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USB Connection to Gemini 2 Disconnect Issue

 

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I have a puzzling workaround regarding a USB connection problem from a PC to Gemini 2 Mini controller. I would like to eliminate the need for the workaround.

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The problem is that for my ¡°on mount mini pc¡± the USB connection would be briefly made and then disconnect after a second or two. Previously, the connection was made reliably.

?

The following diagnosis and remedies were performed/attempted using the ASCOM driver interface to the Gemini 2 controller:

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Diagnosis performed:

  1. Controller connection to another desktop PC using the same cable, result it works.

  2. Controller connection to mount mini PC using alternate working cable, result problem persists continued disconnection after 1-2 sec. Tried each of the 4 USB ports on mount mini PC.

  3. Connection to other USB devices (imaging camera, focus control, guider camera) using mount PC work.

  4. Confirmed the connection attempt is going to an open com port (scan for other com ports was checked).

  5. Tried Ethernet connection to controller from both desktop PC and mount PC, result it connects for both PCs .

Remedies attempted:

  1. Updated ASCOM driver on both machines, problem persists.

  2. Update USB drivers on mount PC, problem persists.

  3. Updated firmware on controller, problem persisted

  4. Unchecked ¡°Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."?from USB with mount pc device manager, problem persists.

  5. Used alternate USB cables on mount pc, problem persists.

Other:

  • Desktop is: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2690 v3 @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz (2 processors) running Win 10 pro

  • Mini PC is: A GMKtec Mini PC, 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD, Desktop Computer | Intel N100 Windows 11 Pro (3.4GHz)

  • Connection to mount pc via Remote Desktop. Wireless and or Ethernet.

  • I use NINA for imaging, but for the troubleshooting I just used the ASCOM driver interface.

  • A possible difference may be a win update occurred recently on the mini pc, I am not sure if I ever used the setup after the update due to clouds and holidays.

?

Workaround:

  • I became very frustrated, and accidentally opened up a second ASCOM interface to the controller. When I attempted connection on this second interface¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.success! Yes! The Gemini 2 controller connected to the mount mini PC and stayed connected, on any USB port, with any cable.

The same connection issue exists when only a single interface is open. I have manually verified the settings on each ASCOM interface are the same.

?

Thoughts anyone?
 

Hi Conrad?
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You may be using the wrong ASCOM interface. There are two available, and you should only be using the one without number '2' in the name. The second one is for those who have two Gemini units connected at the same time.
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I'd also check that your USB port is set to not go to sleep when idle, as that will disconnect Gemini after a brief period of inactivity.
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If that doesn't help, try uploading an ASCOM driver log that contains a session or two with such disconnects. Here's where to find the log:
?
Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
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On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 09:50 AM, <conrad12n@...> wrote:

?

I have a puzzling workaround regarding a USB connection problem from a PC to Gemini 2 Mini controller. I would like to eliminate the need for the workaround.

?

The problem is that for my ¡°on mount mini pc¡± the USB connection would be briefly made and then disconnect after a second or two. Previously, the connection was made reliably.

?

The following diagnosis and remedies were performed/attempted using the ASCOM driver interface to the Gemini 2 controller:

?

Diagnosis performed:

  1. Controller connection to another desktop PC using the same cable, result it works.

  2. Controller connection to mount mini PC using alternate working cable, result problem persists continued disconnection after 1-2 sec. Tried each of the 4 USB ports on mount mini PC.

  3. Connection to other USB devices (imaging camera, focus control, guider camera) using mount PC work.

  4. Confirmed the connection attempt is going to an open com port (scan for other com ports was checked).

  5. Tried Ethernet connection to controller from both desktop PC and mount PC, result it connects for both PCs .

Remedies attempted:

  1. Updated ASCOM driver on both machines, problem persists.

  2. Update USB drivers on mount PC, problem persists.

  3. Updated firmware on controller, problem persisted

  4. Unchecked ¡°Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."?from USB with mount pc device manager, problem persists.

  5. Used alternate USB cables on mount pc, problem persists.

Other:

  • Desktop is: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2690 v3 @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz (2 processors) running Win 10 pro

  • Mini PC is: A GMKtec Mini PC, 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD, Desktop Computer | Intel N100 Windows 11 Pro (3.4GHz)

  • Connection to mount pc via Remote Desktop. Wireless and or Ethernet.

  • I use NINA for imaging, but for the troubleshooting I just used the ASCOM driver interface.

  • A possible difference may be a win update occurred recently on the mini pc, I am not sure if I ever used the setup after the update due to clouds and holidays.

?

Workaround:

  • I became very frustrated, and accidentally opened up a second ASCOM interface to the controller. When I attempted connection on this second interface¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.success! Yes! The Gemini 2 controller connected to the mount mini PC and stayed connected, on any USB port, with any cable.

The same connection issue exists when only a single interface is open. I have manually verified the settings on each ASCOM interface are the same.

?

Thoughts anyone?
 

Hi Paul
Unsure how to tell which Gemini driver I had loaded. However, based conceptually on your recommendations, I installed ASCOM 7 and simultaneously rolled back my Gemini driver from v1.1.28 to v1.1.25. Now everything is working again. Thanks?

