My old DOS based CP290 controller is long overdue for upgrade so I don't 
have to keep a DOS partition just for that purpose. What is considered 
the most popular Windows and USB based replacement controller for it 
that would work with existing X10 devices? I found one on smarthome.com 
that looks like it might do the job but it concerns me that its software 
is not being upgraded to more recent Windows version than XP. Here is a 
link for the Smarthome PowerLinc Controller:

<http://www.smarthome.com/1132CU/PowerLinc-Controller-USB-Based-Home-Automation-Device/p.aspx>

Does anybody have experiece with it?

On 5/25/2010 11:30 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> My old DOS based CP290 controller is long overdue for upgrade so I don't
> have to keep a DOS partition just for that purpose. What is considered
> the most popular Windows and USB based replacement controller for it
> that would work with existing X10 devices? I found one on smarthome.com
> that looks like it might do the job but it concerns me that its software
> is not being upgraded to more recent Windows version than XP. Here is a
> link for the Smarthome PowerLinc Controller:
>
> <http://www.smarthome.com/1132CU/PowerLinc-Controller-USB-Based-Home-Automation-Device/p.aspx>
>
>
> Does anybody have experiece with it?
>
I have this unit an am happy with it 
..... sort of.  Smarthome calls this unit 
legacy, but continues to sell it.  They 
have NOT fixed any of the problems with 
it, such as the new Daylight Savings 
dates and as you point out, the newer 
OS.  Therefore, one must use somewhat 
clumsy workarounds to make it work. 
There seems to also be problems with 
noise if you leave the USB cord 
connected.  This causes the internal 
clock to go nuts.  This appears to 
happen even if the USB cord is just 
dangling in the air.  I would like the 
upgraded software to do some fancier 
"if-thens", but I refuse to pay SM for 
their crippled product.  But, that all 
said, I still use the unit and it serves 
me well except that you have to "obey" 
its idiotsyncracies.

Baran Harper's HC2000 works quite well but is ony a DOS based system. It is 
quite flakey under any Windows configuration. It does some kind of 
bit-banging serial or parallel I/F (your choice)

It supports macros, conditionals and renaming almost any object or component 
in a pulldown menu compiler GUI onterface. Requires a PC, serial port or 
Parallel and their I/F wall wart. It hasn't been upgraded since 
hmmmm...1990??? but works well within the reliability of the old X10 
modules. Probaly get it for $30-$50 T.O.




"Dabbler" <dabbler@nospam.invalid> wrote in message 
news:hti4jt$nrg$1@speranza.aioe.org...
My old DOS based CP290 controller is long overdue for upgrade so I don't
have to keep a DOS partition just for that purpose. What is considered
the most popular Windows and USB based replacement controller for it
that would work with existing X10 devices? I found one on smarthome.com
that looks like it might do the job but it concerns me that its software
is not being upgraded to more recent Windows version than XP. Here is a
link for the Smarthome PowerLinc Controller:

<http://www.smarthome.com/1132CU/PowerLinc-Controller-USB-Based-Home-Automation-Device/p.aspx>

Does anybody have experiece with it?

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:htj4eh$gij$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> I have this unit an am happy with it .... sort of.  Smarthome calls 
> this unit legacy, but continues to sell it.  They have NOT fixed any 
> of the problems with it, such as the new Daylight Savings dates and as 
> you point out, the newer OS.  Therefore, one must use somewhat clumsy 
> workarounds to make it work. There seems to also be problems with 
> noise if you leave the USB cord connected.  This causes the internal 
> clock to go nuts.  This appears to happen even if the USB cord is just 
> dangling in the air.  I would like the upgraded software to do some 
> fancier "if-thens", but I refuse to pay SM for their crippled product. 
> But, that all said, I still use the unit and it serves me well except 
> that you have to "obey" its idiotsyncracies.

