Comments on: Adding mControl to Windows Home Server on a Friday night

By: Tim Daleo

Tim Daleo — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:19:26 +0000

Make sure you were in the Default Website and not the WHS Sites folder. Also, try and just run it as normal and see if it works.

See the link below for some additional direction:

http://www.embeddedautomation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=873&highlight=user+authentication

Tim

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:02:09 +0000

Thanks for the Reply, I received everything in the mail on Friday. The install went really well. I did end up purchasing the Insteon motion sensor and the access points. Everything integrated perfectly with WHS. Now by using a macro in mControl when motion is sensed on my stairs at night i have a path of lights that guide me to my kitchen. (nice!) I did have another question though I tried changing the security in IIS for the mcontrol site but for some reason it does not seem to validate with any of my home server user name and passwords. Do you have any idea what could be causing this? I followed your directions but when I enable Integrated Windows authentication i can’t get in.

By: Tim Daleo

Tim Daleo — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:46:29 +0000

You need an access point for cetain modules. Modules like the HVAC and motion detectors need the acess point to connect to mControl. Unless your motion sensor needs to be tied to the system you might be better off with a basic sensor light from a hardware store. If the motion sensor is going to start some other device then you will need to get the access point.

I do not have information about the remote. I would suggest looking at the mControl forum for more information. I use WMC for all of my controls.

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:57:11 +0000

GREAT articles Tim. I read them all and just purchased a 2412U and a couple switches. I was wondering if you could answer a questions I had. So far with your Insteon experience do you think I would need anything else besides the 2412 in order to control a insteon motion sensor? The site says it requires access points but I’m not sure I need this. Also are you able to use a secondary remote (ie tabletop remote) with mControl? I spoke to 3 different reps and I didn’t get much help.

Thanks..
Kris

By: mControl for Windows Home Server Giveaway – EXTRA Winners | Windows Home Server

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:57:11 +0000

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By: Timothy Daleo

Timothy Daleo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:13:05 +0000

I think the text you are referring to is when I connected the PowerLinc before I was actually in the Remote Connection. What happened with me is that once I plugged in the PowerLinc, and then connected it to WHS, the WHS Device Manager added the modem as generic USB. Since I was not viewing the desktop of the WHS I could not see the automatic process that happens when you connect something that is USB. Had I been looking at the Remote Desktop at the moment I connected the PowerLinc I could have caught it and directed it to the right driver.

I find it interesting that you connect via “USB”. My controller only works with “SERIAL”. I guess the application has some flexibility.

In my articles I try and show the easy way and the way of those of us who do not really read the directions thoroughly. If it had an extra step or two that made it confusing it was not my intention.

I am glad you have things working properly. Please make sure you get the Windows Media Center connected (if you have Vista) and try it out.

I have six modules, a few switches and an irrigation controller that I am hooking up. It takes a little creativity to coordinate them but it is well worth it. My wife thinks I am nuts, but I do not hear complaints when I can mouse over to dim the lights for a movie.

Congratulations on the WH Giveaway!

Timothy Daleo

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:29:53 +0000

My Insteon hardware arrived today (3 days early!). I followed your steps. Had a little trouble, but got things running. Here’s what I learned…

The trouble I had was updating the 2414u drivers. The hardware wizard never popped upon USB connection. Thinking the driver update was a must, I tried everything. Updating the driver within the Device Manager failed. No “better” driver was ever found.

I started playing around with the “Connect Using” value. When I changed from the default “USB” to “Serial” then back to “USB” the PowerLinc Controller was instantly recognized! So USB connected it stays.

Question: Why do your steps list connecting the PowerLinc Controller to your PC, immediately followed by connecting it to the WHS? I proceeded as recommended, but the PC connection step was unnecessary.

Based on my trials updating the USB Driver, I found that step unnecesary as well. It works with the default MS driver. (I’m running an HP MSS EX475 with PowerPack 2) Maybe this is required for a home-built WHS?

Once I saw the PowerLinc working, the adding of a Lamp Dimmer and an Appliance On/Off Module was a snap.

My home has begun to be automated! Very cool. Can’t wait to spend more money for more controllers. The whole place will be controlled by my iPod Touch. The wifee just loves it. Ha!

Thanks for your advice, Tim.

Regards,
Paul Yantko
(winner of mControl license for WHS Giveaway – Week 2)

By: Tim Daleo

Tim Daleo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:36:12 +0000

The whole thing seemed intimidating at first. I would suggest starting with just a coupe of modules. The challenge is the setup of mControl. Everything else is a breeze.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:05:35 +0000

Great, best post so far I could find to give an idea how to start mith WHS and mcontrol. I also would like to look at controling a thermostat. Looking into this before I was not sure what to use with regards to Hardware (Z-wave, X-10,Insteon, or even Moeller). I will try with Insteon!

By: John

John — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:12:42 +0000

This is awesome. I may have to give this a try if I can come up with some spare change to get some of the products. I’m really interested to see this done with HVAC control.

By: Timothy Daleo

Timothy Daleo — Sun, 17 May 2009 13:19:37 +0000

Mental note: You can avoid the Login Screen on your website by going to Tools>Internet Options>Security>Custom Level and scrolling to the bottom to change your logon settings. At the bottom, under User Authentication, choose Automatic Logon with Current Usename and Password.