EQDIR not working

[NorthernLight]

Hi All,

I have an EQDIR Interface Module (DB-9 connector) and an USB2EQ6 Interface Cable (DB-9 connector) installed between my Windows 7 64bit laptop`s USB port and the hand controller port of my NEQ6 PRO.

Windows prompts me with a message in the device control saying: This device cannot start. (Code 10). Several attempts to re-install the driver or change USB ports (I have 2 USB 2.0) did not change this. EQDIR Check is unable to connect to the mount on any of the port settings (COM1-7).

I have searched IceInSpace and found a thread suggesting other drivers, which I have also installed, although to no avail.

I would like to allow Stellarium to control my mount. Please HELP!

Cheers

[Merlin66]

Max,
have you checked the Device manager to see if the DIRmodule is being recognised?
It will also show the Comms port..this may have to be changed to a lower number.

[NorthernLight]

Hi Ken,

yes, I did and it is being recognized as Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM4). But it shows that "This device cannot start. (Code 10)".

How can I change the Comms port?

[NorthernLight]

BTW: when I change the USB port I plug it into, then it shifts from COM4 to COM3. If that helps.

[Merlin66]

Max,
Comm 3 or 4 should be OK....
If the PC is recognising the Serial>usb connection, then I can only assume there's an issue somewhere at the other end...
My EQDir module has a usb port and a DB9 cable and connector which goes to the controller port on the mount. I think this may be similar to yours..
I'm not sure how to test the module....
You could, as an interim, connect a usb>serial adaptor to the PC and use the "upgrade" cable - serial to RJ11(?) to connect to the Synscan handcontroller. This would allow you to use CdC etc to control your mount.
Google code 10
http://leftbraintinkering.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/usb-to-serial-prolific-2303-device.html
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/prolific-usb-to-serial-comm-portthis-device-cannot/af29351f-6cb7-48cc-b770-89d096a6df8b

[batobsresearch]

I had the same trouble with 2 laptop computers. What I found worked for me was to plug the cable into the USB slot on the computer only. Not to the mount. When you click on devices, it will show you that it is not working properly. I then double clicked on it and windows 7 asked if I would like it to find a driver for it. I said yes. It then installed a driver itself. I then restarted the computer with the cable now plugged into the mount as well. It worked fine then. Hope this works for you.

[NorthernLight]

I tried all the above to no avail and googled all and sundry to the Code 10 subject. I also found that after installing the Vista driver the device shows "working" in the device manager. But as soon as I run EQDIR Check it disables the device and either I cannot see it anymore or when I re-plug it, it shows Code 1 (no driver installed).

I have installed the recommended Vista driver and upon clicking finish it told me that I have successfully installed the driver. But when I try choosing the driver from the update driver manually pop up, the folder where the driver should be is empty. Am I right in assuming that the driver would be here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Prolific\PL-2303 Vista Driver Installer?

I also read that Prolific has had issues with no-name chipsets being used for various products and that the driver automatically disables any non-Prolific chip once it found it on a computer. Is Shoestring is using these no-name chipsets? That would explain a lot.

It drives me crazy as I think that such simple thing should be a plug and play and not a mission for senior Wintel Specialists....any of those present by any chance?......

What else can I do?

[RobF]

What is it exactly you're using Max (brand, etc) ?
One of these, direct from laptop USB to the DB9 on your EQ6 (no handcontroller)?


http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Mount-Accessories/Shoestring-USB2-br--EQ6-Interface/775/productview.aspx

[Merlin66]

Whatever the problem/issue I don't believe its related to the Shoestring adaptor.
I have used these for the past few years on the NEQ6pro with no problems.
Did you install the new drivers as "Adminstrator"????

[NorthernLight]

the equipment is as follows"

- laptop running Windows 7 pro SP1
- USB-Serial cable (label reads N287) plugged into USB port
- Shoestring EQDIR adapter (serial-serial) plugged into mount
- Hardware ID of EQDIR adapter: USB\VID_067B&PID_2303&REV_0300
- installed driver: Windows Vista/7/Server2008 (32 & 64-bit) WDF WHQL Driver: v3.4.62.293 (10/17/2013)
- no hand controller used

I have installed the driver via "run as administrator", restarted the computer and plugged in the device (not connected to mount). When the device is plugged in Windows installs the driver but then prompts with an error message, saying the driver was not installed correctly.

