COPYRIGHT 1999-2000 Meade Instruments Corporation Version Autostar Update A2.1 2000 March 3 MEADE and ETX are Registered Trademarks of Meade Instruments Corp. Autostar is a Trademark of Meade Instruments Corp. NOTE: When used in this file, the word "ZIP" refers to the ZIP archiving methodology. Welcome to the Autostar Update Utility README file. This file will inform you of installation and downloading procedures for the Autostar Update utility. Also noted are last minute changes, known bugs, and bug-fixes which have been found in this version of Autostar Update. This is release A2.1 of Autostar Update. Please check the known bugs section for more information. This program can be used to update your Meade Autostar with newly-released versions of Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM firmware. The following features of the software have also been turned on: o Autostar Tours o Autostar Landmarks o Autostar User Objects ==================================================================== Table of Contents: o REPORTING COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, OR POSSIBLE BUGS: o Autostar Update Utility: Comments or Bugs o Autostar Handbox: Comments or Bugs o INSTALLATION NOTES o New in Version 2.1 o INSTALLATION o DLL VERSION LEVELS o HELP FILE NOTES o DIRECTORY STRUCTURE o DOWNLOADING o WHERE TO GET NEW SOFTWARE VERSIONS FOR YOUR o BUG REPORTS o SAFE LOADER MODE IN YOUR Autostar o Autostar MODES o REGISTRY o NOTES ON SERIAL CONNECTIONS o DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AND WEB SITES o FAQs ==================================================================== REPORTING COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, OR POSSIBLE BUGS: Autostar Update Utility: Comments or Bugs Email address: engineer@meade.com Subject Line must include: Autostar Update In the body of the message, please indicate the following: Version: Include the version letter and both the major and minor numbers (for this release, the version letter is 'A'; the Major number is '2'; the Minor number is '1'). If you are indicating a possible bug: Operating System you are using: (NT/Win 98/Win 95) Version of the OS: (NT 4 SP3/Win98 version 2/Win 95 rev B, etc.) Type of System: (Laptop or Desktop) Type of Processor: (Intel Pentium or AMD K6, etc.) Amount of RAM: (8MB/ 32MB, etc.) Size of Harddisk: (1GB/2GB...12GB) Attached Serial Peripherals: (ETX Autostar/MODEM/FAX/etc.) MODEMs: (Internal or external, and what COM port do they use) FAX: (Internal or external, and what COM port it uses) Any MODEM or FAX software that MIGHT be running. Contact information: Including a phone number with area code so that you can be contacted if required. Autostar Handbox: Comments or Bugs Email address: engineer@meade.com Subject Line must include: Autostar Firmware In the body of the message, please indicate the following: Version: Include the version Major and Minor numbers and the suffixed release letter. For this release of Autostar.ROM, the version is 2.0h. (Major number is '2', minor number is '0', release letter is lower case 'h'.) If you are indicating a possible bug: Date & Time you experienced the problem. The chain of events which led you to the problem. Contact information: Including a phone number with area code so that you can be contacted if required. ==================================================================== INSTALLATION NOTES: You must download the file "auto.zip" from the Meade Instruments Corporation WEB site. Then, you must extract the files contained in the ZIP file. UNZIP the file (extract the files contained in the ZIP file) into a folder to which you have access. After you have UNZIPped the file, you will find an executable file called SETUP.exe in the folder. Double-click on the SETUP.exe file and follow the prompts that will appear on your monitor. If you are running a ZIP Setup application (such as WinZip) to install the Autostar Update tool, you may complete the installation procedure from within the ZIP application. Whether you start the installation by clicking on the SetUp icon after dearchiving the software, or from within the ZIP application, you will be executing the Autostar Setup program. When the Autostar Update SETUP program has completed, the Autostar Update Utility will be available in the "Start" panel of your computer. You will then need to upload the Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM files to your Autostar handbox (unless you are already running version 2.0f or above). To complete the loading of your Autostar, follow the DOWNLOADING procedure, using the Autostar Update tool (found later on in this README file). The README file can be found at the default installation folder: C:\Program Files\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\ASReadme.txt If you did not use C:\ as your installation folder, substitute the disk letter of the disk where you installed your software. For example, if you installed on your disk drive D:\, then the installation