ASCOM Windows 7 64bit Problems

[Specman]

Hi,

I have just purchased the following set up for imaging:

Sky-Watcher Evostar-80ED DS-PRO f/7.5 APO, 0.85x focal reducer / corrector, Startravel 80 OTA Guide Scope, HEQ5 PRO Syscan, Canon EOS 100D,

Nice, powerful laptop to handle all my astro software and image processing:

Dell XPS L501X Laptop: INTEL I5-460(2.53GHZ) 4GB RAM, 640GB HARD DRIVE, 64-bit WINDOWS 7

Loading the ASCOM platform and update was easy, no problems. the EQMOD was a bit of a nightmare but i got there in the end. Next up Carte du Ceil Planetarium software, here I'm stuck. It doesn't support ASCOM drivers in 64-bit. OK, Stellarium, downloaded stellarium scope still no joy. I don't know why I can't connect to that its completely stumped me.

Carte du Ceil seems to be the software of choice for guiding, imaging work. During set up I click on telescope and select ASCOM and it puts out an error message that its not supported in 64-bit.

It seems to have POTH Telescope in there as default.

Anybody experienced the same problem and if so do you have a workaround?

Many thanks

Mark

[mcrossley]

Not had the problem, but can you not just install the 32bit version of CdC?

Can you launch POTH and connect to your scope?

[Specman]

Ahhh! Never thought of that!

I'll uninstall the 64bit version and give it a try.

No I can't launch POTH, needs another driver I think.

Cheers

Mark

[Karlos]

Just use a 64-bit installer for Carte du Ceil (If available) or use a 32-bit OS or Virtual machine Very occasionally using the compatibility mode does work, but only occasionally. I would honestly recommend using 32 bit if you are wanting a reliable operating system, windows 7 64-bit is good but I found much software for it is unstable and I would not like to think this would cause issues and alot of frustration mid-imaging

[Bizibilder]

I run the 64bit version of C du C on my lappy and it loads POTH via C du C as default. (click -telescope - control panel - it will show POTH as default).

Just click on connect and it will work BUT when you unpark the scope you then have to click on the POTH screen (the one with the little Saturn icon) and click unpark on that (this gives an "error" message - just cancel it and minimise the POTH screen). You are now unparked and everything will work.

[hayju01]

Hi,

I was having some issues yesterday getting ASCOM,EQ etc etc all working and posted here and finally got my kit doign what I wanted, not field tested as yet but I have total faith.

I'm not entirely sure from your post where/what your issue is but my advice is once you have ASCOM and EQASCOM installed, run the EQASCOM toolbox with the mount connected and powered up (in my case setup Direct PC Mode) and see if you have connection.

From that point on I found it all fell into place. I had originally got caught in the POTH conundrum but found in the end that I didn't need it.

[Bizibilder]

I forgot - I use a syntrek HEQ5 without the SW hand controller.