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syonker
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Posted: October 17 2010 at 19:35 \| IP Logged

Hi Gang,

I apologize in advance if this has already been covered...I did some searching through the forums and didn't find anything obvious relating to this particular problem.

My HAI box is currently a dedicated XP machine. I had tried to put PH on a Server 2008 R2 platform, but stopped messing with it and stuck with XP for now.

This machine is a rack-mount, no-head, dedicated machine. When I reboot it, I do it through a soft remote controller. Therefore, if the reboot goes bad, I have to go down to the rack and manually pop the power. I tried setting up the scheduler to reboot the machine regularly to maintain "freshness" (we all know Windows), but realized every time it tried to reboot (every few days) the box was hanging and needed to be manually power-popped.

I finally took it out of the rack, brought it up and put a monitor, kbd, etc. on it and found that it was the SmartHome Device Manager causing all this headache. On this box, shutting down PH does not kill the SmartHome Device Manager...and it needs to be manually stopped before the machine will shut down and restart on its own (even "shutdown -r" with Admin privileges won't circumvent this).

That said, has anyone else had this problem and is there an easy workaround so I can regularly reboot and restart this machine to keep it healthy...?

While I'm on the topic, are there any other mechanisms, suggestions, tips, conventions, and standards that make the PH HAI machine more maintainable, better prepared in case of disaster, etc. that people have put to use? This might be a good discussion topic in general.

Regards to all,

-S

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 17 2010 at 20:08 \| IP Logged

I hate to tell you this but the answer is PLM….

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syonker
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Posted: October 17 2010 at 22:13 \| IP Logged

Do you mean to say that the PLM on this machine is causing the problem, or something else?

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 17 2010 at 22:44 \| IP Logged

No, PLC if you are using Smarthome Device Manager. Use a PLM and you won’t have the problem. Besides that the PLM is much faster and more reliable.

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syonker
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Posted: October 17 2010 at 22:57 \| IP Logged

You know what...I'm going to look around...I think I have a spare PLM lying around...in fact, I'm kind of surprised it's not attached to the PH computer as I thought I did that once already when I put in my Insteon Thermostat (which has never worked with PH to date - go figure). Huh....

-S

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syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 09:19 \| IP Logged

So it's been a little while. I looked around and found that I did NOT have a PLM lying around (what I ordered wasn't a PLM).

So I ordered one - it should arrive today. Is there any trick to replacing my current POWERLINC, or can I just install the PLM and do a "Clear/Load Full"...?

Just out of curiousity, do you think this device will solve the problems I have getting the system to recognize my Venstar/Insteon thermostat, and allow me to remove all the SignaLinc RFs from the system (I noticed I have to have some in place for all devices to work).

Maybe what I should ask is what's the ideal Insteon network look like these days...?

-S

Edited by syonker - October 27 2010 at 09:20

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 09:29 \| IP Logged

This is from an earlier post of mine:

I hope I got this right.. Trying to simplify and put all the information in one place. These instructions are from Noel and Dave’s implementations.

1. PH Explorer>Setup>Controller> - Disable PLC and add PLM. Click on Settings and verify COM PORT and any others.

2. Reinitialize

3. PH Explore>Devices>X10 and/or Insteon Units - Change PLC to PLM.

4. Insteon Explorer>Setup – “Clear PLC/PLM Database” then “Add Min”

5. Insteon Explorer>Links - Make the POWERLINC1 the current device and highlighted ALL of the controller links and ALL of the responder links. Then click on the "Copy" text and declined to include the current device as a responder.

6. Next, make the PLMCTLR1 the current device in the Links screen. Click on the "Paste" text and all of the PLC links will be copied to the PLM. Click "Save" and let'er rip.

7. Insteon Explorer>PLC/PLM Groups - Change all controllers for all groups from PLC to PLM.

And yes it will solve the shutdown problem. I wish I had an “ideal Insteon network”.

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grif091
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:11 \| IP Logged

The SignaLincs operate on a different RF frequency from all the other Insteon RF devices. If you have complete coverage with Access Points the SignaLincs should not be needed, in theory. I kept my SignaLincs even though I have a pair of Access Points both for coupling and for the Insteon RF devices. If you ordered a Dual Band PLM (2413) some folks are reporting they seem to have less RF range than an Access Point.

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Lee G

syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:23 \| IP Logged

What I *can* tell you is that I have a SignaLinc RF plugged into the power strip in my A/V cabinet...there are two other devices - a LampLinc 3-Pin, and a low-volt contact controller (it comes up as "XXXX New Insteon Device" in PowerHome) to control the fireplace.

