You guys are super.? Great ideas for figuring out this Polemaster operation puzzle.??

They say: "when all else fails, read the manual."? So I did a search for "Polemaster manual" and the QHY Polemaster manual appeared.??

I had read it before, but this time I read further .....

It has many interesting notes and a few funny typos.? However at the end of the manual it says the following:

---- Polemaster manual excerpt----

16.A frame rate reduction may occur while using PoleMaster in the software, which usually happens when the laptop battery power is low and the Core CPU is down in the energy saving mode. When connected to the notebook AC adapter power supply, it will become smooth again.

When this issue happens, turning off C-States can solve the jamming problem caused by the processor. And you need to do as follows:

1）Enter the Bios interface (startup hotkeys may be different on mutiple computers),the open the Advanced Settings--CPU Configuration--CPU POWER--Mangement Configuration--select Intel C State--close.






C-State Tech is a processor that saves energy which is based on a deep energy-saving technology based on Intel components. It can be set on or off in BIOS. When the operating system runs to high RAM or the CPU is highly used, this function can properly adjust the energy consumption and CPU to save energy.

However, according to our test, the energy-saving mode will affect the efficiency of real-time reading the USB of the camera. When C-States is on in the BIOS, the computer is prone to images stuck, not smooth. Close C-States can solve such issues effectively.?

2）Windows power setting steps: 1. Click "Start button" and click "Settings". 2. Click "Power and sleep", click "Other power settings". 3. Click "Change Power Plan". 4. Click "Change advanced power settings." 5. By default, the "USB Selective Suspend" function is turned on, which will cause image freezes, low frame rates, unsmooth video, images not refreshed, and other problems. We need to replace this feature. 6. Supplement this function.

--------end of excerpt-----

My other thoughts follow...but you should look at QHY Polemaster manual tips above first.? ?

------

Tom...? Paul's PC equipment list is a good point of reference.? Let us know what you have for your PC system.??

Definitely compare the Polemaster behavior directly connected to the PC versus connected through a powered USB hub.? The PC USB ports should have an indicator of whether it is a USB2 or USB3.? USB3 ports often have a blue plastic center to tell you they are USB3.? However not always...sometimes my HP laptop will have some kind of "HS" printed to indicate it is a High Speed port.? The Pole master might require a USB3 type connection to run properly.? ?

But I think the problem will not be CPU power... I think the problem is related to Stu's observation about the CPU being overloaded during the PC bootup.??

?I'll throw out yet one more possible cause, related to Stu's comment about slow bootup in Windows.

?Many programs now are set up by the program author to "automatically check for updates" on the internet every time you boot them up.? If you have an internet connection, but it is slow, like wireless signal may be weak in your back yard perhaps, the program update checking can take a long time.??

As Sonny has been lamenting, even the Win10 OS itself is always looking for updates, and further tying up internet bandwidth at your home.? The Win10 updates can hog the CPU.

Most programs will still work ok.? That's because modern programs use a method called multithreading, to handle tasks in the Windows background while the program itself (mouse movements for example) still appear to work.??

But I believe the Polemaster software is not using "threads" in this modern way.? I think it might only be using a single program thread.? So when it is getting a frame from the Polemaster USB camera, and that is slow, the entire Polemaster program window is frozen.? The modern way to handle this would be to create an independent thread to get the image and then the main program would still respond.? As Paul noted the program is not sophisticated in its algorithms; I'll guess not sophisticated in its operation either.? Multi threading is well established but it does require advanced programming skills.??

So, for using the Polemaster, try this:?

Go into Settings/ Windows Update.? There: turn off Automatic Updates.? There are many options like Download but do not install, and turn that stuff off also.? Reboot to ensure those new settings take effect.??

Does it work better???

When you go to run Polemaster, try "run as Administrator" by a right-click on the mouse on its icon.? The selection for "Run as Administrator" should pop up as an option.? That may help too.? ?Does that option work better?? ?

