Hello...

I just received my X-10 Firecracker kit and everything works fine EXCEPT the PC interface. Can anyone offer some suggestions? The thing simply won't turn on/off the lamp. The transceiver is about 4 feet from the computer. The wireless palmpad does work great though and has no problem controlling/dimming the lamp.

Any help would be appreciated...

STH
email: shelsby@hotmail.com

STH:

1. Have you tried moving the transceiver to another outlet?

2. Where is your lamp module in relation to the computer/ transceiver? Try another lamp/location.

3. Did you plug the firecracker unit into your computer while it was on? Try rebooting the computer.

4. Do you have another device plugged into the firecracker (daisy-chain) such as a mouse or UPS?

5. Do you have an additional serial port? If so, have you tried it too?

6. Check the house code on the firecracker software to make sure it matches your transceiver, module & palmpad. Try another house code on all of them.

Try the above and let us know. I may have another option if the above items are not solving the problem for you.

Sincerely,

Scott

>1. Have you tried moving the transceiver to >another outlet?

Yes. I've tried several different outlets but still no luck. The closest was about 5 feet.

>2. Where is your lamp module in relation to the >computer/ transceiver? Try another lamp/location.

The lamp module is about 15 feet away from the computer. I have tried plugging it into another outlet which is about 5 feet away but no luck.

The transceiver is currently located in another room about 40 feet away from the lamp module but I have tried it as close as 5 feet.

>3. Did you plug the firecracker unit into your >computer while it was on? Try rebooting the >computer.

I plugged the Firecracker in while the computer was off and it is a nice tight connection. I've rebooted several times and still nothing.

>4. Do you have another device plugged into the >firecracker (daisy-chain) such as a mouse or UPS?

Yes, my mouse is plugged into the Firecracker and works perfectly.

>5. Do you have an additional serial port? If so, >have you tried it too?

I only have one compatible serial port.

>6. Check the house code on the firecracker >software to make sure it matches your >transceiver, module & palmpad. Try another house >code on all of them.

I tried another house code. The Palmpad again worked fine but not the PC interface.

In addition I have tried all available COM ports both with and without compatibility mode on.

As mentioned earler, the wireless Palmpad does work fine as does the lamp module. The PC interface is the only problem. Are these things prone to be defective or "flakey"?

Thanks for your help. Any more suggestions?

STH
email: shelsby@hotmail.com

Have you tried to un-install/re-install the "Firecracker software" ?

which port did you connect firecracker to.
is the port open,active.did you try to test communications? if so did it error?

Well everything works fine now!

X-10 emailed and informed me that you can't have a mouse plugged into the firecracker or it simply won't work. Sure enough, I installed another serial port into the computer and plugged the firecracker into it and everything works fine now.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions...

STH
email: shelsby@hotmai.com