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Author Topic: CM15A Appears to be Dead?  (Read 5007 times)

nycfonephreak

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CM15A Appears to be Dead?
« on: January 09, 2008, 08:49:27 PM »

I'm using a CM15A / AHP on an old Win98 computer that I haven't really touched for a few months. My lights have been coming on and off every day according to the programmed timers, except it's all been 1-hr off since November because I never got around to changing the clock on the computer back to standard time. I finally changed the time on the computer this weekend and while I was there, i clicked on one of the modules to turn the light on. It didn't come on. I realized that none of the commands were getting from the computer to the CM15A. I rebooted and when I relaunched AHP, I got an error saying there was no interface connected.

I uninstalled... reinstalled the software and drivers.... still would not detect the CM15A

I did a new install on a newer XP computer... the CM15A is not detected.  I also took out the batteries and left the CM15A disconnected from the power since Sunday... reconnected it today try again...  still not detected.

So, I'm guessing it died. Before I disconnected it to install on the newer computer, it must have been sending programmed commands from its memory - which is why I didn't realize it had failed. Now, of course, after disconnecting it for a few days, that programming has been wiped out and it's totally non-functional.

Is there any way to bring this back to life or am I looking at replacing it?  Is there anything more reliable in the same price range?  I used to be on top of this stuff. But, for the past few years, I've lost touch completely.

BTW, the 1-year warranty expired 3 months ago :(
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Tuicemen

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Re: CM15A Appears to be Dead?
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2008, 09:17:30 PM »

A couple of questions :
    [li]Did you install the software with the CM15A connected on the 98 PC ? [/li]
    [li]What about the XP machine? Connect the CM15A after installing the software!
    [/li]
    [li]Did you stop x10nets from running before un-installing? It needs to be stopped before the following![/li]
    [li] When you un-installed did you also removed the directories Program Files/ActiveHomePro and Program Files/common files /x10? they need to be deleted[/li]

    [/list]
    AHP although it will run on a windows 98 machine you'll have major issues! :( if you did deep into the forums you'll find many documented issues with 98 & ME! Many were never solved! :( >:(

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    nycfonephreak

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    Re: CM15A Appears to be Dead?
    « Reply #2 on: January 09, 2008, 11:15:57 PM »

    A couple of questions :
      [li]Did you install the software with the CM15A connected on the 98 PC ? [/li]
      [li]What about the XP machine? Connect the CM15A after installing the software!
      [/li]
      [li]Did you stop x10nets from running before un-installing? It needs to be stopped before the following![/li]
      [li] When you un-installed did you also removed the directories Program Files/ActiveHomePro and Program Files/common files /x10? they need to be deleted[/li]

      [/list]
      AHP although it will run on a windows 98 machine you'll have major issues! :( if you did deep into the forums you'll find many documented issues with 98 & ME! Many were never solved! :( >:(


      Yes, I installed the software before connecting the CM15A on the Win98 machine. That was about a year and a half ago. It's been working ok all this time.

      Yes, when I installed it on the XP machine I installed the software before connecting the CM15A

      No to the next two questions. I didn't realize I needed to do that.


      Meanwhile, I found my old CK11A and installed that on the Win98 machine until I can figure out if I want to replace the CM15A.
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      Arn560

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      Re: CM15A Appears to be Dead?
      « Reply #3 on: January 22, 2008, 10:38:07 PM »

      Mine seems to have died too. I don't think the warranty has run out but it is such a bother.  None of my module work so I'm looking to order another.  Bummer!
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      Charles Sullivan

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      Re: CM15A Appears to be Dead?
      « Reply #4 on: January 22, 2008, 11:58:03 PM »

      So, I'm guessing it died. Before I disconnected it to install on the newer computer, it must have been sending programmed commands from its memory - which is why I didn't realize it had failed. Now, of course, after disconnecting it for a few days, that programming has been wiped out and it's totally non-functional.

      The macros and timers are stored in the CM15A's EEPROM and are probably still intact.  However you lost the internal calendar/clock setting the instant you powered it down and pulled the batteries.   So unless you can somehow reset it it you're still out of luck.

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      slipdisc

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      Re: CM15A Appears to be Dead?
      « Reply #5 on: January 23, 2008, 09:46:48 PM »

      I too had a CM15A quit working on me early this year. It was less than three months old. It first started to stop responding. I noticed while replacing the batteries that it was very hot to the touch. It stopped working all together a day or so later.

      But I can tell you, it will work on any machine with XP installed. AHP software will prevent it from functioning correctly but, it will not prevent it from detecting it once installed. It will just show up as an unknown device in windows.

      I would also like to add that the RMA process is a nightmare. I'm not sure why X10 cannot preship me another unit (if I am willing to provide a credit card to preauth) and let me ship my dead unit back to them. ??? Other wise my system is completely dead for over three weeks. I have still yet to receive my new unit.
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