Help !! i can't get it to work

[wozza]

Hi all , i have got a synscan goto and i am trying in vain to update it but my computer and the handset for the synscan cannot seem to find each other .I bought a cable to connect the rs232 to a usb but it seems they cannot find each other and i am not very good on computers really .

I downloaded all the updates and the thing to update it and the thing to help find the handset when you plug into the computer but it isn't working

I am on windows vista if that makes any difference

[Earl]

which version is the handset?

[wozza]

Earl my handset is version 3.03 which i think is the oldest one because i downloaded 05 and 07

I would be happy just to get the lap top and handset to recognise each other then i could use stellarium

[Earl]

humm the cable you using is is a RJ11 (not 100% sure) to serial, then your using a serial to USB convertor?

[wozza]

Not too sure what it's called but it looks like a phone plug and it is the one that came with the scope

i'm starting to think it may be the cable i bought but it seems to fit together ok and it wasn't a cheapy one at £12 odd

I just cannot understand why they supply it with a serial cable when most pc's are lap tops these days and i don't know any that have the serial connection

[brantuk]

You need a serial to usb converter found here:

Astronomiser - Automated Astronomy and AstroImaging Solutions

[Earl]

Serial is the standard with astro gear as its far more reliable that USB, although higher bandwidth devices need USB.

there are two sockets on the handset, one is for the cable to the mount the other is for the link lead, are you pluging the PSI into the handset also?

[wozza]

PSI ? Earl i don't know what you mean by that

Brantuk i have a usb to rs232 (serial)converter cable which is what i thought i need

[Earl]

opps PSU sorry

[Earl]

If you plug the USB convertor in does windows detect it?

[wozza]

When i plugged it in first i got something about usb drivers detected and now i just get the little blue circle for a second or so

[Earl]

have you downloaded the application from the skywatcher site which detects the handset when connected?

[wozza]

Yes that just runs through until com port 16 then just says failed

[johninderby]

Just a thought. Is the Usb / Serial converter you're using a bi-directional one? If it's not it won't work.

John

[wozza]

Not sure John ,it doesn't say anything on the packet but i am thinking i might have to take it back and get one from FLO or somewhere

[Skylook123]

It might be the chipset in the USB to serial converter. Some are not up to the task of communicating with the Synta handsets. The usual advice is to download the latest drivers from the converter's web site. Years ago, the Prolific based converters seemed to do OK, but with Windows Vista and 7, there have been many reports of inability to connect with Prolifc chips.

[wozza]

Well after packing it all back up a very small disc fell out of the packaging so i have tried to install what is on it but it will not run ,just comes up with a list of contents and makes no attempt to install whats on it

[brantuk]

When you look through the folders on the minidisk does it contain a ".inf" file anywhere?

[wozza]

Not sure now Brantuk ,i have deleted it all and i will take the cable back .I might even take my lap top and the synscan handset and see if they can get any joy in the shop