Thanks.
I wish though you could have given it a more enthusiastic endorsment. 
;-) 

"Josepi" <J.R.M.@invaliid.con> wrote in message 
news:vsbLn.24989$Ak3.2484@newsfe16.iad...
> Baran Harper's HC2000 works quite well but is ony a DOS based system. 
> It is
> quite flakey under any Windows configuration. It does some kind of
> bit-banging serial or parallel I/F (your choice)
>
> It supports macros, conditionals and renaming almost any object or 
> component
> in a pulldown menu compiler GUI onterface. Requires a PC, serial port 
> or
> Parallel and their I/F wall wart. It hasn't been upgraded since
> hmmmm...1990??? but works well within the reliability of the old X10
> modules. Probaly get it for $30-$50 T.O.

In other words, I would end up no better than what I have: DOS with 
direct serial port access. 

On 5/26/2010 2:49 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:htj4eh$gij$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>> I have this unit an am happy with it .... sort of. Smarthome calls
>> this unit legacy, but continues to sell it. They have NOT fixed any of
>> the problems with it, such as the new Daylight Savings dates and as
>> you point out, the newer OS. Therefore, one must use somewhat clumsy
>> workarounds to make it work. There seems to also be problems with
>> noise if you leave the USB cord connected. This causes the internal
>> clock to go nuts. This appears to happen even if the USB cord is just
>> dangling in the air. I would like the upgraded software to do some
>> fancier "if-thens", but I refuse to pay SM for their crippled product.
>> But, that all said, I still use the unit and it serves me well except
>> that you have to "obey" its idiotsyncracies.
>
> Thanks.
> I wish though you could have given it a more enthusiastic endorsment. ;-)
Well, I did.  I really like the unit. 
That's why I'm still using it.  The USB 
interface and the program work well with 
XP.  Mine is plugged in just across this 
small pass-through room on the opposite 
side from the computer desk.  When I 
need to program it, I connect the USB 
cable and launch the program.  As for 
the Daylight Savings thing, I, and many 
other users, have to make a change on 
the day when the time changes.  It 
should do it by itself, and it used to, 
but Smarthome wouldn't fix their 
product.  It's just like my Panasonic 
DVD/hard drive recorder.  Panasonic 
couldn't be bothered to issues a new 
flash file to fix the time change .... 
so you do it manually twice a year. 
BTW, I have seen many of the 1132CUs on 
EBAY, etc. for pretty good prices.  I 
just wish I could get the Manager Plus 
software cheap.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:htjuto$5he$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> Well, I did.  I really like the unit. That's why I'm still using it. 
> The USB interface and the program work well with XP.  Mine is plugged 
> in just across this small pass-through room on the opposite side from 
> the computer desk.  When I need to program it, I connect the USB cable 
> and launch the program.  As for the Daylight Savings thing, I, and 
> many other users, have to make a change on the day when the time 
> changes.  It should do it by itself, and it used to, but Smarthome 
> wouldn't fix their product.

    It's the same case with the 3rd party DOS software I use with my 
current CP290 PC interface but I learned to live with it. It only screws 
up the schedule by one hour for a few weeks a year.

> It's just like my Panasonic DVD/hard drive recorder.  Panasonic 
> couldn't be bothered to issues a new flash file to fix the time change 
> .... so you do it manually twice a year.

    Well, I could not blame them for it too much when even for Microsoft 
it took several Windows patches to fix the daylight saving time issue. 
There was another patch just a few days ago and I am still not sure if 
it was the last one.

> BTW, I have seen many of the 1132CUs on EBAY, etc. for pretty good 
> prices.  I just wish I could get the Manager Plus software cheap.

   OK, I'll check it out there myself but I am curious what software you 
use with it right now. The essential one that comes with the $70 price? 
What is in the Plus version that you need over the current one? 