path would be: D:\Program Files\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\ASReadme.txt If you are not running a ZIP application, follow the instructions in the INSTALLATION and DOWNLOADING sections of this file (found below). ==================================================================== New in Version 2.1 YOU MUST USE Autostar Update VERSION A2.0 OR ABOVE TO LOAD VERSION 2.0e OR ABOVE FIRMWARE. If you are installing for the First time, you may install Autostar Update in any folder on any partition of any fixed disk. If you are installing a newer version then you MUST install into the same directory and over the previous installation! The Autostar no longer needs to be manually placed into download mode. Autostar Update will automagically place the Autostar into download when needed and will re-initialize the normal mode when it is finished. The Autostar internal memory map has changed dramatically, giving the user additional memory in which to store user data, and allowing the addition of Autostar Tour files, Autostar Landmarks and Autostar User Objects. Because of this change, the user should be certain to back up and save the current library files, found in the Ephemerides folder where the user installed the Autostar Update Utility. To save your current Library files, follow these steps: o Locate your Autostar Update Utility installation folder (this is usually found at: C:\Program Files\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update) o Locate the Ephemerides folder found in the above folder. (C:\Program Files\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides) o Inside of this folder, locate the three files named: LibAsteroid.ROM LibComet.ROM LibSatellite.ROM o Copy these three files to a floppy disk for safe keeping. o You should leave the original Lib*.ROM files in the Ephemerides directory. Autostar Tour files are guided trips to objects identified by the Tour file. The Tour files are text files that one may edit with any text editor. For information on creating your own Tour files, please watch the Meade Instruments Corporation WEB site for a Portable Document File (PDF) that will be posted as soon as the document is completed. That document will describe how to create, edit, and run your own custom Tours. Since the document file has not been completed, the Help file included with this release is not complete. As soon as the document has been completed, a newer version of the Autostar Update Tool will be made available for download. There are several new files which will be created and deleted at various times in your Ephemerides directory. LibTour.ROM is the most important file. It is the Tours library file, and, just as the Astronomical body files (LibAsteroid.ROM, LibComet.ROM and LibSatellite.ROM) are used to hold the complete library of astronomical bodies you may use with your Autostar, the LibTour.ROM file contains the complete library of Tour files you may use with your Autostar. The "Available" window under the "Tours" column on the Astronomical Body Counts window has changed its meaning. Since Tour files are variable-length, the exact number of Tour files you may upload can only be determined after you have filled your memory. The "Available" row under the "Tours" column shows the total number of bytes you have left in the user data section of your Autostar handbox memory. This window has an initial value of 65,115 bytes (decimal). The Tour compiler will now accept multiple Tour source files. Select several Tour files and drag-and-drop them onto the Tour button on the Autostar Update Main Dialog. To compile a Tour file and enter it into your library of Tour files, simply drag-and-drop the Tour source file onto the Tour button found in the "Add, Drag-And-Drop, Delete & Edit" window on the main dialog of the Autostar Update Tool. If there are errors during the compile, a message box will display the error and the number of the line containing the error. You can then edit the Tour source file to correct the problem, and re-compile the source by dragging-and-dropping the source file once again onto the "Tours" button. To obtain pre-made Tour files, you must be connected to the WEB. After making certain that you have a connection to the WEB, use the "Get New Ephemerides" button (on the left hand side of the main dialog window) to bring up the Ephemerides selection dialog. The lowest entry on the Ephemerides selection dialog is a check-box to get Tours. Make certain the check-box has a check mark. Click on the FINISHED button. You will then be presented with a new selection dialog. This dialog allows you to select the Tour Provider from which you would like to get Tour files. One of the Tour Providers is Meade Instruments Corporation. If you select Meade Instruments Corporation and click on the FINISHED button, you will be presented with another selection box. This allows you to select the Tour Group (or Special Interest Group [SIG]) in which you are interested. One of the choices is "Messier Marathon". If you select that entry and click on the FINISHED button, you will download the Messier Marathon Tour from the Meade Instruments Corporation WEB site. The Tour file will be downloaded, compiled, and automatically placed into your Tour Library file. You can then select it for sending to the handbox to use the Tour. One note on Tour SIGs -- When you select a Tour SIG, you may get as few as one, or you may get many, Tour files added to your Library. You can add to the Tour Provider list, so that your Astronomy club, school, friends, and family will be able to see your own WEB site listed as a Tour Provider. The information on how to do this is contained in the Help document which will soon be available, as mentioned above. Watch the Meade Instruments Corporation WEB site for the document. The Tour functionality is no different for either the Autostar 497 or the Autostar 494 handbox. Each is capable of running the same tour packages. ==================================================================== Autostar AND ETX Autostar HANDBOXES: The Autostar and ETX Autostar *.ROM files are different. The Autostar (#495 Autostar) version of the *.ROM files are in a different format than the ETX Autostar (#497) *.ROM files. Autostar Update Version A1.4 and above can detect the differences, both in the type of Autostar handbox and the correct files for that handbox to upload. If you have an Autostar handbox (#495 Autostar) that is not for use on the Meade ETX telescopes, then, in addition to downloading this Autostar Update file, you will need to download from the Meade WEB site the file "ROM20e.ZIP". This file contains the Autostar.ROM code and the DBase.ROM code for the (#495) Autostar handbox. Once you have downloaded the ZIP file, extract the files from the ZIP archive file into the Ephemerides folder found under the folder into which you installed Autostar Update. Two files will be placed into the Ephemerides directory of your computer: "Autostar.ROM" and "DBase.ROM". These two files are functionally identical to the Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM files as discussed in the documentation and HELP files found in Autostar Update. Again, "ROM20e.ZIP" contains the two files "Autostar.ROM" and "Dbase.ROM" for the Autostar handbox. Use them as described in the HELP files and documentation files for Autostar Update. If you have an ETX Autostar, then the Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM files for 2.0f are contained in the Ephemerides directory of the setup. Use the *.ROM files you find in the Ephemerides directory to update your Autostar. You may also use the older, pre-release version of Autostar Update, and the previous Beta release versions of Autostar Update, to upload 2.0f into your ETX Autostar handboxes without updating to the new A2.0 version of Autostar Update. ==================================================================== Autostar Update VERSION HISTORY: (PRE_RELEASE versions) Release Build Notes, Bug and Fix 1.0 Y1.0003 Note: Pre-release version. Intended to be used only as an upload tool. 1.1 Y1.0010 Note: Pre-release version. Cosmetic changes to prevent "editor" functionality from appearing. Added cosmetic information on attempts to open the serial ports, so that the user could have feedback on the open port processing. Bug: Editing gadgets were visible if Autostar Update failed to find the Autostar. Fix: Moved the function to hide gadgets in front of the call to the error function. CRT 1.2 Y1.0015 Bug: An open serial port, which was rejected on open, could cause a side-effect which allowed subsequent valid serial ports to be seen as shared ports. Fix: Redesigned as a class, so that construction destruction forces proper values. CRT Note: Removed EXPERT capability. Converted _DEBUG defines to allow DEBUG() function calls. Note: Changed the INSTALL procedure to ignore sub-group typing. Changed the INSTALL procedure to ignore default REGISTRY. BUG: Some installations left the EXPERT and DEBUG values set to 1. Fix: Forced all FLAGS to 0 on installation. CRT Bug: Ephemeride directory was incorrectly set under some circumstances. Fix: Ephemeride key set by INSTALL before being set by program. CRT Bug: If DBASE.ROM was skipped, the Autostar was not initialized. Fix: Conditional test was incorrect. CRT Bug: Unhandled exception on program exit following upload of new firmware. Fix: Record alignment on classes was incorrect PRAGMA bug. Project rebuilt with byte alignment set to 1. CRT Bug: Unhandled exception on post edit of astronomical bodies -- intermittent -- Fix: Documentation bug in compiler information. Redesigned the class to work more generically. This will aid the Java version. CRT Bug: LibraryComet.ROM file was doubling in size and record values were being destroyed. Fix: Incorrect object definition for asteroids slipped in from cut and paste from old file. Changed to reference comets instead. CRT New: Added protection for existing User Data Pointers or for clearing