Conrad
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--------------------

From: "Paul Kanevsky" <yh@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: January 15, 2025 at 2:36 PM EST
Subject: Re: [Gemini-II_io] USB Connection to Gemini 2 Disconnect Issue
Hi Conrad?
?
You may be using the wrong ASCOM interface. There are two available, and you should only be using the one without number '2' in the name. The second one is for those who have two Gemini units connected at the same time.
?
I'd also check that your USB port is set to not go to sleep when idle, as that will disconnect Gemini after a brief period of inactivity.
?
If that doesn't help, try uploading an ASCOM driver log that contains a session or two with such disconnects. Here's where to find the log:
?
Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
?
On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 09:50 AM, <conrad12n@...> wrote:

?

I have a puzzling workaround regarding a USB connection problem from a PC to Gemini 2 Mini controller. I would like to eliminate the need for the workaround.

?

The problem is that for my ¡°on mount mini pc¡± the USB connection would be briefly made and then disconnect after a second or two. Previously, the connection was made reliably.

?

The following diagnosis and remedies were performed/attempted using the ASCOM driver interface to the Gemini 2 controller:

?

Diagnosis performed:

  1. Controller connection to another desktop PC using the same cable, result it works.

  2. Controller connection to mount mini PC using alternate working cable, result problem persists continued disconnection after 1-2 sec. Tried each of the 4 USB ports on mount mini PC.

  3. Connection to other USB devices (imaging camera, focus control, guider camera) using mount PC work.

  4. Confirmed the connection attempt is going to an open com port (scan for other com ports was checked).

  5. Tried Ethernet connection to controller from both desktop PC and mount PC, result it connects for both PCs .

Remedies attempted:

  1. Updated ASCOM driver on both machines, problem persists.

  2. Update USB drivers on mount PC, problem persists.

  3. Updated firmware on controller, problem persisted

  4. Unchecked ¡°Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."?from USB with mount pc device manager, problem persists.

  5. Used alternate USB cables on mount pc, problem persists.

Other:

  • Desktop is: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2690 v3 @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz (2 processors) running Win 10 pro

  • Mini PC is: A GMKtec Mini PC, 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD, Desktop Computer | Intel N100 Windows 11 Pro (3.4GHz)

  • Connection to mount pc via Remote Desktop. Wireless and or Ethernet.

  • I use NINA for imaging, but for the troubleshooting I just used the ASCOM driver interface.

  • A possible difference may be a win update occurred recently on the mini pc, I am not sure if I ever used the setup after the update due to clouds and holidays.

?

Workaround:

  • I became very frustrated, and accidentally opened up a second ASCOM interface to the controller. When I attempted connection on this second interface¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.success! Yes! The Gemini 2 controller connected to the mount mini PC and stayed connected, on any USB port, with any cable.

The same connection issue exists when only a single interface is open. I have manually verified the settings on each ASCOM interface are the same.

?

Thoughts anyone?
 

Gentlemen,
I am experiencing a similar problem.? My mount computer is a rasperrypi running Stellarmate all up to date using INDI drivers.? Worked fine for two years then got flaky.? Replaced cables, replaced power supply and computer no luck.? Took my laptop running Stellarmate same problem.? Then brought Gemini 2 unit in the house and it works like a charm on ASCOM desktop.? Then took a retired PC running windows to fully upto date with all brand new software and it would not work.? So, I have tried this on Stellarmate using Indi driver, on three different computers no joy, tried it on two different windows computers, one new high-end desktop, the other a retired desktop and only one worked.? Network connection using Indi worked well so it is not the Indi driver.? Any thoughts??? Bruce
 

On Wed, Jan 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM, Bruce Morrell wrote:
Gentlemen,
I am experiencing a similar problem.? My mount computer is a rasperrypi running Stellarmate all up to date using INDI drivers.? Worked fine for two years then got flaky.? Replaced cables, replaced power supply and computer no luck.? Took my laptop running Stellarmate same problem.? Then brought Gemini 2 unit in the house and it works like a charm on ASCOM desktop.? Then took a retired PC running windows to fully upto date with all brand new software and it would not work.? So, I have tried this on Stellarmate using Indi driver, on three different computers no joy, tried it on two different windows computers, one new high-end desktop, the other a retired desktop and only one worked.? Network connection using Indi worked well so it is not the Indi driver.? Any thoughts??? Bruce
Hi Bruce, can you describe in more detail what didn't work with the three computers and what does "flaky" mean? Are you able to connect to Gemini but then it randomly disconnects? Or are you unable to connect at all? Are you using an ethernet connection in all four cases? Anything different in how you hook things up between these four (any additional switches, routers, adapters?)
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Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
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hi,
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I think you need to install a network analyzer on your PC, and check to see if you see the Gemini on the list. Take the IP address of the Gemini, and insert it into the INDI driver control panel on StellarMate. Hit set, and see if it connects. I have seen my Gemini change IP addresses, so I plan on giving it a permanent IP address through the hand controller when I get back from out of town.
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Clear skies, Paul
 

On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 09:00 AM, Paul Romero wrote:
hi,
?
I think you need to install a network analyzer on your PC, and check to see if you see the Gemini on the list. Take the IP address of the Gemini, and insert it into the INDI driver control panel on StellarMate. Hit set, and see if it connects. I have seen my Gemini change IP addresses, so I plan on giving it a permanent IP address through the hand controller when I get back from out of town.
?
Clear skies, Paul
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Your Gemini 2 will only change IP addresses if you allow it to use DHCP.? By assigning a static IP address and unchecking the DHCP box in the Gemini 2 or HC the Gemini 2 will always be found at the IP address you entered.??
?
--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?

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