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:htjuto$5he$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> BTW, I have seen many of the 1132CUs on EBAY, etc. for pretty good 
> prices.  I

Well, I don't know where you've seen all those 1132CU-s on eBay, but I 
did not find them. On the other hand, as I was looking around more, I 
also noticed the 2414U USB interface that looks and functions pretty 
much the same as the 1132CU, so one of them must be the more recent one, 
I guess. Then even more interesting is the 2412N model with an ethernet 
interface that allows the use of web browser to control it from anywhere 
through the Internet. This sounds to me the most attractive option as 
you basically would not be dependent on an operating system. Any Java 
enabled Web browser would do it. I sure would like to hear from anybody 
who has an experience with this one. Basically what I would like to see 
from such an interface is to be able to program the X-10 or INSTEON 
devices to be turned on or off at given times and also do 
out-of-schedule, direct on-off action through the web interface. 

The major difference would be the conditionals" that it can handle. Without 
conditionals all this software is  not worth having IMHO. The macros most of 
the software brag about are mostly useless. Sequencing lights after two 
minutes is a waste of most people's intelligence and money.

e.g. I set up a routine to water a newly seeded lawn. The conditional went 
something like this.

If the sun is shining brightly (many remotes signalled daytime) then
   use 5 minutes of water every hour (ground dries out fast)
else
  use 3 minutes or water every four hours (ground is wet and not drying)

Only water during the day and once after sun goes down (will be wet all 
night)

...and a few other side  goodies (can't remember it all)

In three weeks with a bushy lawn growing the neighbour commented she had 
never seen grass seed grow like that, especially in the heat of the summer.

E.g. #2
If there is motion from one of  the 12 motion detectors then
   cycle the furnace fan for long periods of time every few hours.
else
  cycle furnace fan twice per day for 10 minutes
  run a sequence of lights throughout the house at a random time, just after 
dark to look like somebody walking through the house inlcuding porch lights 
go on for one minute and then off and then back out through hallway lighting 
to another door and do same, ending in a trip up the stairs (lights cycle), 
finallizing into the bedroom. (I had neighbours call the cops when they knew 
I was on vacation once. The simulation looked good, apparently...LOL)



I woud be sure that more up-to-date software is out there for a few hundred 
dollars a copy.






"Dabbler" <dabbler@nospam.invalid> wrote in message 
news:htjqj1$seo$1@speranza.aioe.org...
In other words, I would end up no better than what I have: DOS with
direct serial port access.




"Josepi" <J.R.M.@invaliid.con> wrote in message
news:vsbLn.24989$Ak3.2484@newsfe16.iad...
> Baran Harper's HC2000 works quite well but is ony a DOS based system.
> It is
> quite flakey under any Windows configuration. It does some kind of
> bit-banging serial or parallel I/F (your choice)
>
> It supports macros, conditionals and renaming almost any object or
> component
> in a pulldown menu compiler GUI onterface. Requires a PC, serial port
> or
> Parallel and their I/F wall wart. It hasn't been upgraded since
> hmmmm...1990??? but works well within the reliability of the old X10
> modules. Probaly get it for $30-$50 T.O.

