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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem
      #2644951 - 09/16/08 07:39 AM Attachment (18 downloads)

Sept. 12 (Friday Night) I was imaging Jupiter. The HBx started making some loud beeping noise and displayed jumbled letters eg: @3m7!~` etc. I had no control of the HBx except to slew 8x to different spots in the sky. I switched off...then stared again. When the scope booted up it displayed " 16X2 Ver[1.4]" then PUSH KEYS:__ with a blinking cursor.
I switched off again and rebooted. Same thing.
Last night...I did a RESET....CALIBRATE SENSORS...AUTOALIGN.
Worked fine for 2 minutes..then a similiar thing happened, but I had control etc. The same jumbled symbols started reappearing. I took pics of the jumble...but the red light did not come out too clear. See below.
Can you guys help out here. Thanks.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2644953 - 09/16/08 07:40 AM Attachment (20 downloads)

Another

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2644954 - 09/16/08 07:41 AM Attachment (13 downloads)

Last

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
*****

Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5652
Loc: Eastern PA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2645016 - 09/16/08 08:21 AM

I'm not sure if the issue is really the handbox of the processor in the scope. I would connect the system to the PC and load the autostar firmware update program and execute the garbage collection routine.

--------------------
-Marcus

The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.

http://jatobservatory.org


12" LX200R on a Paramount ME


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: JAT Observatory]
      #2645054 - 09/16/08 08:45 AM

Quote:

I'm not sure if the issue is really the handbox of the processor in the scope. I would connect the system to the PC and load the autostar firmware update program and execute the garbage collection routine.




Hi Marcus....I don't have a computer right now...it died. I'm in the process of buying a new laptop. I have another thread on that purchase.

I already have the new autostar firmware with my scope. It's less than three years old and has version 4.2g. I don't know if that's what you mean?
Thanks for you assistance as usual.

Cheers.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


Edited by AstroTay (09/16/08 08:49 AM)


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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2645068 - 09/16/08 08:54 AM

First cold night in a while?

--------------------

Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX


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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
*****

Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Joseph Gillman]
      #2645071 - 09/16/08 08:59 AM Attachment (9 downloads)

I'm not sure about the first or third pictures you posted, but the second is quite normal, I think.

--------------------
Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Joseph Gillman]
      #2645084 - 09/16/08 09:10 AM

Quote:

First cold night in a while?




Hi Joe. Nope...just wind breaker kinda viewing. I'd say about 13 deg cel. Not cold. I remember I was observing in socks and slippers.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Spoonsize]
      #2645089 - 09/16/08 09:14 AM

Quote:

I'm not sure about the first or third pictures you posted, but the second is quite normal, I think.




Hey...how did you brighten up the reading
It was right after the 10'....the minute symbol started to show @#m7 etc in sequence. I pressed MODE which took me out to the SYSTEM: screen eg:-
SYSTEM:
JUPITER @#*m7p!~ etc started to appear.

I'm stumped as to what is causing this.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


Edited by AstroTay (09/16/08 09:25 AM)


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Spoonsize]
      #2645102 - 09/16/08 09:24 AM Attachment (11 downloads)

Steve....I increased the Gamma on this one to brighten up the red letters to indicate what I mean...

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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Joe Lalumia
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 2572
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2645127 - 09/16/08 09:44 AM

Well you already did a RESET -- so try this reverse the cable to the hand controller-- if it does it again see what happens if you "jiggle" the cable-- my guess is you have a bad hand controller. But you should try reloading the latest firmware 43Eg-- and then see what happens.

--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s.
"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." - Albert Einstein


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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
*****

Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5652
Loc: Eastern PA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2645173 - 09/16/08 10:18 AM

Quote:

Quote:

....I would connect the system to the PC and load the autostar firmware update program and execute the garbage collection routine.




..... I already have the new autostar firmware with my scope. It's less than three years old and has version 4.2g. I don't know if that's what you mean?





Garbage collection is different than reloading fireware. The Garbage Collection routine get rid of bits of code and data in your handbox, which isn't needed anymore.

