Well I finally managed to get the guide scope to focus on some stars, so I plugged in all the cables. The Guide cable goes directly into a USB 2 port, although other items have had to use the hub such as one of the cables from the guide camera, plus the cable from the DSLR which seems to work OK with that. Hub is powered.
I am using WXAstrocapture for guiding, and although it latched onto a star (N.B. it only seems to like bright ones), it hung onto the star but did not seem to me to guide the mount. I have bought all the right cables, so I am wondering why it is not working. I checked the port in device manager. In WXAstrocapture it puts a box around the star, but after a bit there was a line trailing from the star to the original position that the star was in.
I would have thought if it was tracking, that the star and everything else on guide screen should have stayed in the same position.
Am I wrong?
I still have it all set up outside, had not managed to get focus before the clouds rolled in. So if any-one can give me a quick answer before i put it all away I would be grateful.
i.e. would you say it sounds as if it is working?
It doesn't sound right to me.
Carole
Carole - Most guide progs have buttons that you can press to send guide signals NESW to check that mount moves.. have you tried this - it will at least confirm all cables are correct etc. & guide pulses are getting to mount.
John
No I haven't John. I don't remember seeing anything like that in the programme, but I'll have a look and see.
Thanks
Carole
No couldn't find anything that was like that. I'll see if Duncan can help as he uses WXA for guiding.
I did check all the various drop down menus to make sure everything that needed selecting was selected.
Given up now as the clouds have really rolled in.
Carole
You must love the cold temps, god girl you are keen. Me I have been sitting in the warm the last couple of weeks, although i am waiting for the mounting bar to turn up to mount the second scope.
si
Carole buttons might be labelled DE+ and DE- for North and South and RA+ and RA- for East and West. Looks like there is also a Yahoo Group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/wxAstroCapture/ I am sure that there are many experts on this prog on there so it is probably worth your while joining.
John
Hi,
I'd join the yahoo group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/wxAstroCapture/
You should get some info from there, but it seems to need ascom installed and running well.
Chris
Thanks John and Chris, I've signed up but waiting for approval.
Do you recommend any other free or cheap guiding software that I could try as well?
Carole
Have you tried - Push Here Dummy (PHD) ?
I could say K3 but you might throw your PC at me....... :-)
What about these:
http://www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html
http://www.barkosoftware.com/GuideDog/index.html
John
Thanks guys, PHD seems to have a good write up and I wondered about Guidedog.
Either way, I think I might be missing a driver as Chris suggested (it did cross my mind) and have E Mailed Celestron to ask them what driver I need.
I assume I will need a driver for whatever version of Guiding software I will be using.
When I was plugging in the set up last night the laptop told me it had installed something successfully but didn't tell me what it was, and as I had several things plugged in, SC3, Hub, DSLR, Guide cables and all have been plugged in before, I have no idea what it had installed.
QuoteI could say K3 but you might throw your PC at me.......
:lol:
QuoteYou must love the cold temps, god girl you are keen.
Hi Simon, no I don't enjoy freezing, but really went out to try to sort out focus on the guide scope and see if I could get guiding working OK (which I obviously didn't). Didn't want to let the clear sky go to waste. However I am now sitting in my conservatory once I've set it all up and operating the laptop with long cables passing through the slightly open window, with my big fur coat on. Makes it difficult for focussing when the laptop is indoors and the focus knob is outside.
Chris, you do this from a distance, can I operate the focus remotely and if so how?
Carole
Quotebuttons might be labelled DE+ and DE- for North and South and RA+ and RA-
John, there was a box with RA and Dec on it (no + or - signs though). Was not sure what it was for. So if I enter the RA and DEC of a known object, am I right in assuming if the cables are working the Mount should slew to that co-ordinate?
Carole
Wow, you were certainly lucky the guide cam didn't hit the floor!
I don't know anything about WXAstroCapture. I use PhD but WXAC may well work the same way - I have to select GPUSB (not ASCOM nor GPINT) for driving the mount. No drivers are required when using GPUSB but they needed if you try to use ASCOM. In PhD this is all failsafe - it tells you immediately if it is successfully communicating with the mount or it tells you it can't connect. After that, it can't fail to work. It certainly works fine with my CG5 mount.