and restoring with USER.ROM Note: Removed prompt for Autostar.ROM file when not in Expert mode. Removed prompt for Dbase.ROM file when not in Expert mode. Note: Added EPOCH to Registry. Altered Install scripts to account for new REGISTRY entry. Note: Added Auto version retrieval for Autostar.ROM Note: Added Auto version retrieval for Autostar Update.exe Note: Added auto version retrieval for Minor Planets. Note: Added auto version retrieval for Comets Note: Added auto version retrieval for Satellite TLE files. Note: Added and enabled the Library Classes and support. Note: Removed the old file interface and processing routines for old style Astronomical Bodies. Note: Added hooks for checksum on Autostar.ROM files. Note: Added hooks for the FLASH memory cycle test code. Beta versions X1.2 X1.0210 Bug: The install text indicated that one could launch the README file on the finish dialog. Fix: Substituted a string for the default message. CRT Note: Clean up for beta release. X1.0226 x1.0226 Bug: The properties dialog doesn't work properly from the Expert panel. Impact: Very little. There should be no need for the user to interface to the dialog at all unless talking to Customer Service. Customer Service has other methods of altering the properties if it is required. Fix: X1.2001 x1.2001 Bug: Help file contents would not appear when HELP button was clicked. Fix: Help file path was incorrectly set. Parsing error, boundary error, end of string. Adjusted control variable. CRT X1.2002 x1.2002 Bug: Initialize command to Autostar does not timeout if Autostar has bad files uploaded to it. Program waits forever. Fix: Added timer to loop termination. Approximate wait is now 2 minutes. CRT Release Versions A1.3 x1.3000 Bug: Autostar did not initalize on exit from the program. Fix: Actually the code was there, but defeated by a comment. Comment removed. CRT Note: Added hooks for the Tours class. Note: Added ETX Autostar/Autostar classes A1.4 x1.4000 Bug: On some laptops under Windows98 a stack frame error could happen. Bug does not show up on Windows NT. Fix: Refresh on two dialogs were causing a recursive loop between toggling between dialogs, each calling the other. The dialogs were recast as more secure classes ala JAVA and tested. Very interesting bug! Only happened on some OnPaint() conditions. Whew! CRT A2.0 A2.0 Note: Added Tour capabilities. All Astro- nomical Bodies and Tours are now variable length. Expanded the memory size for user objects. List headers relocated. Tour Library class added. Began modification of the Help files. Rebuilt User.ROM to include Tour files. A2.0 X2.0001 Bug: Delete on Tours caused an Access Denied error. Referenced an invalid pointer. Fix: Redid the Tours code to make certain the new Tours class was the only referenced Tour class. CRT A2.0 X2.0001 Note: Added Landmarks class. A2.0 X2.0001 Note: Added User Objects class. A2.0 X2.0001 Note: Fixed old COPYRIGHT dates to reference year 2000. A2.0 X2.0001 Bug: followed by caused object names to be truncated. Fix: Added "CleanUpName" routine as member class. All names are "cleaned" prior to processing for state. CRT A2.0 X2.0001 Bug: "AUTOSTAR" "GET FROM" "Ephemeride Data" only loads Asteroids. Fix: Autostar state flags for other bodies was not toggled properly. Redone as a derived class for all bodies. CRT A2.0 X2.0002 Bug: Expert mode is forced on install. Fix: Registry class was not treating the return as DWORD. Fixed. CRT A2.0 X2.0002 Bug: does not work on Asteroids A2.0 X2.0002 Bug: does not work on Comets A2.0 X2.0002 Bug: does not work on Satellites A2.0 X2.0002 Bug: does not work on Tours Fix: Delete state was toggled but not saved (destroyed on destructor). Delete state is now added to Library file on "APPLY CHANGES". CRT A2.0 X2.0003 Bug: Able to delete . Fix: Added to logic on CleanUpName. CRT A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Added several new "BUSY" pointer locations. A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Updated HELP and Context HELP files. A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Added Test/Tutorial documents. A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Increased height of ephemeride buttons so selection does not cut into words. A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Main screen header changed from: "Touring file editor" to: "Touring File Editor". A2.0 X2.0004 Note: Added multiple Tour compile on Drag-n-drop. A2.0 X2.0005 Bug: Multiple bodies added to Library after download from Autostar. Fix: Added to logic of CleanUpName. CRT A2.0 X2.0005 Bug: Eccentricity on Comets was right justifying cursor during edits. Enter 0.123 user saw 321.0 in the edit box. Fix: Corrected the event which was being called. CRT A2.0 X2.0005 Bug: On Windows98 only, eccentricity entry on Comets caused stack overflow. Fix: Related to previous bug. Events in WinNt/Win95 are not the same as events in Win98. Changed the event and how event was handled. CRT A2.0 X2.0005 Note: Added several dialogs to let