Telescope & Computer

[nightsky]

G'day
Anyone know why my Astro software can not recognize my scope? I keep getting the message "error int telescope" In Ascom I've checked the "Meade Telescope and Focuser" even tried the "LX200 Autostar" checked the Properties and it's set to Com 3 I've tried everything with the Laptop using the USB to Serial connection,I have the latest drivers. Then I tried it on my Tower computer directly into the serial port and then the USB,still the same message. I've gone into device manager and checked the ports,tried different ones from 1 to 6, still no luck."Prolific USB to serial bridge (Com 3) shows up in device/ports. The software I am using is Winstars ver2 and Deepsky ver 2006.BTW the telescope has been aligned before I started
Thanks
Nightsky

[[1ponders]]

Have you tried it on any other software like Cartes de Ciel. It's free to download.

[nightsky]

I do have that on my computer, so I'll install it and try it out,thanks

[rogerg]

Is the cable correct? You seem to have a newer Meade scope than my LX200 classic so things may have changed, but I had to make my own and got it wrong a couple of times. Also the plug is a little lose in the LX200's socket so occasionally I have to re-seat it.

Good idea to get it working directly from the serial port on the tower computer, remove the question mark over the USB to Serial converter.

You'd need to ensure no other program is trying to access the com port of course, but I'd expect you'd get a different message if that were the case.

Another idea might be to try some software that doesn't rely on ASCOM in case you have something set up wrong in that. Some software that talks directly to the LX200 in it's native command set through the com port is what I'm thinking of. Amateur's have made a few simple programs that do it on a basic level and provide a set of basic commands, I'm sure google or MAPUG would reveal them.

Hmm, I'm about out of ideas at that.

Roger.

[nightsky]

Just tried "Cartes de Ciel" same thing happens, :(

[nightsky]

I had to make my own and got it wrong a couple of times. Also the plug is a little lose in the LX200's socket so occasionally I have to re-seat it.
Another idea might be to try some software that doesn't rely on ASCOM in case you have something set up wrong in that. Some software that talks directly to the LX200 in it's native command set through the com port is what I'm thinking of. Amateur's have made a few simple programs that do it on a basic level and provide a set of basic commands, I'm sure google or MAPUG would reveal them.

Hmm, I'm about out of ideas at that.


G'Day Roger,
When you say you made your own cable, is that the cable that goes from the scope to the serial port on the computer? if it is then the one I have came with the scope as standard, so I guess it should be ok,the USB one I bought from Jcar could have got a cheaper one on ebay but thought I'd stick with a shop in OZ :) also I've checked the plug and it's seated ok, I'll check around for some home made programes,might get lucky.
Thanks
NightSky

[rogerg]

Yeap, that's the cable I mean - the scope to computer one. But it makes sense that they'd now supply it with the scope - I wasn't so lucky :)

Jaycar - they're not so bad, I often buy stuff from them rather than bothering with the over-internet ordering thing :)

There used to be problems with some USB to Serial converters and the LX200, but again that was back in the "classic" days before the GPS model, even though, that's why I think it's a good idea to use it straight on the actual serial port of your tower computer.

Hmm, the only other suggestion I can think of is to try those other programs that don't use ASCOM and try MAPUG for a solution. I would send you one of the programs I have written myself to control my LX200 directly but I don't want to be blamed if something is changed in your model LX200 and my program would cause damage :) I have programs I've written which just provide me with shortcuts on my desktop for setting the slew speed, parking the scope and performing a grid scan of the sky, the first 2 use direct com port communication and the last uses ASCOM.

Anyway, try MAPUG.

Good luck.

Roger.

[nightsky]

G'Day Roger,
I got it going now :) useing the serial port in the tower computer
by increaseing the baund to 1400, now if I can get the USB side going I'll be happy as Larry :) problem must be the USB converter, I am going to give Jcar a ring and see what they have to say. I would like to get it running on the USB as my Laptop does not have a serial connection :( so I guess the problem of the USB converter is still there. Thanks for your help
NightSky

[nightsky]

G'Day Paul,
I installed it but was still getting the same problem. it was the connections that was the problem. (see my reply to Roger) thanks for your help:)
NightSky

[Gama]

Some software do not like USB serial ports.
This is due to the fact that the Astro software looks for the serial port directly at its address (Hardware). But USB does not have the same address (Hardware) and thus doesnt work.

Example is, the serial port address for Com1: is 03F8H and a IRQ or 4.
If you check your USB comport it would show something totally different.
Same goes if it was Com2: or Com3 etc..
This is why it works on your PC with a real serial port.
Two ways out of this.. the first, is change your software for the telescope.
Second, buy a PCMCIA serial port, as it has a real serial port with the correct address and IRQ.

[nightsky]

G'Day Gama,
Can you tell me where the "Pcmcia" would plug into the Laptop
Also I've tried 3 software progs and none of them recognize the USB converter.
Thanks for your reply
NightSky

[AndrewJ]

Gday Nightsky

Ref yr quote "increaseing the baund to 1400"
Thats horribly low, and also not a rate used by Meade.
All the Meade scopes boot up at 9600 baud.
The GPSs can be set up to 115200 after that
but the ETX stays at 9600 ( unless its in download mode )

Hence, unless the software you use has the ability to check/change
the baud rates, your comport needs to be set to 9600 in the lappie,
if you want to establish comms.
Also, many people report problems with certain brand USB to serial converters ( in the States its the Belkin brand that appears not to work with Meades the most )

As a simple comms test, you can use Hyperterminal
Send ":GVP#" ( dont send the quotes )
It should respond with "Autostar"
Or
The latest Meade ASU updater will try all ports at all baud rates,
my application will also do the same,
and i believe Starpatch will as well.
None of these use ASCOM, so that will help eliminate one source of possible setup problems.
If any of the above can connect to yr scope, then yr comms are OK.
Just ensure yr port is set up correctly on the lappie before trying.

Andrew

[nightsky]

G'Day Andrew,
I increased the baud to 14000 not 1400 I left a "0" out :) and I've decided not to spent any more time trying the USB side. I spent hours trying different combination ports and speeds and as it's working fine into the serial direct I will use my spare computer instead of the Laptop,just means I'll have to leave the computer out in the back room, and I might check out the PCMCIA that Gama suggested, could save me a lot of trouble and time. Thanks for your reply :)
NightSky

[Merlin66]

Don' t know if it will help but I ended up using the Keyspan USB to Serial ( works 100% with everything I throw at it; about $60 ex melbourne)
The parallel was not so easy, I've ended up buying a PMCMIA card from the US to ensure I can get ECP parallel control; it's due to arrive next week.

[nightsky]

G'Day Merlin66,
It gets very expensive with the add ons :( I paid over to $80 for the USB to Serial and power supply from Jcar, plus a 80 klm drive (had to go back again to exchange the power supply) so I am just going to use the tower computer instead of the Laptop, it's only laying there collecting dust, but thanks for taking the trouble to reply, and good luck with your PMCMIA from the states, hope it does it's job :)
NighSky