On 5/26/2010 7:55 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:htjuto$5he$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>> BTW, I have seen many of the 1132CUs on EBAY, etc. for pretty good
>> prices. I
>
> Well, I don't know where you've seen all those 1132CU-s on eBay, but I
> did not find them. On the other hand, as I was looking around more, I
> also noticed the 2414U USB interface that looks and functions pretty
> much the same as the 1132CU, so one of them must be the more recent one,
> I guess. Then even more interesting is the 2412N model with an ethernet
> interface that allows the use of web browser to control it from anywhere
> through the Internet. This sounds to me the most attractive option as
> you basically would not be dependent on an operating system. Any Java
> enabled Web browser would do it. I sure would like to hear from anybody
> who has an experience with this one. Basically what I would like to see
> from such an interface is to be able to program the X-10 or INSTEON
> devices to be turned on or off at given times and also do
> out-of-schedule, direct on-off action through the web interface.
Well, I didn't see any now on ebay 
either.  I use the standard software 
that SH provides.  The call it Manager. 
  It is pretty good for most things. 
The one thing the "Manager Plus" 
software does and the standard one 
doesn't is it allows you to say if A1 
one is presently on and an A2-on occurs, 
do an A3-on.  Right now I'm doing it 
with a few X10 universal modules 
connected together with a powerflash 
module.  It's really a kludge, but it 
does work.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:htkhhb$30b$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> Well, I didn't see any now on ebay either.  I use the standard 
> software that SH provides.  The call it Manager. It is pretty good for 
> most things. The one thing the "Manager Plus" software does and the 
> standard one doesn't is it allows you to say if A1 one is presently on 
> and an A2-on occurs, do an A3-on.  Right now I'm doing it with a few 
> X10 universal modules connected together with a powerflash module. 
> It's really a kludge, but it does work.

Art, does your controller's software allow to set random event times as 
the old CP290 does? It's random within an hour's window. As I only have 
one-way X-10 modules, I think I could get by with the essential manager 
software. 

On 5/29/2010 12:14 AM, Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:htkhhb$30b$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>> Well, I didn't see any now on ebay either. I use the standard software
>> that SH provides. The call it Manager. It is pretty good for most
>> things. The one thing the "Manager Plus" software does and the
>> standard one doesn't is it allows you to say if A1 one is presently on
>> and an A2-on occurs, do an A3-on. Right now I'm doing it with a few
>> X10 universal modules connected together with a powerflash module.
>> It's really a kludge, but it does work.
>
> Art, does your controller's software allow to set random event times as
> the old CP290 does? It's random within an hour's window. As I only have
> one-way X-10 modules, I think I could get by with the essential manager
> software.
Yes.  I don't really use the feature 
because when you are at home, the 1 hour 
window is so large  that at times, you 
are left in the dark.  That is 
especially true in this house because 
the sun goes down behind a mountain and 
dark falls very fast.  At other times 
the light turns on way too early.  But, 
it does do a calculated dusk/dawn for 
your area.  That does vary the time from 
day to day as the season changes.  I 
don't use the dawn part as I just turn 
off the lights at a designated time.  I 
suppose this could be set to random, but 
usually "lights out" occurs from an ALL 
OFF from my nightstand.  I also have an 
X10 motion detector that will send an ON 
when it gets dark.  If a storm goes 
through and it gets really dark, it will 
send the required ON to turn on the main 
living room lights.  It did it 
yesterday, as a mater of fact.  But, I 
forgot to put in the OFF, so that when 
the storm passes, it will turn them off 
again.  I'll have to remember to do that 
next time I'm in the 1132.

In article <vsbLn.24989$Ak3.2484@newsfe16.iad>, J.R.M.@invaliid.con 
says...
> Baran Harper's HC2000 works quite well but is ony a DOS based system. It is 
> quite flakey under any Windows configuration. It does some kind of 
> bit-banging serial or parallel I/F (your choice)
> 
> It supports macros, conditionals and renaming almost any object or component 
> in a pulldown menu compiler GUI onterface. Requires a PC, serial port or 
> Parallel and their I/F wall wart. It hasn't been upgraded since 
> hmmmm...1990??? but works well within the reliability of the old X10 
> modules. Probaly get it for $30-$50 T.O.