Best of luck,

Michael

On Thu, Jan 7, 2021, 5:04 AM Stu Beaber <wd4sel@...> wrote:

Tom...I just recently started using Polemaster (last night was the 3rd time) and I use a very small laptop at the scope when I do the alignment. It's a very inexpensive Windows 10 computer and on 2 of those occasions I've noticed the alignment screen is very slow to respond and sometimes it takes ~30 seconds for the software to respond to a click or mount move. On both of these occasions where I had trouble with slow responses, I had just turned on the computer before I started Polemaster. On the one occasion where I had no slow response and all went well, the computer had been on for nearly an hour before hand. My theory is the computer, not Polemaster is the problem. I think it takes a while for all the software on the computer to completely load. This makes it look as if Polemaster isn't working properly but all the time it's just the computer "dropping frames" I think they call it.

You may have a different problem but you might check this out

HTH's

Stu

On Thu, Jan 7, 2021 at 1:53 AM Tom & Barbara Coverdale <tcoverda@...> wrote:

Thanks Loren, I do not know much about PC's. I have used Apple's since I bought an Apple?Macintosh SE in 1984. I would appreciate any?info about this power saving issue with ports on PC's. I thought rebooting the Polemaster and the PC would take care of that issue but maybe not.? Thanks ?Tom

--- lbanbury@... wrote:

From: "Loren" <lbanbury@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Pole master on G11 with Digital Drives
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2021 21:54:34 -0800

Wild guess here but check to see that the interface adapter on pc that polemaster connects to is set to not automatically power down in power saving mode. My words are likely not very accurate on that pc setting in the adapter but i have seen this listed as an issue on some other devices. Polemaster works fine on my two pc laptops a dell and asus. I’ll try to dig into the setting I’m thinking of this weekend if you are interested. What pc winver?

On Jan 6, 2021, at 20:10, Tom & Barbara Coverdale <tcoverda@...> wrote:

This saga just gets stranger and stranger! So, tonight under clear skies I set up to polar align with my new Hp laptop.?Everything was going great but couldn't get an alignment again! Tried several things with no success and then the Polemaster stopped responding to my commands/responses. I disconnected..connected several times still nothing. I was getting the same image no matter what I did. Shut down both computer and?pole master and rebooted. Nothing! So I got out my old apple to see if would connect to the Polemaster. No problems couldn't get an alignment however. I was doing this on my Star tracker. Took my star?tracker & Polemaster off of my William Optics wedge and changed out for my Arcatech Pano head. Set it up and found Polaris and POLAR ALIGNED IN TWO MINUTES!!? How the hell could this be? Went inside where I had lights and set the two mounts next to each other and they were?aiming at two different altitudes. The Arcatech pano head read 49 degrees and the William?Optics read 36 degree. I'm in Mesquite NV at 36"49'. Took the William?Optics head/wedge back outside set it up with the star tracker and loosened all the?altitude controls. searched up and down and found Polaris, centered and tightened all the loose fittings.?Mounted Polemaster and using my Apple ran a polar alignment. Two?minutes I had 5 circles with stars centered...no problem. I checked the altitude setting on the W/O wedge and it was set a 52 degrees dead on the factory etched scale!! I went next door borrowed my neighbors electronic inclinometer and measured the altitude angle 36.4. Checked the Arcatech Head and it was at 37 or so degrees. (HARDER TO GET A FLAT SURFACE TO MEASURE ON). So what the H? Was this cluster bomb a bad?wedge? And why was my brand new PC not talking to the?pole master??Apparently the PC was a wasted investment! "The harder I paddle the faster I get NO WHERE!" No need to help...I'm not at Hogwarts and it will not work!!? I'm going to pour a few fingers of Angels Envy (whiskey!!)?

--- pedmondsjr@... wrote:

From: "Sonny Edmonds" <pedmondsjr@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Pole master on G11 with Digital Drives
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 2021 15:48:07 -0800

On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 11:06 AM, Chip Louie wrote:

Don't spend your money on insulated pants spend it on a bigger better computer monitor. Why be out in the cold, work inside with a big monitor and nice glass of your favorite beverage. That way you can monitor your session and watch the astroimaging channel or astrobackyard at the same time.?

That's what I do. But they gave me the Carhartts at work, so I'll still use them on occasion.
After the last Windose update, I came in cold. But I didn't mention it.
The insulated Bibs were all snug hanging in the garage. 8^) Doah! LOL!
?
--
SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)