star advanturer do not open

[ermankarabas]

A few months ago, my cousin bought the Star Advanturer 2i astro pack for me from your store in America. I wanted to update using the user manual that came in the box. However, I got an error while updating the version and I S.A. did not open again. I couldn't find the source of the error and this worries me a lot. I don't know how to find a solution as I don't live in the USA. I'm afraid it's a motherboard failure. Please help me. What should I do...does anyone have an idea or solution?

[Cornelius Varley]

Hello and welcome to SGL. What did you use to power the mount ?

[malc-c]

Reading through the manual, it seems that the connection between the computer running the firmware loader application and mount is via USB cable, as the USB to TTL Serial conversion is done in the mount.  The software and firmware can be found non the skywatcher website.  Updating the firmware appears to be no different to other mounts, in that once the loader software has detected the mount and established connection clicking update sends the firmware file to the mount, reprogramming the micro controller(s).  With modern mounts that have USB ports there is less, almost no risk of physically damaging the motor board compared to older mounts that needed USB to TTL serial convertors which were blown due to the wrong convertor being used.   However, if power failed whilst the firmware is uploading then it will corrupt the firmware, but it shouldn't brick the board as the bootloader will be preserved so you should be able to repeat the steps as per page 26 of the star adventure manual 

It is always advisable to update the firmware with the mount powered from a reliable external source rather than using the battery pack.  One other cause could be the wrong version of firmware being uploaded, especially as there are experimental versions on Skywatchers website  

[ermankarabas]

On 22/01/2022 at 12:16, Cornelius Varley said:

Hello and welcome to SGL. What did you use to power the mount ?

thank you u used batteries and connect to my pc usb

[ermankarabas]

On 22/01/2022 at 13:58, malc-c said:

Reading through the manual, it seems that the connection between the computer running the firmware loader application and mount is via USB cable, as the USB to TTL Serial conversion is done in the mount.  The software and firmware can be found non the skywatcher website.  Updating the firmware appears to be no different to other mounts, in that once the loader software has detected the mount and established connection clicking update sends the firmware file to the mount, reprogramming the micro controller(s).  With modern mounts that have USB ports there is less, almost no risk of physically damaging the motor board compared to older mounts that needed USB to TTL serial convertors which were blown due to the wrong convertor being used.   However, if power failed whilst the firmware is uploading then it will corrupt the firmware, but it shouldn't brick the board as the bootloader will be preserved so you should be able to repeat the steps as per page 26 of the star adventure manual 

It is always advisable to update the firmware with the mount powered from a reliable external source rather than using the battery pack.  One other cause could be the wrong version of firmware being uploaded, especially as there are experimental versions on Skywatchers website  

Hi Malcolm,

I did not turn off the power during the update. When I saw the update failed message, I took it out of the usb and plugged it back in. S.A. it did not open. I never thought that the motherboard could fail so quickly. I'm not entirely sure about this either, but I can't think of anything else. I'll try again with an external power supply. I hope the result will change. If you have an idea for a solution, I can listen.

Thank You

 

[ermankarabas]

Motor Controller firmwhare loader do not find my star advanturer as below;

 

[malc-c]

Open up the properties of he PL2303 com port.  Check the speed settings - If its set to 9600 baud try changing it to 115200 and see the loader connects to the mount.  If its set to 115200, try 9600.

Also  try a second usb cable just in case the one you are using is just a charging cable

Edited January 24, 2022 by malc-c

[malc-c]

The only other thing to try is a different 2303 driver - There have been some documented issues with PL2303 drivers - This one worked for me with an USB to Serial adaptor used for my camera control.  You would need to uninstall the device in Device Manager, and choose the option to delete the current driver.  Then install the attached driver, connect the mount and hopefully it will show up in Device manage without any yellow exclamation marks.  Check for connectivity, and try the two speeds as stated.

If that fails then it would indeed seem that updating the firmware isn't going to be possible.  If the mount is otherwise working then just leave it as is.  To be honest, unless the newer firmware addresses a particular issue that you are experiencing, then there is no real reason or need to flash the firmware.  If as a result of re-flashing the firmware the mount no longer works, then the only way to resolve that is to either replace the motor board in the mount or return it to the distributor and have then reprogram the microcontroller.

 

PL2303_64bit_Installer.zip

[ermankarabas]

18 hours ago, malc-c said:

Open up the properties of he PL2303 com port.  Check the speed settings - If its set to 9600 baud try changing it to 115200 and see the loader connects to the mount.  If its set to 115200, try 9600.

Also  try a second usb cable just in case the one you are using is just a charging cable

 

18 hours ago, malc-c said:

The only other thing to try is a different 2303 driver - There have been some documented issues with PL2303 drivers - This one worked for me with an USB to Serial adaptor used for my camera control.  You would need to uninstall the device in Device Manager, and choose the option to delete the current driver.  Then install the attached driver, connect the mount and hopefully it will show up in Device manage without any yellow exclamation marks.  Check for connectivity, and try the two speeds as stated.

If that fails then it would indeed seem that updating the firmware isn't going to be possible.  If the mount is otherwise working then just leave it as is.  To be honest, unless the newer firmware addresses a particular issue that you are experiencing, then there is no real reason or need to flash the firmware.  If as a result of re-flashing the firmware the mount no longer works, then the only way to resolve that is to either replace the motor board in the mount or return it to the distributor and have then reprogram the microcontroller.

