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hypergolic
member
Reged: 11/27/07
Posts: 44
Loc: Home
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I tried using an older laptop computer with a Pentium 3 processor and 64MB of RAM running Windows 98. Its simply not up to the task of handling DSLRfocus and downloading pictures to the harddrive. The laptop I was using just gave up and locked up. I at least know that the software setup works with the Canon 20D. The only other issue I am concerned with is converting my Skysensor 2000 to a USB connector setup as the Gateway 4026 laptop I'm going to repair does not have any DB9 com ports that will accommodate the controller.
So were still working out connector issues here. I may simply try and go will manual control of the Canon 20D with the cable Hal made up for me and hope I can get the focus correct until I can get the laptop repaired (new display inverter). Meanwhile, the new comet is streaking across the sky!
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Philip Neidlinger
Richmond Hill, Georgia
Father, Astronomer, Thereminist
HAM Call Sign - KA4KOE
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Vixen R200SS 8" F/4
GP-DX Mount/HAL130 with Skysensor 2000PC
Canon 20D DSLR
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Phil,
And I thought I was pushing it with my old workhorse at times Lol. I bet you could find memory cheap for it and go that route. 256 MAY get you to a workable state but it's pushing it.
As for the lack of a DB9 connector, that is not an issue. Head on over to Ebay and do a vendor search for "Crystalink" He carries very good USB to serial cables for less than $5.00. I have 4 of them in use on different machines and I have yet to have a failure.
CS's and Welcome to CN's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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hypergolic
member
Reged: 11/27/07
Posts: 44
Loc: Home
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Well, I'm going to get 1 GB for this 1.3 GHZ P4 Celeron laptop Gateway 4026 GZ. That SHOULD be enough. Meanwhile, I'll just trip exposures the old fashioned way with the bulb cable and hope for the best. I've got to get some pix of this comet or I'll kill myself.
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Philip Neidlinger
Richmond Hill, Georgia
Father, Astronomer, Thereminist
HAM Call Sign - KA4KOE
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Vixen R200SS 8" F/4
GP-DX Mount/HAL130 with Skysensor 2000PC
Canon 20D DSLR
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D. Perry
member
Reged: 09/28/07
Posts: 50
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Phil,
You should be able to use a regular Serial (DB9) to USB adapter. I use 4 of them to control my mount and focusers (used to use one for camera control until I got the 40D, which doesn't need a serial connection). The serial connectors attach to the adapters, the adapters plug into a USB hub, and one cable goes out to my computer. Everything works just fine.
http://www.californiastars.net/article_astrobox_parts.html
Best,
Danny
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Daniel Perry
www.californiastars.net
Ontario, California [ 34N | 117W ]
• Astro-Physics 900GTO & ATS Portable Pier
• Meade 12" LX200-ACF OTA
• Celestron 9.25" SCT
• Takahashi FSQ-106ED
• Stellarvue SV80S (Lomo super APO triplet)
• SBIG ST-10XME
• Canon EOS 5D MII (unmodified)
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Rat8bug
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 1472
Loc: Michigan
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Well, I suggest another laptop. For dealing with today's needs, one needs to be running XP, and have at least a 1.7mz with 1 Meg RAM minimum. Two years ago, I purchased a refurbished Dell M600 that has parallel and serial ports. This is my laptop for imaging; using ImagesPlus. You are going to need a USB 2.0 bus to handle the large file sizes of the newer DSLR's. The USB to serial converter cables work best with USB 2.0. I talk of this here:
http://www.barrie-tao.com/d70finder.html
Ciao....Barry
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Nikon D40/D50/D70 DSLR
WO 105mm Triplet APO
WO Zenithstar 66SD APO (Black 'n Blue)
WO 8 x 45mm APO Bino
UO 20 x 80mm Bino
Vixen 80SS Refractor
Orion 127mm Apex Maksutov
Vixen GP-DX with Skysensor 2000
SBIG STV and e-finder
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MartyT
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/28/07
Posts: 682
Loc: Kansas City
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Quote:
As for the lack of a DB9 connector, that is not an issue. Head on over to Ebay and do a vendor search for "Crystalink" He carries very good USB to serial cables for less than $5.00.
Be careful - those "bargain" usb/serial converters on eBay may or may not work, and you'll be left with little recourse -- the scam is that the sellers charge almost nothing for the product, then add a ridiculous shipping charge -- the total cost still seems reasonable compared to what might be locally available, but be warned -- if the thing doesn't work, you'll never get your shipping cost refunded.
I bought two of the 'bargain' usb/serial cables, $2 each plus $5 each shipping. Still a good deal at $14 for two connectors right? Wrong. They don't work, the seller is absolutely no help and would only offer to refund my $2 purchase price -- which would get eaten up in the return shipping....
I bought a dual port usb/serial converter from EasySync Ltd and am quite happy with it. $29 plus shipping.
http://www.easysync-ltd.com/index.html?lang=en-uk&target=d13.html
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Celestron CGE / C-11 (CGE-1100)
Megrez 90 FD APO / 0.8x FR/FF vIII
QHY8, 350D, DSI Pro, SPC900NC
KWIQ Guider (QHY5)
ETX-125AT
12" Lightbridge
My Astrophoto Gallery
Astronomical Society of Kansas City
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