Messages

166

Users / Re: Best Toys To Expand LinuxMCE - Beginner Wants To Take It Up A Notch

« on: March 28, 2011, 08:37:55 pm »

Thanks Andrew. I'll give it a shot as soon as I can pry the thing away from the wife - teenagers these days!

167

Installation issues / Re: Insteon How-To?

« on: March 28, 2011, 07:25:46 pm »

Here is what I've done so far.
1. Replace the old wall switch with the 2476S switch
2. Plugged the 2412S modem into the wall and connected the serial cable into the Core.
3. Open the Admin page
4. Wizard > Devices > Generic Serial Device
5. Add Device
6. Pick device template 1932 (Insteon PLM)


7. Software begins to download, then the "finished" message appears telling me to restart router.


8. Go back to admin page, select device, and see errors


9. Go into advanced tab and select controlled via Core, serial port ttyS0, save, restart router.
10. No workee. "Send command to device" reports fail. GSD log does not exist in Pluto folder.
11. Reboot computer and see more software download (rubytlk or some such). Now I can send commands to the device, the GSD log exists, and the LED on the modem begins to flash. But I still can't control the light. Below, for your viewing pleasure, is the tail end of the log (after the 2600 lines of start code).

Code: [Select]

2601:end
2603:(***):MY DEVICE:38
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 6B 40 Length:3
(***):X-----------SndIns: Waiting for response to:SetCfg
(***):X-----------SndIns: Current Queue Length:2
(***):Finding Children..
(***):reading stored Child configuration:
(***):********************************************************
(***):X-----------SndIns: Waiting for response to:SetCfg
(***):X-----------SndIns: Current Queue Length:2
(***):IN:02 6B 40 06 Length:4
(***):SetCfg Completed
(***):Command Completed.
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 69 Length:2
(***):IN:02 69 06 02 57 E2 01 0A 97 0B 01 01 FF Length:13
(***):GetLnk ACKED
(***):LnkData Message Received
(***):{"Parameter2"=>"57", "Parameter3"=>"E2", "Parameter4"=>"01", "Parameter5"=>"0A", "Parameter6"=>"97", "Parameter7"=>"0B", "Response"=>"LnkData", "Parameter8"=>"01", "Parameter9"=>"01", "Parameter10"=>"FF", "Parameter1"=>"02"}
(***):record Flags:E2
(***):Controller
(***):Insteon ID:0A.97.0B, Group:01
(***):Command Completed.
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 6A Length:2
(***):IN:02 6A 15 Length:3
(***):sendGetNext NACKED
(***):Command Completed.
(***):Entered CheckChildRecordsinPLM
(***):Record: = 0A.97.0B Group:01
(***):checking to see if it needs to be added as a child...
(***):ExistsinChild:InsteonID:0A.97.0B
(***):ExistsinChild result:FALSE
(***):0A.97.0B needs to be added to the child database
(***):addtochild Routne called
(***):Adding 0A.97.0B to the child database...
(***):Child is Insteon
(***):PING Sent!
(***):0A.97.0B exists in PLM
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 Length:8
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 06 Length:9
(***):Got PING ACK
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Command Stalled!  resetting and retrying
(***):Current Command:1
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 Length:8
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 06 Length:9
(***):Got PING ACK
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Command Stalled!  resetting and retrying
(***):Current Command:1
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 Length:8
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 10 00 06 Length:9
(***):Got PING ACK
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Third attempt, Failing Command!
(***):Command Completed.
(***):Queue Empty.
(***):RERUN=TRUE, RESTARTING
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 Length:8
(***):X-----------SndIns: Waiting for response to:SndIns
(***):X-----------SndIns: Current Queue Length:1
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 06 Length:9
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Command Stalled!  resetting and retrying
(***):Current Command:25
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 Length:8
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 06 Length:9
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Command Stalled!  resetting and retrying
(***):Current Command:25
(***):SndIns:Queue:1
(***):out:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 Length:8
(***):IN:02 62 0A 97 0B 0F 19 00 06 Length:9
(***):receive timeout=1
(***):receive timeout=2
(***):receive timeout=3
(***):Third attempt, Failing Command!
(***):Command Completed.
(***):Queue Empty.
(***):RERUN Not needed
(***):Reporting Child Devices
(***):Child:0A.97.0B
(***):Config:["****************"]
(***):0A.97.0B
This seems like progress to me, but I don't know what comes next. I think I have to push and hold the modem reset for 10 seconds, then go do the same on the light switch. The LEDs blinked but not much else happened. How do I tell LMCE that there is a light to control?

168

Users / Best Toys To Expand LinuxMCE - Beginner Wants To Take It Up A Notch

« on: March 27, 2011, 04:35:48 pm »

When I first decided to try LMCE I wanted to keep costs to a minimum until I proved that I could actually get a system up and running. My system so far is:
- Hybrid Core with HDTV capture (OTA)
- 330G internal storage for videos and music
- Denon Receiver with in-wall speakers
- Insteon modem (1 light switch but more planned)
- 1-wire temp sensor (1 sensor but more planned)
- Gyration remote

It hasn't always been easy, but with help from the forums I've been able to get most things working (Insteon and 1-wire aren't up yet, but I'm working on it). Now I'm looking for input on the most cost effective ways to make the system more fun and more usable.
- Orbiters. Currently, my only control is the Gyration remote. My wife has an iPhone and an eeePC notebook (Windows) that I plan to set up as orbiters, but I've heard one of the best upgrades is to get a web pad with a touch screen.
- Telephone. This could pay for itself because I'm now paying 45US for a landline that I could eliminate. I checked into Broadvoice which looks like it is about 11US. I'm no expert on phone systems, but it looks like there are roughly two paths. I could get a VOIP phone like the Cisco 7970, or I could get an analog telephone adapter like the SPA3102 and use the phones I already own (I'm leaning this way).
- Security system. GE Caddx has rs232 connection and is inexpensive.  

What do you think? Am I considering good upgrades? Are there better products than the ones I'm listed? Are there cost effective upgrades that I'm overlooking?

John

169

Installation issues / Re: Insteon How-To?

« on: March 23, 2011, 05:43:16 am »

I'm making progress. I think I've created the PLM device. Events are showing up in the Pluto log. The LED is blinking on the 2412S modem. I also see that a lighting device was created but I have an on/off switch and the template is for a dimmer. So the only light that I can control is the LED on the modem. At least I'm closer. When I succeed I'll write a wiki how-to. Does anyone know if there is a tutorial on how to properly install a Generic Serial Device for which a template has already been written?

John

170

Installation issues / Re: Connecting A USB DVD Drive

« on: March 22, 2011, 04:59:19 am »

I reinstalled using the latest snapshot and now both DVD drives appear. I consider this the LMCE version of throwing a maiden into a volcano to make the crops grow.

I entered admin and looked at the disk device to see what was different from my last installation where only one DVD worked. There was no difference.

171

Installation issues / Re: Connecting A USB DVD Drive

« on: March 21, 2011, 01:48:41 am »

Just the one hybrid core so far with everything connected directly. I'm starting small and expanding features one at a time. Once we've finished renovating our first floor I'll add a media director. Until then, my upcoming projects are:

Fix Gyration remote - (done) thanks Dennis
Fix the USB DVD
Get Hulu working
Get Insteon lighting to work
Get 1-wire temp sensing to work
Maybe buy Hauppauge Colossus and integrate DirecTV

It has been slow going so far, but things are getting slightly easier as I continue to learn the system. I'd love to help organize the wiki to make info easier to find. I really hate crying to the forums.

John

172

Installation issues / Re: Connecting A USB DVD Drive

« on: March 20, 2011, 11:30:00 pm »

I entered admin and clicked the device tree at bottom on the left pane. There is a disk drive device (but only one). It has a checkmark next to "registered" (see screenshot). Not too sure how to confirm your second item.
As a new user, I don't know the expected behavior of the system. A few weeks ago there were two entries when I clicked on "manage disk drives". If I had put movie in the drives, the titles would display. I could click eject on either one to open the door. Now I'm only seeing one drive.



