SniffTheGlove

Remember if you crunch SETI then take a visit to Lunatics site for optimised apps that will crunch faster

Thanks, that all works.

It's very daughting being on your own with loads of equipment you have never seen before that you are trying to fathom out how it works works as alot of the instructions just don't explain things enough.

Thanks

Hello,

I seem to be having an issue with my EQ6 Pro and it's Directional keys on the Synscan handset. (Also in EQMod and with Gamepad)

Been playing with my newly acquired EQ6 Synscan but I can not make the mount move when trying to manually move it with either the synscan handset using the directional keys or when in EQMod using the onscreen directional keys or even a connect gamepad.

For example with the Synscan handset, plug it into the mount and turn on. Enter setup routine and enter details. Then do a 2 star alignment. Choose a star and the mount slews, once it stops the handset allows you to tweak the position using the directional keys however no mater if I press the up,down,left,right the mount does not move.

Another example in EQMod/CdC I slew to a target, then using the EQMod onscreen keys or the gamepad the mount does not adjust it's position.

Is there something I have done wrong or missed out or need to reread a section of the manual. I know the directional keys do not work during an actual slew but once it's finished slewing then the directional keys should be active.

Thanks

Handset is v3.27

Mount powered by fully charged 110Ah battery

Used to do Engima (Crack german WW2 signals), Einstein, SETI but now trying to get 10million on Milkyway

Hi, I'm new here but have run SETI in the past (until they screwed up my account and I gave up). In any case, I'm not sure I want to find aliens even if they are out there. You need to be very certain of the difference between being invited TO lunch and FOR lunch.

I currently run BOINC and one of the things I donate time to is MilkyWay, so I have joined the Stargazerslounge team for that.

I also donate to Constallation but that is not directly astronomy related, more space exploration.

Dave.

Well done Dave, as for lunch I would prefer to be invited and not be the entree`

From what I read they use Virtual Box to install there custom linux software that is need to run the simulations.

VirtualBox is a free and open source virtualization tool that allows the creation of virtual machine(s) inside your PC where you can run any operating system. For example, you will be able to run CERN's Scientific Linux system in your Windows computer without risking the integrity of your machine.

Test4Theory@Home uses this technology to run the complex CERN experiment code in your computer, independently of your OS and hardware. Thus, if you want to collaborate with this project, you first have to install the VirtualBox software, (remember it is free!)

Do we have a folding @ home team? not interested in seti.

Only aware of SETI and Milkyway. PM Ant ( Stargazers Lounge - View Profile: ant ) and ask

Just joined the team.

I was just wondering exactly what I do to help. I understand that my computer will start analyzing data if I leave it unattended, but what exactly do I do?

OK, if you have downloaded BOINC and chosen a project or 2.

SGL has 2 projects associated, SETI and Milkyway.

Out of the 2 above you get slight more credits per workunit on Milkyway than SETI.

What type of PC (or PC's) are you running BOINC on (CPU and also Graphics GPU?)

I have different PC's doing different projects, now my main PC is just a 4 core Intel and this is on 24hrs aday cruching in the background and this will do 4000 credits approx every 24hrs, wheras my 2 son's PC (Quad core with GTX460 GPU) will do approx 9000 credits in approx 12hrs (The turn them off at night)

OK, depending on what you project aims are, there are ways to improve the credit scoring by using optimised apps, these will crunch better (+25%) than the stock apps that are downloaded by BOINC

It is better to choose at least 2 projects if your really interested in science crunching, that way if there is a problem with one project and the work units dry up (like they do a few times a month) then the other project will pick up the slack and keep your PC crunching.

There are also tweaks you can do to change the way BOINC does things or to capture more stats for longer periods than the default month (Mine is set for 3650 days), these tweaks are cone with config xml files.

Once you are crunching there is nothing else really to do apart from keeping an eye on the stats.

You can also get more into the stats by having a BOINC external manager. I use www.boincstats.com, here you can manage your client PC and change the projects, pause them etc from one interface instead of having to go to each PC to do it, also they give loads of stats for yourself and each of your PC's.

If you want, you can also extract your own data from the world stats feed, I do this and then upload the stats to my online database which then I can generate my own stats from this data (See my sig below)

If you need more info or help then PM me.

Gotta love those crazy graphics ! - Just joined the team !

If you want to lose those graphics but crunch alot more data then look for optimised apps to replace the stock apps.

For SETI goto Downloads (Lunatics site) and grab the installer for Multibeam unless you want to do AstroPulse. You will need to know what features like SSE3 etc your CPU supports.

