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SharpCap - free Astro Webcam Capture Software

rwg

By rwg
in Imaging - Discussion

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rwg

rwg

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@lee - the install runs as an upgrade, so will automatically uninstall any previous version.

@malc - oops - that's because you don't have ASCOM installed. You shouldn't need to, my mistake, will fix. See why I needed beta testers now :hello2:

Robin

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rwg

rwg

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Ok, try now - I have replaced the download with a new version (1.40.205) which should fix the problem - hopefully. If not I'll have another look in the morning.

Robin

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astrovale

astrovale

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Hello,

I've just installed SharpCap and was trying to make it work with a PGR Chameleon camera (already tested with Firecapture, so definitely working), but I get several error messages and then the program shuts down on me :-?

Using WinXP Pro SP3. The msg displayed as I open the program is "No IAMStreamConfing interface found for capture device - will not be able to change resolution or frame rate etc." When I click OK I get another window saying, in short, that ffdshow doesn't have the application on white or black list, when I choose one of the 4 options present there (Don't use ffdshow (only this time); don't ever use ffdshow; use ffdshow (this time only); use ffdshow (always)) I get the error msg that shows the log file enclosed below. Now, if I click OK the program closes, but if I don't I can see the preview of the camera and it is working, i.e. it reacts to changes in brightness.

Now this is the log file as saved on the clipboard:

SharpCap, Version=1.3.117.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetFrameRate() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1600

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.SetupFrameCounts() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1591

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1319

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.BuildGraphAndStartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1723

at SharpCap.DirectShow.DirectShowCapture.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\DirectShowCapture.cs:line 158

at SharpCap.MultiCaptureProvider.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\MultiCaptureProvider.cs:line 378

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.StartPreviewOnSelectedDeviceLoadingDefaultProfile() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 364

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.InitializeFirstPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 355

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.timer1_Tick(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 1099

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.OnTick(EventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.TimerNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

===============================================================

Application Log (from start)

21:01:07.9843750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Started

21:01:08 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Getting list of available decives

21:01:08.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Device enumerator created OK

21:01:08.4375000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Video class enumerator created OK

21:01:08.4375000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Investigating device : @device:sw:{860BB310-5D01-11D0-BD3B-00A0C911CE86}\{6BC8245F-7967-4197-B3F3-5CD16BCA8FD2}

21:01:08.4687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Adding device : Point Grey Camera to menu

21:01:08.4687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Completed video enumeration - found 1 devices.

21:01:08.4687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Ended

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Started

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Getting list of available decives

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Device enumerator created OK

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Video class enumerator created OK

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Investigating device : @device:sw:{860BB310-5D01-11D0-BD3B-00A0C911CE86}\{6BC8245F-7967-4197-B3F3-5CD16BCA8FD2}

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Adding device : Point Grey Camera to menu

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Completed video enumeration - found 1 devices.

21:01:08.5000000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Ended

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Started

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Getting list of available decives

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Device enumerator created OK

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Video class enumerator created OK

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Investigating device : @device:sw:{860BB310-5D01-11D0-BD3B-00A0C911CE86}\{6BC8245F-7967-4197-B3F3-5CD16BCA8FD2}

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Adding device : Point Grey Camera to menu

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Completed video enumeration - found 1 devices.

21:01:08.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetDeviceMenuItems() :: Ended

21:01:08.5781250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Started

21:01:08.5781250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Preview stopped, graph torn down

21:01:08.6718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.FreeCapFilters() :: Started

21:01:08.6718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.FreeCapFilters() :: Ended

21:01:08.8593750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: Started

21:01:08.8593750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeBuilder() :: Started

21:01:08.9687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeBuilder() :: CaptureGraphBuilder created OK

21:01:08.9687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeBuilder() :: Ended

21:01:08.9687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: InitCapFilters - we have a valid pmVideo

21:01:08.9687500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: pmVideeo is a Point Grey Camera

21:01:24.1250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: Created a video capture filter OK

21:01:24.1250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeGraph() :: Started

21:01:24.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeGraph() :: FilterGraph created OK

21:01:24.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeGraph() :: Ended

21:01:24.5625000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: Looking for video compression interface

21:01:24.7812500 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: gcap.pVC (VideoCompression) is null

21:01:24.7968750 SharpCap.SharpCapForm.m_cap_OnError(Object sender, ErrorMsgEventArgs e) :: Error : No IAMStreamConfig interface found for capture device - will not be able to change resolution or frame rate etc.

