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OS/2 Shareware BBS: OtherApp
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OS/2 Help File
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1998-08-08
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103KB
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474 lines
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Description ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
X10 Comm Tester ver. 1.0 - An OS/2 PM testing utility for X10 Powerhouse
controller model CM11x/CM12x and CP290. This utility is written for HOUSE/2 -
Home Automation & Security for OS/2 - to help determine communications problems
between the controllers and computer. X10 Comm Tester is freeware.
HOUSE/2 is an OS/2 version 3.0 and later program to control the home automation
interface model CM11A made by X10 PowerHouse.
HOUSE/2 is shareware and registration is available through BMT Micro at
www.bmtmicro.com or through the author directly. Registration now includes the
game Leave-One, a puzzle similar to Pegged. See the section How To Register
HOUSE/2 for details.
For more information on home control devices, see Internet Links for Home
Automation in this Help file.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Controller Pictures ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
X10 Comm Tester works for the controllers shown below.
Figure 1. The CM11A Home Control Interface
Figure 2. The CM11F Home Control Interface
Figure 3. The CM11G Home Control Interface
Figure 4. The CM12U Home Control Interface
Figure 5. The CP290 Home Control Interface
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Internet Links for Home Automation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
To get more information on home automation, you can visit any of the sites
listed here:
www.x10.com
Homepage of X10 POWERHOUSE.
This is the manufacturer of X10 products.
www.x10.com/x10euro.htm
Links to European Representatives of X10 POWERHOUSE.
www.smarthome.com
Home Automation System, Inc. Vendor carrying large
selection of home automation devices. Download
catalog in PDF format, search for part numbers online.
www.hwg-telekom.de
HWG Telekommunikations Systeme GmbH.
X10 Representative of Germany, Austria and
Switzerland. The CM11A is available as
PowerHaus-II in these countries.
www.automationplus.com
Mail order company for home automation devices.
www.asihome.com
Mail order company for home automation devices.
support.tandy.com/support_security/
Radio Shack Support. Follow the X10 links.
Contains FAQ for home automation devices.
www.hometoys.com
Mailing lists, newsletters, articles and product reviews
of home automation products and services.
www.homecontrols.com
Large product catalog for home automation devices.
Also carries 220/230V models for international markets.
www.hometeam.com
Information about products and services for home automation.
www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/ha/list.html
Index of home automation related sites.
www.io.com/~lbs/
Laser Business Systems Ltd. Home Automation dealer in
the United Kingdom. Lists controllers and modules for many
other European countries.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Menu Description ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Describes all menu items available for this program.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. FILE - Save As ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Saves the currently displayed data to a text file of your choice. This will
record the troubleshooting session and help in documenting the problem.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. FILE - Exit ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Exit the program. If the program is still connected to the interface, the
connection is terminated.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. HELP - General Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Displays this help file (X10TEST.HLP).
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. HELP - About ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Product information.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Program Features ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
This section explains the various program buttons and controls.
Com Port Selection:
This spin button allows to select the com port where the controller is
connected to. The range is COM1 through COM8. The default is COM2. Com port
setting is not saved when the program is terminated. Baud rate and other
parameters are fixed and are automatically set when the controller type is
selected.
Note: Com port can only be changed when the program is offline.
CM11x/CM12x or CP290 (Send To) or CP290 (Receive):
This button toggles between the CM11x/CM12x and CP290 controller tests. The
CM11x/CM12x test consists of requesting the time. The received information is
then shown on the screen. The CP290 (Send To) test first executes the CP290
built-in diagnostics, then attempts to read and display the time. The CP290
(Receive) test allows to check the operation of the rocker switches on the
CP290 by reading the response as soon as a switch is activated.
The program must be offline to change controller tests.
Connect - Disconnect:
This button toggles between online and offline. If the button displays Connect,
then the program is offline and the com port is closed. If it displays
Disconnect, then the program is online and the com port is open. The
offline/online status is also shown in the text window below the buttons.
Test:
This button sends out a request to the controllers to check if they are
present. The request and the reply are printed on the screen in hex format. If
the reply is the expected format, then Test passed will be printed. For sample
sessions see the sections on Troubleshooting the CP290 or Troubleshooting the
CM11A
Test sends out a request to read time for the controller selected. All data is
displayed in raw hex format in the large text window as it is sent and
received. Next to the raw hex data there will be comments enclosed in brackets
explaining what the data means, i.e. ===>C3 (Request Status)
Clear:
Clears the text window.
Exit:
Exit the program. If the program is still connected to the interface, the
connection is terminated.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Troubleshooting the CP290 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Sample X10 Comm Test Session for the CP290 (Send To) Test
COM2: CP290
===>FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF07 (Diagnostics)
waiting 10 seconds...
<===00FFFFFFFFFFFF00
Diagnostics passed.
