Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[trawlergeek]

Help . Brett claims that my registration is in the server. I have tried several times to get the server to "recognize" my registration number.

YES I am entering the invoice number exactly as it was given to me...
1234567-1     (yes, as you can see by the example number provided here, that is 9 keystrokes, exactly)

I then click on the "Register Now!" button, it connects to the server and then responds in about 7 or 8 seconds with "Did Not Find Registration."

So, Brett says it is "activated."  As many times as I hear that this is a problem in the forums I am beginning to question my purchase.

Brett claimed that the server was down when I called him. Apparently, it would be about 2 hours until it was up. And while it was down it was still responding to my request to register my software. So, two and a half hours later, it still is "activated" on the server. The server still responds. The response has not changed.

No, I didn't cut and paste the number from the email. Actually, I did. And, of course, I got the same response from the server. Tried it without the '-1'. Same response.

So, what could be more painful? Reinstalling XP?

I am going after my money next if they cannot solve this problem soon.

I can't wait to leave feedback at http://www.resesellerratings.com/seller1385.html  (<--- their link is even wrong in their support email)
[ BTW - go to resellerratings.com and check them out...  7.57 out of 10, wish I saw that before ordering. ]

 Anyone want to save a sale at X10?? 

Did they enter the number wrong at the server?? Some embedded character???
Can they re-enter the data to get it correct? Telling me that "it" is activated isn't solving the problem.

My system: Win XP Home SP2.
Disabled/stopped/not running: Windows Firewall, Norton AV, Windows Defender...
Downloaded AHP (latest version) using the link provided after the sale. Saved the installer package. Installed. No joy.
Asked for another "link" using my invoice number. Received another installer packager. Uninstalled first package. Second install works the same.
Went back to the first package received.

AHP recognized my CM15A. I can play with it while connected to the PC. Their requirement to use a registration server to protect a $50 product (including the hardware!) is just bunk.

What else do we try next?

Jeez. This ain't rocket science!

Jim

[Tuicemen]

Welcome aboard  trawlergeek ,
Since  Brett claims the registration is in the server, have you tried installing the software on another PC?
When you originally installed the software did you download it to your harddrive before you installed it and save a copy or install from the internet?
Installed from the net can cause errors which effect the software in varying ways registration may be one!

[trawlergeek]

Tuiceman,
Thank you for the reply...

Since  Brett claims the registration is in the server, have you tried installing the software on another PC?

Ans: no. I will place it on another PC this afternoon.

When you originally installed the software did you download it to your harddrive before you installed it and save a copy or install from the internet?
Installed from the net can cause errors which effect the software in varying ways registration may be one!

Ans: I saved the image to my hard drive. I then executed the msi file from there.

I am going to use Wireshark and determine if the Server is actually responding or AHP is just timing out. That may clear up whether the PC is actually sending and receiving the entire exchange, etc.

I will post my results about 6pm (on the East Coast).

Thanks in advance for your time.

Jim

[PajamaGuy]

Make sure your firewall and or virus/malware software aren't the problem.  Try turning them OFF for the registration procedure.

[Tuicemen]

As well as doing what PajamaGuy stated.
Disconnect any X10 hardware from the PC including the CM15A. I remember installing the software and registering before I even had the CM15A. The software has many glitches and with the release you have this may be a bug! 
Also there are different versions posted in the Help and Trouble shooting section try installing an older version an see if you can register it then update to the newest!

[trawlergeek]

I couldn't ask for more help... Thanks.

Wireshark shows all the packets I expected. The conversation is with an Apache server. Starts with the HTTP server:80 shifts to TCP connection. I can clearly see the encoded Order Number in perfect form being sent... OrderID changed to 1234567-1 here for confidentiality... It is a simple cgi script making the request.

GET /softwarereg.cgi?OrderID=1234567-1&ProductID=000F00010320201F&SystemKey=<<SNIPPED FOR SECURITY>>> HTTP/1.1
Host: control.x10.com
User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.01; Windows NT 5.0)
Accept: */*
Connection: close
Content-Length: 0



HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:20:32 GMT
Server: Apache
Connection: close
Transfer-Encoding: chunked
Content-Type: text/plain 82
<X10Register>
   <RegRequest ver="1" success="0">
   <FailureReason val="Did Not Find Registration Code"/>
   </RegRequest>
</X10Register>

I will try an older version.

UPDATE: Versions 3.198 and 3.198 behave identically...

I will try one or two more versions and get back here.
UPDATE: Versions 3.201, 3.203, and the latest 3.204 all fail, as well.
Tried with and without the hardware attached... No joy.

Final update... Firewalls, Malware, Anti-virus sw disabled. Automatic protectin turned off, etc. during install on second and third PC.


This "bubble gum" company software just isn't worth the trouble.


Thanks for trying.

You guys have any other thoughts about the problem?   Without knowing what the server decided was "wrong" with my submission (other than the Order Number isn't in the server database!) we are not on the working side of this issue.

Clearly, Brett is WRONG about the server having my Order number in place. I have emailed saraf@x10.com to see if she is more motivated. I will give this problem a few more days before I post my experience at Reseller Ratings.

Bad thing is that the packaging was taken out by family member to the trash Tuesday. Normally, you can't expect help from kids without saying something. I can't skold them for taking the initiative!    A return is now out of the question...

As well as doing what PajamaGuy stated.
Disconnect any X10 hardware from the PC including the CM15A. I remember installing the software and registering before I even had the CM15A. The software has many glitches and with the release you have this may be a bug! 
Also there are different versions posted in the Help and Trouble shooting section try installing an older version an see if you can register it then update to the newest!

