nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I took down my mount this morning after imaging M57 last night because the forecast was for 50 percent clouds through the rest of the week. Then later in the day - clouds started to clear and low and behold, clear skies were not predicted. So I decided to setup the iOptron ZEQ25 with the 8 Inch SCT and use the Atik 383L OSC to image M57. What I like about the iOptron, the mount and tripod (without counter weight) can be carried easily with one hand. So I setup - hooked up team viewer and all the software I intended to use (to control the mount I use iOptron Commander). When I clicked on Commander, it said I had to do a Firmware Update before use. I had not used the mount is several months so wasn't surprised. So I downloaded the RA, DEC, and HC BIN files, used the iOptron Firmware Utility to install and ended up WRECKING THE BOARD - so the HC does not work at all - ERROR when powered on.

I just carried everything back inside.....and have been exchanging emails with iOptron support (kevin) BTW, they are great....and available on weekends too. He is afraid I will have to send the mount or boards in for be reinstalled but will run some test tomorrow to see if they can do a work-around.

There is not ONE CLOUD in the sky but moving another kit out was not going to happen.

I don't have good luck doing Firmware updates with the AVX or iOptron. There has got to be an easier way to do these!!!

BUMMER BUMMER BUMMER

Thanks for reading....had to vent this!

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

feel better now.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

No - I am kicking the mount. Just went outside and the sky is clear - stars are bright - and rain and cloudy weather for the next 5 days through Memorial day.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Reminds me of the time I was moving a RAID enclosure while it was on, and reached around the back for a better grip and hit the RESET SWITCH. Reformatted both drives in the array and lost terabytes of content.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Jeeeeze Louise!

SDB777 Loc: Edwards, AR USA

I have never understood why firmware updates are even necessary, unless it's a way for a company to 'do something' to an item that was working fine prior to doing the update. After all, when was the last time you say anyone on the Enterprise tell Kirk that they were going to do a firmware update...or even an Adobe update in order to make the spaceship better(never happened)!

Since the mount was working prior to the update, are they going to cover all costs of their firmware(malware) making a paperweight out of your mount?



Scott (I ain't downloading nuthin') B

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Sadly I now no longer update unless there is an issue in the firmware that complicates what I am attempting to do, or there is some new feature that is so great it out weighs the risk of bricking the device. I do not have nor do I have any experience in ioptron mounts, but I hate hardware that checks online and demands to be updated. I normally block this type of traffic, either through the outbound firewall rules or through the Windows host file.

It is just too easy for a mistake to be made, loss of power, incorrect checksum or just some asinine driver issue that can render expensive equipment a doorstop.

Wishing you the best
Matthew

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

The soon to be released to squadron service F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has a severe software problem in the radar system. The manufacturer RECCOMENDED interim fix is TO REBOOT THE AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT. Yes Sir, solves the problem. Of course, you hope the restart completes before you impact the ground.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/08/radar-glitch-requires-f-35-fighter-jet-pilots-to-turn-it-off-and-on-again

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I got it fixed late this morning....iOptron called me and walked me through getting things restored - they emailed me software to install - and essentially did it for me. It's working ...unfortunately a day late. Clouds and more clouds for the next few days.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Well the good thing is you didn't completely fry the iOptron and it's back to life.
I'm hoping I'll get some clear skies for a couple hours tonight. I am in the middle
of the dreaded May Gray and the upcoming June Gloom. Marine Layer rolls in every
night from May thru Aug. The only way I can get clear skies all night is to go to the
Mountain and get above it.
Craig

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

May Gray - June Gloom - we have afternoon showers - lots of lightning and hail but we also have a lot of clear nights. I'll stay here! It just means I have to take down the scope daily fearing getting caught in one of the thunder-busters. I erased everything on the RA and DEC board - which you have to do before installing the new firmware. I just couldn't get the HC to turn on an respond to menu choices. All is well!

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

You had me worried.
I'm glad it turned out to be fixable with software. Did they tell you what the new software provides?

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Not too sure but I was stuck.....I couldn't run the iOptron Commander software which connects the ascom drivers an lets BYEOS control the mount as well as Cartes Du Ceil (planetary software) and Astrotortillia ....When I tried to connect the mount, I got the message from ioptron that I first had to update the firmware - I hate that feature. Your held hostage until you do the update. I would prefer the option ..especially the timing. I am glad I didn't drive to a dark site, setup only to find out - firmware needs updating.

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Well the software must know that there is a new firmware available otherwise it wouldn't know when to demand updating. It must be accessing the net to check for updates. I would imagine at a dark site internet wouldn't be available so it wouldn't come up with a new update waiting. You can block it from the internet with an edit of your host file or add a firewall rule. Since editing requires specific info I do not have I will explain how to create a new outbound rule.

1) From start menu, search for "Firewall" and select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

2) Choose Outbound Rules from the tree at the left.

3) Choose New Rule... from the menu at the right.

4) New Outbound Rule Wizard opens.

a. Select Program as rule type.

b. Select the program's EXE file.

c. Choose Block the connection.

5) Choose the profile this rule applies to. If in doubt, select all three.

6) Add the descriptive name (you may want to delete or turn off this rule later for future updates or whatever).

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Excellent Info!