===>FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF04 (Request Clock & Base)
<===FFFFFFFFFFFF00181401608D
Test passed. CP290 contains no data.
Time: 20:24 Weekday: Mon House Code: A -Check sum passed-
Note: The arrows above have the following meaning:
===> Data sent to controller
<=== Data received from controller
Sample X10 Comm Test Session for the CP290 (Receive) Test
COM2: CP290
Waiting to receive data from CP290...
Press a key on CP290 to receive data. Timeout in 10 seconds...
<===FFFFFFFFFFFF0063000860CB
CP290 contains no data.
Event: A5 OFF Base Housecode: A -Check sum passed-
CP290 Interface Connection Problems.
If you are having problems connecting to the CP290 interface then follow these
steps below.
Γûá Make sure the com port setting in the configuration matches the com
port you use for the interface.
Γûá With X10 Comm Tester online, press Test several times.
Γûá If you have Ray Gwinn's SIO comm drivers, use the included PMLM (Poor
Man's Line Monitor) to monitor data exchange between the computer and
CP290. PMLM will also display the baudrate the port is set to. If it is
not 600 then SIO may be locking the port to another baudrate. See below.
Γûá If you are using Ray Gwinn's SIO com drivers, check if the baud rate
is locked for the particular com port you are using with the interface.
Unlock it so X10 Comm Tester can change the baud rate to 600. From the
SIO reference, it states:
Locked Baud Rate
Placing a colon and a baud rate following the communications port, eg
(COM1:38400,3F8,IRQ4), causes the port to be locked at that baud rate.
No program, OS2 or DOS, is allowed to change the baud rate.
Γûá Try the standard COM1 or COM2 ports if you have problems with any
other com ports like COM3 - COM8. Also, remove any serial cable
extensions or adapters and connect the interface directly to the
computer. See the section RS-232 Cable Connection for CP290 for connector
pin-outs.
Γûá Try using a different computer or different com port to access the
CP290.
Γûá E-mail me and I will try to help you out.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. RS-232 Cable Connection for CP290 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Below is a connection diagram to connect the CP290 to a 25 or 9 pin serial
port.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Troubleshooting the CM11x/CM12x ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Sample X10 Comm Test Session for the CM11x/CM12x
COM2: CM11x
--->8B (Get Time)
<---
No response.
<---5A (Poll Signal)
--->C3 (Request Status)
<---0302E6E3 (Interface Data)
--->8B (Get Time)
<---960011100B632067004000000000
Test passed.
COM2: CM11x
<---A5 (Power Fail Poll)
<---A5 (Power Fail Poll)
<---A5 (Power Fail Poll)
<---A5 (Power Fail Poll)
<---A5 (Power Fail Poll)
--->8B (Get Time)
<---
No response.
Note: The arrows above have the following meaning:
---> Data sent to controller
<--- Data received from controller
Note: If the display shows <---A5 (Power Fail Poll), then use HOUSE/2 to
connect to the CM11x and clear the poll signal. To clear this poll signal, the
interface is waiting for a clock set which X10 Comm Tester is not designed to
do. X10 Comm Tester shows that the interface is talking to your computer and
has achieved it's purpose.
CM11A Interface Connection Problems.
If you are having problems connecting to the CM11A interface giving you Connect
Error messages, then follow these steps below.
Γûá Make sure the com port setting in the configuration matches the com
port you use for the interface.
Γûá Make sure you have all the included files present in your directory.
Γûá It appears that newly installed interfaces sometimes won't talk to
computers. If this is the case, then try kick-starting the interface with
an other X10 Controller (like a Mini Controller) if you have one
available.
Γûá With X10 Comm Tester online, press Test several times.
Γûá If you have Ray Gwinn's SIO comm drivers, use the included PMLM (Poor
Man's Line Monitor) to monitor data exchange between the computer and
CM11A. X10 Comm Tester will send out Л (character 139) when pressing
Test. The interface should respond with 14 bytes of data. Also, if you
send an X10 event like A1 ON using a mini controller or Power Flash
module, the CM11A will send the letter Z to the computer in one second
intervals until the computer retrieves the data. You can observe these
events with PMLM and they may help in troubleshooting. PMLM will also
display the baudrate the port is set to. If it is not 4800 then SIO may
be locking the port to another baudrate. See below.
Γûá If you are using Ray Gwinn's SIO com drivers, check if the baud rate
is locked for the particular com port you are using with the interface.
Unlock it so X10 Comm Tester can change the baud rate to 4800. From the
SIO reference, it states:
Locked Baud Rate
Placing a colon and a baud rate following the communications port, eg
(COM1:38400,3F8,IRQ4), causes the port to be locked at that baud rate.
No program, OS2 or DOS, is allowed to change the baud rate.
Γûá Try the standard COM1 or COM2 ports if you have problems with any
other com ports like COM3 - COM8. Also, remove any serial cable
extensions or adapters and connect the interface directly to the
computer. See the section RS-232 Cable Connection for CM11x/CM12x for
connector pin-outs.
