This is another tale of woe that I know you've all read about before. I posted this also to TheSkyX because that is my primary application. So like many people on this forum, my USB connections will work fine for several weeks or so and then I just start getting the Error 30008 or Error =200 - no connection or a communication error. So as of tonight I've just started getting these errors with my OAG, the SBIG ST-i. I can take as many images as I want by clicking take photo, but as soon as I click 'Autoguide' the errors start popping up. AND then, I can immediately click 'Take Photo' and it works. Autoguiding it fails, take photo and it works. I can disconnect the autoguider USB cable and reconnect and it works for one autoguide cycle. I use the Sewel U link USB to ethernet adapter to run the 20' to my computer. I am using brand new Star Tech cables. My SBIG STF-8300m also runs over the same Sewel adapter with no problems. I checked the SBIG drive checker and I am up to date. I am running the latest February build of STX and using Win 8.1 I know it cannot be a cold temperature problem that has plagued many people, because although it is chilly here, I don'y count 55 degrees F as too cold. I started the SBIG log and all I get is this: ======================================================= Log file created : Mon Feb 16 19:10:25 2015 ======================================================= Computer : MERCURY Processor type : 586 Number of processors : 8 Operating system : Microsoft Professional (build 9200), 64-bit System directory : C:\WINDOWS\system32 Windows directory : C:\WINDOWS User : edasi_000 ======================================================= Driver Name Version Date Current ======================================================= sbigudrv.dll 4.76 Build 63 04-29-14 Yes sbigu64.sys 2.41.0.1338 01-13-09 Yes sbigpcam.hex 2.46 01-20-09 Yes sbiglcam.hex 2.20 05-25-10 Yes sbigfcam.hex 2.25 07-13-10 Yes sbigfga.bin 2004.11.10 01-20-09 Yes I bet everyone is as stumped as I am. thanks Jim
Okay so 55F is probably not cold enough to make the hub go off-frequency, but you should try different USB cables and a different hub. It's not commonly recognized that the impedance of USB cables varies, and some are not made as precisely as other. Impedance mismatches can cause a very high USB error rate. Also avoid running the main camera and autoguider through the same USB hub. That tends to cause traffic bottleneck problems.
Jim, you have also very old SBIG driver installed (sbigudrv.dll 4.76 Build 63 04-29-14 Yes), the current version is 4.86. I am not saying this will solve problems with your autoguider, of course. To update it, see our FAQ. Jan
OK I will check that out the FAQ today. Can you provide me a link as I am not seeing it? (However the Driver Checker said I am current.) Is there anything under "Config Driver I should check?
Link to FAQ: http://www.diffractionlimited.com/forum/index.php?forums/FAQTechnicalSupport/ Link to SBIG driver: http://www.sbig.com/support/software/ Yes, this is strange, your SbigDriverChecker64 shows it is current. I think, this is not necessary to set in your Config Driver. The STF always uses fast download. jan
OK got drivers updated. Since I don't go to this app often I keep forgetting to click Download button first and then update. I'll test it tonight if the weather permits.