Mark
QuoteWow, you were certainly lucky the guide cam didn't hit the floor!
I'd better explain this as I put it in an E mail to Mark but not in this thread. I had E mailed Mark as he has the same mount as me, and the same guide cables.
Last night I was looking at Pleiades which was around the Zenith, and as some of you may know I bought a guide scope off Mark which is a really a camera lens and has no screw where the eyepiece/camera would go to hold it in, and I made (the same as Mark) a gasket from a piece of milk bottle to hold in the camera. Whilst this works OK when the Guide scope is faily level I took the extra precaution of tying the Guide camera to the guide rings. Lucky I did because when I went to untie the guide camera it fell out, luckily into my hands!!!
Carole
I HATE VISTA
I spent most of this evening trying to download PHD guiding. It's supposed to be a push here dummy software, and I thought I was a proper dummy as I could not get it to download at all, it kept downloading as a Windows Media file and then my Laptop kept saying it did not support the WM file. I was getting no-where. Exasperated I cranked up my old laptop, which is windows XP and it downloaded no problem at all!!!!
GRRRRRRR!!!
I think I have finally got to the point where I feel like replacing the Vista with Windows XP but do not have a clue how to do it, and will this mean I will have to back up my files and re-download any software I currently have installed? Will I need a Windows XP disk as I don't have one. My existing PCs came with it ready loaded.
Anyway, having looked at PHD now I've downloaded it, it does look like a user friendly system, but how to get it onto my new laptop. Either I'll have to run two laptops and hope the old one is up to the job, or put XP on my Vista. I am hoping one of you clever IT chappies might help me out with this.
Gosh I am owing quite a few people drinks.
Carole
Just put the downloaded file onto a memory stick (or even a compact flash card from your camera) transfer it to the new PC then install it.
QuoteI HATE VISTA
Hurah we have a convert.
I would say the following, get yourself a copy of hyperos.
install it and then install a fresh copy of winxp into a separate partition on your disk.
that way you can keep cursing vista, whilst you are setting up xp.
and just switch between the two.
that way you can still image with vista, without having to worry about getting everything set up in one go on the xp
and once that xp is set, copy over your doc ect and then get rid of vista
Mac.
Hi Mac,
QuoteI HATE VISTA Hurah we have a convert.
I'm not a convert, I have never liked Vista which is why I hung on for so long not wanting to buy a new laptop. But in the end I had to as I wasn't getting anywhere with that LX problem I had with my SC3 camera. Several people had looked at the laptop (including yourself) and it was not clear whether my LX problem was the camera or the laptop. Was I mad when I found only a few weeks later that Windows 7 was coming out.
I guess the only reason I haven't converted so far is I was worried I might negate the warranty if I changed the system.
QuoteI would say the following, get yourself a copy of hyperos.
install it and then install a fresh copy of winxp into a separate partition on your disk.
Your suggestion sounds good, I've found it as a download on the internet but don't know how to make a partition.
QuoteJust put the downloaded file onto a memory stick (or even a compact flash card from your camera) transfer it to the new PC then install it.
Mick, that sounds a good idea too, but again not quite sure how to put an installation file onto a memory stick after I've installed. I'll give Mick's idea a go, but if I fail, does any-one fancy doing this for me as a paid job?
Carole
XP is still your best option. Windows 7 hasn't been out long enough for all of the bugs to be ironed out and for all of the peripheral manufacturers to get stable drivers for the devices. XP has been out for years and is in a nice stable form at present.
Quoteput an installation file onto a memory stick after I've installed
Carole, the file you downloaded is just an ordinary file (that does clever stuff). Although you have "installed" the program, the downloaded file should remain unchanged - In fact you could actually delete it now.
So copy or move the file you downloaded (the one you double clicked to install the program) to a memory stick and transfer it to the new laptop.