Γûá Try ActiveHome or HomeDirector to see if these programs will talk to
the interface. Do not run these programs in a Win-OS2 session initially,
this just adds to the complexity of troubleshooting. If you can talk to
the interface with ActiveHome or HomeDirector, then X10 Comm Tester
should work also, provided the baud rate is not locked or the serial port
is not used by another application.
Γûá Try using a different computer or different com port to access the
CM11A.
Γûá If the CM11A will absolutely not talk to the computer, as a last
resort, unplug it, remove the batteries and let it sit for an hour or so
to completely reset it. Then follow the CM11A installation instruction
precisely and try it again.
Γûá E-mail me and I will try to help you out.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. RS-232 Cable Connection for CM11x/CM12x ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Below is a connection diagram to connect the CM11x/CM12x to a 25 or 9 pin
serial port.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Note: REXX or Object REXX must be installed on your system for this program to
work. REXX is installed by default, but if you did not install it then run Warp
installation again and selectively install REXX support.
Unzip all files into a separate directory, I suggest the name HOUSE2. If you
have the HOUSE/2 program, copy all files into that HOUSE/2 directory.
Open an OS/2 Window and change to the directory you just created. Type INSTALL
and the script will create a HOUSE2 folder on the desktop and fill it with all
executable programs present in the directory. To start the program,
double-click on the X10 Comm Tester object inside the HOUSE2 Folder.
If you do not want to run the INSTALL, then you can also start X10 Comm Tester
by opening an OS/2 Window command prompt, change the active directory to the
directory where X10TEST.EXE resides and type X10TEST and press enter.
Installing this program on your system does not change any of the INI or
CONFIG.SYS files.
The following files belong to this program. Note that VPOBJ.DLL and RXASYNC.DLL
are also used by HOUSE/2 but are included for completeness here:
X10TEST.EXE The executable main program.
X10TEST.HLP The main help file.
VPOBJ.DLL Dynamic Link Library required by executable. Only
required if you do not also use HOUSE/2.
RXASYNC.DLL Dynamic Link Library required for serial
communications to the CM11A and CP290 interface. Only
required if you do not also use HOUSE/2. This library
of serial communications routines is included by
permission of Crucial Applications (Author: Ian Timms,
e-mail: itimms@ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au). The entire
serial communications package, including the source
code for RXASYNC, is available at my home page or
other major OS/2 sites by the filename RXASYN20.ZIP
INSTALL.CMD General installation script for X10 Comm Tester and
HOUSE/2.
READ.ME Program description and installation instructions.
BMTORDER.TXT Order form to register HOUSE/2 through BMT Micro.
To remove this program from your system, close the program, delete all your
X10TEST object or shadow from your desktop or folders and delete all the files
(if you have HOUSE/2, delete only the non common files) listed above.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. The Legal Stuff ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
This program is free. It may be distributed electronically at no fee or a
minimum fee to cover media and distribution costs as long as all files are kept
together.
RXASYNC.DLL, required for serial communications to the CM11x and CP290
interface, is a library of serial communications routines and is included by
permission of Crucial Applications (Author: Ian Timms, e-mail:
itimms@ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au). The entire serial communications package,
including the source code for RXASYNC, is available at my home page or other
major OS/2 sites by the filename RXASYN20.ZIP
DISCLAIMER
The author of HOUSE/2 is in no way responsible for any damage this program may
cause to computer equipment by running this software on it.
Any trademarks mentioned in this document belong to their respective owners and
the author of this program is not connected in any way to these products nor
does he endorse any of the products mentioned.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. How to Register HOUSE/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
HOUSE/2 registration now includes the game Leave-One. It's a challenging puzzle
similar to Pegged. See my website for a screen shot of this game.
There are two ways you can register HOUSE/2:
Send e-mail to ASchw@worldnet.att.net to request my mailing address. You can
then send me a check or money order and I will return instructions on how to
receive the registered version. The cost is $30.00 using this option.
Register through BMT Micro at www.bmtmicro.com. BMT Micro offers a variety of
purchasing methods, see the file BMTORDER.TXT for details. After registration,
instructions will be given to you within usually one day on how to receive the
registered version. The cost is $35.00 for this option.
Quantity discounts are available. Please e-mail me for details.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
For support for this program, you can contact me directly via e-mail.
My e-mail address:
ASchw@worldnet.att.net
Visit my home page, "The Warped Code Cellar" at
http://home.att.net/~ASchw
for other information and applications for OS/2 like HOUSE/2, Memory Game and
Leave One, two speech navigation enabled games.
Monitor my home page regularly for new and upgraded OS/2 programs. This will be
the place where all programs will be available first.
This program and HOUSE/2 is also available at the following sites:
Internet:
http://home.att.net/~ASchw
http://www.bmtmicro.com
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu