10 PM
The homegenie service coud not be found
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:35:18 PM
Ok reboot you Pi then log back in to it and check again.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:39:31 PM
The same message that homegenie service could not be found. 
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:43:37 PM
Ok Something went wrong in the build process.
what directory are you in? pi@X10Hub:~/X10Hub $
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:45:28 PM
pi@raspberrypi
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:48:54 PM
maybe I do have the wrong image.  What is the exact url for the image and I can start over?
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:50:57 PM
Ok you installed wrong version  but not to worry try typing in
Code: [Select]
sh /boot/HG
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:52:29 PM
Can't open /boot/HG
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 02:56:22 PM
try sudo sh /boot/HG
the download for the 1.7 image is http://tuicemen.net/downloads/Pi/pihub/PiX10Hub-1_2.7z I believe
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:58:30 PM
Can't open /boot/HG
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 02:59:19 PM
I will try the fresh install
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: dkbialik on November 27, 2019, 04:56:27 PM
it looks like the new install worked!  Now to figure out HomeGenie.  Thank you for your help and patience.
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on November 27, 2019, 05:52:38 PM
Glad to see your on your way with HG!
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: shtckt on December 23, 2019, 12:31:58 AM
Tuicemen, it has been a pleasure to once again see and read of your adventures.  Thanks for the forum.

Recently got a new whole house electrical distribution panel installed. Electrician was to keep the layout similar to the old. Seems "similar" means different things to different people. Half the X-10 modules that had worked for years suddenly went inoperable. Just would not be operated by the CM15A. Last week I got a friend and we chased down every light and receptacle to a new breaker number.

Two things happened. The PC monitor used as an AHP program container developed a noisy monitor power supply. Capacitors were singing the blues. Fixed that noise maker that was not 3 feet from the CM15A. Then, the very day the new power panel reenergized, the Always faithful SignalLink Repeater 4826A died on Line B. Was making up its own X-10 codes and actions. Had my old passive unit pressed into service. My study is at the far end of the house from the electrical panel. Now some signals still do not get received 100% of the time.

Tried to find another 4826A. Found one. It died 3 months later. Pulled out the old laptop I was only to use for my BMW diagnostic programs and dusted off my last copy of Tuicement AHP and Lifejacket. Plugged in one of my last three CM15A in a receptacle just inside the house from the electrical panel. I have been running like that for a couple of months.

Then to check out the present State of the X-10 Universe, I got on the forum. What? A Pi Hub?

Have read everything I could on the new toy, ah, I mean tool. But was not quite ready to jump. Tried HomeGenie on the same computer as the AHP. Only programmed a couple modules that run indoor lights. Worked. Tackled the OpenWeather widget. I do not program but looking at the code, and a lot of Google searches, found how to convert it to Houston weather in terms and units my southern US brain can identify. Only took one whole evening and it is still not pretty.

Then realized I had no more control of my CM15A from AHP. Then found some of HG installation would not uninstall. The HG driver for the CM15A was fighting the one for AHP. Got out all the old writeups and utilities to kill rogue drivers and programs that will just not uninstall. Done. Not running HG on the PC again.

Finally decided to buy a Vilros kit. Burned the image. Then saw the bit about NotePad Word Wrap. Darn. Had saved the SSID info with NotePad using word wrap. Thought two seconds about redoing config. Nope, I reburned the image again and modified the SSID without Word Wrap.

Like I finally read tonight, someone else earlier this year discovered the difference in what is seen on the computer screen that is different from the instructions at just about step 7. Expecting to see a chance to change password, etc., I ended up seeing a question if I wanted to update something or another. Threw in a "Y" and some was updated but most was not.

Got out of PuTTY and fired up Chrome but first I got on my router to discover the IP address. Nice that it shows up as X10Hub.

Inserted the SD and got everything else ready including one old CM15A (2004) that I got on AHP to totally purge digitally.
I have ignored the weather widget. That could take another whole evening to recreate what I did a few weeks ago. But I configured the X10 setting to work via CM15A, left everything else programmed as is and loaded up the J,K, and M house codes full of my modules, entered their identifications and tried some. How nice to hear old X-10 modules hammering away from across the house.

Was hoping to read through this Help and Trouble Shooting what it would take to get into the Pi configuration screen to change password, etc. Looks like that will be a trial and error. Part of the learning process.