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John

173

Installation issues / Connecting A USB DVD Drive

« on: March 20, 2011, 09:47:41 pm »

I'll start with an apology. I think that forum etiquette requires member to give as much as they get, and I'm in negative numbers at the moment. All I can say is that my ultimate goal is to have a working system, contribute to the wiki, and take on some development responsibilities.
Now that my remote is working, I'd like to be able to play a DVD. I've installed libdvdcss2 and I can play a DVD in my basement using the drive installed in my hybrid core. However, my main TV is on the second floor. Next to my TV, I have a USB DVD drive connected to a hub, connected to a USB extender, connected to the core. Some might doubt that such a scheme could work, but it worked great a few weeks ago. I could use the menu overlay to pick "manage disk drives" and I would see the DVD on the core, and also the USB drive. I could insert and watch a movie using either drives. Now all I see is the drive installed in my core.
I looked in the wiki manual to see how I could fix it and found "Normally everything is setup for you automatically. If you're experiencing problems, go to Wizard > Devices > Media Directors and be sure the appropriate media players are checked and a disk drive is checked." I did this and looked for a place to put a checkmark, but there was no such option.

http://



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174

Installation issues / Re: Gyration Remote keys all wacky

« on: March 20, 2011, 08:10:32 pm »

Ardirtbiker,

May good fortune follow you wherever you go. That was it. In my earlier attempts I had checked check xorg.conf and there were multiple entries of "autoadddevices" "false", but I think I did not install the updated module correctly - I believe I missed a "sudo". Today I rebuilt the module very carefully and assumed my xorg.conf was the same as before. Bad assumption.
My GYR3101CA remote is working correctly with the 1812 template after following the setup instructions for the GYR4101US remote and editing xorg.conf under the "Server Flags" heading to include.

Option     "AutoAddDevices"   "false"


Awesome.

John

175

Installation issues / Re: Gyration Remote keys all wacky

« on: March 20, 2011, 04:26:12 pm »

I've got this great LinuxMCE software and no way to control it. Could someone please help me put the steering wheel back on my Ferrari?
I've been in the initial stages of installing LMCE for about 3 months now. In Jan I installed from the most recent snapshot and my GYR3101 was completely plug/play. For the last 3 months my main effort has been to try to get my #&*$~! serial card and Insteon modem working. In the process I've busted the system in many creative ways. I usually reload LMCE with the latest snapshot. A few weeks ago I noticed that my remote no longer works. Now I finally sorted out my serial card, but can't figure out how to get the remote back.

What has changed in the last 3 months that the GYR3101 is no longer plug/play?
Maybe it is the snapshot I'm using and I should revert to an earlier one?
Maybe the snapshot makes no difference and the problem is caused by a file that downloads during installation?

This thread is wandering back and forth between older and newer Gyration remotes and I'm getting a bit confused. I figured I'd give it a try and follow the directions in the following link (even though it says GYR4101):

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Gyration_GYR4101US

Is this patch also supposed to work for the GYR3101? Didn't work for me. Esev's post says "The music remote isn't supported in older kernels". I don't think this patch has anything to do with my problem because my kernel version has not changed from the time my remote worked in Jan to now, nor do I have a music remote.
I've reinstalled LMCE several times, I've deleted and re-installed the remote using the admin site. I've tried to re-installed using Sarah (it detects and appears to plug/play but then does not work. I'm running out of ideas.

John

176

Installation issues / Re: Insteon How-To?

« on: March 20, 2011, 01:45:13 am »

Count me in. The setup info is probably in the wiki somewhere. With both of us looking, we're bound to find it.

177

Users / Re: An Offer To Help

« on: March 17, 2011, 04:26:07 am »

Points well taken. In fact, it would be far more helpful to edit existing wiki pages than to add yet another. It has seemed to me that each step of my installation offered multiple paths each leading to a maze. Some of these journeys have been fun, but others were excruciating. Most of us probably just want the cheese.
I'll plan to start writing this on OpenOffice, then I'll ask an expert to look at it and help decide where to put it. If you look at my signature you'll see that my hardware is pretty mainstream. I'll try to demonstrate several common ways to set things up. Two questions, though. First, will anyone be offended if I blatantly plagiarize wherever I can? Second, what remote control is the most representative? I thought it was the Gyration so I purchased one. I believe it was plug/play at one time, but that is not the case now. I also have a Windows MCE remote.

