MAC/Windows? confused...

[dbowie]

Not sure if this is the right forum? So Ive got the AP bug, total newbie, but not with Computers been doing it since DOS command line, Gave up on Windows OS 10 years ago went to Mac never looked back.It just works!...So my new dilemma. I just bought QHY5II colour and QHY5 mono. Parallels running XP32bit SP3 Net Framework 3.5 SP1 and Net Framework 4.0 on El Capitan Macbook Pro 13" SSD drive 16gig ram. All the "standard" astro software, so theoretically all the right boxes ticked. Ascom 6.2 finally installed after 10 hrs and 1 gig wasted downloads and sorting compatibility issues. Latest QHY drivers installed PHD 2 won't recognise cameras even with Ascom etc Firecapture won't open EZplanetary opens but doesn't function at all. I mean really does everyone have to go thru this hodge podge of incompatibility issues just to take a few pics. Ive invested properly thinking all this gear will function Plug and Play without sticky tape and fencing wire. And don't even get me started on trying to make all this work on my Mac firstly, PHD2 oacapture, indii etc. I will reluctantly purchase an OEM Windows laptop to run all this if I can be sure it actually will, surely the MAC/Windows, hardware and software guys can have a few beers and a barby and sort this mess out soon, or is it just me? any advice? DBowie...

[skysurfer]

Get a DSLR.
Much easier, onboard storage, onboard power supply, way less cables, no laptop required during capturing so MUCH less hassle. Cheaper as well.
For the money you pay for a CCD cam + all extras, you can buy the best astro SLR: the pre-modded Nikon D810A (http://www.getprice.com.au/Nikon-D810A-Digital-Camera.htm) ($3800 == A$5500). The only extras you need is a cable release (Pixel TC-252 is very good) and Nikon F adapter. Costs you less than A$100.

Post processing can be done on your Mac with Deepskystacker under VirtualBox or when you already have Pixinsight, just natively.

[silv]

osx 10.11.x ?
Parallels XX ?
Win XP32bit SP3 Net Framework 3.5 SP1 and Net Framework 4.0
QHY5-II <---- ?? USB 2.0 or 3.0?
PHD 2 won't recognise cameras

Does 10.11.x recognise the camera? If not install the latest OSX update and try again. Or download and run the latest 10.11 Combo Update off Apple's website.

Does Windows recognise it? If not: tweak Parallels until Windows does.

To test Windows XP camera recognition:
look in Device Management under USB and see if the driver is properly installed without "?".
If it is installed correctly,
install IrfanView and go File-openScanner (or something similar like "Scanner"). That should open your camera and show the live image in IrfanView.

I'm sorry, I don't have a webcam here to see where in detail I would click to get it to work with my WinXP 64bit on OSX 10.10 and VirtualBox.

I'm sure it can be done, though. At least on OSX 10.10 I'm sure.

In the early 10.11 versions there was a change in how USB is managed by OSX, rendering all USB 2.0 audio devices unrecognised. Not sure whether that has been fixed in later updates or if it affected USB cameras, at all.

Edit: In March 2016, Parallels has issued an update (https://forum.parallels.com/threads/usb-issues-after-os-x-10-11-2-update.330804/page-3) that fixes a known issue with USB devices in 10.11.2. make sure you are running that Parallels version.

[silv]

Your story shows how OSX makes people complacent and easily frustrated IF anything suddenly DOES go wrong :P

Normal Windows users are really much more used to the fidgety complexities of installing new hardware or software on their operation systems.

[Steffen]

You make that sound like that's a good thing :shrug:

[silv]

It IS! They are more mature in a way. And they have a better intuitive grasp of the fact that an operating system's performance or lack thereof depends on the additional software and hardware, as well. Whereas Mac users seem to not make that quantum leap of understanding and still, in a way, blame steve jobs :P

[dbowie]

Ok thank for the replies more Mac AP users than I mighta thought. I guess after 10 yrs of smooth running with no crashes, blue screens, lost data, paying for glitchy OS, constant updates, ,missing DLLs, viruses on a daily basis and searching for seemingly non existent drivers etc, etc, etc and reinstall after reinstall just to make things work as they should outa the box I have become less mature and more complacent , haha. Silv you make a good point regards all the versions and updates required so Ill be checking all that, thnx. And to be fair its really no diff in some cases with Mac just seems easier and quick to solve either works or doesn't, no false hopes. I guess my next question is, do I try Windows 7 with SP1 and invest in Software like Skyx Pro $$$$ once again only Windows version supports QHY5II! So still need Parallels if running Mac. By the way 10.11.3 El Capitan and Parallels 11.0 runs Windows super fast and seamlessly in a non dual boot environment, apart from these obvious issues. I downloaded trial version of Astroart6 and same prob using his online QHY drivers. Maybe I started with the wrong cameras and a tired old version of XP I have an old Fuji S2 pro from my Photography era not ideal due to the unstrippable CCD chip. Then I still need to guide eventually, thnx again for your interest, DBowie...

[Andy01]

I use a mac fo everything AP.
App I run -
Sky safari
Phd1
Nebulosity for capture & stacking
Startools & PS for processing.
And it all just works :)
Cheers
Andy

[dbowie]

Thnx Andy thats the news I like. Now were getting somewhere. I think the order of driver installation for QHY5 drivers is imperative as viewed on astrogeeks and a thread on Stargazers but Im sure other mid range cameras have software/ driver issues too. Silv Id already tried dealing with XP64 but Ascom needs net framework 3.5 SP and version 4.0 inclusive as viewed on Ascom website plus extras and Microsoft 64 bit support ends at SP2 and won't accept net 4.0 FYI hence the switch to x86, thnx Dbowie..

[pluto]

I run Win 10 on a Macbook Air 11, native not virtualised, and when I installed EQMOD, PHD2 and the QHY5L-II divers it all just worked fine first go. Not sure what order I did it in but it probably would have been EQMOD first, then QHY drivers, then PHD2.

If you have room you could try dual booting with Bootcamp. The Apple drivers for Windows are pretty good and everything basically just works. This is what I did as I was going to use this lappy primarily for astro stuff and I didn't want to screw around with virtualisation (plus I don't really care what OS I use if it gets the job done) but I've now ended up getting rid of MacOS altogether as Windows 10 seems to run much smoother on the modest hardware of the MBA11 :)

[spiezzy]

yep I use a iMac 2007 21" in the observatory to runn everything as well
Losmandy G11
with Gem 2
Nebulosity 4 Capture and basic Processing
Phd 1
SkySafari 5
Gimp for processing
Lightroom processing
I do have Windows 7 on Bootcamp
but only use that for polar alinement touch ups if needed with WCS polar Alignment software
but as Andy mentioned it all just works I have been using it for 3 years now and have had no problems and very little hangups can remember the last one about 8 months ago but was just a software conflict and took 5 minutes to sort .
used to have windows running everything but got sick of the constant updating and stalling on programs so switched back to the MAC
cheers Pete :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thum bsup:

[dbowie]

Thnx so far this may be a useful thread for Mac OSX AP users, seems the real problem as I see it is the QHY5 quirky drivers and of course their unbelievable refusal to make native OSX drivers for the 2nd biggest Astro imaging computer market in the world for their self proclaimed best astroimaging cameras in the world , Im dumbfounded by this and disappointed as I bought them based on their reputation. On the upside I have seen a few other options posted here and Im sure Ill sort it with more time and $$$$. Who coined the phrase Plug And Play? Ill never get used to that dammed windows error chime..DBowie...