knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
I have been unable to establish communication between my Dell Lattitude D600 running Autostar Suite and my LX90 w/ Autostar #497. The manual has virtually no information on establishing this communication. Does any one have any advice?
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Are you using a serial cable? I've heard some Dell models handle the serial port "differently" as in too low of a voltage level. The only solution I've seen for that is to switch to a USB serial adaptor and use an USB port.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Ron-
Thanks for your reply. I am using the serial port adapter and RS-232 cable that came with my new DSI. I do have available USB ports in addition to the one required for the DSI. I had thought of that too, except I had no idea that the problem could be power related. The message I keep getting is that there is no connection to the telescope.
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Ron-
Sorry, that's the DB-9 to RJ-11 adapter and supplied Autostar 497 serial cable. 
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
I may have jumbled up my memory; but I do seem to recall reading the low voltage levels gave poor signal strength. When dealing with edge detecting electronics like TTL your signal will not do anything if a certain threshold is not reached. This was the issue with some Dells using a certain chip on the motherboard to control the serial port (DB-9).
Only way around it was to avoid the port entirely or purchase a different computer.  If you buy an Apple like I did you are looking at a USB to serial adaptor anyway. But there are no DSI drivers for the Apple from what I understand - trading one bleeper for another.
One way to test this is to borrow a buddies laptop (non-Dell, I'd recommend an IBM or Toshiba off hand) and then use all the software and cables you have now.
Keep us posted!
And welcome to CN!
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
If you have connected the serial port you may have to configure your com port, make sure the com port setting in your software is the same com port you are using on your computer.
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Ron-
Between using a USB port and another adapter and purchasing a new computer, I think I'd try the USB route first. As near as I can tell, Meade makes no mention of a particular spec on the power of the serial port in its information. Thank you for your help.
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
I'll check that again too, before I buy hardware or a new laptop.
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Meade shouldn't have to, most DB-9 serial ports are not a problem. Pretty much a slam dunk in most cases.
You can get fairly inexpensive adaptors on the net. I bought mine at the local Fry's Electronics store. CompUSA has them too. Not too sure what you have available locally.
Checking the COM port is a very good idea. Too many times in the past that simple little thing has sidelined the best after getting used to USB and just plugging things in. In the old days it was one of the first things we looked at. 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Ron and Googles-
Does this offer any clues? When I removed the serial cable from the DB-9 adapter I noticed a gap in the gold wire connectors in the adapter. Both ends of the serial cable have four connectors. Inside the adapter there are only three. From left to right (press tab slot up) there are three empty slots,one gold wire,one empty slot,two gold wires and three empty slots. Could it be that I am missing a connector and hence no connection? 
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Maybe. I'm a Celestron guy - no access to your Meade manual. In my manual they have the pin outs of the expected wires. I can't even find mine at the moment. All I can tell you for sure is the the scope does not use all nine connectors. Someting to nail down though.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Ron-
I e-mailed customer support at the distributor where I bought my DSI and plan to call Meade support tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find out. Thanks for your help.
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
Grizz
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 2172
Loc: Waldwick,New Jersey USA
|
|
Googles asked the question but I didn't see your answer. So I'll ask again.  Did you set the comport in the Autostarsuite app?
--------------------
Craig
LX200GPS 10" UHTC SMT
ETX90EC
Orion ED80 APO
Meade LPI Canon 10d Meade DSI
My Photo Gallery
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Goggles and Grizz- Checked the com port. It seems to be configured as specified in the manual. I am still following the trail of a missing connector pin in the DB-9 to RJ-11 adapter. I called Meade today. The Customer Service Rep I talked to said he had no idea how many pin connectors were supposed to be present. They had no access to any design information. I was stunned.
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
The missing pins are most likely Meade trying to goof proof the cable when it comes to support, they most likely don't need the other input slots so the pins are removed, they are trying to dedicate the cable to the software and equipment they make, this reduces conflict with other peripherals, your laptop most likely has a modem in it and that uses a com port even though it does not show in your device manager under com port, you must go to the modem in device manager and it will tell you which com port it is using, the autostar suite default in many cases is com 1 and your modem may also be on com 1, selecting the right com port is one thing but the baud rates must match also, all the parameters must be set for this thing to work, set a fast baud rate for better response time such as 57000 baud and in autostar suit check off 56k as it does not say 57000.
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
The distributor where I bought my DSI pulled another unit off the shelf and looked at the DB-9 to RJ-11 adapter. Guess what! Four pins in there. We may be on the road to recovery here. 
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
 Could it be so simple?
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
We can only hope, Bro. We can only hope. 
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3578
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
|
|
Dang!!! I thought I had this problem correctly diagnosed. I got the new DB-9 connector from Meade. Same three terminator pin configuration. It must be something else. Back to checking comport configurations. Meade said that it can't be a power issue at the serial port. 
All ideas, suggestions, notions and speculations welcome here!
--------------------
Knucklhead Astronomer
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Tell me what the settings are in your com port on Windows and your Autostar software (everything), lets walk through this one by one and get you up and running.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 