user know when long pauses happened, what the program was doing/waiting for. Specifically when getting version information a dialog is now displayed. A2.0 X2.0006 Bug: On Windows 98 Laptops and Desktop, a Drag and Drop operation hung the OS, requiring a reboot to restore Windows operations. No file or data impacts. Fix: Windows 98 does not handle dialog completion in the same way as Windows NT and Windows 95 Completion of Drag and Drop cannot be followed by a call to the base class. CRT A2.0 X2.0007 Bug: Link error occured after changing BMP file. Fix: Visual C++ 6.0 IDE bitmap editor does not read some files as it should. Run the BMP through Paint flip twice and save as to put it back into a readable format. CRT A2.0 X2.0008 Note: Added "automatic" download commands. A2.0 X2.0008 Note: Changed several dialogs and titles. A2.0 X2.0008 Note: Resized several dialgos and titles. A2.0 X2.0008 Note: Added SAFELOAD directions back into the readme file. These were accidently removed on the last release. A2.0 X2.0009 Note: Allowed the "Ephemeride Data" button to appear on drag and drop operations. A2.0 X2.0010 Note: Stopped reading Version information on exit after reset. A2.0 X2.0011 Bug: Tour is misread after upload of large Tour and large astronomical body data. Fix: Fixed (again) a memory error when writing to the Autostar where memory falls across E-squared hole and FLASH page memory boundary into next E-squared hole. CRT A2.0 X2.0015 Bug: Data entry on RA and DEC or Angle values were not being converted correctly. Fix: The (almost real) event scheduler in Windows creates spurious events. Symaphore the routines to force modal compliance with edit entry. CRT A2.0 X2.0013 Bug: Comet Editor did not work correctly. Fix: Added new code to Comet Editor. CRT A2.0 X2.0014 Bug: On SAFELOAD mode some old SAFELOADers would not detect the SAFELOAD mode condtition. Fix: Test for Autostar Type after detecting bad return from SAFELOAD mode. This allows verifying the SAFELOAD condition. For some reason this was especially the case for Windows 98 Japanese versions. CRT A2.0 X2.0015 Note: Added changes from Asteroids and Comets to all bodies. A2.0 X2.0015 Note: Built Test and Tutorial steps. A2.0 X2.0015 Note: Change Install to remove old version of AutostarUpdate and so new version of Autostar Update would work. A2.0 X2.0016 Note: Fixed Satellite Editor functions A2.0 X2.0016 Bug: Multiple entries of names that appeared to be identical. Specifically these names contained a slash character ('/'). Fix: Valid character class for names did not include slash. Slash and several others were added. CRT Note: Allowed more valid characters for astronomical body names. Valid characters now include the following: any ASCII character with the values between 20..7F, plus the reverse virgule character (back-slash). The virtical virgule character (| 0x7C) is represented in the Autostar as the lower case letter 'n' with a tilde over the top of the character. A2.0 X2.0017 Add: Added new REGISTRY items for changing remote Tour access through Tour Provider lists. A2.0 X2.0018 Bug: Visual C++ has problems with 256 color bitmaps. Fix: Load 256 color bitmaps into paint, rotate twice and "SAVE AS" to allow the resource compiler (see this same error above) to understand the image and COFF up the correct link. CRT A2.0 X2.0019 Note: Clean up and remove debug statements in preparation for 2.1 release. A2.0 X2.0020 Note: Extensive Autostar Update Install changes. AUI now checks for previous installations and provides a backup dialog for saving previous versions. Removes the shortcuts found at: ~\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update. Note: Beta released for testing. A2.0 X2.0021 Bug: Autostar Update would crash if trying to download a new version of AutostarUpdate or ROM files when the tourprovider was a Customer Support tour. Fix: The URL being used for Tours was MEADEURL which could point to the wrong place. Replaced the TourURL variable with TOUR_URL. Reworked the install program to move the proper values into MEADE_URL and TOUR_URL when setting up the tours vs setting up the ROM and ZIP downloads. CRT A2.1 Note: A2.1 Release ==================================================================== INSTALLATION: If you received the Autostar Update tool on: Floppy Disk: Double click on the Setup.exe on disk one. auto.zip archive: Dearchive the ZIP file and double click on the Setup.exe file. ==================================================================== DLL VERSION LEVELS: Some users have reported an inability to run Autostar Update once it has been installed. The problem has been traced to the version of the Operating System the user is running. Updated files should be obtained from the original dealer, Microsoft, or from the Microsoft WEB site. Most users will need two Microsoft DLLs (included in this distribution), and all users will need the context-sensitive help DLL from BlueSky software. The minimum supported version numbers of these DLLs are: