FireCracker FAQ

My Firecracker® doesn't work when my mouse is plugged into its serial passthrough. Will the Firecracker® work if a mouse is plugged into it?

A mouse is a full time device that prevents any other device from using its serial port. This means that the Firecracker software is unable to communicate with the CM17A. You will have to move the CM17A to another port for it to work.

How do I save the changes I made to the labels in the onscreen PalmPad?

Any changes you make will be saved if you exit the Firecracker® software correctly. Right click on the onscreen PalmPad or on the taskbar icon and select 'Close.' Click 'Yes' when asked, "Do you want to close the Firecracker application?" This will save your changes and exit the program.

What do I do if the CM17A doesn't fit into my serial port?

On some computers, there isn't enough space around the serial port to plug the Firecracker® interface in. If this is the case on your computer, you can try using another serial port, or purchase a extension serial cord.

My Firecracker® won't control the TM751 transceiver. What do I do?

In order for the Firecracker® software to work, the software must be able to communicate to the CM17A, and the CM17A must be able to communicate to the TM751.

First, make sure that the COM Port selected in the Firecracker® software is the correct one for the serial port you have the CM17A plugged into. You can check this by right clicking on the onscreen PalmPad and selecting "Test Communications." Any COM Port displayed in gray is not available for use on your computer. You should also check in the Windows 95/98 Device Manager to make sure that the COM Port you have chosen isn't being used by another device. Bring up Device Manager by right clicking on "My Computer" from your desktop, choosing "Properties" and then the "Device Manager" tab. If you can't tell if you have selected the right COM Port, you may need to contact your computer technical support.

Once you have confirmed that the COM Ports are configured OK, you'll need to check that the CM17A can talk to the TM751. Remember, the House Code (letter dial) on the TM751 needs to be the same as the House Code in the Firecracker® software. When testing it's also helpful to plug the TM751 into an outlet in the same room as your computer. Try several times before you give up. If you still can't get it to work, call X-10 technical support at (800) 442-5138.

When I transmit a dim command, my transceiver (TM751) dims the light all the way down and then the transceiver locks up until I unplug it. Why does this happen?

This can occur when the TM751 receives a dim or bright command. It only needs a 120KHz signal present in the environment to keep dimming or brightening, therefore, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause it to keep going after it gets the first valid code. A house/unit code before each additional dim command is not needed.

To help you determine if you have EMI, you will need a surge protector. If the surge protector has other devices plugged into it, remove them. The surge protector will help to create a "quiet" test area. Keep in mind, this is not an absolute method of EMI detection. Plug your transceiver and lamp module into the surge protector. Using your remote, dim the light. If the dimming problem persists, unplug/turn off any EMI producing devices, such as a cordless phone, cell phone, microwave, stereo system, computer, etc. Try dimming again.

If you are unable to determine the source of the interference, we can exchange the transceiver, provided the warranty is still valid. A replacement transceiver may be more tolerant of the EMI present in your home, however, it is likely to operate in the same manner.

Can I use keyboard commands instead of clicking on the ON and OFF buttons?

To turn a module ON or OFF:

1. Type the House code (A through P).
2. Type the unit code (1 through 16).
3. Type the letter N for ON and F for OFF.

To dim or brighten a lamp module:

1. Type the house code (A through P).
2. Type the unit code (1 through 16).
3. Press the + (plus) key to brighten and the - (minus) key to dim.
4. For repeated dimming or brightening of the same module, you can press + (plus) or - (minus) without entering the House or Unit code again.

To delete the last entry press the Delet or Backspace key.

To cancel the last command press the Escape key.

After minimizing the User Interface, Firecracker® does not have a button on the taskbar. I try to load Firecracker® again and nothing happens. What do I do to fix this problem?

To restore Firecracker®, locate its icon in the System Tray (next to the clock on your taskbar). Double click on the icon to restore Firecracker or right mouse click and select Restore from the menu.

Can the Firecracker software control the CM11A ActiveHome Interface?

No. Firecracker software is designed for use with the Firecracker interface only.

I wish to write my own program to control the Firecracker interface. Is there a communication protocol file available?

Yes, the file is available here.

I own the Firecracker and ActiveHome. Can I use both on the same computer?

Yes, provided you only work with one program at a time. It is not recommended to run both programs at the same time.

After I create a timer in Fuse, it doesn't execute or the next time I go back into Fuse my changes are gone. Why is this happening?

The most common cause of a Fuse timer failing to execute is due to not pressing ENTER after changing the clock in the DIGITAL display. Any changes to a timer are updated on the fly, but if ENTER is not pressed, the change to the clock is not finalized.

What is my Registration code for Fuse/Macro Recorder?

We are unable to provide registration codes at this time.