[zach1234]

The software automatically locks if its not registered with-in 30 min of the install, so you have to remove it and all the files and reinstall it.

[trawlergeek]

I will give that a try...   Thanks...

The software automatically locks if its not registered with-in 30 min of the install, so you have to remove it and all the files and reinstall it.

[trawlergeek]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, it made no difference.

Removed the original install. Removed the directory from the Programs folder.
Scanned the Registry for residuals. None found other than file type association.

Requested new download from Support using my OrderId/Invoice Number.
Downloaded using their link.
Installed within a few minutes of receiving their link.
Registration results are the same.
Packet traffic the same.
The server rejected the OrderID I had given them saying it was not found.

Notice that the server response  did not say anything about too many registration attempts, installation too late (based on your suggestion), or that other information was not correct.

Rebooted PC. Tried again. Nope.

Clearly, until someone from their tech support actually takes an interest here to see why their server cannot find the same OrderId (with the addition of the '-1') in the packet that is the same OrderID used to request the download, we are just whistling in the wind here.

Who do we contact next? Who has the "ability" to actually look at the server logs???

I have looked at the packet data and cannot see (without help) why my request is being rejected.

I will give that a try...   Thanks...

The software automatically locks if its not registered with-in 30 min of the install, so you have to remove it and all the files and reinstall it.

[Dan Lawrence]

One question:  Did you buy it from X10 or a reseller?

[trawlergeek]

Hi Dan, direct from X10.com. 3/30/2008.
Also, Brett from X10 support did the initial investigation of whether it was "activated" in the server. He said it was.

My invoice has the invoice number and then a similar number above the ship to address:

if my invoice number was 1123234, the other number looks like 123234A.

Their email (sent about 1 day after the purchase) gave me the original 1123234-1 code to use.

These numbers are ficticious. I am sure I should not post the real one here.

The other number with a -1 didn't work, either. I didn't think it would.

One question:  Did you buy it from X10 or a reseller?

[Dan Lawrence]

Thanks.

Looks like X10 dropped the ball.

I would get a calling card (so a call won't impact your phone bill) and call X10 direct, giving them all the information you posted here.

I posted here that the link in AHP that looks for any upgrade can't find that server (everything else works as normal) perhaps the registration server is down as well.

[trawlergeek]

Thanks Dan.

I am sure that the front end server (an Apache Server) is up. The server reply was present in the network tool analysis results. Perhaps they have another server behind the front end server that is not making the grade?  I don't know.

My concern is that it takes way too long for them to believe that the issue is more complex than the usual issues. No matter how much evidence I provide to the contrary.

Does anyone with "authority" visit the forum?

Still waiting on prioritysupport@x10.com (Eric) reply to  the most recent results and a PM I sent to him.

Thanks again, Dan.

I recall getting the very first "X10 Computer Interface" many years ago and writing my own software running on DOS or Windows 2.0 to drive the X10 neighborhood. No software "registration" required.  Same with the CM11A and the software for it.

And at the currently "relatively cheap"  price of the CM15A HW (SW royalties must be pennies to the developer) and the fact that the SDK doesn't reveal enough to replace AHP and doesn't support an CM15A "equivalent", why bother protecting it? THe CM15A is a "brick" without AHP as far as my usage is concerned. I don't want an interface for a continuously operating PC. And based on all the complaints about the CM15A and AHP, is it worth the trouble?  I have better things to do with my time and I will probably throw the CM15A out on ebay (can't return it now that packaging is trashed) and continue using the CM11A until I buy someone elses hardware and sw to replace X10's HW - and never again placing my trust in the X10.com company. Since Sam Walton died, I hate Wal Mart. But for some things I end up going there. As far as X10.com, I guess I don't need them at all. The competition is many. And I don't care if I have to change standards. Money is no longer an issue here. Value and integriity are, though.

Thanks.

Looks like X10 dropped the ball.

I would get a calling card (so a call won't impact your phone bill) and call X10 direct, giving them all the information you posted here.

I posted here that the link in AHP that looks for any upgrade can't find that server (everything else works as normal) perhaps the registration server is down as well.

[trawlergeek]

Finally, someone at X10.com takes a positive step.  Sara reset the registration information (probably took 60 seconds to complete that task) and my previously installed sw was registered without trouble.

1. No, the sw doesn't need to be registered within any time period.
2. No, if you see the same message indicating that the code was not found and you are sure you are typing the correct code, it isn't your fault.
3. No, do not expect anything but complacency and the routine suggestion asking you to pay attention to YOUR problem.
4. Do recommend that the activation be reset at the server before installing on another pc, swearing at the moon, and shipping the "cheap" product back to the cheap company.

You get what you pay for (and must endure the draconian x10.com sofware registration process for that cheap software.)

It is time for them to unlock that software and end the registration/re-registration problems. They would save more in support costs (and customer frustration) by eliminating the registration server concept. Customer loyalty is a BIG asset that is at risk here.

They have lost 100% of my loyalty. But, hey, guess what?  They can prevent me from registering again if I move to another PC, etc. They can go out of business and my software installation will become at risk. Wonderfully cheap software. 

To those folks who tried to help with their suggestions and comments, I applaud you efforts particularly since you are not compensated. Thanks again! 

[Dan Lawrence]

Hopefully, AHP will work fine from here on.

X10 has a boatload of good people and programmers jump ship and some of those are users who still frequent this forum.

I've had it since 2005 and it's been fine.

My system has various modules and a single keypress macro.

I started with X10 in the middle 1980's with a CP290 and X10's DOS software.