Newer software like Home Domination would do better then the old DOS 
stuff.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:htr48g$t6p$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>> Art, does your controller's software allow to set random event times 
>> as
>> the old CP290 does? It's random within an hour's window. As I only 
>> have
>> one-way X-10 modules, I think I could get by with the essential 
>> manager
>> software.
> Yes.  I don't really use the feature because when you are at home, the 
> 1 hour window is so large  that at times, you are left in the dark. 
> That is especially true in this house because the sun goes down behind 
> a mountain and dark falls very fast.  At other times the light turns 
> on way too early.  But, it does do a calculated dusk/dawn for your 
> area.  That does vary the time from day to day as the season changes. 
> I don't use the dawn part as I just turn off the lights at a 
> designated time.  I suppose this could be set to random, but usually 
> "lights out" occurs from an ALL OFF from my nightstand.  I also have 
> an X10 motion detector that will send an ON when it gets dark.  If a 
> storm goes through and it gets really dark, it will send the required 
> ON to turn on the main living room lights.  It did it yesterday, as a 
> mater of fact.  But, I forgot to put in the OFF, so that when the 
> storm passes, it will turn them off again.  I'll have to remember to 
> do that next time I'm in the 1132.

Thanks. Do you also use Insteon modules in your setup? 

"Uniden" <uniden@nospam.net> wrote in message 
news:MPG.266b1220e1d3daa7989696@news.giganews.com...
> Newer software like Home Domination would do better then the old
> DOS stuff.

   What OS is the Home Domination running in?

On 5/30/2010 2:26 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> Thanks. Do you also use Insteon modules in your setup?
Nope, just generic X10 stuff.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Thanks. Do you also use Insteon modules in your setup?
> Nope, just generic X10 stuff.

I see. I wonder though how you ended up with the 1132CU controller. Did 
you also start out with CP290 and then progressed ton CM15A before 
winding up with the current, already deprecated one? With XP soon ending 
up the way DOS did, you may have to move to yet another, newer 
controller. That's why I was thinking moving to web based one but they 
are just too expensive and don't really work well with X-10 modules as 
they are mainly Insteon. 

On 5/30/2010 7:48 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> Thanks. Do you also use Insteon modules in your setup?
>> Nope, just generic X10 stuff.
>
> I see. I wonder though how you ended up with the 1132CU controller. Did
> you also start out with CP290 and then progressed ton CM15A before
> winding up with the current, already deprecated one? With XP soon ending
> up the way DOS did, you may have to move to yet another, newer
> controller. That's why I was thinking moving to web based one but they
> are just too expensive and don't really work well with X-10 modules as
> they are mainly Insteon.
I started with X10 when no one knew what 
X10 was.  The early modules were not 
very reliable.  These were the old brown 
units, which I actually still have a 
few.  I had a "timer" unit to control 
the on/offs.  Then a CP290.  I went from 
the CP290 directly to the 1132 because I 
could never get it to work correctly 
with Windows, probably 98, but maybe it 
was ME (yuk).   I don't even know where 
my old CP290 is ... I moved after 38 
years in one location, so things are 
still in boxes even after 8 months. 
It's probably in the Halloween box.  I 
used it to control some Halloween 
effects even after I got the 1132.  As 
for XP going the way of DOS, I don't see 
that happening in my house real soon. 
Microsoft saw to that when they came out 
with Vista.  Windows 7 looks good, but 
really, what does it do other than 
automatic side by side windows 
(according to their commercials that's 
all they seem to be able to tout).  I 
think my laptop will never do anything 
but XP.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:hu0bki$ucj$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> I started with X10 when no one knew what X10 was.  The early modules 
> were not very reliable.  These were the old brown units, which I 
> actually still have a few.  I had a "timer" unit to control the 
> on/offs.  Then a CP290.  I went from the CP290 directly to the 1132 
> because I could never get it to work correctly with Windows, probably 
> 98, but maybe it was ME (yuk).

So you never even tried the CM15A USB based controller? That is supposed 
to work with Windows though I could not confirm what version of Windows. 
I have a suspicion that they stopped upgrading its software with Windows 
95. But you're right about those old X10 modules, especially the lamp 
modules. They seldom lasted long. I started with X-10 around '84 and did 
not upgrade much beyond getting newer modules. I remember that in the 
old days X10 was not recommending the use of their modules with 
flurescent lights. Has that changed? It would have to, with the "green" 
campaign to replace incandescent lights with fluorescent ones.

