23-August-2004

To install the 32Eh version of Dick Seymour's patches:

Unpack the zip file into  
c:\Program Files\Meade\ASU\Ephemerides  (if you have a normal ASU) or
c:\Program Files\Meade\AutostarSuite\Updater\Ephemerides  (AutostarSuite Updater)

It will create 7 files:
 For normal ASU:
  Click_me_build.bat   <-- Use this if your ROM file is named "build.rom"
  Click_me_32Eh.bat   <--  Use this if your ROM file is named "build32Eh.rom"
 For Autostar-Suite only installations:
  Click_Suite_build.bat   <-- Use this if your ROM file is named "build.rom"
  Click_Suite_32Eh.bat   <--  Use this if your ROM file is named "build32Eh.rom"
 
  AStarPat.exe   <-- the executable program which does the job
  patch32Eh4.txt <-- the patch-list file, with comments
  readme32Eh4.txt  <-- this text file

 Once you have done that, you accomplish the patch by
 double-clicking on  ONE appropriate Click_me file.
****************************************
*  Note that there are -FOUR- click_me files.
*
*  If you use a copy of the Meade Updater by itself:
*  Use Click_me_build  if your original v32Eh  ROM file is named "build.rom"
*  Use Click_me_32Eh if your original v32Eh  ROM file is named "build32Eh.rom"
*  ... you can always copy or rename the original ROM file to your tastes.
*
*  If you use the Meade Updater which comes with the AutostarSuite package:
*  Use Click_Suite_build  if your original v32Eh  ROM file is named "build.rom"
*  Use Click_Suite_32Eh if your original v32Eh  ROM file is named "build32Eh.rom"
*
****************************************
  Then use the Updater (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 Build32Eh.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 BUILD32Eh.ROM (or Build.rom) file
 to  BUILD32Eh.ROM_BAK (date unchanged) (or Build.rom_bak)
It will create a new (dated today) build32Eh.rom (or Build.rom) file.
The new Build32Eh.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 build32Eh.rom_bak still there,
  the *new* (2nd) patched file would be named build32Eh.rom_NEW
   and the "original" (1st patched) file would remain as build32Eh.rom)

On my own system, i then use Windows to Rename the new (patched) rom file
to build32h4.rom, so i can tell it apart from the originals.

Build32Eh.rom_bak would remain as the original, untouched file.
If you wish to return to a pure-Meade condition,
 copy that build32Eh.rom_bak to build32Eh.rom. (or Build.rom)

The patch32Eh4.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 32Eh  to 32h4 (so Initialization shows 32h)
  Optional (but disabled) SkipDate patch (see below)
  Adds a "peek" function for use with Andrew Johansen's PEC editors.
  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 are written in the patch32Eh4.txt
file itself.  Please refer to them.

The "SkipDate" patch is now incorporated into the main patch file,
but is disabled by having semicolons (;) in front of its three lines.
If you want that patch installed, remove the semicolons.

The SkipDate directly conflicts with StarGPS, so do not attempt to use it
with an add-on GPS receiver directly attached to the Autostar.

have fun
--dick