MSC42.dll version 6.00.8168.0 (copyright Microsoft) MSVCIRT.DLL version 6.00.8168.0 (copyright Microsoft) csh.dll version 2.00.039 (copyright BlueSky Software) ==================================================================== HELP FILE NOTES: Some users have had trouble with the HELP file not starting when they click on the HELP button. The HELP files are tied into HELP32.exe, and if you installed with the 16-bit version of HELP, the initialization of the HELP file will fail. ==================================================================== DIRECTORY STRUCTURE: After installation is complete, the following path is available on your installation disk: \Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides The Autostar Update directory will contain the executable files, README files, and DLLs. The Ephemerides directory will contain several special files. Use the Ephemerides directory to save downloaded Asteroid, Comet, Satellite, Tour, and new Autostar firmware, files (*.ROM files) available from the internet and from the Meade WEB Site. The supplied Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides directory currently contains the following files: ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\Autostar.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\DBase.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\Common.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\Page00.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\IC.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\User.ROM ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides\auto.zip The last file is only added if you have used the "New Versions" button to download the newest version from the Meade WEB Site. The *.ROM files are internal Autostar embedded firmware files. Do not delete or move the *.ROM files. These can be used to restore the Autostar handbox back to your original software configuration. These files are intended to allow you to restore your Autostar handbox to working condition in the event of an electronic disruption or computer malfunction while editing data and/or updating new software in your Autostar handbox. The one exception to this is when a release of Autostar.ROM is made that does not require an upload of Dbase.ROM (this is VERY rare). If that is the case, you only need to upload the Autostar.ROM file, and not the Dbase.ROM file. This will significantly cut down on the upload time. To do this, simply move the Dbase.ROM file out of the Ephemerides folder, and drag it up to the Autostar Update folder instead. You will be prompted for a Dbase.ROM file. Cancel the requestor, and the upload will be complete. You may only do this if you do not need the Dbase.ROM file. This would be a very unusual situation. Additional files will be created by executing Autostar Update. NOTE: Autostar Update will create several Lib*.ROM files which can be deleted at the descretion of the user. These files are the Library files as discussed in the HELP documentation. If you delete or move these files, your LIB*.ROM files will be created apriori (brand spankin' new) from the information contained in your handbox. ==================================================================== DOWNLOADING: The Autostar Update tool can send data to your Autostar, once you are connected and have placed your Autostar handbox into Download mode. 1. Verify that telescope and computer power are OFF. 2. Connect the serial interface adapter to the RS-232 port on the PC. 3. Connect the 6-pin end of the 6-foot cable to the serial interface adapter, then the 4-pin end to the RS-232 port at the base of the Autostar. 4. Connect the Autostar coil cord between the HBX port on the telescope computer control panel and the coil cord connector port on Autostar. 5. Apply power to the telescope and computer, then complete basic Autostar initialization as detailed in the Autostar instruction manual. 6. Be sure that the computer Serial (COM) Port is configured to the following specifications: Baud Rate 9600 Data Bits 8 Parity None Stop Bit 1 Flow Control None 7. Either from the Desktop, or from the install directory, open the Autostar Update utility. 8. You will see a short splash screen and instruction message box. 9. Dismiss the message box using either of the CANCEL buttons. 10. Autostar Update will search all active COM ports looking for an Autostar. While Autostar Update is searching for an Autostar, it displays an information box indicating that it is searching. 11. Once Autostar Update has found the COM port, you will see an information box on your screen. Dismiss the information box with the OK button. 12. Click on the button labeled "Update New Software." 13. You will see an information box asking you to: "Please put the Autostar into "DOWNLOAD" mode, then click OK to continue." 