Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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So I'm new to this hobby and I'm playing around with my first telescope (ETX 125 PE) trying to get it hooked up to my computer so I can play around a bit and update my autostar controller.
Well, me being the idiot that I am, didn't look for directions for plugging the autostar controller to my computer.
So I'm plugging stuff in thinking the computer plugs into the telescope and the extra wire that came with the connector kit plugs from the scope into the autostar controller and bam, my screen on the controller goes blank. Lights still on but the screen is blank.
So I try turning it off and on a few times with the same results. I can hear it make a clicking sound sometimes when I turn it on but nothing comes up on the screen. Just lights up and nada.
Well since the "accident" I have figured out the proper way to hook it up, right from the computer to the controller but still nothing.
It only took 1 second of having it hooked up wrong but I think it somehow fried my controller.
Has anyone else had this problem or heard of someone who has had this problem? I havn't even had the luck of a clear night to go out and see "first light" through it yet and I just want to make sure its the controller before I go and buy one just to have it be something else...
Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you in advance. 8)
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Welcome to Cloudy Nights and the ETX forum 
Sorry that I can't offer any specific advice as to your problem. I presume that you've tried resetting the hand controller?
You could try asking Mike Weasner - what he doesn't know about the ETX isn't worth knowing.
Contact Mike via Weasner's Mighty ETX Site > LINK HERE
Hope this helps
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
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Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4494
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Quote:
So I'm new to this hobby and I'm playing around with my first telescope (ETX 125 PE) trying to get it hooked up to my computer so I can play around a bit and update my autostar controller.
It's impossible to diagnose the problem without some details. What exactly did you plug in _where_?
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Quote:
So I'm new to this hobby and I'm playing around with my first telescope (ETX 125 PE) trying to get it hooked up to my computer so I can play around a bit and update my autostar controller.
It's impossible to diagnose the problem without some details. What exactly did you plug in _where_?
Sorry, I did explain in the OP but allow me to be more clear.
I plugged the wire from the computer into the aux port on the telescope. I then plugged the additional 4 pin wire from the controller to the telescope's other aux port. The telescope was already on when I did this and the controller went blank. Light was still on but nothing on the screen.
I know there's a way to reset the controller but since my screen isn't displaying any information and there is no response from pressing any of the buttons I don't see how it would be possible.
I guess it was just a stupid mistake on my part. Although I have to say, how could I tell that it would just instantly fry my controller if I plug it in wrong. I mean come on, I could see it not working but frying my controller? That's just crazy...
I'm leaning toward picking up a new one. My first meeting with my local astronomy club isn't until the 27th and I don't think I can wait that long and hope that someone there happens to have one that I can try. 8(
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Well that ETX site is great, I found out how to bring up the firmware flash screen and its showing up on my controller.
Now all I have to do is get my computer to recognize that its connected to it. 8)
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3537
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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On the Autostar updater software on your computer under OPTIONS--- Set COM Port....
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (06/14/09 07:21 PM)
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Yea I have that set right it just don't recognize it for some reason. I think it may be the serial to usb adapter I bought. Its a star-tech one.
I get the drivers installed fine and everything, the "safely remove hardware" thing is in my system tray witch takes me to the device and its com port settings. But it just don't work. I try the loop back tests and they just fail.
It's wither the serial to usb adapter or meade sent me a faulty #505 connector kit.
I think I'll try picking up a $15 pci card to just add a couple serial ports to my computer and send the cable back. If that fails then I know its the #505 connector kit I guess...
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skyboomer
member
Reged: 12/08/08
Posts: 24
Loc: TENNESSEE
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I'd check the wiring, my 505 cable was wired wrong.
here a pic i picked up somwhere and i rewired like the pick and it works fine..
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Thanks for the diagram, I looked over all the connections and it appears to be wired correctly.
I found an old computer in my basement that has a serial port on it and tried it out without the serial to usb adapter. I'm sorry to say it still wont recognize the controller as being there.
Even though I managed to get the "ready for firmware update" text to come up on the controller I think it may just be fried beyond repair.
The cords are brand new right out of the box, and now I know for sure they are wired properly. So I think it makes sense to go back to the original problem.
Still can't believe it just fried my controller like that, thats got to be some kind of design flaw if I ever seen one.
Thank you for the help along this tedious journey I have taken. Ya'll made it easier to bear. 8)
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cosmoskid
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/15/08
Posts: 652
Loc: Indiana USA
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Hi Sunagwa. Let the software search for the com itself. Go to 'options' then "set comport" then hit auto detect. Then you can check the recommended settings for the com. Sounds like the DB9 cable may have got smoked when you plugged it in. At Meade's website they have the instructions on how to hook them up and use the software. Leave the scope shut off when hooking up the cables.
Good Luck.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson.
"Who are they to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be. But, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.”
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4494
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Quote:
[ I then plugged the additional 4 pin wire from the controller to the telescope's other aux port. The telescope was already on when I did this and the controller went blank. Light was still on but nothing on the screen.
If you did that, you can probably kiss the HC goodbye. There is power on the AUX connector, and that probably did fry your HC. Sorry...
How could you know it would fry the HC? Simple, read the manual first. Never plug _anything_ into a telescope without knowing exactly what is supposed to go where _first_.
Edited by rmollise (06/15/09 08:05 AM)
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Quote:
[ I then plugged the additional 4 pin wire from the controller to the telescope's other aux port. The telescope was already on when I did this and the controller went blank. Light was still on but nothing on the screen.
If you did that, you can probably kiss the HC goodbye. There is power on the AUX connector, and that probably did fry your HC. Sorry...
How could you know it would fry the HC? Simple, read the manual first. Never plug _anything_ into a telescope without knowing exactly what is supposed to go where _first_.
Yea I kinda figured that it was my own stupid mistake. Believe me I have learned my $100 lesson very well. 8)
Thanks for your input.
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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If you bought it new and less than a year ago and have the invoice, you may be able to have it repaired by Meade. They may repair at no cost but you would likely incur shipping costs. It is worth a phone call and cheaper than a new controller.
John
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My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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Sunagwa
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 7
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Actually I bought it used. Got a great deal. More so if I didn't fry my controller.
The previous owner bought it in 2006, I have the invoice but the warrenties expired by now. 8(
Thank you for the advice though. 8)
Edited by Sunagwa (06/15/09 09:21 PM)
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