For more details just read my previous posts here in this thread.

Epic thread, loved reading it!

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on this from Morgans, but does anybody know of anywhere I could send it to get the LX and Amp Mod done if I want to go that route in the future? (My soldering skills are worse than dire.)

I was looking at Dion's modded SPC900 on eBay but there's no way I'll be able to slide a £100 single payment past the wife!

Try Astronomiser - Automated Astronomy and AstroImaging Solutions

Just a quick question, do i need to use a barlow lens with the spc

You can if you want.

or can i just slot it inot the eyepiece holder and use it that way?

Yes, you can.

Im on Windows Virtual PC XP

I added the bin file to 8116 folder but when i choose dc interface, nothing popped up.

on macro it says CAMERA NOT CONNECTED but its plugged into usb. I did " add hardware " pointed at 880 inf file nothing working. Also nothing popped up sayin found new hardware but when i plug the camera in the light pops up on camera.

Dunno why it's doinfg this any ideas?

Start a webcam application like Sharpcap, then get the picture running then run WcRmac to do the flashing and other macro's

sorry for being a bit stupid as a newcomer but what is a S E T I team jimmythemoonlight merseyside

Hi Jimmy,

SETI = Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.

It is a main stream science project that among other things collects radio transmission data from Radio Telescopes and searches these transmissions for non-natural patterns. Many moons ago SETI were the first to bring a science based application for computer onto the desktop to allow interested parties to crunch the data for them via a global system.

You can read all about SETI About SETI@home

If you want to help crunch data you need to get BOINC, an application that controls the crunching on your PC, then choose the project you want to crunch (ie SETI and you can also have many others that range from Biochemisty to Cancer Research).

To get BOINC got the link above and locate the BOINC url, download, install and away you go.

If you are not IT litterate then stay with BOINC and crunch away. If you want to dedicate more time and PC processing you can download optimised apps for each project, these are applications designed for a particular CPU in your PC.

Once you have joined SETI or Milkway (These are projects that SGL members have teams for) you can join the team to help combine your processing with other SGL members.

Are these the same ones as they seam a bit on the cheap side ( but then I know nothing, but give me time !!!)

found this on ebay Philips SPC900NC webcam on eBay (end time 04-Mar-11 21:40:42 GMT)

I know it states spnc900nc is there a difference ?

be gentle very noob

If you read the auction description you will see that it is actually the SPC880NC webcam. You still need the IR/UV Filter and Nosepiece.

so to get the different raw modes the cam must be flashed to 990?

or can it remain as 880 and have the raw flashes?

i ask as i will always use xp

If you are using XP then why not flash with the SPC900 firmware anyway?

Anyway, I have not tried doing RAW on an unflashed SPC880 but you could always give it ago, just run WcRmac and 1st see if an unflashed SPC880 is recognised (run sharpcap etc first), if so do a firmware backup first then try the RAW mod. If it works then OK if not then take the RAW mod off via WcRmac and then reflash with your backup copy.

Well ordered my webcam over a week ago but there was a problem and it came up on the website as having failed. So I tried again and got the same message then when I checked my bank account the money has been taken once. Having phoned various times to Morgans they insist that they haven't taken the money and that it's the bank's fault...and guess what the bank says that Morgan's have taken the money.......aaaaaarrrrrgghhh

At my wits end, don't know what to do and all I want is my damn webcam.

Ask the bank for the transaction ID. Then tell Morgans to confirm by email/writing that they do not have your money, then you can take these details to Visa/Mastercard and raise a dispute and you will get a refund.

Seriously thinking about getting one of these. They seem to be highly recommended by a lot of people on here.

Get 2, so you'll have one spare when the other eventually breaks and at £9.99 from Morgans it's a wise move as you'll be lucky to find them in a years time maybe.

If you have XP then you can flash else order the flashing from Morgans at the same time or if you do not want the hassle of flashing then again just get Morgans to do it for you.

Morgans also do the Nosepiece which you will need and if you want to image Jupiter then you will need the IR/UV filter cut which again Morgans do.

You can either get both cams fitted out with nosepieces and filters or save a few quid and just get 2 cam with 1 set only of nosepiece and filter.

Then if you have anyother OS apart from XP goto the philips Support site and download the drivers for your OS, again links have been posted many times in this thread so just go back a few pages or use the "Search This Thread" for drivers

HTH, they are good cams and very very god value for money.

For Firmware modding read the link I have posted above in a few posts back, this gives slightly more detail using Optimised Color (NON RAW). See the link for more details.