Then run the file on the new laptop and this will install the program (hopefully)
If when you put the stick into the new laptop, Vista pops up a menu suggesting it contains a video file or whatever, there should be an option to "explore" the folder (mem. stick) - choose that and find the file - do not let vista try and open it with a suggested program and Never tick the box that asks "always perform this action with xxx file type"
Hi Mick,
I did what you suggested and it seems to be installed on the VISTA but when I try to use it I get this message:
"Application has failed to start because it's side by side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail."
Can't find an application event log.
I think I really want to convert to Windows XP.
Carole
It sounds like Vista did a partial install the first time :-?
Try the add/remove program thing in Vista to delete anything that's in there.
Deleting the folder might help as well, that sometimes gets left behind after deleting
C:\Program files\PHD Guiding would be a good place to start looking using Windows Explorer
Reboot then install it again.
QuoteTry the add/remove program thing in Vista to delete anything that's in there.
First of all there isn't a thing called add or remove programmes. I found a "programmes" icon, but PHD wasn't listed, even though it appears in this list
QuoteC:\Program files\PHD Guiding
.
So I've deleted it from that list, also the desktop icon I put on last night.
Re-installed via memory stick - same problem again.
Carole
QuoteFirst of all there isn't a thing called add or remove programmes.
goto start menu
goto settings
select control pannel
open add or remove programs :D
mac.
Oh dear! Don't go deleting directories/folders from the Program Files folder :-[
No wonder you have so many problems. In Vista Use Control Panel, Programs and Features to remove programs you don't want! NEVER delete folders in Program Files unless you really know what you are up to. My dad used to do this all the time before he passed away and I spent days fixing the damage for him. He was 84 so had an excuse.
QuoteNEVER delete folders in Program Files
Even after the program is removed/uninstalled ?
Thanks Ian :oops:
Quote from: mickw on Jan 06, 2010, 15:25:03
QuoteNEVER delete folders in Program Files
Even after the program is removed/uninstalled ?
Never take computer tips from someone who can't operate the quote tags correctly...
;) :twisted:
Quoteselect control pannel
open add or remove programs
Mac, that's what it hasn't got!!
I've got that in WindowsXP, but not in Vista.
QuoteOh dear! Don't go deleting directories/folders from the Program Files folder :-[
No wonder you have so many problems.
Just to clarify, I have never deleted anything from programmes files folder before I had all these problems. So it's not me that has caused the problem, the problem was already there.
I was told to uninstall PHD and as I had installed it in the first place by copying into the programme files folder I as instructed, and it didn't appear in the programmes list (Note, I do not have an add and remove programmes utility as previously stated I just took out what I put in.)
I even went into
help to try to find where Add or Remove programmes was located, and it was telling me loads of other irrelevant stuff.
Carole
This is what I get when I go in control panel:
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10047/normal_control_panel.jpg)
As you can see no add or remove programmes.
Carole
Carole try this...
http://www.vista4beginners.com/Add-Remove-Programs-nowhere-to-be-found
Looks like it is in Programs & Features.....
Yes John, thanks. I think I found that last night, but PHD which I had tried to install by dragging it into the programmes folder (as suggested) was not listed. So all I did was drag it out again.
Normally I would not dare to touch computer controls as I don't understand it enough, so I don't want people thinking I make a habit of doing this and this is why I get lots of problems.
I get problems when the PC or software doesn't do what it should do, and I don't know enough to sort it out.
So as soon as I can get my PC modified to WindowsXP (not by me) the better I think.
Any volunteers?
I'm willing to pay. especially if they can load PHD for me at the same time.
Thanks
Carole
Hmmmm, having read this I'm definitely not tackling it myself.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/06/22/how-to-downgrade-windows-vista-to-xp/
It sounds like Mac's idea of partitioning is a good one, in fact I think my Laptop is already partitioned in Vista.
Carole
Quoteinstall by dragging it into the programmes folder
No - drag/copy/move the "downloaded" file to your laptop - anywhere, although desktop is easier.
Then double click or "run" the downloaded file - the downloaded file is the thing that installs the program and "creates" the PHD folder and sticks numerous files in it.
If the PHD folder already existed, then Vista DID do a partial install and needs to be got rid of or, if you're lucky, the new installation will overwrite the buggered up version.