> As for XP going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house 
> real soon. Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista. 
> Windows 7 looks good, but really, what does it do other than automatic 
> side by side windows (according to their commercials that's all they 
> seem to be able to tout).  I think my laptop will never do anything 
> but XP.

Well, 64-bit PCs will be the main computing platforms soon and Windows 7 
helps to spread it. So we might as well get on with the program. ;-) 

Art,

Do you know if the 1132 can replace a CM11 controller?

TIA
Rich W.


Art Todesco wrote:
> control some Halloween effects even after I got the 1132.  As for XP 
> going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house real soon. 
> Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista.  Windows 7 looks 
> good, but really, what does it do other than automatic side by side 
> windows (according to their commercials that's all they seem to be able 
> to tout).  I think my laptop will never do anything but XP.

On 5/31/2010 3:27 PM, Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:hu0bki$ucj$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>> I started with X10 when no one knew what X10 was. The early modules
>> were not very reliable. These were the old brown units, which I
>> actually still have a few. I had a "timer" unit to control the
>> on/offs. Then a CP290. I went from the CP290 directly to the 1132
>> because I could never get it to work correctly with Windows, probably
>> 98, but maybe it was ME (yuk).
>
> So you never even tried the CM15A USB based controller? That is supposed
> to work with Windows though I could not confirm what version of Windows.
> I have a suspicion that they stopped upgrading its software with Windows
> 95. But you're right about those old X10 modules, especially the lamp
> modules. They seldom lasted long. I started with X-10 around '84 and did
> not upgrade much beyond getting newer modules. I remember that in the
> old days X10 was not recommending the use of their modules with
> flurescent lights. Has that changed? It would have to, with the "green"
> campaign to replace incandescent lights with fluorescent ones.
CFLs seem to have problems with most 
modules because of the sensing current. 
  I have 2 lamps with CFLs connected to 
one appliance module.  When off, one of 
the lamps dimly flickers periodically 
from the sensing current ... funny, the 
other doesn't.  I think there are ways 
to modify the modules to remove the 
sensing current, but I'm not sure.  I 
probably should use one of my modified 
Universal Modules for these lamps.  They 
are modified to bring out line voltage 
to a female connector on a short cord. 
The screw terminals were removed.
>
>> As for XP going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house
>> real soon. Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista.
>> Windows 7 looks good, but really, what does it do other than automatic
>> side by side windows (according to their commercials that's all they
>> seem to be able to tout). I think my laptop will never do anything but
>> XP.
>
> Well, 64-bit PCs will be the main computing platforms soon and Windows 7
> helps to spread it. So we might as well get on with the program. ;-)
As I said, I'll probably stay with XP on 
my laptop, to it can be used with the 
1132.  I would like to find a cheap copy 
of the Manager Plus software to do some 
if/thens that I can't do now.  I refuse 
to pay SH for software for their 
crippled product unless they were to fix 
things .... which will never happen.

Art Todesco wrote:
> On 5/31/2010 3:27 PM, Dabbler wrote:
>> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:hu0bki$ucj$1@speranza.aioe.org...
>>> I started with X10 when no one knew what X10 was. The early modules
>>> were not very reliable. These were the old brown units, which I
>>> actually still have a few. I had a "timer" unit to control the
>>> on/offs. Then a CP290. I went from the CP290 directly to the 1132
>>> because I could never get it to work correctly with Windows,
>>> probably 98, but maybe it was ME (yuk).
>>
>> So you never even tried the CM15A USB based controller? That is
>> supposed to work with Windows though I could not confirm what
>> version of Windows. I have a suspicion that they stopped upgrading
>> its software with Windows 95. But you're right about those old X10 modules, 
>> especially the lamp
>> modules. They seldom lasted long. I started with X-10 around '84 and
>> did not upgrade much beyond getting newer modules. I remember that
>> in the old days X10 was not recommending the use of their modules
>> with flurescent lights. Has that changed? It would have to, with the
>> "green" campaign to replace incandescent lights with fluorescent
>> ones.
> CFLs seem to have problems with most
> modules because of the sensing current.
>  I have 2 lamps with CFLs connected to
> one appliance module.  When off, one of
> the lamps dimly flickers periodically
> from the sensing current ... funny, the
> other doesn't.  I think there are ways
> to modify the modules to remove the
> sensing current, but I'm not sure.