John

178

Users / Offer To Help: Updating The Quick Start Guide

« on: March 16, 2011, 08:56:32 pm »

First let me say that I have the utmost respect and enthusiasm for Linux MCE and those who developed it. That being said, I'm off to what I'd consider a rocky start. Rather than complain about stuff that I'm certain will turn out to be operator error, I'd like to do something constructive. I think the root cause of my problems is that information is just too hard to find on the LMCE site.
I would like to make a LinuxMCE Quick Start Guide. I would keep this current and complete, including screenshots and videos as necessary. There would be minimum links to other pages.  Obviously, we would have to limit the scope to keep this from becoming an overwhelming task.
I think most newbies will probably want to test drive LMCE in a relatively limited way using hardware they already own, as much as possible. I'll go out on a limb and say that everyone considering LMCE already has an amplifier, speakers, and a TV or monitor that would work. They probably already own a suitable computer (or can get one for a few hundred dollars). Many already own a laptop that could be used as an orbiter. There are probably a lot of people who could put together a usable starting point merely by purchasing an NVIDIA video card, TV capture card, USBUIRT, and a remote control. It is for these people using this type of equipment that I propose to write the Quick Start Guide. It would focus on using LMCE as a media center. I'd be tempted to stop there, but LMCE is more than just a media center, so I would cover lighting as well. Once a newbie has built a working system to this point, he/she is no longer a newbie and can graduate to more advanced topics not covered in the Quick Start. Below is an initial framework.

Quick Start Guide To LMCE
Topology considerations
Select Hardware – Hybrid Core, Amplifier, Display, Controller, Networking, Interconnecting cables
Prepare for installation (download, burn ISO, Schedules Direct)
Initial installation and Wizard
Control LMCE (with keyboard, with remote, with laptop orbiter)
Control Amp through LMCE (serial, IR)
Control TV through LMCE (serial, IR)
Music (rip from CD, add pre-ripped files)
DVDs (watch live, rip to disk, add pre-ripped)
OTA TV (watch live, record/playback)
Web TV
Add storage (internal disk, NAS)
Lighting


I'm offering to write this, but as I said, I'm off to a rocky start and will need a hint or two.

John

179

Installation issues / Insteon How-To?

« on: March 15, 2011, 10:47:45 pm »

I bought my Insteon 2412S modem and I've replaced the porch light switch with a 2476S. I've scoured everything I can find on how to get LMCE to recognize and control the porch light and I'm out of ideas.

There is a wiki on setting up a new template, but this seems outdated.

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Setting_Up_PLM_Template

When I try to follow the instructions I see that there are already templates. Actually 2 templates: "Insteon PLM" seems to have plug/play info but no ruby code, "Insteon PLM DCE" seems to have ruby code but no plug/play. I tried the "PLM DCE" and as soon as I selected the template, Sarah came up and started loading software. Then it tried a DCE reload and hung while trying to generate the still incomplete Insteon device - I hadn't even had a chance to select the serial port yet.

I looked at this wiki but it seems Insteon is already installed.

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Running_the_Insteon_PLM_Driver_for_the_First_Time

I would love a good shove in the right direction. What are the first steps? Which is the best template? Do I try to link the modem and light switch before or after setting things up in LMCE?

180

Installation issues / Re: NVIDIA Driver - Troubleshooting Black Screen, Low Resolution

« on: March 10, 2011, 03:23:42 pm »

I know that 99.9% of things that people think are bugs are really just operator error. Maybe someone with more programming experience could confirm what I'm seeing? It seems like the A/V wizard should include the desired refresh rate as part of the resolution when it rewrites xorg.conf, i.e. "1024x768_60" instead of "1024x768".
I looked at trying to code this change myself, but there is a complicated interaction of subroutines that is over my head at the moment.

John