The device shows in the control panel as USB-Serial-Controller, not working due to no driver installed. When following the update driver path, I find that the directory where the driver should be is empty. Directory path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Prolific\PL-2303 Vista Driver Installer.
I tried drivers from the auto update, from Prolific and from cooldrivers.

I had it working on my XP machine. Is there any way to install the driver differently?

[apaulo]

Hi everyone.

Hey I wonder if you actually need the eqdir adaptor? If the usb to serial cable connects directly to the mount you shouldn,t need the eqdir at all. Bintel sell the shoestring usb to serial cable
http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Mount-Accessories/Shoestring-USB2-br--EQ6-Interface/775/productview.aspx
I purchased this last month and all you need is to download the ttl232r driver if using win xp and your off and running.
Hope that helps
Paul

[mswhin63]

I understand you had it working on the XP Machine but I can't understand why you have 2 converters.

I have a similar set-up with only a USB to serial adaptor then I removed the serial connector and re-terminated it. What I can see is that your system is converting twice which may cause a problem.

Is any of the components you have used new in the latest set-up or all the same?

Personally the only thing the Shoestring would do is act as a gender change adaptor, but $41.00 is a bit pricey for a gender changer.

[Merlin66]

If you're going direct to the handcontroller port on the NEQ6 mount then you DO need a EQDIR module between the USB/ Serial on the PC and the mount port.
(The Shoestring adaptor I have has a serial DB9 socket at one end - to connect to the USB/Serial cable and a serial plug to connect directly to the mount.)
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_eq.htm
I only use KeySpan usb>serial adaptors.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Ken


As i have been playing with this a fair bit recently ( with my EQ6Pro ), i would suggest a "clarification" on terminology may help.
The PC to HbxPort cable uses simple "rs232" serial commands, whereas the handbox to mount cable uses simple "TTL" serial commands.
The only difference "from a cabling and data point of view" is the voltage levels involved.
I think too many commercial names get bandied around that can cause confusion when describing these cables and when they should be used.
If you have a real serial port on yr PC/Lappie, or a std USB to "rs232"serial converter, then you can use that directly with the hbx, or, if you want to plug into the mounts Hbx port, you need to use an inline max232 converter ( or the like ) to convert it to TTL voltages.

You can also buy specific USB to "TTL"Serial converters, which makes a neat "one cable" connector that can plug directly into the mount, but not the hbx.
It is still essentially a USB to serial converter tho.
I note that shoestring has a USB2EQ6 cable that looks for all the world like a std USB2Serial converter, but if i read it correctly, the DB9 connector is preconverted to TTL levels and wired to suit the EQ6 port.
This could be a trap for the unwary, esp if they mix a real rs232 converter up with a TTL converter.

Andrew

[RobF]

Ok, just checking to clarify it is one of the older EQDIR modules with male and female DB9 on either end, as per here:

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/images/eqdir.jpg

The newer "all in one cables" such as the Bintel link I put up earlier have the RS232/TTL conversion chips inside the large USB plug end of the cable. Wouldn't be good to go USB/Serial straight to mount - agree not TTL voltages. I have little experience with the older Shoestrings, but thought they used the same drivers. My 2 cents/thoughts would be:

1. Possible USB/Serial convertor issue under Windows 8 - is it possible to try another USB/Serial convertor?
2. Post query with Shoestring for assistance.

[NorthernLight]

Hi Guys,

today I solved the issue by asking our friendly IT guy at work. He gave me a new USB-Serial Converter cable and this installed flawlessly. EQDIR Check reported that it found the mount and now I am learning how to use it with Stellarium.

Thanks for your replies and clear skies!

[Merlin66]

Max,
All's well that ends well......
(That's why I ONLY use Keyspan usb>serial adaptors!)

[AndrewJ]

Gday Max

Good to hear it is working now, but i am still a little confused????
In yr original post you mentioned

Did you actually use both together ?????
If so, i cant see how it would work.
The USB2EQ6 is a cable that is designed to go direct from PC to mount without needing the EQDir. Ie the USB2EQ6 is equivalent to a std USB2Ser adapter + EQDIR.

Andrew

[mswhin63]

It would work, but not as reliable as just a single cable. The other cable was a generic USB to Serial not the shoestring, but the concept is still the same there is a double conversion of serial data maybe. I don't know how the shoestring was designed so maybe it is just a over-priced gender changer.

I though totally agree and wonder why there is two units. Kept going it in my mind all day today.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Malcolm



Dunno about that :question:
Ref next bit re mappings.