21:01:27.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: Enumerating video pins

21:01:27.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: doing audo capture initialization

21:01:27.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: InitCapFilters - complete, success

21:01:27.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.InitCapFilters() :: Ended

21:01:27.1718750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Capture filters freed and re-initialized

21:01:27.2343750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeMenuOptions() :: Started

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.MakeMenuOptions() :: Ended (gcap.pACap is null)

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Got display name from devices friendly name

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Point Grey Camera

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.ChooseDevices(IMoniker pmVideo, IMoniker pmAudio) :: Ended

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.SharpCapForm.ApplyDefaultProfile() :: Started

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.SharpCapForm.ApplyDefaultProfile() :: Ended (No default defined for this camera)

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.Base.CaptureControl..ctor(IPreviewControl previewControl) :: Started

21:01:27.6250000 SharpCap.Base.CaptureControl..ctor(IPreviewControl previewControl) :: Ended

21:01:27.6406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.DirectShowCapture.GetPinControls() :: IAMStreamConfig interface not supplied - no pin controls will be available

21:01:27.6406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.DirectShowCapture.GetCameraControls() :: Camera controls being added via native IAMCameraControl

21:01:27.6875000 SharpCap.DirectShow.DirectShowCapture.GetProcAmpControls() :: Proc Amp controls being added via native IAMVideoProcAmp

21:01:27.7031250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.BuildGraphAndStartPreview() :: Started

21:01:27.7031250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.BuildPreviewGraph() :: Started

21:01:27.7968750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.PreviewRenderCaptureDevice(IBaseFilter sgbf) :: render AVI preview

21:01:27.9531250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.PreviewRenderCaptureDevice(IBaseFilter sgbf) :: Interleaved preview failed, trying video only

21:01:40.1093750 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.PreviewRenderCaptureDevice(IBaseFilter sgbf) :: Got video only AVI preview (faked via the capture filter

21:01:40.1406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.SetupPreviewOutputWindow() :: Trying to setup size/location of video window

21:01:40.1406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.HookMediaEvents() :: setting up notificatin for preview/capture events

21:01:40.1406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.BuildPreviewGraph() :: Ended

21:01:40.1406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.StartPreview() :: Started

21:01:40.1406250 SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.StartPreview() :: Starting preview

21:01:40.6718750 System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.GetFrameRate() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1600

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.SetupFrameCounts() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1591

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1319

at SharpCap.DirectShow.Capture.BuildGraphAndStartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\Capture.cs:line 1723

at SharpCap.DirectShow.DirectShowCapture.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap.DirectShow\DirectShow\DirectShowCapture.cs:line 158

at SharpCap.MultiCaptureProvider.StartPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\MultiCaptureProvider.cs:line 378

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.StartPreviewOnSelectedDeviceLoadingDefaultProfile() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 364

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.InitializeFirstPreview() in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 355

at SharpCap.SharpCapForm.timer1_Tick(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\robin\Documents\Source Code\branches\SharpCap\1.3\SharpCap\UI\SharpCapForm.cs:line 1099

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.OnTick(EventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.TimerNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

This is my first time reporting a problem with this software (1st time I use it) so I hope this procedure is the correct one.

Thanks for any help.

Luca

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rwg

rwg

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@Chestercopperpot

choose a capture folder (like the desktop) from the file menu and try again - v1.3.117 doesn't always set the capture folder correctly when installed.

@astrovale

I can stop this particular crash from happening I expect, but who knows if it will get much further... I will try to upload a new version later or tomorrow.

Robin

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astroimpulse

astroimpulse

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Just downloaded the newest (was quite a jump) and there's a couple of things.

When I select a frame rate on the netbook (in the side panel) the panel scrolls down automatically every time meaning I have to scroll back up. Is this deliberate?

The other thing is on my modded Lifecam (just no lens really) I get very chunky horizontal lines. These change as I mess with the frame rates and codec choice. Is this normal as it's not on a scope atm?

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astrovale

astrovale

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Try version 1.3.118 folks - should fix both of the above (hopefully)

Robin

Alas only partially resolved: I still get the "No IAMStreamConfig..."msg but afterwards I get to the preview screen although I can't change the exposure time, but can change gain, brigthness, etc. Even capture seem to work although I couldn't play back the short video I recorded.

At least the program doesn't crash now:hello2:

Luca

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rwg

rwg

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Luca,

looks to me like the DirectShow implementation for your camera is very basic, meaning that you can't change much using it. The manufacturers seem to have an SDK available to allow the camera to be controlled without using DirectX and so access all its functionality. This is very similar to the situation with Basler cameras, where the DirectShow implementation is very basic and I added proper support for the cameras usiing the Basler SDK. Unfortunately what is needed for this to happen is for someone to have a camera to work with, the SDK and some skill in writing programs in C# (doesn't have to be me, SharpCap is now designed to be fairly easy to add support for new camera types).

Sy,

chunky horizontal lines doesn't sound normal to me for the Lifecam - if you can test it out with another capture program to see if you see the same thing.

@Chestercopperpot,

glad it's fixed :D

Robin

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astrovale

astrovale

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Luca,

looks to me like the DirectShow implementation for your camera is very basic, meaning that you can't change much using it. The manufacturers seem to have an SDK available to allow the camera to be controlled without using DirectX and so access all its functionality. This is very similar to the situation with Basler cameras, where the DirectShow implementation is very basic and I added proper support for the cameras usiing the Basler SDK. Unfortunately what is needed for this to happen is for someone to have a camera to work with, the SDK and some skill in writing programs in C# (doesn't have to be me, SharpCap is now designed to be fairly easy to add support for new camera types).