You may find that the extra partition you have in Vista is a "Recovery" partition that is small (probably around 5 gig) and only contains files to recover your system when it dies ;)
I have just been looking into the guide cables I have to make sure I don't need a driver and this is what I found on the GPUSB interface port I have bought:
QuoteUses the USB HID (Human Interface Device) class driver, which is included
with most operating system such as Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows
2000, and Windows XP. There is no need for a proprietary driver.
No mention of VISTA.
Mark, you use the same system, what does your laptop run on?
Getting really cross now with Vista.
Carole
QuoteYou may find that the extra partition you have in Vista is a "Recovery" partition that is small (probably around 5 gig) and only contains files to recover your system when it dies
No, I think it's larger than that Mick, I think it's around 50% intended for data storage or something. I'll have a look next time I open up the laptop.
Carole
Human Interface Device means anything that lets you (assume human ;) ) interface with the device.
In this case a USB device, so should be OK as mice can be a USB device, plus everything else USB that you've plugged in works
OK, well I'll just have to take it in stages.
I could try seeing if guiding works on PHD on my old laptop, so we can check everything is working as it should be (except dear old Vista).
I could try using old PC to drive the Mount and new PC to do the imaging. But not sure if I have enough USB ports and compatible hubs and I need 3 for guiding and only 2 on the old laptop. However even if this works it's not ideal for DSC.
Most ideal would be to change Vista to WindowsXP.
Carole
Carole,
I noticed that your settings for Control Panel is in Classic View mode, if you change this by clicking on 'Control Panel home' above where it says 'Classic View' you should be able to go to Programs and from here 'Uninstall a program'
Hope this helps you get to where you want to goto remove a program.
Tony G
Carol if you do get totally stuck using this tool will help no end.
http://sledgeassociates.com/images/SledgeHammer.jpg (http://sledgeassociates.com/images/SledgeHammer.jpg)
Mac. ;)
Hmmm, wasn't thinking about doing anything that drastic Mac. :cheesy:
But if all else fails, might sell it and get myself a reconditioned Windows XP, which was something I was considering doing in the first place, but only went for the new model because the recon ones wouldn't guarantee much life in the batteries. On balance, I think I would prefer to have had the XP.
QuoteI noticed that your settings for Control Panel is in Classic View mode, if you change this by clicking on 'Control Panel home' above where it says 'Classic View' you should be able to go to Programs and from here 'Uninstall a program'
Hi Tony, yes I changed that because the other mode was even worse. But having said that, I couldn't uninstall PHD because it wasn't listed as having been installed. I had just put it in the programmes folder and that's as far as it got.
Carole
Why not just buy a copy of XP ?
QuoteBut if all else fails, might sell it and get myself a reconditioned Windows XP,
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
there are plenty of people here who can install xp for you.
Whats the point of ditching your pc to get another one with a different operating system,
keep your PC and reinstall xp.
When the time comes and you've finally had enough, too quote NASA, "we can rebuild him, we have the technology" 8)
Showing my age.
im sure that time will be soon though.
Mac
I would think you're of the vintage that would think nothing of running around the playground in slow motion making a chuggaa chuggaa sort of noises.
I bet you had a parker too, with a snorkel hood.
QuoteI would think you're of the vintage that would think nothing of running around the playground in slow motion making a chuggaa chuggaa sort of noises.
I bet you had a parker too, with a snorkel hood.
don't understand that unless it's a dig at my age. No I never had a parker or ran around the playground making chugga chugga noises.
QuoteWhen the time comes and you've finally had enough, too quote NASA, "we can rebuild him, we have the technology"
Showing my age.
im sure that time will be soon though.
the time has arrived, help!!!
On an earlier topic, I joined the WXAstrocapture forum as suggested earlier in this thread, and I got two replies. One from the man himself who designed the software!!!!
Anyway, it looks as though I did everything right, and it was in fact guiding but the signal was not getting through sufficiently.
So I'm going to try again using the old laptop for guiding, and using the new laptop for collecting images. The Vista was making clicking noises for quite a few minutes – you know the sound when you try to get it to do something it won't do, so perhaps it was all too much for it.
Nothing like getting a reply straight from the horse mouth though!!!
