Resolved maxim dl error message stxl-6303 e "could not initialize CCD camera" (27)

Discussion in 'STX and STXL Series Cameras' started by Catrina, Jun 23, 2025.

  1. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Hello,

    I have searched throughout the forum for this error message and it pops up, but there doesn't ever seem to be a final solution other than it works again or maybe Bill has to be brought in.

    In my situation, the camera started giving us this error intermittently and by rebooting everything, we could make it connect and work reliably again (this was in March 2025). We just went up last night, and nothing we did could make it connect to MaxIm DL. I updated the drivers and actually just upgraded from MaxIm DL 6.13 (or something like that) to the latest 7.14. Still no connection. It is quite hot in the observatory since we are in PA and it is 96 F today. It was also quite warm last night (85 F). I did read in some threads that temperature could be the issue. Are there any other updates that might help?

    Thanks for your time!
     
    Catrina, Jun 23, 2025
    #1
  2. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    The error means the camera is not found by the computer.
    A complete list of the error codes is here: https://cdn.diffractionlimited.com/help/maximdl/Camera-Specific_Error_Codes.htm

    I'd power things down - that's pretty hot. 96F is over 35C, and electronics don't like heat. Most PCs and laptops don't like to operate that hot.
    If you have a USB hub or extender between the camera and computer, it may have failed.

    The Device Manager should show you the camera.

    If it shows a yellow triangle error, similar to the following:
    unknownusb.png
    Then the camera is not talking.
    The cause could be PC, USB cable, USB hubs or extenders, camera.

    The other test you can do is use the SBIG Driver Checker, firmware tab, Get firmware from Camera. It will attempt to talk.
    If it fails, then it's hardware - camera, usb, PC.

    MaxIm 7.1.4 needs 64-bit SBIGUdrv.dll version 5.1.1.0 in C:\Windows\System32
    If the version is out of date, then get it here: https://cdn.diffractionlimited.com/down/sbigudrv-win-x64-5.1.1.0.zip
    Unzip, and place in C:\Windows\System32

    MaxIm 6.13 is pretty old, and likely needs SBIGUdrv.dll 4.9.9 Build 7. If you updated the SBIG driver checker, it may have gotten a too-new-for-6.13 verison.

    Let me know what you see in Device Manager.
    But really, when its over 90F, it's really worth shutting things down.
     
    Colin Haig, Jun 23, 2025
    #2
  3. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Thanks, Colin. Since the temps are forecast to be at lease 96 F for the next few days, it'll take me a bit to get back to you. I did update the the driver for the new version of MaxIm DL (7.14) that I downloaded today. More soon hopefully!
     
    Catrina, Jun 23, 2025
    #3
  4. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi Colin! It is finally cool enough to go upstairs into the dome. ;)

    We have upgraded MaxIm DL to version 7.1.4.
    We upgraded the drivers and used the SBIG driver checker to see if it could talk to the camera. No such luck.
    We also upgrade our rangers in the meantime in case it was one of them, and still no talking.
    It also doesn't show up in our Device Manager, but that might be because we use a ranger and fiber optic cable to connect it to the PC.
    Do you have any other thoughts? I think this might require us to ship it back. ?

    Thanks for your help.
    Catrina
     
    Catrina, Aug 26, 2025
    #4
  5. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Hi Catrina,
    Have you tried connecting the camera directly to a USB port on the back of a PC via a known-good (6 foot/2m) USB 2.0 cable?
    In other words, eliminate everything in between.

    If you have, and it's not showing up, likely the USB port on the camera has failed.
    So it would need to come in for service. Please fill in this RMA request, and my colleague @Tim will assist:
    https://diffractionlimited.com/request-rma/
     
    Colin Haig, Aug 26, 2025
    #5
  6. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Thanks for your quick reply, Colin.

    No, we have not tried connecting the camera directly to the PC with a known-good USB 2.0 cable. But that will be the next step. We will need to unmount the camera from the telescope because we cannot move the PC into the dome (hence the fiber optic cable that runs between the warm room and the dome - they are separated by roughly 20 m). We will do this next and let you know (and fill out the RMA form).
     
    Catrina, Aug 26, 2025
    #6
  7. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Or grab a laptop...
    Install SBIG Driver Checker, run the update to install the drivers, plug in the USB to the camera, and test.
     
    Colin Haig, Aug 26, 2025
    #7
  8. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Even better! :D
     
    Catrina, Aug 26, 2025
    #8
  9. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Well Colin, it turns out that the fiber optic cable appears to be the problem. I was really hoping that wasn't the case, which is why I hadn't even wanted to consider connecting the camera directly to a computer. But we did, and it works. So, I guess we'll be looking for a replacement cable and then running that through the conduit and hoping we don't break it! Thanks so much for your help and guidance. We really appreciate it!
     
    Catrina, Aug 26, 2025
    #9
  10. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    You might want to hire a Professional licensed Electrician to fish that optical fibre through the conduit, so that it doesnt get stressed when pulled.
    I'm glad to hear the camera is fine.
     
    Colin Haig, Aug 26, 2025
    #10
  11. Catrina

    Catrina Cyanogen Customer

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    Another good idea! :cool:
     
    Catrina, Aug 26, 2025
    #11
  12. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Lastly, you might try testing the Icron with a short fibre optic cable - put the remote unit close to the computer local unit. It could be the Icron is bad.
     
    Colin Haig, Aug 26, 2025
    #12
  13. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Tip for pulling cables delicately - attach the cable to the fish using electrical tape, wrapped many times so it's pulling on 8 or even 12 inches of the sheath. Make sure the cable end is also wrapped in tape. Yes it's a total pain to unwrap afterwards but that's better than breaking the cable.
     
    Doug, Aug 26, 2025
    #13
  14. JoshuaHufford

    JoshuaHufford Cyanogen Customer

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    Another option is a mini PC on top of your telescope or on the pier then connect to it remotely over your network. It keeps all the cable runs short.
     
    JoshuaHufford, Aug 26, 2025
    #14
  15. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    That's how my own observatory is configured. I use an Eagle 4 Pro.
     
    Doug, Aug 26, 2025
    #15
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