mikedent Loc: Florida

Hello all- having trouble updating to latest Motor Control settings. Downloaded MCUpdate 2.2.4 from Celestron. I have the serial-usb cord adapter for the NextStar+ hand controller. I was already able to successfully update the Hand Controller software using this cord. When I go to MCU program, it connects to COM5 which is the correct one for the cable as per Windows Device Manager. But when I hit "next" to go to the software download screen, an error box comes up and says " error- no devices seen on COM5" even though it is connected to a powered-on scope into the hand controller. I wrote an email to Celestron but so far no answer, so I wanted to ask the group for any guidelines. Thanks!

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

Do you have an option to "Auto Detect Com Port"?
If so I'd give that a shot.

mikedent Loc: Florida

No, that option does not show up. Only "none, COM2, or COM5". I tried all of these and no luck- thanks!

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

I've had similar instances with all my astro gear one time or another , it's either a cable or a com port malfunction . Try unplugging and plugging it in another hub, if that fails it's could be the serial to usb adapter cable {they say there's a lot of them on the web}. I've got 2 backups and when one fails , I plug another in and away I go , sometimes unplugging and rebooting the computer does the trick . When all that fails I buy another serial to usb adapter cable. I really dislike tech stuff it's like sometimes it works and other times it don't and waits for the perfect night to pull it's ----.

mikedent Loc: Florida

I unplugged and replugged several times. I did default reset via the hand controller. No apparent change in the motor control information- still comes up as ?.?? ?.?? so I don't understand it. The cable shows up properly in windows. It worded correctly for the hand controller update at first and also when I re-loaded it. Celestron is quite slow to respond- they suggested to do a reset which did not seem to do anything related to the motor. And they asked where did I buy the unit, how long ago- should not really matter, is not under warranty.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

The 1st thing I did was expletive 4-5 times , I've got an older Meade eq lxd55 goto , that isn't even for AP {made for visual use only} I walked away and called my buddy that uses Meade mounts for his ap and he suggested : I reassigning a com port for the adapter or try another adapter and that worked after unplugging and Shutting everything down . Sometimes it's better to walk away Mike and give your computer and handpad time to get it together before "Beating a dead horse" which I've done countless times. Computers are half of my problems always wanting to update during an image run , the other half is user error. Go to a Celestron forum and post you problem if that doesn't work , someone with your Celestron mount might have had the same issue and have the solution for the fix.

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks for commiserating! I'd have to buy another adapter, it's not one I would normally use..I could try to reassign the com port? True, it's very frustrating! I did not find any exact match on Celestron or Cloudy Nights forums...

mikedent Loc: Florida

Would buying a new hand controller solve it, if nothing else works? It would probably come already updated to latest versions..

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

It might be updated but, If nothing works and nobody knows anything than Sure I would even put it on the plastic . I would have to say Honey , it's an emergency buy , not an impulse buy . ha ha I would get my HBX controller though , she would get flowers for several weeks.