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Pages: 1 klipsch49er newbie Reged: 02/16/13 Loc: All Around the U.S. XP control of LX200 Classic       #5684161 - 02/16/13 08:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   New to this site but need advise. 8" LX200 Classic and an HP Mini running XPsp3 and Meade Autostar. Before life and Tantalum Caps smoked my control panel I used an XP laptop and Autostar to steer the scope (Point and slew). I have replaced my caps, the scope is running great, and have a different PC but it appears I have lost the recipe for getting the PC and LX200 to talk to each other. Anyone remember how? Post Extras:       Chris Erickson Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/08/06 Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: klipsch49er]       #5684241 - 02/16/13 09:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Basic RS-232 serial communications... Post Extras:       klipsch49er newbie Reged: 02/16/13 Loc: All Around the U.S. Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5684433 - 02/16/13 11:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   ooooooooookay..... don't know what that meant..... I know I have the settings on the Autostar program correct per the manual but is there something I need to set on the PC to make the USP behave in a compatible manner? Post Extras:       davebl member Reged: 09/09/07 Loc: Oregon Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: klipsch49er]       #5684456 - 02/16/13 11:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: but is there something I need to set on the PC to make the USP behave in a compatible manner? I'm assuming you meant USB. If so, you need a USB to DB9 serial port converter. Straight USB won't work. Also, not all USB to Serial converters work. I think I got mine from Hap Griffin, if I remember right. Dave Post Extras:       nitegeezer professor emeritus Reged: 11/27/07 Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: davebl]       #5684500 - 02/17/13 12:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   One of the most common problems that I am aware of is the com port setting. With USB adapters, this can change from one use to the next. Having an older laptop with a standard RS232 port has its advantages!! Post Extras:       Chris Erickson Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/08/06 Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: nitegeezer]       #5684579 - 02/17/13 02:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have had the best luck with USB-Serial adapters based on the FTDI chips. Avoid Belkin like the plague. Post Extras:       klipsch49er newbie Reged: 02/16/13 Loc: All Around the U.S. Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5684904 - 02/17/13 10:28 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am using the same USB to RS232 that I successfully used so many years ago, which spent the passing of time nested gently in foam next to my eyepieces. The only change is the PC. The old one was, well, old. I believe it was a Dell but it definitely predated the emergence of Vista. Are there configurable setting in the PC software for the USB port that I need match to the scope software or otherwise be concerned with? If so where would I find them? Come to think of it.... Wasn't there a specific order of start up of the PC, scope, and software that was required for this set up to work properly? Perhaps my memory is getting worse in my old age. Edited by klipsch49er (02/17/13 10:44 AM) Post Extras:       Nemesis79 newbie Reged: 02/01/13 Loc: USA, New Mexico, Las Cruces Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: klipsch49er]       #5685383 - 02/17/13 02:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I went through this problem when I bought a new laptop to replace my old laptop that used Microsoft's XP operating system. First, let me ask, 1. what Operating system (OS) are you now using (XP,Vista, Win 7 or maybe Win8)? 2. A lot of the older USB to RS232 adapters are not compatible with Microsoft's win 7 and newer operating systems. I experienced this when my new laptop came with Microsoft Win7 OS. My old USB to Serial Adapters which worked with XP would not work with the new laptop Windows 7 operating system. 3. After researching the problem I purchased a USConverters.com USB to RS232 Professional adapter (XS8801). The company guaranteed it would work with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux and Mac. Cost was reasonable approximately $35.00. Another nice feature was the ability to select any COM port you need (the adapter is essentially a mini computer). This USB to RS232 Adapter comes with a disk containing all the necessary drivers. There are probably other adapters available that would have worked but the company's guarantee sold me on this one. I could be of more help id I knew more about your setup. If you have further question please let me know. Post Extras:       niteman1946 sage Reged: 02/16/08 Loc: Fort Worth, TX Re: XP control of LX200 Classic [Re: klipsch49er]       #5687311 - 02/18/13 04:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   What software are you using? Is Ascom involved? To Chris' point, the Belkin adapter does not get along with the latest version of Ascom. Keyspan does however. Mark Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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