I did not see a graceful way to exit HG so just "X" out the browser. Now I am afraid to turn off the PiHub after reading how it can corrupt the SD. Nothing on the Hub will automatically do any X-10 so will just let it simmer over night. Will read more tomorrow before I turn it off. Got an APC Back-UPS with its only load being the Pi power supply

Been a thrill for this old dog to learn some new tricks. http://forums.x10.com/Smileys/default/BDH.gif

Thanks for making it so easy this far. http://forums.x10.com/Smileys/default/happy065.gif
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on December 24, 2019, 06:13:13 AM
Glad to see/read your getting some enjoyment from the PiX10Hub. I'm saddened that so many long time X10ers find working with the Pi so difficult.
I'm hoping the new Buster image I'm putting together will make things a little easier for some of the other old timers to jump on the PiX10Hub.
HomeGenie with the power it has does circles around AHP.
 >!
Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: shtckt on June 20, 2020, 10:47:20 AM
Some short amount of time after you posted this, Buster PiX10 came along. For me, it was a blessing. Stretch version was working my X10 modules okay but I had glitches now and then. I jumped right in and started another SD card to integrate Buster. I would stop and remove the Stretch version between scheduled X10 events so I could try the Pi on Buster.

My only problem with anything associated with the Pi is just lack of experience. The hardware, languages, and software are all new to me. Lurking into this unknown is at least not so devastating a task to recover from my missteps. If something goes blitz, I grab the last SD backup and reimage. Professionally I worked for years with design, installation, and startup of systems that you just did not play with. They took too long to build and cost more than what I made in a lifetime. I would read all I could about the equipment, the process software, and anyone else who would discuss it with me before I integrated it into a process and would repeat the all the discussion and learning before I would attempt to start it.

I still follow that pattern with the Pi. I study the heck out of whatever I want from it first and then try to see if what I read works. My main problem is the path to get there. It might sound obvious to all of the long time automation people involved in this forum but what I lack is knowing that what seems obvious to me to require doing step A, then B, C, etc. thru Z, is wrong and it requires doing it in a different order. This might be simple the experts of this forum but for novices like me, it can be daunting and sometimes frustrating to not have a feel for how it all works and to be able to diagnose it when it goes wrong. It took me a whole day to configure DuckDNS. I knew forwards and backwards how to structure and run the command line...but did not know where to input that host name and token within HG.

I got the Buster Pi Hub installed and running just days before we left on holiday in early January. We were gone for almost 3 months. Near the end of that time, Covid19 was brewing. I remember trying to find masks in a small resort town not knowing if we could find supplies when we got home. I was certainly not having to worry about the PiHub.

The PiHub worked like a champ that whole time. I still checked it remotely each morning...just to be sure. Did not dare do anything that might kill it. My only ritual was to use the Tuicemen Memory Cleaner.

I do not have an Alexa. Until today, I did not venture into anything associated with HA-Bridge. That is, until I read an article how to use htop. I tried it on my PiHub via PuTTY. Seems my Buster PiHub has been processing repeatedly something I vaguely remember listed as HA-Bridge-blah-blah.jar that was eating 18% of the memory and occasionally jumping much higher. I am thinking this was my memory gobbler.

For the first time every, I launched my PC browser into the Pi's address with port 80. Yes HA-Bridge. I rummaged around the settings and found something that to me was like a program defeat switch...a turn off. I tried it and it responded with a pop-up saying HA-Bridge was off and would turn back on after a reboot. But instantly the htop app showed a bunch more memory was returned to the free total.

HTOP also showed me that 20% of my zeroW memory is going to running.....Homegenie.com --log. But, unless that log processing grows, or even doubles, I will not stop the log as the reduction in memory is better than not knowing what might be going on with Homegenie.

But even after all the above, I just want to say "thanks for Buster image". It was a nice stepping stone into Pi. It is doing what it needed to do at my home.  It is solid and runs all my modules without fail. For years, actually almost a couple decades, AHP ruled my X-10. At least monthly there was an errant light turned on that was not called by me or the schedule to do so. It was like the gremlins came out with each new moon. Lifejacket was how I found you and the forum. But I dreaded leaving the home for even a long weekend not knowing if the pool would be green or some light would be left on all day when I returned. I have not had anything go wrong on X10 since last December when I got the Pi and the Buster image. It will take me some more time to get comfortable with all that this hardware and software can do. But it will be a pleasure to do so with this forum as an ally.

Title: Re: PiX10Hub setup Tutorial
Post by: Tuicemen on January 06, 2021, 12:04:24 PM
I was at my Off Grid place from when Covid hit till just before Christmas. I did try to check in to the forum each week at least but missed several post including this one shtckt sorry about that. It is nice to see long time X10 users moving to a PI.
I also had an uncomfortable feeling moving my setup over to  a Raspi however my requirement for a low power X10 controller that was accessible remotely won me over. (I required this for my Off grid place)

I realize there are still several that may still be running the original Stretch PiX10Hub image and not updated for fear of losing things.
Backing up & restoring HG is a very simple task. HA-Bridge not so much however a helper has been added to HA-Bridge V5.3.0 for HG which can aid in setting up HG modules to work with Alexa.
Buster has even been updated since the AnyPI Buster PiX10Hub. This to can be updated from the command line but I constantly read of users having difficulty with this too.
I do Plan on putting together another image with options to install HomeGenie, HA-Bridge, MidniteComander and maybe some other things. If one chooses not to install any additional software a Vanilla Raspi OS (currently Buster)will only be installed.
 >!