Issues updating SynScan firmware

[lineout]

Hi all,

Need help from the forum. I bought a SW AZ EQ6 GT yesterday and am in the process of updating the firmware. I have followed all the instructions but keep getting the following error:

Cannot connect to the Syn Scan hand control.

I have selected the correct Comm Port and connected with a serial cable bought from Bintel which is apparently made for the EQ6.

Would appreciate any help as this is frustrating me.

Regards

Rene

[glend]

Do you have the correct driver loaded? Are you Win 8 or what?

[lineout]

I'm on windows 7. Not sure if I have the right drivers. Just bought it and plugged it in.

Where do I get the drivers from?

Rene

[LewisM]

You need to download the Firmware Loader and the relevant software from http://www.skywatcher.com/downloads.php?id=256

You need to know if your handset is V4 or V3.

You run the loader program first, then you load the software to the loader. Then you plug in the handset, remembering to hold down 0 and 8 at the same time. Then launch the update through the loader.

You MUST have a GOOD serial to USB converter - cheap cables are useless. You NEED a top quality one (some cheap serial to USB cables even have fake chipsets!).

Also, I asked Shoestring if their EQDIR cable would act as a serial/usb converter for software/firmware flashing and he said NO (sounds odd, but that is exactly what he told me)

[lineout]

I've done everything you mentioned. The serial cable is one I bought from Bintel so assumed it would work.

Can you suggest a cable that would work?

Rene

[Eden]

To update the hand controller firmware, you need a cable which has a USB plug on one end and a 9-pin female serial connector on the other. The mount is supplied with a cable with a male 9-pin serial connector, which connects to the aforementioned cable then connects into the underside of the hand controller.

Does this describe the cabling setup you're using there?

[lineout]

It does. I double checked the cable.

[Eden]

Good :-) Just making sure.

When you run SynscanFirmwareLoader.exe, uncheck the checkbox control which is labelled "Auto-detect COM Port" and manually specify which COM port your USB to Serial cable is assigned to. For some reason the updater fails to correctly determine the COM port on some systems.

If that doesn't work, come back and we'll try something else.

[lineout]

Hi,

Yep tried that. I tried a number of different port numbers each with same result. I also tried different sub ports.

[Eden]

What is the cable described as in Windows Device Manager? From the images on Bintel's website, it looks like the same cable that I recently bought from Jaycar, which is a Prolific. If this is the case, download and install the latest drivers from here:

Prolific USB to DB9 Drivers (http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41)

On some systems (sorry I can't be any more specific than that, but it's probably OS version related), even though the OS will install a WHQL driver by default, the cable won't connect. Try that and let us know how you go.

[lineout]

Ok I'll have to try that (probably tomorrow).

Thanks for taking the time to help. I'll let you know how I go.

[lineout]

Hi Eden,

I just checked and the cable I have is a Shoestring. No idea where I can get the drivers for this.

[Eden]

This cable?

[lineout]

Yeah that looks like it.

I think I may have found drivers for it on the Shoestring Astronomy site.