LPI problems

[Sheap]

The skies were clear again, so i went out to try and get some shots of jupiter.
I went through a couple of passes trying to get it focused, but then i found i couldnt get anything to show up on the screen at all... i checked the LED, it was off.
jiggling the cords caused it to flicker a bit, but never stay on. When i went inside to plug it into the desktop to check if it was the laptop or camera, the LED was on most of the time, but if jiggled would flicker off. This has me quite confused about where the problem even lies. Ive tried looking for connection problems in both the LPI, laptop and the ports, but havnt found any.

[rmcpb]

Has the lead been kinked badly any time in its life? This can actually break the fine wires and cause intermittent connections.

[asimov]

Sorry to hear this. I only used it a few times & I certainly tend to look after my astro gear. I bought it second-hand myself, so I know nothing about its history before I got it. Never had this flickering problem myself.

[ving]

can ya get a new cord to see fi its the cord?

[acropolite]

It could be the length of cord you have. USB is only good for around 5 metres and as the LPI draws it's power from the USB port a good quality cord is desirable. Try a short cord from the LPI to the laptop and see if the problem disappears.

[Sheap]

i have no idea of the history of this LPI, i got it from asimov and as he said, he also got it second hand, i feel i have looked after it well, but maybe a early weakness was just pushed over the edge. I dont think i have any other cords that will fit it, ill look around.
Seeing as it tended to work better on the desktop than the laptop all of a sudden, i was thinking maybe the resistance might be varying, and the desktop just gives more so i assumed that would be because it had more power available.

[ving]

if it works better on the deskto thatn the lappy maybe the problem is with the lappy. can you test it on another lappy?

[CoombellKid]

Is it the original cable? if it is chuck it... it ain't worth a piece of toilet paper. Then go out and get a standard 5m USB cable from a PC store.

regards,CS

Rob

[Doug]

I agree , get a good Q cable. But in adition the socket is the same stirling Q as is used in the DSI, so you might want to consider replacing that as well. 4 cable replacements has convinced me that the socket is poor Q anyway. Must qualify my comments by saying I don't have an LPI, but since they come from the same place as the DSI, the hardware quality will be the same.
luck,
Doug