Blue Screen when powering on DDM85XL motors

[nakbrooks]

I've raised a support ticket with ASA for this but am posting here as well in case any other users can help.

 

I have a problem with USB errors and “blue screen” when powering on the mount motors during Autoslew auto-find.

 

I am using Autoslew Ver 5.1.1.6 and ACC Ver 13 on Windows 7.

 

My USB configuration is as follows:

 

Location 0 [uSB 3.0 Root Hub]

         Location 0 (Port_#0003.Hub_#0001) [uSB 2.0 Hub]

                   Location 0 (Port_#0003.Hub_#0002) [uSB 2.0 MTT Hub]

                            Location 0 (Port_#0001.Hub_#0003)

                            Location 0 (Port_#0002.Hub_#0003)

 

                   Location 0 (Port_#0002.Hub_#0002) [uSB Serial Converter]

                            Location 0 [FTDI COM 6]

 

         Location 0 (Port_#0001.Hub_#0001) [FTDI USB Serial Converter]

                   Location 0 [COM 10]

 

         Location 0 (Port_#0002.Hub_#0001) [FTDI USB Serial Converter]

                   Location 0 [COM 5]

 

         Location 0 (Port_#0004.Hub_#0001) [FTDI USB Serial Converter]

                   Location 0 [COM 4]

 

My normal start-up workflow is:

 

1. Turn on power to Mount.
2. Turn on power to Mount Aux
3. Start Autoslew
4. Start ACC
5. Power up mount motors from Autoslew

 

When I power up the DDM85 motors from Autoslew the USB  connection to the ASA 400mm Cassegrain (which is used by ACC to control the ASA focuser and mirror covers - the red ones above) is lost.

 

ACC reports “Device Error” – which cannot be cleared without powering off the Aux power to the DDM85, and Microsoft device manager properties for the non-working ACC USB port show “This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources. (Code 29)”.

 

The problem occurs during the Axis 2 (DEC) Autofind process.

 

Sometimes I get a Windows “blue screen”, not just a disabled USB.

 

The USB cable between the Mount Hub and the 400mm Cass Hub is the one supplied by ASA.

 

Do you have any suggestions?  Is there any logging I can turn on to try and diagnose the problem?

 

Regards

 

Nigel Brooks

 

[RamaSpaceShip]

Hi Nigel,

 

Can you try with a direct connection from the PC to the OTA hub?

 

Best regards.

 

Bernard

[nakbrooks]

I was operating remotely but will try that today.

[Waldemar]

I think the ASA supplied USB cables are of poor quality. I use double shielded high quality cables for all applications. Unshielded USB cables are sensitive to interferences and thus can cause many problems.

 

Waldemar

[nakbrooks]

Which brand do you use Waldemar?

[ChristerS]

Hi Nigel,

 

I hade some connection problem when connecting the DDM85 hub to Another hub (USB Ranger) and from that to the PC.

I now use one cable from the DDM85 hub direct to the PC with no problems. I use these high quality Supra cables  http://www.jenving.com/

 

//Christer

[nakbrooks]

Looks like it was a USB cable problem. The ASA cable between the DDM85 hub and the OTA had a small cut in it, exposing the shielding. When I replaced it with a Lindy cable all seems fine.

[Waldemar]

Hi Nigel,  The Lindy cables should be ok. Glad to hear your problem is solved!

 

Belkin has a professional line which is absolutely top quality.

I use Belkin as well as Konig (Hama) cables.

 

Christer:  I use the USB Ranger as well without any problems. I use the shortest USB cables I can find  to connect to the Ranger and between the Ranger units I use F/UTP cat6 cable

25 metres is no problem whatsoever. My scope is outside, my comp in the warm house

 

Maybe I am a little anal about cables, but I experienced really weird behaviour with cheap unshielded ones.

 

Waldemar

Edited April 7, 2015 by Waldemar