Meade DSI Pro 2 Problem, please help

[red dwalf]

morning all,

i`ve had a Meade DSI Pro 2 mono camera for a while and was getting on with it well, but at the Kelling star party a few weeks ago it decided to play up big style.

when i plug the camera into the usb port and start up envisage software, the camera operates for around 10-15 seconds before it shows just a black dark screen and i`m unable to view anything at all, will not even show white light when i point the ccd at a light source.

i`ve tried updating the drivers and so on with no luck, has anyone had any simular problems using these cameras ?

any and all help welcome as i`d really started to get the hang of using this camera and was hoping for some better images at Kelling.

many thanks

Rob

[BuzzBomb]

I can't help with the solution, but there is a Yahoo DSi group who mught be able to help? They are mostly based in America, so replies might be slightly slower, but they are a helpful and friendly bunch.

Hope you get it corrected.

[red dwalf]

Thanks for that buzzbomb

[BuzzBomb]

You're welcome.

[r3i]

Might be worth eliminating a problem with the USB cable by swapping it for a different one? How long a USB cable do you use? My DSI1 had problems when I tried to use more than one USB repeater cable.

[red dwalf]

Already tried that one thanks, I cut everything out of the loop except the camera, a good short usb cable and the pc so its got to be the camera.

[r3i]

Already tried that one thanks, I cut everything out of the loop except the camera, a good short usb cable and the pc so its got to be the camera.

Shame - was hoping it might be that simple!

Clutching at straws, but have you tried using the camera with software other than Envisage, such as PHD Guiding? Not sure if this will eliminate much as if I recall, PHD still uses the Meade drivers. If that doesn't work perhaps a re-install of the software or try the software on another PC if you have one available?

[Psychobilly]

My DSI problems were usually as a result of a dodgy usb connection between the cable and the port on the camera... I often had to clean the contacts on the connector usign contact cleaner and a cotton bud and used to hold the cable in place using a collar of blutack...

The colour version I use are power hungry so any extra resistance inthe connection leads used to cause all sorts of problems...

Peter...

[red dwalf]

Ive tried using it with other software but not phd, I'll have a go, also I'll try with the cleaning of the usb port on the camera but surely it cant be that simple , fingers crossed.

[Psychobilly]

It's worth a try... nothing to lose really...

Mine would start ok then the screen would get coverd by lines and then freeze ..

Peter...

[red dwalf]

cleaned usb port, reinstalled software and still no luck, also tried to locate the problem on the yahoo users forum with no luck either

[Psychobilly]

What OS and is there anyway you can try thd camera on a computer that hasnt seen it before?

[red dwalf]

Using windows xp pro service pack 3, there is another desktop pc I can try it on, strange thing is it does work for 10-15 seconds, very strange indeed

[Psychobilly]

Just as part of the "process of elimination" I would try it on the desktop...