I have an appliance module with the sensing current mod that works fine with 
multiple CFL's.

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:hu1t2j$l9d$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> CFLs seem to have problems with most modules because of the sensing 
> current. I have 2 lamps with CFLs connected to one appliance module. 
> When off, one of the lamps dimly flickers periodically from the 
> sensing current ... funny, the other doesn't.  I think there are ways 
> to modify the modules to remove the sensing current, but I'm not sure. 
> I probably should use one of my modified Universal Modules for these 
> lamps.  They are modified to bring out line voltage to a female 
> connector on a short cord. The screw terminals were removed.

Hm, it looks like they still have a problem with that.

> As I said, I'll probably stay with XP on my laptop, to it can be used 
> with the 1132.  I would like to find a cheap copy of the Manager Plus 
> software to do some if/thens that I can't do now.  I refuse to pay SH 
> for software for their crippled product unless they were to fix things 
> .... which will never happen.

Well, that's what's been bothering me, too: their software was last 
updated in 2004! Not a good recommendation for me. So I went ahead and 
ordered a CM15A from ActiveHomes as that seems to be a more current 
interface, including its software. I'll see if that works out for me. 

On 5/31/2010 10:51 PM, Rich Wonneberger 
wrote:
> Art,
>
> Do you know if the 1132 can replace a CM11 controller?
>
> TIA
> Rich W.
>
>
> Art Todesco wrote:
>> control some Halloween effects even after I got the 1132. As for XP
>> going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house real
>> soon. Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista. Windows 7
>> looks good, but really, what does it do other than automatic side by
>> side windows (according to their commercials that's all they seem to
>> be able to tout). I think my laptop will never do anything but XP.

I'm not sure I understand the question. 
  And, I'll have to answer no, because I 
know little about the CM11.  Doesn't the 
CM111 require the computer to do all the 
work, i.e. is it just an interface, right?

"Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm not sure I understand the question. And, I'll have to answer no, 
> because I know little about the CM11.  Doesn't the CM111 require the 
> computer to do all the work, i.e. is it just an interface, right?

    CM11 was an early successor to CP290 which you could program from a 
PC Windows program through serial connection but could run it off the PC 
with those stored instructions in the CM11. 

Art,

The CM11 does not need the computer to work.
I upload the timer events to it.
I rarely use that comp any more other then to update the time in the CM11

Rich W.


Art Todesco wrote:
> On 5/31/2010 10:51 PM, Rich Wonneberger wrote:
>> Art,
>>
>> Do you know if the 1132 can replace a CM11 controller?
>>
>> TIA
>> Rich W.
>>
>>
>> Art Todesco wrote:
>>> control some Halloween effects even after I got the 1132. As for XP
>>> going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house real
>>> soon. Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista. Windows 7
>>> looks good, but really, what does it do other than automatic side by
>>> side windows (according to their commercials that's all they seem to
>>> be able to tout). I think my laptop will never do anything but XP.
> 
> I'm not sure I understand the question.  And, I'll have to answer no, 
> because I know little about the CM11.  Doesn't the CM111 require the 
> computer to do all the work, i.e. is it just an interface, right?

Dabbler,

So if Art went from a CP290 to the 1132 and the CM11 succeeded the CP290 
there may be a chance the 1132 can replace the CM11?

TIA
Rich W.


