Firecracker Software & CM17A Hangs

[Aaron1312042]

Just for fun I decided to try using the old firecracker software (xfire.exe), drivers, a USB to Serial converter and the CM17A, and TM751. When I launch the Firecracker software, the Palm Pad appears on the screen but hangs when I send a command. Lowered the baud rate from 9600 to 2400 and it still hangs. Any suggestions? Thanks

[HA Dave]

Any suggestions?

I never throw anything X10 away. I have a large plastic tub-thingy with a secure lid. I keep all my spare, leftover, unused, and outdated X10 parts. It seems that even the unlikely to be needed parts... can come in handy.

[Aaron1312042]

So do I. I came across mine a few days ago. Incredible amount of good stuff.

[pconroy]

a USB to Serial converter

I may be off in the weeds, but when I see "USB to Serial" adapters, I think of my own personal experiences. Not all are created equally.  The super cheap ones I bought didn't work with my CM11A.  I don't know if the Firecracker and your adapter could be having issues as well.

[Aaron1312042]

I tried the CM17A, and the USB to serial adapter (cheap one) with alternate X10 software. In some cases, it worked perfectly while in other cases the alternates didn't hang but didn't respond either.

[Charles Sullivan]

I tried the CM17A, and the USB to serial adapter (cheap one) with alternate X10 software. In some cases, it worked perfectly while in other cases the alternates didn't hang but didn't respond either.

Many (if not most) of the el-cheapo ($2-$5) USB-Serial adapters from Hong Kong don't support any serial status lines, only the RX and TX data lines.  The DTR and RTS status lines are essential for operating the CM17A.  The RI status line may or may not be required for operating the CM11A, depending on the software.

[Aaron1312042]

Which adapters do you suggest?

[Charles Sullivan]

Which adapters do you suggest?

Byterunner (http://www.byterunner.com) is one of the few vendors who provide details about their adapters.  I've been partial to adapters with an FTDI chipset and have several of their model USB-COM-CBL.  I also have their model Y-105 (Prolific chipset) which works OK at half the price, although it oddly has jackscrews instead of the expected jacknuts on its (male) DB9.

See http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner/category=USB+to+Single+Serial+Adapters

The downside of Prolific chipsets is that different chip versions can't necessarily be distinguished electrically, and some older ones have a problem.  Each FTDI chip has a unique serial number and if you have more than one adapter of the same model, the system (under Linux at least) can distinguish them and always map each to the same comm port regardless of the order in which they are plugged in.

[Aaron1312042]

AOK. I'll check out the site. Also,  wish I could purchase x10 software ONLY  to view multiple cams, but they only sell hardware/software packs. eg., I have the newer AHP pro but want to add cams