Automadome, the sky 6 and the G11 - how can i get all 3 working together?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

You copied them to the c:\Program Files\Common Files\System dir? Where from? That probably means you have two copies of the DLLs and you need to register those in the correct dir and disable the others (eg rename them). You should only have one registered copy of each.

i removed them afterwards because it didnt seem right that the programme worked out side but not in. but getting it to run under winxpSP3 worked by allowing me to select the local setting - not that it linked up in the sky? so i uninstalled and reloaed - that didnt work either

[h0ughy (David)]

surely i cant be the only person to be using win7 with this software?

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Those iras* DLLs need to be in the right location. It's fine to copy them there if one or two are missing but then they need to be registered there.

When I was solving this exact same problem myself I found that you need to do things in the right sequence. I recall it was reinstall->check presence of DLLS->register. I don't know whether my Virus software had anything to do with it but it had been mentioned in other threads on the SB forums so I added it to my remedy.

When you reinstalled Automadome, did you uninstall it properly first? Running out of ideas here.

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Not sure - maybe Mr Ward, he runs windows 7 I believe. Not sure he uses Automadome though.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Those iras* DLLs need to be in the right location. It's fine to copy them there if one or two are missing but then they need to be registered there.

When I was solving this exact same problem myself I found that you need to do things in the right sequence. I recall it was reinstall->check presence of DLLS->register. I don't know whether my Virus software had anything to do with it but it had been mentioned in other threads on the SB forums so I added it to my remedy.

When you reinstalled Automadome, did you uninstall it properly first? Running out of ideas here.

yes by using program uninstall. will try without the virus scanning tomorrow - how hard can this be?

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Check out this old thread on the SB forum too - it may hold a clue. http://www.bisque.com/sc/forums/p/2087/5882.aspx#5882

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Check out this old thread on the SB forum too - it may hold a clue. http://www.bisque.com/sc/forums/p/2087/5882.aspx#5882

reading that now - thanks

[Peter Ward]

Have you run Bisque's Orchestrate and activated server connections for The Sky, CCDSoft and Automadome?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Have you run Bisque's Orchestrate and activated server connections for The Sky, CCDSoft and Automadome?

it wont be operated remotely peter.

i dont own ccdsoft or orchestrate?

[Peter Ward]

The server connections can be local or remote, but need to be activated.

Orchestrate comes with the standard PME package...doesn't help you... but
it might be freeware now so I'd seek out a download.....I recall not being able to establish a local link without it.

From memory, the MaxDome .dll also needs to reside within the Automadome directory.

I am running AutomaDome under Win 7 x64 pro...works fine.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

The server connections can be local or remote, but need to be activated.

Orchestrate comes with the standard PME package...doesn't help you... but
it might be freeware now so I'd seek out a download.....I recall not being able to establish a local link without it.

From memory, the MaxDome .dll also needs to reside within the Automadome directory.

I am running AutomaDome under Win 7 x64 pro...works fine.

when running as winxpsp3 i can tick the local setting, but it doesnt connect? be interested in finding out your settings?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

The server connections can be local or remote, but need to be activated.

Orchestrate comes with the standard PME package...doesn't help you... but
it might be freeware now so I'd seek out a download.....I recall not being able to establish a local link without it.

From memory, the MaxDome .dll also needs to reside within the Automadome directory.

I am running AutomaDome under Win 7 x64 pro...works fine.

Peter i managed to download orchestrate and for what it is worth i installed it. I have also made sure that Maxdome dll is in the Automadome directory. I have done that and i now have dome control.

thanks Peter

so how do i now setup the some so it will be in sync with the mount?

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Peter i managed to download orchestrate and for what it is worth i installed it. I have also made sure that Maxdome dll is in the Automadome directory. I have done that and i now have dome control.

thanks Peter

so how do i now setup the some so it will be in sync with the mount?

