knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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?
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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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.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Ron-
Sorry, that's the DB-9 to RJ-11 adapter and supplied Autostar 497 serial cable. 
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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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!
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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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.
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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I'll check that again too, before I buy hardware or a new laptop.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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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. 
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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? 
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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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.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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Grizz
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 2172
Loc: Waldwick,New Jersey USA
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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?
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Craig
LX200GPS 10" UHTC SMT
ETX90EC
Orion ED80 APO
Meade LPI Canon 10d Meade DSI
My Photo Gallery
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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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.
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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. 
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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 Could it be so simple?
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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We can only hope, Bro. We can only hope. 
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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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!
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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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.
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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They are correct in that the serial port does not supply power. {b]But the signal levels do have to be strong enough to switch. Power is really the wrong word since we're talking voltage levels and power would be measured in watts.
While you and Goggles sort out the port settings (an amazing number of options that can be set and any one of them can trip you up) you may want to try the USB serial adaptor and run this mess off your USB port. They can be cheap.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Goggles-
Thanks for your offer of help.  Here are the settings:
Autostar Suite
Com port 1
Baud 56k
Flow cntrl none
Stop Bits 1
Data Bits 8
Parity none
Windows
Com port 1
Baud 57600
Stop bits 1
Data bits 8
Parity none
Flow Cntrl. none
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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That may be the ultimate answer but it's snowing here and the forcast is for continuing Knucklhead Meterological constant type weather for the forseeable. So I think I'll learn whatever Goggles can teach me and if I still can't get it, I'll go the USB route. Thanks for your help.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Charlie Hein said he left Colorada as blizzard was set to come in. Maybe you should take up snowplowing as a hobby. Don't sell the scope for as soon as you buy that plow you'll have the dryest winter on record.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Ok great for the info, go to your control panel/system/device manager,(1) goto ports(COM & LPT) and tell me what is listed when you press the + and the list drops down,(2) goto the modem click the drop down + and look for Advanced Port Settings, open it up and tell me what COM# is listed,(3) goto your System Information, click on Hardware Resouces and go into Conflicts/Sharing, while in their goto the top where Edit it and click Select All the Copy (you cannot us the right mouse button to do select and copy in this forum), past info back on this thread, then go down to IRQs and Copy & Past that info to this thread and I will have a look at it.
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Quote:
Ok great for the info, go to your control panel/system/device manager,(1) goto ports(COM & LPT) and tell me what is listed when you press the + and the list drops down,(2) goto the modem click the drop down + and look for Advanced Port Settings, open it up and tell me what COM# is listed,(3) goto your System Information, click on Hardware Resouces and go into Conflicts/Sharing, while in their goto the top where Edit it and click Select All the Copy (you cannot us the right mouse button to do select and copy in this forum), past info back on this thread, then go down to IRQs and Copy & Past that info to this thread and I will have a look at it.
Device manager
Communications Port (COM 1)
ECP Printer Port (LPT 1)
Modem does not state a COM # says Conextant D480MDCV.9X modem
Sytem Info, hardware resources has no selection for conflict sharing
Thanks for your help.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Well, here is an interesting development. I started playing around with the telescope tab. Changed the baud rate back to 9600 and then clicked on protocol and selected Autostarsuite via comm port. Got a warning that it couldn't detect obstructions. The little telescope icon lit up on the tool bar. I clicked on that and it will actually move the scope around. When I go back to remote control handbox the connect checkbox is not checked. Check it and it says the port is in use.
If I try to connect from the remote handbox it says "initializing" but never goes any farther.
Edited by knuklhdastnmr (04/11/05 11:16 PM)
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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So, it looks like the computer and the telescope do talk to each other now, at least a little, sometimes. I am not convinced they talk to each other consistently or in all the manners intended. It still won't connect in remote handbox mode and when I go to the imager software and click on the telescope tab it says the scope is not connected.
I claim that there is progress here. It's just hard to spot.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39669
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Take what you can...
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Keep it at 9600 for now, but when updating the software in the scope can take a long time at that speed, change all your speeds in scope and com port to 9600, start from the beginning again but do not start your autostar suite software, let the scope start up and initialize then do a fake one star or what ever it has, alignment, let the scope go where ever it wants then press enter, there may be a possibility the RS-232 port on the scope is not initializing until a certain sequence has be performed, now open autostar software and try to connect.
What version of Windows are you using??
Also when starting scope, tell me what version of software is the scope displaying at start up.
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3576
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Goggles-
My laptop runs WindowsXP, service pack 2 is installed.
When I turn on the scope before it switches to "Initializing", I read "(c)00 Meade [21E] Autostar"
I let it initialize and did a fake alignment. It was successful, imagine that.  Started Autostarsuite and tried the remote handbox first. Same result, it has said initializing for about 2 minutes now (actual watch time.) Turned off remote hand box.
Tried protocol "connect via com port", got the obstruction warning message. Last alignment star was Alpheratz. I selected nearby M31 on the star map. I hit the slew scope button and it moved, I assume to the fake M31. No way to tell if it tracks.
The button for telescope control is lit but when I select it the direction buttons on the control don't move the scope and it doesn't seem to matter whether I have an object selected on the starmap or not.
I tried the telescope tab in the DSI imager and it still says no connection.
Hey, we really seem to be getting somewhere here. 
Thanks for your patience and help.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Your version of firmware is on the old side(21E) the latest for you hand box is 33EI, I dont see a history of fixes that have been available for the 497, its possible you need the newer version of firmware installed, its possible that your problem was a common issue (but I cant prove that) here is the link, http://www.meade.com/support/auto.html
get the ASU client app Windows version 3.61 the the 497 firmware 33EI, its 473kb and at 9600 baud its going to take a while, have you ever updated you hand box before because I dont want you to have a bad transfer then it has to get fixed in safe mode.
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Grizz
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 2172
Loc: Waldwick,New Jersey USA
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Your first problem is the Firmware version. The Autostar must be running v30b (497) or 2.0e (LX200gps) or newer for proper communication.
After you upgrade the firmware, you need to run the Network server app in the autostar suite program. You can't communicate with all the various apps at the same time using just the connect via com port option. You have to use the Network server. Then you can use the starmap, remote scope, remote handbox and imaging apps at the same time.
POst when you have upgraded your firmware and I'll help you out with the Network server setup.
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Craig
LX200GPS 10" UHTC SMT
ETX90EC
Orion ED80 APO
Meade LPI Canon 10d Meade DSI
My Photo Gallery
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