22-Feb-2003

To install the 26Ed version of Dick Seymour's patches:

Unpack the zip file into  
c:\Program Files\Meade\ASU\Ephemerides

It will create 5 files:
  Click_me_build.bat   <-- Use this if your ROM file is named "build.rom"
  Click_me_26Ed.bat   <--  Use this if your ROM file is named "build26Ed.rom"
  AStarPat.exe   <-- the executable program which does the job
  patch26dd.txt <-- the patch-list file, with comments
  readme26dd.txt  <-- this text file

Once you have done that, you accomplish the patch by
 double-clicking on the appropriate Click_me file.
****************************************
*  Note that there are -two- click_me files.  
*  Use Click_me_build  if your original v26Ed  ROM file is named "build.rom"
*  Use Click_me_26ed if your original v26Ed  ROM file is named "build26ed.rom"
****************************************
  Then use ASU to Update your Autostar.

A DOS window will appear.
The patch will happen, with progress messages.
If there are problems, some error messages will appear giving hints
 as to their cause.
  If it says: "already patched?",
    that indicates that the "old" data-check did not find the values it was expecting.
  If it says: "bad command", it means that the AStarPat.exe file is not in the 
   same (ASU/Ephemerides) folder as the Build26Ed.rom or Build.rom file.

When the patch is finished, you may close the DOS window in  one of two ways:
   type the word  EXIT  and hit return
 or click the [x] on the upper right corner.

The program will RENAME your existing BUILD26ED.ROM (or Build.rom) file
 to  BUILD26ED.ROM_BAK (date unchanged) (or Build.rom_bak)
It will create a new (dated today) build26Ed.rom (or Build.rom) file.
The new Build26ed.rom file is -exactly- the same size as the original file.
My patch kits change some of the bytes, but do not change the overall size
 of the patched rom files.

(rare case of possible confusion: If you were to patch -that- file,
   with the build26Ed.rom_bak still there,
  the *new* (2nd) patched file would be named build26Ed.rom_NEW
   and the "original" (1st patched) file would remain as build26Ed.rom)

Build26Ed.rom_bak would remain as the original, untouched file.
If you wish to return to a pure-Meade condition,
 copy that build26Ed.rom_bak to build26ed.rom. (or Build.rom)

The patch26dd.txt  patch file contains:
  Editing of Training Values
  Automatic Satellite Track starting at down-count=zero (optional)
  Display of Satellite AOS time to-the-second
  Optional CordWrap control for all scopes
  Version number change from 26Ed  to 26dd (so Initialization shows 26d)

(26dd does NOT replace the DS-70 with the 4504/114eq models)

Instructions on -using- the patched firmware are written in the patch26dd.txt
file itself.  Please refer to them.

enjoy
--dick

