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DrSolomon
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Posted: September 30 2012 at 16:51 | IP Logged Quote DrSolomon

Help Please :(
Just upgraded from 2.1b to 2.12 and have two major
problems. First is with the controller (PLM). How do
get rid of this error message "An error occurred while
attempting to open COM port 6 on Insteon PLM controller
INSTEON. Attempting to restart controller..." I have
tried everything for 3 hours no success.

Also I upgraded the database file and the ini file but
when I look at Powerhome's Devices I get a whole bunch of
"Spider" links but none of my devices which I had set up
previously in version 2.1b.

Quick help would be greatly appreciated. I love
Powerhome and would love to be working with the latest
version
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dhoward
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Posted: September 30 2012 at 18:57 | IP Logged Quote dhoward

Soloman,

First thing you'll want to do is update to version 2.1.4. Version 2.1.2 had numerous problems. You can find the download in the same forum post as 2.1.2...I think its around the 5th page. You may also come across 2.1.3 but you don't need it. Just unzip the 2.1.4 files on top of 2.1.2 and you should be upgraded to 2.1.4.

Concerning the insteon devices in your database...if they're missing, then you may not have copied/upgraded the correct database file. Go in Help|About and check the main tab for your proper registered name and check that it says you're registered. If it says a trial version, then you upgraded the wrong DB file.

Hope this helps,

Dave.
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DrSolomon
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Posted: September 30 2012 at 20:46 | IP Logged Quote DrSolomon

Dave,

Tried all you said and still no luck !!
Upgraded to 2.1.4 - Done
Checked Help|About - Says Registered - Done

Still can't talk to PLM and tried changing Com Port
Numbers, Deleted PLM and put back into Controller section
but now error message says "Get IM Info command failed
for Insteon PLM PLM. Attempting to restart
controller..."

Why can't I talk to the PLM (any suggestions)? Worked
fine before upgrade(did I just get unlucky and PLM is
dead)! Is there anyway to tell? And still why do I have
no timed events or any of my devices from the old
database? I must be missing something. Help Again ...
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grif091
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 00:52 | IP Logged Quote grif091

The PLM could have died but it is more likely the COM port number has changed. What does the OS Device manager show for COM ports in use by USB devices.

Check the cable between the PLM and the USB port.

What is the Controller Type selected for the PLM.

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grif091
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 01:11 | IP Logged Quote grif091

The error opening COM port 6 in the initial post indicates there was no device on COM port 6 so the port could not be opened.

Now whatever COM port is being used has a device that responded to opening the COM port but it is likely not a PLM. The GET IM is a Serial PLM command that returns information about the PLM. A device other than a PLM on the designated COM port would allow the port to be opened but it would not know what a GET IM command is.

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DrSolomon
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 09:07 | IP Logged Quote DrSolomon

Lee,

Thanks for the fast replies.

I am at work now but will look at it when I get home. The PLM is an Insteon 2414U. I have not tried switching USB cables (who figures that would die but have re-inserted several times and pulled power on PLM).

In the Device Manager, Do I look at Ports (Com and LPT) or Universal Serial Bus Controllers (Since I am connecting with a USB cable)? Kind of confusing since last time I looked at it the USB portion just shows a ton of hubs and stuff and I really cannot tell where the PLM is connected? Any Suggestions?

Thanks Again ...
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grif091
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 11:05 | IP Logged Quote grif091

You cannot tell what type is connected but it does show what COM ports are in use

Under Ports (Com & LPT)
Communications Port (COM1)
ECP Printer Port (PRT1)
USB Serial Port (COM4)
USB Serial Port (COM5)

COM1 has a 2412SH PLM – HouseLinc enabled PLM
COM4 has a USB PLM
COM5 has a USB PLM

There would be no use accessing any other COM ports than those listed. I suspect COM6 had nothing on it on your system. Either wrong COM port number or lose cable. When the PLM was deleted and added back it may have been defined on another COM port number.   Likely the COM port number in the current PLM definition is for a non PLM device.

Also it may only be a finger check but the last post indicates a 2414U. A 2414 is a PLC not a PLM. If really using the old 2414 PLC the Controller Type should be Insteon DM. If using a 2412 or 2413 PLM the Controller Type should be Insteon PLM. The commands are very different between a PLC and a PLM.

Also while looking at the Controller Settings check the COM port number. If either the Controller Type or COM port number is changed PH has to be restarted to pick up the changes.


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DrSolomon
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 21:08 | IP Logged Quote DrSolomon

Thanks Lee - You Da Man !!

I do have the 2414U and for some reason it is a PLM (got it way back
when Smarthome first sold its Timer Software). Anyway the Device
Manager Ports did the trick (somehow I am now using Com Port 8).

Now my biggest problem is my database. All the devices and links I had
set up in Version 2.1b are gone. Ran phupg to bring database upto 2.2
but no devices or links. The other WEIRD thing is even before I got the
PLM talking correctly, I got these Spider links with the correct Insteon
addresses (only about 1/2 of my devices). Any suggestions?

I would like to have all the database information back so i don`t have to
recreate everything. Dave if you have some tricks I welcome your
feedback too.

Thanks Again for Everyone`s Responses ...
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dhoward
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Posted: October 01 2012 at 21:51 | IP Logged Quote dhoward

Soloman,

Ive been thinking about what could be the problem and this is the only thing I can come up:

You're on Windows 7 or Vista and PowerHome 2.1b was not installed in c:\powerhome and instead installed into the 2.1b default location of c:\program files\powerhome. If so, your actual database file for 2.1b is not in c:\program files\powerhome\database and is instead in a virtualized directory somewhere under the c:\users directory. This would account for your data missing because you copied the basically a blank database and upgraded that. You can verify this by checking the date/time of the pwrhome.db file. The actual database file would have a date/time matching the last time you used version 2.1b.

If this is the case, you'll need to locate your actual database file, copy it over the existing file, and do the upgrade again.

Let me know,

Dave.
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DrSolomon
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Posted: October 02 2012 at 20:50 | IP Logged Quote DrSolomon

Lee,

You nailed it! Found the correct database file buried deep in the /users/
... directory. Moved it, upgraded it, and BAM - The world is good again.

Thans for your and Lee's help. This thread is officially closed! Can't
wait to dive into all the cool new upgrades
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