Robin

Oh well! I've just ordered the GigE Basler Ace to replace this camera anyway, so I guess I won't bother much!

Thanks for trying.

Luca

Luca

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rwg

rwg

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Oh well! I've just ordered the GigE Basler Ace to replace this camera anyway, so I guess I won't bother much!

Thanks for trying.

Luca

Luca

I have the gig-E Ace here (colour version) - great for high frame rate planetary and SharpCap 1.4 supports long exposure on these cameras too, although amp glow and hot pixels are a bit of an issue. Cooling might help, but I haven't got around to this yet.

cheers,

Robin

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beamish

beamish

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Does SharpCap have a filterwheel function? Whereby it can use ascom to operate and control a FW. My lucam capture allows preprograming of settings for each individual filter and allows a sequence to be caught and placed in it's own folder- is this something that SharpCap may be able to offer? I ask cos I may be changing cams and am need of such function.

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rwg

rwg

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Does SharpCap have a filterwheel function? Whereby it can use ascom to operate and control a FW. My lucam capture allows preprograming of settings for each individual filter and allows a sequence to be caught and placed in it's own folder- is this something that SharpCap may be able to offer? I ask cos I may be changing cams and am need of such function.

Sorry, but not at the moment - I'll keep it in mind though and if I get any more requests I will consider it.

Robin

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astroimpulse

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Sy,

chunky horizontal lines doesn't sound normal to me for the Lifecam - if you can test it out with another capture program to see if you see the same thing.

Me neither :p

I've checked it on a couple of different one (not wanting to install loads of rubbish though) and the banding is less severe and is gone using gain settings.

On SharpCap there is no gain I can find. Is this labeled as exposure? That does little though.

I'm not saying this is definitely a SharpCap issue though. But I can get rid on 2 others.

I'll give it a dry run in a scope and see :D

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rwg

rwg

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You're using the Lifecam Cinema HD right? The one that you take to bits and put in an eyepiece case? As far as I'm aware that camera doesn't have a separate gain control - it's somehow combined into the brightness control. Try changing the brightness and see if that helps, if not, let me know which other app you used and I will try it out with my Lifecam HD to see if I see a difference.

cheers,

Robin

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rwg

rwg

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Update :

I can get horizontal lines - about 8 or 10 of them, quite wide, filling the whole preview and moving up if I set the exposure down to -9 or less and turn the gain up. This seems to be some sort of artifact caused by the flicker from light bulbs, since when I use an LED torch to illuminate the sensor they go away.

In real astro planetary use, you aren't going to be getting down to exposures of -9 (~1/500s) or less - I find -5 to -7 more usual. Anyway, the moon and saturn don't show 50hz flicker!

So, if that's the same thing as you are seeing, it isn't going to be a problem when you use the scope :D

Robin

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astroimpulse

astroimpulse

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There is no gain to find on mine and brightness didn't do anything substantial to the artifacts.

Anywho..I should have mentioned earlier in the thread about how it was fine in real world tests (well, purving a car park lol). I thought I did but a quick look doesn't find anything :D

I've just been playing again and after Windows sneakily installed the software I didn't want (giving me RGB24 options and nasty effects) and uninstalling it I went back to SharpCap and played with exposure again.

For me, both YUY2 and MJPG...

auto exposure on = urgh

auto exposure off = mmmm :p

Didn't work like that earlier. lol

And yeh...I was using LEDs as the monitors and lights do flicker as you say.

Could be solved.

Is there anyway of making SharpCap stop defaulting to auto everything?

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rwg

rwg

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Is there anyway of making SharpCap stop defaulting to auto everything?

Yep,

what you need to do is get all the settings adjusted just the way you like, then press the 'new' button under capture profiles at the top to create a profile that has those settings saved in it. Give it a name, then press 'Set Default'.

The next time you select the camera, SharpCap will automatically load those settings for you.

Robin

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rwg

rwg

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where are the dumps robin?

having some crashes using the beta when using timed captures

The new versions do not create dump files by default, as it was causing errors that could be reported by the error dialog (which is easy to work with) to show up as dump files (which are hard to work with).

Try running the program from the command line with the /dump or /fulldump options - the dump files should then appear on the desktop. With /fulldump the files are likely to be huge - too big to transfer - so /dump is probably best.

If you send me a dump file, please also send two dll files that you will find in the folder C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727 - the files needed are mscorwks.dll and mscordacwks.dll. I need to have the exact versions of these to debug the dump file and there are a lot of different versions out there.

thanks,

Robin

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rwg

rwg

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Hi Robin,

I downloaded it a couple of nights ago.

Just waiting for a clear one one & can't wait - looks great software

Thank you.

Clear skies... I remember those :D

Hope you get some soon and that it works out for you. It's worth taking some time testing it out before a clear night so you don't get caught out by anything unexpected.

cheers,

Robin

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