That's great Dave - you got it working! If you're talking about dome geometry and slaving to the mount as it tracks - I sent you a word doco and a programme a week or two ago. Both are based on what SB already provides. The word doco about dome geometry just has a couple of things I needed to understand written a little more plainly. The programme I gave you will slave the dome to the position of the mount while tracking. It is a modified version of SBs Dometracker2.vbs to allow you to specify dome slew interval (minutes) and the frequency of checking the mounts position (seconds). Without using this programme, the dome will only slew when you slew the scope. Get your geometry set up first.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

That's great Dave - you got it working! If you're talking about dome geometry and slaving to the mount as it tracks - I sent you a word doco and a programme a week or two ago. Both are based on what SB already provides. The word doco about dome geometry just has a couple of things I needed to understand written a little more plainly. The programme I gave you will slave the dome to the position of the mount while tracking. It is a modified version of SBs Dometracker2.vbs to allow you to specify dome slew interval (minutes) and the frequency of checking the mounts position (seconds). Without using this programme, the dome will only slew when you slew the scope. Get your geometry set up first.

yeah its a simple installation - NOT

for some reason your script doesnt work comes up with an error cant find a server?

now to set up the dome geometry can you explain how to do that to a simpleton like myself?

[h0ughy (David)]

error i get with script

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

yeah its a simple installation - NOT

for some reason your script doesnt work comes up with an error cant find a server?

now to set up the dome geometry can you explain how to do that to a simpleton like myself?

Hehehe ... dome gemetry ... hehehe. Read the doco and then experiment. If all is well the middle of the dome slit will be lined up with the optical axis after slewing the scope. If it doesn't, fiddle with the parameters, home the dome and try again. DON'T BOTHER trying the script until you've got the slewing working.

For the script to work, Automadome needs to be running (press "D" in TheSky )and linked and TheSky6 needs to be running and connected to the scope. The Telescope->Server Settings in TheSky need to set to accept remote connection I think. I've got most everything in the dialog box ticked.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Hehehe ... dome gemetry ... hehehe. Read the doco and then experiment. If all is well the middle of the dome slit will be lined up with the optical axis after slewing the scope. If it doesn't, fiddle with the parameters, home the dome and try again. DON'T BOTHER trying the script until you've got the slewing working.

For the script to work, Automadome needs to be running (press "D" in TheSky )and linked and TheSky6 needs to be running and connected to the scope. The Telescope->Server Settings in TheSky need to set to accept remote connection I think. I've got most everything in the dialog box ticked.

ok i will set up the dome parameters again later but for now they are close, i have set the server settings to accept remote connections but it still bombs out......arrggggg i am giving it a rest as i have been at this ruddy thing for 6 hours - and yes i have made significant progress but, and a bit but, i cant get it to automatically with the scope?

its BBQ time - i will put a steak and a few snags on - feed the family and then maybe sneak out and have another play later

[Hagar (Doug)]

I have had a very similar problem to David except I didn't go out and purchase another piece of software. I just wanted to use POTH ascom drivers to do the lot for me. I had seen POTH in action at Theo's on a very big dome and thought this to be the logical way for me to go.
I had problem after problem and now am totally bald but at least it is now a goer.

It took a while for the penny to drop and for me to realise what POTH actually is. It is an intermeadiary program to control multiple items.
That said to use it or any other ascom drivers in The sky you must download and install the very latest version of The Sky Telescope API from the ascom plug in download site.
Start POTH handset from the start menu, setup scope and dome in the setup screens then close the setup screen. Open or connect both the Gemini and the dome from the POTH handset.
Without closing POTH, open the sky6 and setup telescope as Telescope API, click on settings and select POTH and click OK.
Now establish connection and tick the dome slave to scope checkbox on the POTH handset and it should now all work.

You can minimise the POTH Handset and control everything from the Sky.

[MrC]

Hi David and Marcus,

I'm trying to run Automadome with a dome automation system by Meridian Controls. Also, I have The Sky6 and Orchestrate.

Long story short, I inherited an observatory as a part of a new job. It has been unused for at least five years. At some point, Automadome was able to slew the dome. The old computer, however, died.

Now, I can slew the dome with a hand paddle but can't connect the dome to the new computer. I know that COM 1 is correct and works.

I get a receive time-out, error code = 209. Were you guys seeing a similar error?

It is very possible the hardward is now dead, but I don't want to give up yet.

[OzRob (Rob)]

If you don't get an answer here you might want to try contacting Software Bisque or joining and posting on their forum.