Not if it was really a USB2EQ6 cable as he noted.
( Hence why i asked re nomenclature used to describe what it really was )
The proper USB2EQ6 cable for an EQ6Pro "looks" just like a std USB2serial adapter, ( both physically, and as a USB2Ser converter in device mangler ) but the DB9 is wired differently, ie as well as converting to TTL data, it also has the Tx Rx and ground wires remapped to suit the DB9 port on the mount.
If the EQDIR module is expecting data on the std PC mappings for a DB9 COM port, it wont get data if plugged into a USB2EQ6 cable.
Be interesting to see what maps to what in that case.

Andrew

[mswhin63]

Yeah I saw the original post, although it look different than I first thought mainly because I saw reference to a generic driver. Anyway USB-EQ6 cable should already be mapped for the right pin-outs. I am sort of going to give up seeing that he has it working. Need to clear the mind of confusion! :confused2:

[RobF]

The older Shoestring EQDIR units HAD to have a USB/Serial convertor between the PC and the EQDIR, so it all max sense.

Glad to hear you're in business Max.
You'll have to get into EQMOD next - absolutely fantastic piece of software.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob


Still do if i read it correctly.:thumbsup:
Assuming the OP has it working now, thats great,
but if he does have a real USB2EQ6 cable,
he doesnt need the new USB2Ser adapter + EQDIR module
ie i was musing as to why(if) he had both???
Also, if he is not going to use the neater USB2EQ6 cable, he needs to mark it clearly so it doesnt get used as a std USB2Ser adapter in the future.
A true USB2EQ6 cable can only ever be used on an EQ6 head
( unless you cut off/repurpose the DB9 ).

Andrew

[NorthernLight]

Hi Andrew,

I actually introduced an error by stating that I was using an USB2EQ6 Interface Cable whilst in fact I was using a standard USB-Serial cable plus the EQDIR module. I copy pasted that info from the Shoestring website because it looked like what I have :stupid:

Just in case that somebody stumbles over this post whilst searching about Stellarium telescope control:

Stellarium actually does not need the EQDIR module (in fact, it wont work with it!) rather, it connects via USB Port-USB to Serial Adpater-Serial to Handcontrol (SynScan) PC port and the hand controller being plugged into the mount. I googled a long time for some clear instruction and only learned about this solution in a related post.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Max



No probs then. :thumbsup:
It just makes me nervous when i see posts that specifically name cables that dont appear correct.
Seen too many posts where people plug stuff in not realising that the wiring or voltages used are not correct, but it "looks the same" :sadeyes:
Meades rs232 vs Aux ports is a classic for this problem.
Lots of magic smoke has been produced over the years

Andrew

[RobF]

Agreed - any misunderstandings leading to smoke are BAD :)

You should still get hold of EQMOD Max, especially if you haven't had a chance to see it in action before?

[jenchris]

Just converted a dontronics ttl232 cable (5v) by application of a db9 end .
Worked fine.
Theres only 4 connections tx, rx and 2 ground conns.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob



Whats EQMOD "Max" ?????
I have played with EQMOD, but it is too limited for what i want to do at present, so i do my own low level commands, bypassing the closed DLL that EQMOD is based on.
Much more fun to use the newer commands available manually :D

Andrew

[RobF]

Alas, its not a super EQMOD. Just poor grammar in a sentence that was directed at the OP.

Would be interested to hear what you're up to Andrew?
I have played with writing VB.NET scripts for issuing ASCOM commands for positions and polar alignment before, but PHD2 now has such a great PA tool have stopped using my own code.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob



I wanted to be able to manually control my mount so i could do small slews too and fro across a target and read the encoder/microstep counts, so i could see what the lash is like etc.
The EQMod + EQASCOM wrappers hide all the commands and always resume tracking on gotos etc.
It all got too hard, so i have been learning how the low level commands work and then use them directly to control my mount.
Ie no EQMod or EQASCOM.
It has no "celestial" goto ability etc , its just for doing diagnostic work when tweaking the mount.

Andrew

[RobF]

Wow. Hats off. Be interested to hear if it helps with diagnostics.

[NorthernLight]

Update:

I got Ascom going, got EQMOD going, got Stellarium to interface with EQMOD via Stellarium Scope, PHD 2 connected to Backyard EOS and the latter with Astrotortilla and it all works on the dry dock (dinner table), not even the USB hub gave me grief=very happy camper here :) I hope the night will be steady and clear so I can test it under the stars!

[RobF]

Good news Max. You should be able to do some serious navigating now :thumbsup: