Email Problem with AHP/MyHouse/OnAlert

[RebHawk]

Hi all:
I'm having a problem getting AHP to send emails to me from a macro.  As a simple test, I set up a phantom switch module that triggers a macro to send emails to my home, work, and cell phone accounts.  Below are images of the modules, my macro, and email setup window for MyHouse.  Neither clicking the macro nor clicking the phantom module, which triggers the macro, results in any emails being sent...  Does anyone have any helpful hints?  GoDaddy is my ISP/Domain Name provider, and Verizon is my cell provider.

Note: I've tried this with both "Auto" and "SMTP" and neither worked.

NOTE: Edited to remove personal info from images.

[JMac]

You might try a 1 or 2 second delay before the first E-Mail.  I have text messages sent to my cell phone and don't seem to have a problem.  When I have sent messages in the past I had no problem.  The only difference I had over yours is that I have "Attach as a Compressed File" checked.  Over here around Lumberton, for what it's worth.......
Just tried it out and was able to send myself an E-Mail.  You do have MyHouse and the PC running , don't you ?

[steven r]

Basically it looks like it should work. Delays can be like "fairy dust". If you sprinkle them in the right places, they sometimes perform miracles. There have been problems starting macros with a delay, however. If you need to begin a macro with a delay, it's best to start it with a "null command" such as "clear flag 16" and then the delay. You might want to check to see if your firewall might be blocking the the emails, also. Also keep in mind that this macro must have the computer running for it to work.

For your personal privacy, I'd recommend editing your example so that it doesn't share your email & phone number with everyone.
e.g. You've provided enough personal information for someone to now know the city and state were you live as well as where you work. Also posting your number invites prank calls.

[RebHawk]

You might try a 1 or 2 second delay before the first E-Mail.  I have text messages sent to my cell phone and don't seem to have a problem.  When I have sent messages in the past I had no problem.  The only difference I had over yours is that I have "Attach as a Compressed File" checked.  Over here around Lumberton, for what it's worth.......
Just tried it out and was able to send myself an E-Mail.  You do have MyHouse and the PC running , don't you ?

Added a 5 sec delay before each email command, no change in behavor... and yep, PC is up and running...  Still no joy....

Regards,
--Lee

[steven r]

I just created a test similar to yours and successfully emailed my Verizon phone.
The email comes from the address AHPGateway@x10.com. Make sure your computer isn't blocking email from x10.com.

edit: If I'm able to receive to my phone and you're not, it is more likely a problem with the email request not being sent to X10.

Does your activity monitor say the command is being executed?

This is what mine says:
1000    02/14/2008 7:12:21 pm    Transmit    P6 (EMAIL TEST)
1001    02/14/2008 7:12:21 pm    Transmit    P On (EMAIL TEST)

I'm not sure if you have to be connected but check your MyHouse status and make sure that you are connected.

[RebHawk]

Steven:
Yes, I see the module going on and the macro being triggered in the activity monitor.  However, I get no emails whatsoever.  Are there any settings I should check in the WindowsXP firewall?  Any other settings anywhere?  I do get emails (receipts & such) from x10.com at a couple of the accounts I tried, so they shouldn't be blocked.

Regards,
--Lee

[RebHawk]

Well, I've thrown in the towel and decided to send emails via a VBScript.  Here's the script:

Set objEmail = CreateObject("CDO.Message")
objEmail.From = "Sender@Domain.com"
objEmail.To = "UserName@Domain.com"
objEmail.Subject = "Test"
objEmail.Textbody = "Test Test Test"
objEmail.Send

Obviously, you need to change the "Sender", "UserName" and "Domain" to match your situation.  Save this script as "something.vbs"  Then create a batch file with one line that looks like this:

c:\path\something.vbs

and save it as "something.bat"

Finally, instead of using the X10 email command, use the X10 Windows Program command, and simply enter the line:

c:\path\something.bat

In the box for the command to execute.

This works flawlessly for me, doesn't depend on any X10 servers, and the email appears to come from the account I specify, NOT from some .X10.com domain.  The only drawback of this is that it's probably not very easy to send images this way.  For now, all I want to be able to do is send emails if a door sensor or a hacked FirstAlert fire alarm (using a door sensor) is tripped.  Maybe I'll eventually get the native X10 email working.  Until then, I'll just build a library of macros and VBscripts, and trigger the appropriate email script depending on what sensor gets tripped....

Regards,
--Lee

[steven r]

Sorry you weren't able to get it working the "X10 way" but glad you found a work around.
Were you connected to MyHouse?
Let us know if you ever figure out what was the problem.

[RebHawk]

Yes, being connected to "MyHouse" or not connected made absolutely no difference at all....

--Lee

[chuck]

Does anyone know the requirements for making the email for MyHouse and OnAlert work?  I have it running on a Win2K server.  I setup Outlook Express with a valid email account just in case AHP needs to use that, but nothing seems to work.

MyHouse is working fine, but it will not generate any emails period.  I've tried setting to auto, SMPT, and portal.  Doesn't make a difference.

Does anyone have a clue that the problem could be?

[RebHawk]

No idea Chuck.  I could never get it to work.  I gave up and just made up some VBscript and batch files to send the emails I need sent.  Works like a charm.  I'll post the details in "User Designed Working Macros".

Cheers,
--Lee

[RebHawk]

Here's a link to my post on using VBScripts to email:

http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14771.0

Cheers,
--Lee

[chuck]

This was a big help for me.  It also forced me to seek out VBS code that connects to my ISP's mail server.  Thanks