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Windows fun!

Started by EricJD , May 07 2011 01:01 PM
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14 replies to this topic

#1 EricJD

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 01:01 PM

So, suddenly I can no longer control my mount via Stelarium Scope or Maxim. It is an Atlas connected with an EQDir module through a USB/Serial adapter. It's been running fine for years. Now, when I try to connect via Stelariumscope, Maxim, or any of the EQAscom tools I get a VB Script error 55, 'file already open.'

I have uninstalled Ascom, and reinstalled it, as well as EQAscom. I have updated .Net framework and still the same error. I've looked online and can't find any answers.

Anyone have any ideas?

#2 Bart

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 01:55 PM

Make sure the cabling is secure or perhaps it's worn and needs to be replaced. Sometimes it's the simple things.

#3 SkipW

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 07:58 PM

Unlikely it's a cable problem. That would have different symptoms.

If the port has traffic on it while Windows starts, the system will think it's a mouse and open it itself, which is consistent with your error message. Disconnect the serial cable or shut down the mount while booting and see if that helps. What version of Windows are you using? XP?

Another possibility: has the serial port number the USB adapter uses changed?

#4 EricJD

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 08:30 PM

I've restarted multiple times, always with the mount not connected. I've verified that the com port that it's using is the one Ascom is pointed to. I'm not using a mouse, it's a laptop.

I'm really stumped.

#5 frolinmod

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 11:00 PM

I'm not using a mouse, it's a laptop.

Nobody said anything about you using a mouse. When Windows sees activity on a port during bootup, Windows decides that port must be a mouse. It doesn't matter that the device isn't really a mouse. When this happens one must go into Device Manager and disable (I say disable, NOT delete) the bogus "mouse" device, then reboot. If you delete the bogus mouse device, it'll just come back on reboot. That's why you must disable rather than delete it. Please go into Device Manager and see if a bogus mouse device is present. That is what the above poster was trying to tell you.

#6 jmiele

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 11:23 PM

Normally the USB/Serial adapters com up as a different port than com 1, the traditional mouse port. There should be a utility with the driver to both set and test the USB/serial adapter. What is that telling you..? You can set to another com port test it and change ASCOM.. Why you have to? It's a puzzle :)
Joe

#7 Billydee

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 11:52 PM

When is the last time you did a Windows update? Is your computer set to auto load Windows updates? What Windows are you using, 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7 ? You may need to reinstal the USB-Serial driver for your adapter. The driver you have may not work with the last Windows update.

Luck, Bill

#8 Mary B

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 11:54 PM

Some laptops disable power to USB ports, that would keep it from powering up the converter. Check your laptop power save settings.

#9 Dmitri F

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Posted 08 May 2011 - 11:29 PM

I agree on windows updates. Check what got installed between the time it worked and the time it stopped working. See if you can run Windows restore to that earlier point. You will loose things you installed after that date, but will not lose the data.

This is the last resort - I would try all other suggestions first.

#10 darkman

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 05:01 PM

I’ve had to discontinue using EQMOD with my Sirius on my Windows 7 machine, after that massive update two weeks or so ago from Microsoft. I also had to reload the entire ASCOM platform, Win7 decided it was corrupt and quarantined it. Same thing with the Mallincam control software, it won’t play anymore with Win7 after the update.

Now, on my Windows XP machine, after the update I didn’t lose ASCOM but had to reload the driver program for the RS-232/USB converter, it ‘lost’ the comm port it was assigned to. It showed as ‘active’ in device manager, but it wouldn’t play until I reloaded the driver.

#11 Dmitri F

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 07:48 PM

Rusty, do you happen to know the number of the update(s)? I am about to start using EQMOD and would like to know what updates not to install. Most updates can either be uninstalled, or the whole system rolled back (as I mentioned earlier).

#12 Mike Clemens

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 07:51 PM

I have had flaky USB connectors cause problems which appear to be coming from all sorts of sources.

#13 darkman

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 07:58 PM

Rusty, do you happen to know the number of the update(s)?


I'll check in a few minutes. The error code I keep getting has to do with the NetFrame version, the update deleted it in favor of a different version, and it won't accept the older version EQ likes. On my XP machine, it isn't a problem for some reason.

#14 darkman

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 08:05 PM

April 12th update seems to be the culprit for me.

#15 Billydee

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Posted 09 May 2011 - 08:50 PM

That is why I asked about your updates. I lost my USB-Serial driver in the April 12th update and until I reloaded it the adapter would not work. I have Windows XP with a USB 1.0 board. It also kept asking me to load a disk with USB 2.0 drivers (that part went away when I reloaded the USB-Serial drivers). Windows is wonderful, eh!!!!

Luck, Bill
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