Dabbler wrote:
> "Art Todesco" <actodesco@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I'm not sure I understand the question. And, I'll have to answer no, 
>> because I know little about the CM11.  Doesn't the CM111 require the 
>> computer to do all the work, i.e. is it just an interface, right?
> 
>    CM11 was an early successor to CP290 which you could program from a 
> PC Windows program through serial connection but could run it off the PC 
> with those stored instructions in the CM11.

"Rich Wonneberger" <Turtil@frontiernet.net> wrote in message 
news:NIjNn.27037$TL5.18081@newsfe24.iad...
> Dabbler,
>
> So if Art went from a CP290 to the 1132 and the CM11 succeeded the 
> CP290 there may be a chance the 1132 can replace the CM11?

Yes, though CM11 used to connect to the PC through serial port, the 
1132CU through USB. Way back when CM11 came out I tried to use it but I 
could never get its serial connection work reliably. It often froze my 
PC during uploading and then I just dumped the darn thing. It might had 
to do something with the fact that CM11 was designed for two-way X10 
modules which I did not have. It's been a long time ago and I don't 
recall all the details now. 

In article <htuauh$a14$1@speranza.aioe.org>, dabbler@nospam.invalid 
says...
> "Uniden" <uniden@nospam.net> wrote in message 
> news:MPG.266b1220e1d3daa7989696@news.giganews.com...
> > Newer software like Home Domination would do better then the old
> > DOS stuff.
> 
>    What OS is the Home Domination running in?
> 
> 

Win 2k to Win7

That definitely looks like it would fit my bill much better.

I would be interested in hearing more about your experiences with this 
product.

I assume this software does conditional processing. They appear to call it 
"macros" instead of logic or conditionals.


"Uniden" <uniden@nospam.net> wrote in message 
news:MPG.267050d5bcc8af37989697@news.giganews.com...
In article <htuauh$a14$1@speranza.aioe.org>, dabbler@nospam.invalid
says...
> "Uniden" <uniden@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:MPG.266b1220e1d3daa7989696@news.giganews.com...
> > Newer software like Home Domination would do better then the old
> > DOS stuff.
>
>    What OS is the Home Domination running in?
>
>

Win 2k to Win7 

Only for macros though. The CM11 will not store any conditional commands and 
that makes it kind of useless for me.

I wrote software for the CM11 but I could never get past the packet 
descriptions for the reset data coming out of the thing. I gave up years ago 
with the hope to get back at it again.
I figure there was some commercial drivers written that would be an easier 
place to start with, next time...or next life maybe?...LOL



"Rich Wonneberger" <Turtil@frontiernet.net> wrote in message 
news:9EjNn.74431$304.36786@newsfe12.iad...
Art,

The CM11 does not need the computer to work.
I upload the timer events to it.
I rarely use that comp any more other then to update the time in the CM11

Rich W.


Art Todesco wrote:
> On 5/31/2010 10:51 PM, Rich Wonneberger wrote:
>> Art,
>>
>> Do you know if the 1132 can replace a CM11 controller?
>>
>> TIA
>> Rich W.
>>
>>
>> Art Todesco wrote:
>>> control some Halloween effects even after I got the 1132. As for XP
>>> going the way of DOS, I don't see that happening in my house real
>>> soon. Microsoft saw to that when they came out with Vista. Windows 7
>>> looks good, but really, what does it do other than automatic side by
>>> side windows (according to their commercials that's all they seem to
>>> be able to tout). I think my laptop will never do anything but XP.
>
> I'm not sure I understand the question.  And, I'll have to answer no,
> because I know little about the CM11.  Doesn't the CM111 require the
> computer to do all the work, i.e. is it just an interface, right? 

"Josepi" <J.R.M.@invaliid.con> wrote in message 
news:j2DPn.36903$rU6.21921@newsfe10.iad...
>>    What OS is the Home Domination running in?
>>
>>
>
> Win 2k to Win7

What about the 64-bit Win7?