Carole
QuoteWhy not just buy a copy of XP ?
Happy to, but I still need some-one to install it, I'm not chancing doing it myself.
Carole
Carole,
Download GPUSBCheck from Shoestring
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/downloads.htm
Quote from their site:
QuoteGPINTCheck and GPUSBCheck are simple, free software applications that you can use to verify that your GPINT-PT or GPUSB, computer, and scope mount are all working together properly. You can download them using the links found below. You should use this the first time you set up your system. You can also use it as a debugging tool anytime your system is not functioning properly. If your system works fine with GPINTCheck or GPUSBCheck, but not with your third-party software, then the problem most likely lies with the third-party software and you should contact them for technical support. If your system does not work with GPINTCheck or GPUSBCheck, then you should contact us for technical support.
Download GPUSBNudge while you are at it.
BTW, I use XP on my laptops.
Mark
Thanks Mark.
Will check it out.
Carole
actually you got a response from *both* guys who developed the software ;)
Carol just out of interest how many computers do you own?
I have a desktop - Windows XP which I use for everything except imaging.
and 2 laptops for Astronomy the old one is XP and the other is Vista.
Quoteactually you got a response from *both* guys who developed the software
I hadn't realised that, but that is worrying because they said contradicting things regarding the com port.
Carole
If you have an XP laptop what is all the fuss about? Why not just install it on there?
you dont need to purchase another copy of windows xp,
just install one of your old ones on to your existing vista one.
Quoteinstall one of your old ones on to your existing vista one
Needs to be a "Full" version rather than an "Upgrade" - upgrade versions won't "downgrade", neither will "Rescue Disks" so there could be problems here :(
Quoteyou dont need to purchase another copy of windows xp,
just install one of your old ones on to your existing vista one.
This is where I have no experience of doing this sort of thing. I don't have any discs because they all came ready installed with no discs. So is it possible to take a copy off an existing system?
QuoteIf you have an XP laptop what is all the fuss about? Why not just install it on there?
I have managed to install PHD on the XP laptop, but it is probably on it's last legs it has hardly any disc space and I don't know how much longer I can keep it going for. It is certainly not up to the job of doing DSLR imaging. So I would like to be able to do everything on the new laptop if possible.
QuoteNeeds to be a "Full" version rather than an "Upgrade" - upgrade versions won't "downgrade", neither will "Rescue Disks" so there could be problems here
I pass on that one, no idea what version I have.
Carole
Don't forget your old XP laptop, though on it's 'last legs' it has a valid copy of XP Pro on it. The license number in on a sticker underneath is worth more than the laptop so don't throw it away. Any install disk for XP Pro will do you to get you going...
Hope that helps
Robert
Thanks Robert,
Yes I remembered you telling me this before, and of course I won't just throw it away. However I don't want to get rid of the XP laptop you sold me until it's either really had it or not needed any more.
My Webcam will not currently run on the Vista as there are no Vista drivers available for it (another annoying thing about Vista), and after the way the New Vista laptop behaved when I was trying to do everything on it the other night, I am wondering whether I should have two laptops running anyway.
What I want to do is convert the Vista to XP, run them both using the new one to do the DSLR imaging, and use the old XP for webcam and guiding. Then if the Old XP laptop dies on me (it has been doing strange things on start up recently), I am not left high and dry with a laptop which will only do some things and not others.
Hope that makes sense.
Carole
I have various copies of XP that I have access to as long as you have a serial number on the back of the laptop then we should have no problem re-installing XP. Dual booting is ok as long as you have enough disk space and are quite happy working with the various flavours of operating system. I would dual boot, but then again I have 4 laptops and a big server and have be using windows and dos since dos 5.0 and windows 3.11.
si
Reminder for Carole
The XP serial No. is on the old laptop not the new one with Vista.
It should say on the label what version it is, it could be the home edition, which is a bit of a pain but i might have a copy.
si
It is Windows XP Professional (1 - 2 CPU) on my old laptop.
Space on the Vista:
C Drive = 69.6 Gb (32.2 Gb available)
Data D Drive = 69.6 Gb (69.5 Gb available)
Carole