3-Dec-2003

To install the 31Ee version of Dick Seymour's patches:

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

It will create 7 files:
  Click_me_build.bat   <-- Use this if your ROM file is named "build.rom"
  Click_me_31Ee.bat   <--  Use this if your ROM file is named "build31Ee.rom"
  AStarPat.exe   <-- the executable program which does the job
  patch31e4.txt <-- the patch-list file, with comments
  readme31e4.txt  <-- this text file

  LowCase31Ee.txt  <-- an optional patch which gives you access to lowercase
                       characters from your Autostar keypad... at the cost of
                       a MUCH longer set of characters to scroll through when
                       you are naming something, such as an ADDed satellite.
  SkipDate31Ee.txt  <-- a patch for people operating the Autostar completely
                       remotely.  The power-up sequence will not stop and ask
                       for time/date/daylight.  You are expected to provide
                       them remotely, or manually scroll to Setup/Time, etc.


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 v31Ee  ROM file is named "build.rom"
*  Use Click_me_31Ee if your original v31Ee  ROM file is named "build31Ee.rom"
*  ... you can always copy or rename the original ROM file to your tastes.
****************************************
  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 Build31Ee.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 BUILD31Ee.ROM (or Build.rom) file
 to  BUILD31Ee.ROM_BAK (date unchanged) (or Build.rom_bak)
It will create a new (dated today) build31Ee.rom (or Build.rom) file.
The new Build31Ee.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 build31Ee.rom_bak still there,
  the *new* (2nd) patched file would be named build31Ee.rom_NEW
   and the "original" (1st patched) file would remain as build31Ee.rom)

Build31Ee.rom_bak would remain as the original, untouched file.
If you wish to return to a pure-Meade condition,
 copy that build31Ee.rom_bak to build31Ee.rom. (or Build.rom)

The patch31e4.txt  patch file contains:
  Editing of Training Values
  Automatic Satellite Track starting at down-count=zero (optional)
  Optional CordWrap control for all scopes
  Version number change from 31Ee  to 31e4 (so Initialization shows 30e)
  Adds the Meade 4504 and 114EQ-DH4 to the Known Telescope Models list.
   Removes the DS-70 model (to provide space for the above).
*If you do not wish that model-exchange, Chris Carson's StarPatch program
to install the patchkit (using the copy he supplies).  It allows full
pick-and-choose from the patch's subsections. Available for free from
http://www.stargps.ca  to download StarPatch for additional features.
That is a free download, and does not require buying a StarGPS unit)

Instructions on -using- the patched firmware re written in the patch31e4.txt
file itself.  Please refer to them.

If you wish to use the LowCase or SkipDate patches, either use a text editor
to append them to the end of the patch31e4.txt file, or separately patch the
ROM file.  Those two patches can be used on any flavor of build31Ee.rom file.
The SkipDate directly conflicts with StarGPS, so do not attempt to use it
with an add-on GPS receiver directly attached to the Autostar.
You can manually patch the ROM file by copying the "click_me" file,
and editing it to use LowCase.txt instead of patch31e4.txt


enjoy
--dick