I can't see this answered, but is there any point in flashing them if you're just using XP anyway? Is it more for compatibility or does it unlock anything?

It all depends on what YOU want to do.

Flashing to the 900nc firmware allows the cam to be used with different drivers for different OS and also allows the setting of firmware mods.

In the 5th post where the install instructions are you can read from the attached links to what the camera does and can do it modified. You will finally end up with a page that discusses the firmware mods for RAW and Optimised RAW among others.

I don't think it does unlock anything you can't already do through software i.e. exposure control, sensitivity adjustment. I've not flashed mine but have not yet had a proper chance to use it.

Yes is does allow you to do things that are not available from the installed software. You use WcRmac to set up RAW or Optimised RAW.

http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/ebrawe.htm

Cheers Colin! All worked a treat! The SPC 880 is now recognised as a SPC900! I take it there is no need to flash it now or do I still need to do that?

I don't know if you can mod via WcRmac without the webcam actually having the SPC900nc firmware on board, so if you need to use RAW or RAW Optimised you may still need to flash the firmware.

Very excited now to take and maybe show some pictures from my humble scope!

I Know what you mean. Hope to see them in the imaging forums in the future that is if the clouds will disappear.

I tried the 880 driver from morgans (its just a .inf file), but windows 7 will not recognise it even when I point it at them when it asks to search for them manually.

I cant have an app running the cam because the cam isn't recognised (as stated above), I plug it in and it tried to find the drivers on its own and fails, and its just stated as an unregognised usb device in device manager.

StevieDvd: I have Windows 7 home premium.

I'll try a pre-flashed cam from Morgans, and if I eventually get my current one flashed, I can always sell it on.

If you do not have any access to an XP machine then you could ask around friends/work colleagues/Astro club/neighbours etc and get them to flash or see if anybody he on SGL lives near you who can do it or you just reorder a pre-flashed model from Moragns and put the unflashed one on hold till you find an XP machine then you could have a spare cam when the other fails.

If you find XP, then flashing is a 60sec job. Follow message 5 at the start of this thread.

iv'e just brought the SPC 880 and installed and flashed the software to 900, the only issue i have is with the focus. I attached the webcam to my 8' 200p dob tried looking at the moon with outthe IR/UV filter, but using the 2x barlows lens and it looked like a white blurry image.

I tried reducing the focus on my scope outwards direction but still blurry image, im using Wxastrocapture software. Is this to do the gain and brightness on the software

Iv'e read somewhere that i should focus the moon using the 10mm Eyepeice and then adjust the gain / brightness to get the right image. I have ordered the IR/UV cut filter from morgans in the meantime.

I have just played with my modded cams (both of them) and can focus fine on the moon with or without the IR/UV filter.

I do have to have the drawtube really into to get the focus point but once there it does focus. The cam has a FL of about 6mm so once you have got your 10mm focused the swap out and shorted the FL with the focuser.

Using Sharpcam on XP on my 10in Dob.

Ok ordered mine delivered today.. long story no XP but had an old legit disc. Gotten now a XP vm for windows 7 and have got the webcam to register as a PCVC750K (on XP) with a desktop folder 880 , been at this for 4 hours now and cannot seem to update it the info on the site is void of direct links unles it is me ??

Should have paid the extra #3 to have it flashed but missed the webpage for it

Read post#5 in the first page of this thread, the instructions are there.

If you can not understand them, then you need unplug the SPC Cam, reboot the XP VM, Start Shapcap on VM, Run WcRmac on the VM then do the update.

Unplug the SPC Cam and shutdown the VM then reboot your PC, plug in cam and install the drivers for your OS.

For extras, then install WcRmac and Sharpcap on your PC, run Sharpcap, chose the SPC900 in Devices then run WcRmac and do any changes you might like as specified on the WcRmac webpage then do a backup of the firmware for safety.

Shutdown WcRmac and away you go. Should sort it for you.

If anyone else has trouble and you are not running a VM then subsitute VM for XP OS

HTH

I brought a Baader MKIII yesterday mid afternoon.

FLO shopping cart said mailing was free so I expected the usual 5-7days when people say "Free Mailing".

It was to be a birthday present to me (Next Thursday) from my wife.

I order yesterday as my expected assumption of free mailing being 5-7days and with the bad weather this would mean the Colli would turn up just in time for next Thursday but this did not happen.

It turned up this morning. Wow that was quick and I did not expect Next Day delivery.

Fantastic service