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[DCMan]

Hi there. I've just started to dabble in the whole X10 thing, and im really enjoying it. Just one major question. Is it possible to use more than one controller? Currently I have the CM12U, MT10 Mini Timer, and the HR10 8 Switch RF Remote (which I'm using with the TM13U-AH receiver).

My basic setup is as follows.. I have a few lamp/appliance modules and a couple of socket rockets which all work fine. The CM12U is being controlled by a touch screen via a web based interface. All of this works fine.

The problems come when I start using more than one controller. I have the 8way remote mounted on the wall by the door to use as a makeshift wall switch for the time being. However, when I use this, it seems to disable the CM12U, and the only way of getting it to work again is to reboot the computer that its attached to. I know its got nothing to do with the software I'm using, as it did the same with activehome and I also downloaded a couple of trial version bits of software, and they all did the same. It also does the same when i'm using the minitimer, although I cant seem to get that to work at all at the moment.

Also, its not the house as I have taken the whole setup around to someone elses house and tried it in there, and it did the same then too.

As far as I can tell, it shouldnt matter whether I have 1 or 10 controllers being used, as they are simply sending on/off signals down the wiring, and not communicating with each other - am I right, or am I not understanding properly?

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

[DCMan]

one thing I forgot to mention - the CM12U is the USB version - although, I could try it as a serial version if needed.

The stats of the computer running the CM12U are:

Sempron 2400+
512mb Ram
WinXP Home

Its also used as an HTPC too, so it also runs meedio.

[DCMan]

Dont wanna sound pushy, but anyone had any thoughts? its starting to bug me now! 

[Dan Lawrence]

The CM12U is not a US unit, is it a UK one and not approved for X10 use in the US or Canada.

Where are you located?

[Brian H]

By chance are you using Active Home Software with the CM12U? I know it is a European Version maybe close to the CM11A? Anyway Active Home and XP don't play well. If you are using Active Home that could be a problem with XP.

[DCMan]

hi

Thanks for the replies

I'm in the UK, so I had to go for the CM12U.

I was using ActiveHome, but it didint really function in the way I needed it to. I'm now using a web based interface called X10N. I chose it because 1: It has a webserver built into it and 2: It uses really simple and big buttons for control, which makes it ideal for the touchscreen, as that is only 8".

ActiveHome is still installed, but I dont use it or even start it up for that matter!

[Dan Lawrence]

You may as well dump Active Home, if what you are using works for you and does what you want it to.  That will free up hard disk space.

One question.  You said it's a web based interface called X10N. Is it downoaded to your PC or run through your browser?  What do you do if the Web goes down?

[DCMan]

Sorry, yeah its a program that is installed on the computer itself, which has an internet explorer based interface - works well in my setup as the browser just runs in fullscreen mode, but its also accessable from the outside world as well, via the internet.

Its just bizarre that the CM12U just seems to give up working as soon as there is another controller in the system 

[Dan Lawrence]

So, what's the other controller you speak of?  Whatever AH uses in the UK?  Dump AH and that interface. If you are not using AH why keep it or anything it needs around?   

That's not logical.

[Charles Sullivan]

DCMAN:
Verify that the ActiveHome background process is not being automatically started when you boot up Win XP (which is one of the ActiveHome options).   Having two different programs attempting to read the CM12U is sure to cause problems.

[DCMan]

When I said another controller in the 1st post, i didnt mean on the PC or trying to control the CM12U.

I have a HR10 8 Switch RF Remote as well. Its when I use that to control any of the x10 devices that the CM12U decides to stop working, and the PC requires a retstart.

[davek]

By chance are you using Active Home Software with the CM12U? I know it is a European Version maybe close to the CM11A? Anyway Active Home and XP don't play well. If you are using Active Home that could be a problem with XP.

Please explain "Active Home and XP don't play well". What does work well on an XP system for PC based X10 control?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dan Lawrence]

Simpley put, XP throws a hissy fit on some systems and the COM port based interfaces will vanish and reappear.  Some XP system are fine with COM ports.

The only way to find out is to have Active Home when you upgrade to XP and the CM11A starts vanishing and AH goes nuts because it can't find it. That happened to me, I upgraded a 9X system to XP Home edition so I didn't have to go through the hassle of reloading all your software.  Active Home stopped seeing the CM11a 3 days out of 5, so I went to Active Home Pro and the CM15a USB interface. The nice thing is AHP will import all your .x10 files so all your modules and timers come along.