Re: [ts-7000] Re: Problem with Cron / Crontab

A few items:

1) Have you tried heyu from the command line?

2) using crontab -e is the prefered method.

3) To eliminate this as a cron issue, have you tried running the following:

Create two scripts:
script1 called /usr/local/bin/on

in the script:
touch /tmp/cron-on
/usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 on

script2 called /usr/local/bon/off

in the script
touch /tmp/cron-off
/usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 off

Make both scripts executable:
chmod755 /usr/local/on /usr/local/off

edit the crontab to run the two scripts instead

If the /tmp files get created, cron is good and the issue is with heyu.

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "strohsch" <>
> --- In  Jim Jackson <> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > On Thu, 26 Apr 2007, strohsch wrote:
> > > > On Thu, 26 Apr 2007, strohsch wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I'm trying to execute some simple commands from the "Heyu"
> program for
> > > > > controlling X-10 devices. To test my system out, I have written a
> > > > > simple entry in my crontab file
> > > > >
> > > > > 30 21 * * * /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 on
> > > > > 35 21 * * * /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 off
> > > > >
> > > > > This should turn the A2 unit (a light) on at 21:30 (9:30 pm) every
> > > > > night and then off at 21:35. However, it doesn't seem to work; the
> > > > > light doesn't turn on and off.
> > > > > When I try these commands from the command line
> > > > > /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 on
> > > > > and then
> > > > > /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 off
> > > > > the light goes on and then off.
> > > > > Also, I have reset my system time and time zone to that I have the
> > > > > correct time and zone for my area, so I don't think that is the
> > > problem.
> > > >
> > > > you don't say which image you are using. But can you double
> check that
> > > > crond is actually running?
> > > >
> > > >  ps | grep cron
> > > >
> > >   I am using Debian Sarge that is booting and running from a 1GB CF. I
> > > will check tonight, but if I recall correctly, I did see the crond
> > > process running when I did a "ps -aux".
> > 
> > Ah I thought maybe you were using the onboard flash image.
> > So where are you putting the crontab entries? In a user crontab by
> > invoking "crontab -e"? or by editing /etc/crontab?
> > 
> > Jim
> >
> 
> 
> Sorry to be so obtuse; I am using the "crontab -e" approach. My
> understanding is that once I save my changes and leave the editor, the
> "cron" process is restarted automatically and the changes will take
> effect within the next minute or two.
> Is it better to edit the /etc/crontab file directly and then restart
> the "cron" process?
> 
> -Dave
> 
> 




 
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--- Begin Message ---

To:
Subject:	[ts-7000] Re: Problem with Cron / Crontab
From:	"strohsch" <>
Date:	Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:19:28 +0000

--- In .com, Jim Jackson <> wrote:
>
>
> On Thu, 26 Apr 2007, strohsch wrote:
> > > On Thu, 26 Apr 2007, strohsch wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'm trying to execute some simple commands from the "Heyu"
program for
> > > > controlling X-10 devices. To test my system out, I have written a
> > > > simple entry in my crontab file
> > > >
> > > > 30 21 * * * /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 on
> > > > 35 21 * * * /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 off
> > > >
> > > > This should turn the A2 unit (a light) on at 21:30 (9:30 pm) every
> > > > night and then off at 21:35. However, it doesn't seem to work; the
> > > > light doesn't turn on and off.
> > > > When I try these commands from the command line
> > > > /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 on
> > > > and then
> > > > /usr/local/bin/heyu turn A2 off
> > > > the light goes on and then off.
> > > > Also, I have reset my system time and time zone to that I have the
> > > > correct time and zone for my area, so I don't think that is the
> > problem.
> > >
> > > you don't say which image you are using. But can you double
check that
> > > crond is actually running?
> > >
> > > ps | grep cron
> > >
> > I am using Debian Sarge that is booting and running from a 1GB CF. I
> > will check tonight, but if I recall correctly, I did see the crond
> > process running when I did a "ps -aux".
>
> Ah I thought maybe you were using the onboard flash image.
> So where are you putting the crontab entries? In a user crontab by
> invoking "crontab -e"? or by editing /etc/crontab?
>
> Jim
>

Sorry to be so obtuse; I am using the "crontab -e" approach. My
understanding is that once I save my changes and leave the editor, the
"cron" process is restarted automatically and the changes will take
effect within the next minute or two.
Is it better to edit the /etc/crontab file directly and then restart
the "cron" process?

-Dave

--- End Message ---