At one point, I replaced the LampLinc with a new Dual-Band LampLinc, and nothing responded even though plugged into the same power strip (not even the dual-band itself), so I switched back to the SignaLinc RF and LampLinc 3-pin and it works fine again. I have no idea.

Also, the VenStar/Insteon Thermostat, which is not 5 feet away from this A/V cabinet, have NEVER shown up in PH; however, I can control it (crudely) using the RemoteLinc they suggest in the documentation, so I'm pretty sure the Insteon/Venstar component works fine.

Anyway, I'm waiting until the PLM shows up and will try it in place to see if any of these other issues come up.

NOTE: I also have two "Insteon Access POints" in the house...I can't tell if they're doing anything useful or not. :)

-S

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:29 \| IP Logged

If you are on a power strip with any X10 or Insteon devices your chances of working are greatly diminished.

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syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:42 \| IP Logged

Even if the SignaLinc or Access Point, or Dual-band are on the same power strip? Would love to hear some ideas on how to avoid this. For example, I have 2 plug outlets in this AV cabinet, and 2 shelves. I have one powerstrip to each shelf from the 2 they give me just so I have enough outlets (game consoles(3), amplifier, tv, network switch....)

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:48 \| IP Logged

I use filterlincs to alleviate the problem. The MOVs will absorb most of your signal at the modulation point. I would plug into a clean outlet and install your device/s. From there install a filter and plug the power strip into that.

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syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:49 \| IP Logged

Ok, the PLM just arrived...and I'm a little confused. What I have in place on the PH machine right now is a PowerLinc USB #2414U.

What arrived today is a PowerLinc USB Dual Band #2413U. Aren't these the same devices just with this one containing a wireless interface? If so, why would the PLM currently in place be responsible for getting in the way of the reboot.....? I'm not putting this thing in just yet...haven't decided if I need it or not.

-S

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 11:59 \| IP Logged

The new one is a PLM and the old one is a PLC. One is called a Modem and the other a Controller. You currently have a PLC installed that uses Device manager and the PLM doesn’t.

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grif091
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 12:04 \| IP Logged

It sounds like there are powerline problems around the A/V equipment. This is not uncommon. Normally a FilterLinc between the powerline and the A/V equipment will resolve any noise or signal attenuation associated with that equipment. Hopefully that power strip has no surge protection/suppression as that just adds to the Insteon problems. Just saw the last post that added to the list of equipment on the circuit. Definitely a candidate for a FilterLinc.

The SignaLinc is likely taking an RF signal from the other SignaLinc and repeating it on that circuit. Strong enough to overcome the powerline issues. The Dual Band PLM does not seem to have the range of an Access Point. If it does not help where the SignaLinc does the PLM is likely out of range of your Access Points. I would use a FilterLinc to isolate all the other electronic equipment. They come in a 10A variant but you may still need two depending on the total current draw of all the equipment. DO NOT use any power strip that has surge protection for supplying any Insteon devices and use an Access Point in place of the SignaLinc. Actually I see no reason to replace the SignaLinc but that is personal choice. The SignaLinc does not receive the tstat adaptor RF signal so that will not help nor hurt regarding the tstat adaptor.

I thought the reason for moving to a PLM from a PLC was to eliminate the SDM3 interface used by the PLC and thus eliminate the SDM3 shutdown issues. The PH interfaces to the PLM without the SDM3 device driver inbetween. Be sure to install the USB PLM device drivers from Smarthome. They make a USB connected PLM look like Serial connected PLM by assigning a COMx number to the USB device. The USB PLM will not work without the Smarthome device driver.

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Lee G

syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 15:27 \| IP Logged

Ok, interesting it came up as COM5...took me a little while to figure that one out.

Am I correct in stating after step 4 above, I should be able to go to "Device Status" and manually control devices? That did not work FYI...anyway, waiting for the links to propagate out right now - then will check again.

-S

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 15:39 \| IP Logged

You have to finish all the steps for the controller to work correctly…

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syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 15:52 \| IP Logged

Did all the steps...everything to the KPL came up "PENDING", but that makes sense since I just turned it from a 6-Button KPL to an 8-Button KPL.

However, still no control over current devices after all steps. Reinitialized PH again, am now rebooting the box to see if any change.

-S

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syonker
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 16:12 \| IP Logged

Ok, here's weird for you. The "Device Status" screen has no control over the devices; however, when I go into Insteon Explorer, and hit "Control", that works....HUH?

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BeachBum
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 16:20 \| IP Logged

Few things to double check. In Controllers Insteon PLM is checked Active and the PLC is NOT, Devices-Units Controller is the PLM, Insteon Explorer-Devices nothing is shaded red.

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