--------------------
-Marcus

The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.

http://jatobservatory.org


12" LX200R on a Paramount ME


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KimB
member


Reged: 02/28/08
Posts: 90
Loc: UK
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Joe Lalumia]
      #2645188 - 09/16/08 10:31 AM

It looks to me as if the firmware has been corrupted. Most likely due to power failure(s). If reloading the software doesn't fix it you could try a safe load. Instructions http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/lx90/message/41697

Most likely culprit for power losses is the HBX cable. Best fixed by recrimping the rj45 plugs and adding strain relief boots. The pinouts are here Jans lx90 pinouts

--------------------
8" Meade lx90 LNT


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: JAT Observatory]
      #2645277 - 09/16/08 11:16 AM

Quote:

Garbage collection is different that loading fireware. The Garbage Collection routine get rid of bits of code and data in your handbox, which isn't needed anymore.




Thanks Marcus. Didn't know that. I'll have to wait until I get a new laptop. That seems to be harder than I anticipated. Every computer is bundled with Windows Vista 64 bit.....and this seems to be a no-no with most software that runs on 32-bit technology.

I was hoping that the HBx problem was more simple. I'll try my local scope store and see if they have a used HBx that I can try to help solve this by weekend.

Thanks.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Joe Lalumia]
      #2645294 - 09/16/08 11:22 AM

Quote:

Well you already did a RESET -- so try this reverse the cable to the hand controller-- if it does it again see what happens if you "jiggle" the cable-- my guess is you have a bad hand controller. But you should try reloading the latest firmware 43Eg-- and then see what happens.



Hi Joe......the LX200R HBx runs on AutoStar II using version 4.2g. I bought the scope brand new with 4.2g installed.
I believe 43g you are referring to is for the LX90 (?) not sure.

Cheers.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: AstroTay]
      #2645309 - 09/16/08 11:32 AM

Joe....I cannot reverse the cable. The HBx side is smaller than the LX200 side. I'll check the cables for cracked/broken wires this evening.

I really need to get a new laptop to download the firmware.

Cheers.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
*****

Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5652
Loc: Eastern PA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: KimB]
      #2645856 - 09/16/08 03:44 PM

Quote:

It looks to me as if the firmware has been corrupted. Most likely due to power failure(s). If reloading the software doesn't fix it you could try a safe load. Instructions http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/lx90/message/41697

Most likely culprit for power losses is the HBX cable. Best fixed by recrimping the rj45 plugs and adding strain relief boots. The pinouts are here Jans lx90 pinouts




While it may be a firmware issue and the handbox should not be disconnected or connected with the power on, the firmware for the LX200GPS, R and ACF is contained in the base of the scope not the handbox.

--------------------
-Marcus

The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.

http://jatobservatory.org


12" LX200R on a Paramount ME


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KimB
member


Reged: 02/28/08
Posts: 90
Loc: UK
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: JAT Observatory]
      #2646248 - 09/16/08 07:14 PM

My bad, sorry didn't read the original post properly. Thought is was an LX90.

--------------------
8" Meade lx90 LNT


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Joe Lalumia
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 2572
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: KimB]
      #2646353 - 09/16/08 08:26 PM

Yes sorry also-- thought it was an LX90--- BUT still check the cable and RELOAD the firmware.

--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s.
"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." - Albert Einstein


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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Re: Strange symbols appearing on HBx Problem new [Re: Joe Lalumia]
      #2647056 - 09/17/08 06:48 AM Attachment (4 downloads)

Quote:

Yes sorry also-- thought it was an LX90--- BUT still check the cable and RELOAD the firmware.




Joe...I checked the cable. You are correct. The cable can be reversed from the HBx to the scope. Thanks.

Ok..I reversed the cable about 6:30pm yesterday. Did another RESET. The Sun was still high, so I couldn't do a CALIBRATE SENSORS. I just did an AUTOALIGN and pressed enter at both stars it chose. I then went to Jupiter. Amazing...without proper alignment the scope pointed to Jupiter...this was about 7 pm. I focussed on Jupiter and saw Ganymede on the surface of Jupiter....guys..this was whilst the sun was shining.
Well I kept it on Jupiter for 15min. and it held the readings. Pressed MODE to go back one step...
SOLAR SYSTEM: JUPITER then the jumbled garbage started again.

--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded


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