Uranium235

Ive had the same error message before too, and that was down to not plugging the st4 guide cable in fully... doh!

I only re-calibrate if im imaging a completely different part of the sky - eg: going from M101 through the meridian to M31. If its just a short(ish) jump, then no need to. Good polar alignment will help a lot... oh, and choose "north" or "south"... not "auto" as you will get backlash. Choosing north/south or means that the gears only need to correct in one direction in DEC - its just a case of figuring out which way it likes to drift. For me its North on the East side of the meridian, and South for the West.

Let us know how you get on anyway, and try not to get too steamed up when it wont guide for toffee....lol.. it happens to us all at some point.