I told HAL to turn a light on, but it didn't work.

Cause:

The wrong name was used for controlling that light.

Solution:

Cause:

The light is a lamp and it's turned off at the base.

Solution:

Cause:

The light is already on, but dimmed. X-10 dims lights based on relative values. For instance, if a light was dimmed to 60%, then that level becomes the new "top" level. In other words, the 60% level is treated as if it were now 100%. When you tell HAL to turn the light "on", you're telling HAL to set the light to 100%, but X-10 states that the light is already at 100%, so nothing happens.

Solution:

Cause:

HAL's listening mode "timed out". If HAL doesn't hear any commands within a set time period, then HAL will ask, "Are you still there?" If you don't answer "yes", then HAL will say "Goodbye" and stop listening. Time out periods can be set for interacting with HAL through microphones and remote phones and can be changed from the Voice Recognition Settings screen.

Solution:

Get HAL's attention again.

Cause:

The light bulb is out. X-10 devices, unfortunately, can't tell when a light bulb is dead.

Solution:

Replace the light bulb.

Cause:

The wrong address was selected when the device was created in HAL.

Solution:

Modify the device so that the address displayed in the Device Wizard screen matches the address set on the X-10 module, light switch, or receptacle.

Cause:

"Noise" on the electrical wiring in the home is interfering with X-10 signals. Some lights or appliances, such as some televisions or fluorescent lights, may generate "noise" that interferes with signals sent over the power line.

Solution:

There are several modules or devices that you can use to block the "noise" from the light or appliance. A television, for example, could be plugged into an X-10 Noise Block. Several of these types of devices are available for purchase from home automation suppliers.

Cause:

The X-10 signal can't reach the device for which it's intended. An X-10 signal sent from the computer might not be able to reach a device that's on the other side of the house and one or more floors up or down. This may occur if the house is larger than 3,000 square feet.

Solution:

Install a Power Line Signal Amplifier with Coupler. This device connects to the home's circuit breaker and works by amplifying the X-10 signals so that they reach the farthest corners of your home. This device is available for purchase from home automation suppliers.

Cause:

There may be a problem with the power line adapter. The power line adapter is what HAL transmits X-10 signals through. If the power line adapter is defective, then HAL's signals won't be sent.

Solution:

Replace the power line adapter (available for purchase from home automation suppliers).

Cause:

HAL isn't running or the computer's power management is enabled. If HAL isn't running or the computer's power management is enabled (hard drive spins down when not in use), then HAL can't control lights or appliances, download information from the Internet, answer phone calls, respond to verbal commands, or anything else.

Solution:

Disable the computer's power management if it's enabled. To disable it, go to Start... Settings... Control Panel. When the Control Panel screen appears, double-click on POWER MANAGEMENT. In the Power Management screen, set the field "Turn off hard disks" to NEVER. If the computer's microphone is part of the monitor or draws power from the monitor and you want to be able to talk to HAL at any time through the monitor, then you must set the field "Turn off monitor" to NEVER. If the computer's microphone isn't connected to the monitor in any way, then you can set the "Turn off monitor" field to any option.