EQMod and Windows 10

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #1 25-02-2016, 11:31 PM

My laptops both have W10 on them and I seem to have issues installing EQMod. Or rather it installs but when I try to run it it doesn't open. The app keeps flashing up for about half a second and that is all.

Anyone know if this is an issue with Windows 10?

Cheers

Malcolm

Atmos (Colin) · #2 25-02-2016, 11:34 PM

I've been using EQMOD on Windows 10 for a while, never had any issues.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #3 26-02-2016, 12:31 AM

Malcolm,
That's a symptom that the comm port setting is incorrect...
Check your device manager and then change the Com port # in EQMod.

AndrewJ · #4 26-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Gday Malcolm
What are you starting EQMod with???
If you just try to start it manually, you will also get that effect.
It needs to be started via an app like PEMPro, CdC, etc,
as it is designed to run in the background.

Andrew

vlazg (George) · #5 26-02-2016, 08:27 AM

I think Ken is correct, i had the same problem and had to check the com port.
There is a tutorial on you tube by Chris Shilito on this.
EQASCOM : Diagnosing comms failures. You tube

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #6 26-02-2016, 11:47 PM

Hmmm... I am starting to think that this program is not for me!!
I was running the checks as per the video, it still wouldn't connect but at least it was staying on screen. Not sure what happened but it stopped working and now all I get if I try to use the Toolbox is "Run Time Error 55 File Already in Use" message.
I have tried rebooting, uninstalling and reinstalling both EQMOD and ASCOM without any change to this.

Any ideas?

Malcolm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #7 27-02-2016, 09:31 AM

Malcolm,
You don't say which planetarium program you're using...
Think of ASCOM and EQMod as a set of specialist "drivers" which need to be installed on your PC. To function, these "drivers" need a front end program to call them up when required.
In the case of EQMod your planetarium program (Cartes du Ciel etc.) will open EQMod if it is selected as the mount "interface"
Example:
(Assumes ASCOM installed followed by EQMod then a planetarium program)
1. Open CdC
2. Click telescope/ Control panel tab
3. Click the select box and the ASCOM telescope chooser window will open.
4. Select "EQMod ASCOM simulator" from the drop down menu
5. Click "properties" and the EQMod setup screen will open - here you can enter your observatory details etc.
6. Press OK on the EQMod screen then OK on the ASCOM screen.
This returns you to the ASCOM telescope interface menu screen.
7. Select connect and the EQMod operating screen will appear on the CdC background.

Once you reach this stage you can now use EQMod to control the mount, GOTO etc etc.
In real life just select the "EQMod ASCOM EQ5/6" to connect to your mount - assuming you have the correct cables between your mount and the PC.
HTH

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #8 27-02-2016, 10:12 AM

Thanks Ken
So I can only run EQMOD Toolbox if I have a planetarium program open as well?
Sorry I assumed because in the video. Chris was running the toolbox by itself, I could do it that way. I was planning on using Stellarium as I have that installed.

Cheers

Malcolm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #9 27-02-2016, 10:23 AM

Malcolm,
Why are you trying to run the EQMod toolbox?
I've been using EQMod successfully for the best part of nine years and never even open the Toolbox!

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #10 27-02-2016, 10:40 AM

Ken
I was using the toolbox as when I had tried to open EQMOD it simply flashed up on screen for less than a second and the video by Chris talked about that symptom being related to an incorrect port assignment that could be corrected via the toolbox.
Obviously I am going about this the wrong way and I appear to have buggered up the installation on this PC so I might get my other laptop out and try it on that.

Cheers

Malclm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #11 27-02-2016, 10:54 AM

Malcolm,
You may be still Ok....
You can verify which comms port your USB/Serial adaptor connects to by checking the Device manager then:
Get the EQMod settings page to open under your planetarium program - you can change the Comms settings from there.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #12 27-02-2016, 04:11 PM

Thanks for your help Ken
I think the issue is a hardware one. I was connecting the computer with the following. USB to serial port adapter (it is the Keyspan one that came with my Argo Navis), I then plugged a Shoestring EQDIR module into that and then a Shoestring EQCBL-01 cable from that to the RJ 45 input on my mount.
This didn't work with either mount.
I then tried connecting via the handset and it worked using the cable that came with the mount plugged into the Keyspan USB to Serial adapter.
So 2 possibilities:
1) Either the EQDIR or the EQCBL-01 part is faulty, and my money is on the EQDIR as it was second hand and the other part is brand new, or
2) I have connected it up incorrectly. Most likely is that the EQDIR part is not needed, but by my reading of the Shoestring site it is.

Malcolm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #13 28-02-2016, 09:13 AM

Malcolm,
Hmmmm
The set-up I use is similar but.....
My EQDir module has an input USB connection (added a USB cable back to the PC USB port) and the other end has a pre-fitted cable which goes to the DB9 socket on the NEQ6 mount.
Not sure what else to recommend.....

Merlin66 (Ken) · #14 28-02-2016, 09:52 AM

Malcolm,
If the Keyspan adaptor and the SW cable work OK with the handcontroller connection..... you could always use the "PC Direct" setting on the handcontroller and access EQMod that way.
(I know that Chris has reservations about this method - but it's always worked OK for me.)

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #15 28-02-2016, 10:35 AM

Ken
That worked when I tried it last night. When I say "worked" I could move the mount, now I have to work out how to do alignments etc so it can be useful and actually point where I want it to.

Cheers

Malcolm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #16 28-02-2016, 10:39 AM

Malcolm,
Sounds good!
After initial Polar alignment, the GOTO in EQMod ( and your planetarium software) can be used to "sync" as many stars as you want - each sync "refines" the aligment model and gives more and more accuracy - all covered in the EQMod notes.
There's no 2 or 3 star alignment required.

RobF (Rob) · #17 28-02-2016, 01:44 PM

Hi Malcolm

Sorry to hear your first steps with EQMOD have been painful. It really is amazing once you get it going.

The "Run Time Error 55 File Already in Use" is something that happens very rarely with EQMOD when there has been a major power or PC disruption. The EQMOD guys recommend deleting your .ini configuration file and putting in settings from scratch.

To do this:
- Navigate through Windows start menu to EQMOD/EQASCOM/Toolbox
- In the toolbox application (sounds like you've been this far before), in the bottom third of the window there is a "Delete" button - that will kill your .ini file and replace it with defaults.

- Then fire up your host planetarium program
- Open EQMOD settings - you will have to enter or locate your COM port, put in baud rate (9600 works ok) and a few other settings
- Then ready to connect telescope in planetarium program

Hope you get it all working - can you see the EQDIR as a USB device in Windows Device Manager when you hook it all up? (or at least your USB/serial port)

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #18 28-02-2016, 04:54 PM

Thanks Rob
Did all that. Now I am getting "Runtime Error 62 Input Past End of File"

Malcolm

RobF (Rob) · #19 28-02-2016, 05:00 PM

Browsing around the web, most people with the 62 error were back in business after deleting the ini file through toolbox.

Would be really interested to hear what COM port is assigned in Device Manager. Every now and then I have to nudge mine manually to a value less than 16 for EQMOD. Only when messing with hardware or changing USB connections.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #20 28-02-2016, 05:15 PM

Rob
I'll try resetting the ini file again. Won't be until later tonight as I am about to head out to a dance class.

Cheers

Malcolm