Home Director Technical Service and Support
Aptiva computers purchased through RadioShack offer Home Automation with the Home Director package .
RadioShack will assist the Aptiva owner with any problems that are encountered with the Home Director on the Aptiva, at no charge.
Should there be a Home Director problem on the Aptiva purchased from RadioShack, call: 1-800-843-7422.
RadioShack's help line is available:
| Monday-Friday | 9:00 - 7:00PM Central Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 - 5:00PM Central Time |
| Sunday | Closed |
Home Director support for Aptiva computers purchased from other than RadioShack
is through the 1-800-IBM-7917 Home Director help line which is available 24 hours, 365 days.
(Response times might vary).
The base Home Director package includes:
- Home Automation CD
- Serial Interface Module
- Cable
- Lamp Module
- Appliance module
Installation and operating instructions are included with the Home Director package. On-line Help and Troubleshooting Aids are included in the Home Directory software.
How Home Director Works
The Serial Interface Module sends commands to the device modules for on-off and Dim control
of the connected appliance or lighting through the house AC power wiring. The Aptiva computer, with Home Director
Software installed, is used to program and send control data to the device modules via the Serial Interface module.
The Serial Interface module plugs into a standard electrical outlet and connects to the Aptiva computer via the
serial interface on the back of the system unit with the supplied serial cable.
Dim control is for incandescent lighting only. Dim control must not be used
for fluorescent lighting or for appliances.
Home Director Troubleshooting
Refer to the Home Director On-line help information and troubleshooting aids.
Things to check:
- Make sure the Serial Interface Module is plugged into a working outlet. If the outlet is controlled by a switch, make sure the switch is on.
- Do not connect the Serial Interface Module into a surge protector. The surge protector will block signals from the computer to the power lines.
- Make sure the House Code is set correctly in the Home Director software and that the physical modules address code matches the software setting.
- Make sure the Serial Interface is configured to the correct COM port.
- Make sure the module you are trying to control is fully plugged into the wall outlet and that the switch for the appliance or light you are trying to control is in the on position and it works when plugged directly into a working wall outlet.
- Make sure the device module is not plugged into a surge protector.
- Power line noise can cause solid or intermittent failures.
Check these and similar items to see if they are operating when the problem occurs:
- Baby monitors that transmit over the power line
- Blenders
- Electric carving knives
- Electric hair dryers
- Electric motors
- Electric shavers
- Floor scrubbers
- Food processors
- Laser printers
- Mixers
- Vacuum cleaners
- Wireless doorbells that use the power line
- Wireless intercoms in transmit (talk) mode
If the COM port tests correctly and you can not control any modules, unplug the Serial Interface module from the wall outlet for about ten seconds. Plug the Serial Interface back into the wall outlet and try running the Home Director program again.
- Be aware that voltage distribution in homes is split from the 220 volt power input line. There are two separate 110 volt power lines used in the house. When a signal sent to a device module, the signal will travel from one 110 volt line, out to the power transformer, then back to the house on the other 110 volt line. If this distance is too long, you might experiance intermiitent problems. Try plugging the device module into another outlet socket.
- If you suspect a software problem, exit all other software programs and try running the Home Director program again. Conflicts may exist between Home Director and another program. Start the other programs one at a time to determine which program is causing the conflict.
- If you need to reinstall the Home Director software, first backup all the .HOM files and use the uninstall program in the Home Director directory.
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