Troubleshooting the TheSky to Telescope Connection

Physically connecting a hardware device to computer software is not always a simple task:

Both the software and the hardware must be correctly configured.
Communication ports, cables, connectors and telescope control systems all must be plugged in, turned on, connected and initialized before attempting to be “linked” to the computer.
Connection cables must be wired correctly. TheSky requires “bi-directional” communication with most devices. This means that the connecting cable must be wired properly to send to, and receive commands from, TheSky.
The communication port (serial or parallel) must be operational.
The internal software that controls the telescope should be the latest version from the manufacturer of the device.

If any of the above is not working, TheSky may not be able to establish communications with the device. This section addresses many of the common control-system-to-computer setup problems you may encounter.

Error Message or Symptom

Solution

“Telescope not responding. Verify the communications port settings, power and connections to the control system."

If this message is displayed, TheSky6 is unable to communicate with the selected control system. Simply put, TheSky attempts to send a command to the telescope, and the telescope does not respond as expected.

Here are the most common causes for this message:

Possible Causes

Solution

TheSky6 is not configured for the correct communications port.

For example, you have the telescope control system physically connected to COM2 when TheSky6 is configured to look for this control system on COM1.

Click Telescope | Setup | Settings, and select the correct communications port for the telescope control system. For example, if you have the telescope control system physically connected to COM2, configure TheSky6 to use COM2.

There is no physical connection between the communications port on the computer and the telescope control system.

Connect the cable between the communication port on your computer and the attached control system.

(Note: Make sure you configure TheSky6 for the communications port that the control system is connected to.)

Visit Testing Cable Integrity Using a Terminal Application for further details.

The incorrect cable is used to between your computer and the control system. For example, you are connecting to an LX200 and the cable you are using a cable that is labeled "NexStar."

Use the correct cable between your computer and the control system.

For example, if you are connecting to an LX200, use the cable labeled “LX200.” If you have built your own cable, double check that you have wired it correctly for the particular control system.

Visit Testing Cable Integrity Using a Terminal Application for further details.

TheSky6 is not configured for the correct baud rate for the attached control system.

Click Telescope | Setup, then click the Settings to select the correct baud rate for the attached telescope control system. Please see documentation on the specific device for the correct baud rate.

TheSky6's cross hair update frequency is too high.

Communication may fail if TheSky6 is attempting to query the telescope faster than the telescope's electronics allow.

From TheSky6, click Telescope | Setup and set the Telescope Cross Hair Update Frequency (milliseconds) to 1000 or higher.

The telescope is not turned on.

Supply power to the attached control system.

The communication port you have configured TheSky6 to use is a fax/modem port.

Use a communication port that is not a fax/modem port. You cannot use a fax/modem port as the communications port to a control system.

You are using a cable adapter (9- to-25 pin converter) that does not function correctly.

If possible, remove the adapter in question and connect to a port that does not require the adapter. You may also try to verify with another type of device (like a modem or a mouse) that the adapter works correctly. Visit Testing Cable Integrity Using a Terminal Application for further details.

The communications port you are using does not function correctly.

Verify with another type of device (like a modem or a mouse) that the communications port works.

If necessary, replace the communications port.

The control system communications port is malfunctioning.

Verify that the control systems communications port functions correctly by another means (other than through TheSky6). This can usually be done through a terminal application like Windows HyperTerminal and sending a native command to the device. Fix the control systems port if necessary.

The telescope is not functioning properly.

If the telescope's control system is defective, TheSky6 may not be able to establish communications.

See Logging TheSky's Serial Communication with the Telescope to generate a log file of TheSky's communication with the telescope. This log can help our technical support staff determine the cause of communication problems.

Using Three or More Serial Communications Ports Mouse Freezes, Computer Locks Up, Interrupt Conflict

Note: This issue applies very older computer systems only. Most modern computers use USB ports and are not subject to this behavior.

If your computer locks up or your mouse “freezes” when you attempt to connect to a control system, you most likely have an interrupt conflict between the communications port you are trying to use and another device on your computer.

The communications port you are using must have a unique interrupt to function correctly. Computers with three or more communications ports are prone to interrupt conflicts. When a third port is added, by default it shares an interrupt with communications port one (similarly, a fourth communications port shares the interrupt with port two). This means ports one and three cannot be used simultaneously. The only way around this is to configure the third port at both the computer operating systems’ level and at the hardware level for a unique interrupt. To configure the third communications port for a unique interrupt at the computer operating systems level use the Control Panel. To configure the third communications port for a unique interrupt at the hardware level make appropriate the jumper settings on third port itself. (If the port is not configurable for a unique interrupt through jumpers, it cannot be used.)