14. In the Autostar Setup menu, scroll to the Download option and press ENTER. The following message appears on the screen: "Downloading Do not turn off." 15. Click on the OK button to dismiss the information box. 16. You should see a progress bar appear indicating the amount of FLASH which has been loaded into the Autostar. There are two uploads. The first one loads the safe- loader, and is done only once. This upload will take about 15 to 20 minutes. The second one will upload the new Autostar.ROM file found in the expanded Ephemerides directory, included with this donwload. This will also take take about 15 minutes, so please be patient. There is a lot of information to be sent. 17. When downloading is complete, Autostar beeps, and the initialization sequence begins. 18. Close the Autostar Update program using the "Finished" button at the upper left of the Dialog. 19. When the Autostar initialization sequence is complete, turn off telescope and computer power. 20. Disconnect the cables between the PC and Autostar. ==================================================================== WHERE TO GET NEW SOFTWARE VERSIONS FOR YOUR Autostar COMPUTER CONTROLLER: The software files can be retrieved from the Meade website at http://www.meade.com. Look for the software updates for the Meade Autostar (http://www.meade.com/support/auto.html). There will be at least two files that you will need: "Autostar.ROM" and "DBase.ROM". You should place these files into your Ephemerides folder inside your Autostar Update folder in the install directory: ...\Meade\Autostar\Autostar Update\Ephemerides... ==================================================================== BUG REPORTS: Please report all bugs to engineer@meade.com, or to Meade Customer Service. INCLUDE THE VERSION OF THE AUTOSTAR HANDBOX (497 or 495) AND THE VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE YOU ARE USING (1.3c, etc.). PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO FACILITY FOR RESPONDING TO EMAIL YOU HAVE SENT TO engineer@meade.com. Mail sent to engineer@meade.com is routed and sorted by an automated tool, SO.. DO NOT EXPECT A REPLY TO YOUR EMAIL! Each email is reviewed by a person and a decision is made to either fix the problem, add it to the bug list for later fixes or that the problem is operator error or a documentation problem. Then each of the problems is addressed according to an established protocol. If you require assistance with the software or hardware, please phone Meade Instruments at country code 01 949 451 1450 and use the touch-tone pad on your telephone to contact Customer Support. ==================================================================== SAFE LOADER MODE IN YOUR Autostar: If the firmware in your Autostar crashes and you cannot access the "DOWNLOAD" menu item on your handbox, you can use the "SAFE LOADER" feature of your new Autostar software (version release 1.1G and above). To get into the safe loader, follow these simple steps: 1. Make sure the Autostar and ETX are turned off. 2. Press and hold the "ENTER" key and the Scroll Down Key located to the right of the help key on the Autostar handbox. 3. While depressing both keys, turn on your Autostar power switch. This will require you using both hands. You should see "FLASH LOAD READY" on your display. This indicates that you can proceed to Update new software to your Autostar. ==================================================================== Autostar MODES: There are essentially two modes with which the Autostar handbox can communicate to Autostar Update. Both are via an RS-232 serial connection from your Autostar to your computer's serial port connector. Method #1 communicates using the LX200 command set to the Autostar. Method #2 communicates to the Autostar handbox in the "DOWNLOAD" mode (see your Autostar manual for instructions on how to get to the DOWNLOAD mode). Some steps of Autostar Update will require you to be in the DOWNLOAD mode, and some will not. In general, you will NEED to be in the download mode to edit your Astronomical Bodies, and to UPDATE software. The Autostar Update program will prompt you if you need to be in DOWNLOAD mode and are not there already. ==================================================================== REGISTRY: Your registry will be updated with the following KEY entries: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Meade\AUTO There will be six value entries added at the AUTO KEY in the Registry: COMPORT -- A string containing the serial port name you are using to communicate with your Autostar. Example value "COM1" DEBUG -- Flag to indicate whether or not you are in debug mode. This is used by Meade Software Engineering. You really do want this value to be a zero. EPHEM -- Path to the Ephemerides folder. Usually set by the installation. EPOCH -- This is normally set to the current numeric year. You can use this to control the epoch searched by Autostar Update when looking for comets. Comet ephemerides are kept by Epoch number (which is the year). But some information is selectively calculated for advanced epochs. If this is the year 1999, and you wish to do some research into data set up for the epoch 