SW Synscan handset problem

[keni (Ken)]

Hi,
I have been trying to upgrade a Skywatcher Synscan handset I have.
I can connect to a PC with the appropriate cable and serial to usb connnector.
I hold down the "8"and "0" buttons and get the "Synscan Update ver 1.0" on the handset display.
I can select and run the upgrade..either 3.27 or 3.28.
I have to press the "select" key to reduce the data rate to 9.6kbps then it will go through the motions and complete the upgrade.
When it is finished it shows 100% complete but the screen on the handset still shows the "Synscan Update ver 1.0" msg and even after powering off and on that's all that shows on the handset display.
I have tried varying the speed of the comms port on the PC..no good.

The only other thing I've noticed is my other handset which is faulty and won't connect to a PC...(trust me on this it's NBG) has a Synscan Upgrade version of 1.3.

And just to confuse things more if I connect the handset that's locked on the "Synscan Update ver 1.0" msg and check the HC Version in the "Synscan Firmware Uploader Ver 3.0" program on the PC it shows everything there.
It just seems like it's locked in an error.
I hope someone can help before it magically flys out the window into the back yard.
Thanks,
Ken

[keni (Ken)]

Hhhmmm.............at least I know now why I'm seeking solace in the bottle.

I tried the same procedure with my Laptop and it was no worse.
Meaning still no go.
Back to the desktop for more wailing and gnashing of teeth.

In desperation I tried every USB port on the PC and found that if I used one particular port at the rear it works.
This is getting really weird.
There are 4 USB ports at the rear connected directly to the Motherboard and only one works with the Serial to USB cable.
None of the 2 USB ports on the front of the case will work with it at all.
At least it is sorted now after much frustration and I can relax.
Maybe tomorrow night all will be well and I can use the mount again hurrah.

Ken.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Glad you sorted it out Ken!

[keni (Ken)]

Thanks Larry,
These serial/usb cables are so much fun.
I've seen some other comments re their reliability or otherwise.

Ken.

[Astro_Bot]

These days, it seems, not all USB ports are created equal.

My mobo has 6 fixed USB ports, but two of the rear ports are yellow instead of back and some devices that work in the yellow ports won't work in the black ones. Allegedly, all ports are driven from the Southbridge, but I wonder if there's maybe an extra driver or buffer stage for the two yellow ones, for higher power devices perhaps? And then there's order of enumeration of the ports - that used to present problems in the old WinXP days.

Anyhow, you're not alone - it sometimes takes trial and error to figure out which devices will work in which ports.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Ken,

A bit late I see, but my best advice is to search for the best USB to serial converter for Synscan upgrade (I think its a prolific or Belkin)....

I basically boat anchored my Synscan handset the day after I bought it when I tried to update it with my USB to serial converter...

When I used the home PC's PROPER Serial DB9 port, it magically updated like it should and became working again....so....

Rule 1: Use a native DB9 (old) serial port for the upgrade.
Rule 2: If no Rule 1 exists, buy a PROPER USB to serial converter. Search here on IIS to see the preferred (read: working) USB to serial adaptors out there.

The Chinese clone P.O.S. USB to serial I had now resides in the proverbial backyard after it was thrown somehow through the window you mentioned in your post.

"Universal" Serial Bus seems to be a misnomer.....as we all know.....

Cheers

Chris

[keni (Ken)]

Thanks RG,
Yes this USB fun rears it's head all too rarely and I can never remember what I did to fix the previous problem.
I have just remembered that the front USB port I had probs with won't recognise a card reader I have every so often.
A large mental note has now been made...........Death to the front left USB port.

Cheers,
Ken.

[keni (Ken)]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for that info too.
Glad to hear I'm not alone in the USB blues.
The one I have has been "borrowed" from work and is a good one.
But I've also had a couple of cheapies that got introduced to my cutting pliers...........

I think USB really stands for "Universal Smit Box"...........
Or something similar.

Cheers,
Ken.

[Colin_Fraser]

Originally Posted by keni

In desperation I tried every USB port on the PC and found that if I used one particular port at the rear it works.
This is getting really weird.
There are 4 USB ports at the rear connected directly to the Motherboard and only one works with the Serial to USB cable.

Each USB port is mapped to a Com port. The one that works might be mapped to Com2 or Com4. The other may me mapped to Com3, Com5, Com6 and so on depending how many USB ports you have. So, if the serial device you are using is configured for Com2 you either have to connect it to the USB port that is mapped to Com2 or remap another USB port to Com2.
Some computers reserve Com ports so they cannot be remapped (used) e.g. internal modem in which case you have to remove the modem in the bios.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Hi Ken,

A bit late I see, but my best advice is to search for the best USB to serial converter for Synscan upgrade (I think its a prolific or Belkin)....

Chris

Second this, it's essential to have the right one, as used by Frodo Baggins. There is as much mystery in finding it, I was lucky in that I had one from the Synscan box.

Cheers

[LewisM]

Seeing NO ONE -just about anyways - use RS232 ports any more, why in tarnation don't Synta get their act together and make a proper USB cable? All this using old RJ11/RJ45/RS232 connectors is really odd in this day and age.

My technical knowledge is likely lacking... but, that's my gripe for the day! Thankfully, I have no issues updating my SynScan, and use a too-expensive RS232/USB cable I bought at Jaycar electronics - something like $39!!! (vs $2.59 post included from China )

[PeterM]

Get the Keyspan USA19HS. Available from Gary at Wildcard, probably the best USB/Serial converter. Alternately the ATEN UC232A definitely works.

[keni (Ken)]

Thanks guys,
Even though the convertor I have works with one of the rear usb ports I think I'll hunt down a good quality one for future use.I may as well eliminate another possible cause of mucho grief in the future.

Ken.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

USB ports suffer from power delivery problems. Some can deliver more power than others and therefore have better signal quality. The old IBMs at work ( thankfully being dumped ) the front ports are useless but the rear are ok, ... most of the time. Same as some USB hubs have issues. Try and pull too much power and you can cook the USB port, then it's dead forever. Cheap chips I guess.

[evanapp (Evan)]

Originally Posted by keni

Hi,
I have been trying to upgrade a Skywatcher Synscan handset I have.
I can connect to a PC with the appropriate cable and serial to usb connnector.
I hold down the "8"and "0" buttons and get the "Synscan Update ver 1.0" on the handset display.
I can select and run the upgrade..either 3.27 or 3.28.
I have to press the "select" key to reduce the data rate to 9.6kbps then it will go through the motions and complete the upgrade.
When it is finished it shows 100% complete but the screen on the handset still shows the "Synscan Update ver 1.0" msg and even after powering off and on that's all that shows on the handset display.

The "Synscan Update Version" will not change. That is not what you are updating. Various handsets have various versions. I've seen up to 1.7 tops. I don't know the significance, but it seems to have nothing to do with the firmware upgrade.

Evan

[evanapp (Evan)]

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Hi Ken,

A bit late I see, but my best advice is to search for the best USB to serial converter for Synscan upgrade (I think its a prolific or Belkin)....

I have used the Celestron unit with consistently good results.

Evan