 

PL2303_64bit_Installer.zip 431.24 kB · 0 downloads

Thank you so much Malcolm, ı will try everthing you say

[ermankarabas]

hi,

I tried everything you said, unfortunately nothing changed. S.A. won't open. 
Could it be that the reason it won't turn on is due to another part, not the motherboard?

[malc-c]

You will really need to provide me/us with some more details.  Did you remove the existing driver and use the one I provided?  If so did it report any errors or display an exclamation marks?  Did the firmware application connect to the mount and read back the current firmware version?  - Did you manage to update the firmware ?

Is the mount not working or is it software? You say SA won't open, I'm guessing that the console software used to control the mount.  If so then I believe that use wifi rather then the com port to communicate to the mount, so its a totally different problem.  Reading some reviews it does seem the app is flaky, for example

Quote

I found the issue was the SA Console app downloaded from Google play store. It just would not work. WiFi was fine but the moment you entered the astrophotography panel and tried to run the shooting program, it refused to start. This may be an android issue and certainly reviews on the app weren't good.
In the end I downloaded the app again but this time from the skywatcher home pages ..see support menu ..... It then worked brilliantly. It was a frustrating couple of hours trying to get the Google play store version to work though.

  

[ermankarabas]

1 hour ago, malc-c said:

You will really need to provide me/us with some more details.  Did you remove the existing driver and use the one I provided?  If so did it report any errors or display an exclamation marks?  Did the firmware application connect to the mount and read back the current firmware version?  - Did you manage to update the firmware ?

Is the mount not working or is it software? You say SA won't open, I'm guessing that the console software used to control the mount.  If so then I believe that use wifi rather then the com port to communicate to the mount, so its a totally different problem.  Reading some reviews it does seem the app is flaky, for example

  

 

I removed the driver from my computer and installed the one in the zip file you sent me.
I did not receive any error notification.
then I reconnected with S.A usb and tried to install the updated version.
Unfortunately S.A couldn't find it again...

I have never connected with wifi, I tried to update with usb cable ı ant try cause S.A not open
Maybe my main problem is different from the motherboard, I guessed it because it was while updating...
When I switch the mode dial to app mode from off mode, the red light does not come on. I changed the batteries and connected it with an external power supply.

 

1 hour ago, malc-c said:

I found the issue was the SA Console app downloaded from Google play store. It just would not work. WiFi was fine but the moment you entered the astrophotography panel and tried to run the shooting program, it refused to start. This may be an android issue and certainly reviews on the app weren't good.
In the end I downloaded the app again but this time from the skywatcher home pages ..see support menu ..... It then worked brilliantly. It was a frustrating couple of hours trying to get the Google play store version to work though.

my problem is not app related like this

[malc-c]

I must admit I've not used one of these mounts in person, so thought that I would watch a couple of videos to try and understand how the mount operates.  

Was the mount working before you tried to update the firmware ?  The Manual states that if the LED doesn't light up then there is a fault with the mount.  Reading the section on updating the firmware suggest that the bootloader would still reside in the processor enabling you to flash the firmware over and over again if the mount was in a functional state.  The fact that you can't connect to the mount via USB and have used two cables, and different drivers, combined with the LED status would in deed suggest the mount (ie the main board) is dead, especially as you have tried fresh batteries and used 5v USB power from your laptop.

Problem is that as it would seem the mount was purchased in a different country it may not be possible to have it repaired under warranty (assuming its still within a warranty period) locally unless Skywatcher offer a world wide warranty.

 

[ermankarabas]

2 hours ago, malc-c said:

I must admit I've not used one of these mounts in person, so thought that I would watch a couple of videos to try and understand how the mount operates.  

Was the mount working before you tried to update the firmware ?  The Manual states that if the LED doesn't light up then there is a fault with the mount.  Reading the section on updating the firmware suggest that the bootloader would still reside in the processor enabling you to flash the firmware over and over again if the mount was in a functional state.  The fact that you can't connect to the mount via USB and have used two cables, and different drivers, combined with the LED status would in deed suggest the mount (ie the main board) is dead, especially as you have tried fresh batteries and used 5v USB power from your laptop.

Problem is that as it would seem the mount was purchased in a different country it may not be possible to have it repaired under warranty (assuming its still within a warranty period) locally unless Skywatcher offer a world wide warranty.

 

Yes ıt was working before tried to uptadate...I am really shocked about all this because I expected it not to spoil so quickly and unfortunately there is no international warranty. I talked to the supplier in Turkey and they asked for 200USD for the main board.

There is no other way  to send it for repair.

[malc-c]

There could be a 101 reasons the mount has died.  The fix might be a single component costing cents, or the main processor, which requires specialist desoldering stations to remove and replace.  If it is the processor then it would also need programming and that isn't straight forward.  I've repaired several older motor boards for SGL members, but that was on older mounts that used older generation processors.  These modern mounts use ARM based processors that makes doing a home repair impossible without the correct equipment.

You would need some basic test equipment and knowledge of electronics to check if the fault is something simple such as no power getting past the switch so the board is not being powered, or if power is reaching the board but not powering the processor or ancillary components.

I cant see how plugging the USB cable into the mount would have blown it as the USB standard runs at 5v, so it's not like the old days where to perform an update a serial to USB adapter would have been used which could have provided the wrong voltages and blow the board.  If you have have tried new batteries, and tried using a know working USB lead and on both accounts the mount won't power up or run then there isn't a lot of options left.  Either send the mount to an authorised repair company, either locally  where the repair is chargeable or if still under warranty back to the shop from where it was purchased to have it repaired free of charge.  The alternative is to sell it as a non working mount for spares or repair and then put the money towards a new mount.