Intermittent "**Autofocus failed - FocusMax too old" - Huh.. I'm using V3.08.0020 ?

[Graham Gilbert]

Hi

I'm getting this now and again. Once it happens any subsequent calls to FocusMax abort. I can't start FM up again & have to reboot to clear.
Using the latest v3 version with Maxim 5.24

This is AcquireScheduler V3.7.1
[PreFlip=300 PostFlip=300 AF=180 PU=60]
Hardware GEM pier side reporting is available.
Initializing AcquireSupport V7.2.5
Weather safe, server is AAG_ACPWeatherFeed (v7.20)
Telescope is ACP->EQMOD HEQ5/6, driver V2
Dome is Seletek Firefly
and must not close unless scope is parked
MaxIm DL is version 5.24
Imager is ArtemisHSC
Using focus offsets and star mags from FilterInfo.txt
Guider is SX Universal(External Guide Scope)
Guider plate scale is 9.9 arcsec/pix. Guided dither with main imager pixels
Max unguided exposure 30 sec.
(assuring that FocusMax is running now...)
**Script Error (Tracking has been stopped)**
Source: ACP.AcquireSupport
Message: **Autofocus failed - FocusMax too old. See ACP Help AutoFocus section.
Location: line 822 column 5.


This is AcquireScheduler V3.7.1
[PreFlip=300 PostFlip=300 AF=180 PU=60]
Hardware GEM pier side reporting is available.
Initializing AcquireSupport V7.2.5
Weather safe, server is AAG_ACPWeatherFeed (v7.20)
Telescope is ACP->EQMOD HEQ5/6, driver V2
Dome is Seletek Firefly
and must not close unless scope is parked
MaxIm DL is version 5.24
Imager is ArtemisHSC
Using focus offsets and star mags from FilterInfo.txt
Guider is SX Universal(External Guide Scope)
Guider plate scale is 9.9 arcsec/pix. Guided dither with main imager pixels
Max unguided exposure 30 sec.
(assuring that FocusMax is running now...)
**Script Error (Tracking has been stopped)**
Source: Microsoft VBScript runtime error
Message: ActiveX component can't create object: 'FocusMax.FocusControl'
Location: line 822 column 5.

[Bob Denny]

Reboot???

Well, this will require my intervention live. I don't know what's going on there. Give me a time. I am here M-F 8-5 MST.

[Sascha Schuller]

Hello Graham,

i had the same issues with the latest Focusmax V3 Version. There is a remaining Focusmax Task running in the background and it's enought to kill it in the task manager -> prozesses window. A reboot was not necessary. It occurs when Focusmax has problems connecting your focusser and ACP tries to close it in the same time. Please have a look on your focusser connection/powersupply.


best regards
Sascha

[Bob Denny]

Sascha, thank you very much. I believe you have it correct, a "ghost" copy of FocusMax is the problem. Your solution is also correct (Task Manager, Processes tab, FocusMax.exe, kill it). also, you are right about the focuser, power supply, and I would add USB Hub if there is one... the power supply for that also. Is it cold there?

[Graham Gilbert]

Thanks for the replies. I think you could be right & this was a symptom of other issues that I'm starting to see. The focus motor I'm using on this setup is powered & driven by my Firefly Obsy control box (by Lunatico Astro) so not USB. However, I'm also now seeing some odd behaviour on my system, such as intermittent blank image downloads from the guider & CCD, loss of guiding control on one axis & BSOD/unexpected restarts. So the system is not stable. It has got colder, but only started to drop below freezing at night the last few days.

I've been going through the process of trying different USB ports/cables/hubs but so far no change. I'm thinking of swapping out with another PC to eliminate possible hardware/software corruption from the equation.
Bob, whats the best way to transfer the ACP & Scheduler configs over to another system if I decide to test this out. I'm hoping this is permissible as I'm still running under the 60 day evaluation at the moment. ( I'm pretty much sold by the way, but would like to see it run "hands free" for a bit)

Cheers Graham

[Bob Denny]

I understand what you're dealing with. The fastest way to expose weaknesses in a system is to run it under automation :-) No problem installing the trial copies of ACP/Scheduler on another machine.