2004, you would change this entry from 1999 to 2004. However, most of the time, you would have no reason to alter this value. It is intended for expert users who know what EPOCH they must use for particular minor planets. EXPERT -- Determines whether or not Meade Software is run in Expert mode. This is used by Software Engineering to assist users in debugging Autostar Update. READWAIT - Sets the read-wait in milliseconds value which Autostar Update uses. Normally, this value is set to 50 or 60. However, it can be increased if necessary. Since each computer is unique in the serial/driver/hardware configuration used, this parameter will allow particularly stubborn serial ports to communicate more effectively, without encountering timeouts on the serial port. This value can be set as low as 0, or as high as 99999. However, any value above about 75 will considerably slow down the communications. The suggested value is 60. This seems to work for most Autostar/computer combinations of hardware/software. ASTURL - A string containing the URL for obtaining asteroids. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! CMTURL - A string containing the URL for obtaining comets. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! SATURL - A string containing the URL for obtaining satellites. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! TOURURL - A string containing the URL for obtaining Tours. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! MEADEURL - A string containing the URL for obtaining the default tourprovider.txt file. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! INSTDIR - The directory where the executeable was installed. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THIS! ==================================================================== NOTES ON SERIAL CONNECTIONS: Autostar Update requires exclusive use of the serial port when communicating with the Autostar. This is because it is updating the FLASH inside the handbox, and shared communications would interfere with this process. You should be sure that no other programs are using or sharing the serial port you have use to connect the Autostar to the computer. Autostar Update searches your serial ports for an unused port connected specifically to an Autostar. If the port is shared it will fail to open the port. If the Autostar cannot find your serial port, you have several things to check: 1. You may have a program which has opened the COM port as a shared device. Close that software and try running Autostar Update again. 2. Be sure that the COM port is active. COM ports can be turned off in the BIOS on some motherboards. Windows can also isolate a COM port which you may have to activate by following your Windows documentation. 3. You may have a faulty cable or adapter. Try communicating with your Autostar via another piece of software (if you have one) which recognizes the LX200 command set. Any or all of the above are possible errors. Once you have cleared the error, close Autostar Update by clicking on the "Finished" button and restart the program. ==================================================================== DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AND WEB SITES: There are several diagnostic tools available from various sources. Meade Customer Engineering has access to several tools which you may use if you are having trouble connecting your Autostar to your computer. Additional information and software tools are available on other various WEB sites. Have fun! And please let us know what you would like to see, and especially, what needs to be fixed, on the Autostar Update. Meade Software Engineering Autostar Team. ==================================================================== FAQs Q: I can't upload asteroids or satellites. I've changed the name to Autostar.ROM and tried to upload, but my Autostar keeps dieing. The display is completely blank. A: You do not upload astronomical bodies nor Tours with the Send New Software button. You upload firmware. Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM are firmware sets (programs) that you upload to update the program in your Autostar handbox. Asteroids, Comets, Satellites, Tours, User Objects and Landmarks are "astronomical bodies" that you place into your library files and then "send" to the Autostar. If you want to upload a new satellite, use the "Satellites" button on the main dialog to select the satellite you want. Click the "Send to Autostar" checkbox, click on the "Apply Changes" button and finally click on the "FINISHED" button. Click the "New Ephemerides" button to upload the new set of user data to the Autostar. Q: I uploaded an older version of ROMs and now I've lost my Tours and other bodies and 1/2 my User memory is not showing up. A: Go to SAFELOAD mode and upload the newest version of Autostar.ROM and DBase.ROM files. The memory map has changed from version 1.2e and above in the Autostar. The newer memory has nearly twice as much memory as the older versions.