|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
Unzip the file first then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and choose “Run administrator “ from the context menu.
?
If “Run as administrator” is missing from the context menu then before using mouse-right-click, hold down the keyboard left side shift key and keeping the shift key depressed then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and “Run as administrator” should now appear in the context menu.
?
Keep the keyboard left side shift key depressed while you click on “Run as administrator” and release the shift key once the patch file starts to run.
?
Microsoft have added extra security steps in Windows 11 that make it harder to start downloaded executable (.exe) files so maybe this is the reason you don’t have the “Run as administrator” in the context menu.
?
It gets harder all the time to manage Windows and keep on top of all the security changes that seem to occur with every monthly Windows update, so don’t worry you’re not the only one that struggles with Windows these days.
?
Will. |
|
Re: QSI683 randomly disconnecting
Hello everybody, I finally fixed the issue with random disconnecting of the camera! It was a classical?"man in the middle" issue. All the devices mounted on the optical train were connected with both power supply and USB ports to my Wanderer Astro Plus V3 powerbox. Power supply seems fine, but the fault was in the USB ports of this powerbox. After reconnecting the USB cables to an industrial 12v powered USB Hub everything came back to normal. So be warned in case you were thinking of getting a powerbox for both 12v and USB. Clear skies Nicola Il giorno mer 5 mar 2025 alle ore 21:28 Pictor User via <pictor-mb=[email protected]> ha scritto:
--
Nicola Sky Monsters - |
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
I will send you a patch file to fix that PinPoint message.
?
A new installation of MaxIm includes a trial of the full version of PinPoint incorporated into MaxIm, which lasts for three months after which it downgrades to PinPointLE unless you purchase a full PinPoint license, which is not needed for most users.
?
The pop-up message you see is because MaxIm DL 6 is using an already expired license when started up for the first time (I think).
?
I’ll send the patch file to you via a Diffraction Limited private message, when you download the file make sure that MaxIm DL6 is closed then mouse-right click the patch file and select “Run as administrator” this is an important step which must not be missed otherwise the file will open and run but it wont fix the problem.
?
When the patch file opens just follow the screen prompts to downgrade PinPoint to PinPointLE and when done the next time you start MaxIm DL6 that pop-up message should be gone.
?
If still having problems with MaxIm DL6 after that you’ll need to ask for help on the Diffraction Limited forum as I have no other tools or patches for DL6 beyond those I’ve already provided and for anything deeper you’ll need expert help from their support staff.
?
Will. |
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
Only connect the camera after all the software is installed, including the QSI-MaxIm Plugin, then after checking that MaxIm starts up ok and you have entered the license key close MaxIm and plug-in the camera.
?
Next time that you start MaxIm with the camera already plugged in open the Camera Control window and on the setup tab select QSI Universal from the drop-down menu for camera and carry out any configuration steps needed.
?
Repeat the same procedure to select the filter wheel by selecting QSI Universal in the drop-down menu under the filter wheel section of the camera setup tab.
?
Will. |
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
I've just sent you a private message from the Diffraction Limited forum with the download link for MaxIm DL 6.50, just double click the file after you download it to install MaxIm DL6.50.
?
If you don't receive the PM in your email inbox then log-in to the Diffraction Limited support forum and look for the link your personal messages at the top right of the home page when logged in.
?
The first time you startup MaxIm DL6.50 after installation you'll be asked to enter your licence key, use the licence file that was attached to the email you received from Diffraction Limited when you purchased MaxIm DL7.
?
Not sure what is going on with the Diffraction Limited forum lately as no-one seems to be answering support questions, perhaps they have staffing problems at the moment?
?
As you have bought and paid for MaxIm DL7 (and DL6 previously) they should be offering better support, hopefully just a temporary glitch.
?
Will. |
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
开云体育
Hi Will,?
I really appreciate your time and effort in helping me solve my issues with
the software. So, let me see if I understand you correctly. I should go back
to Maxim DL 6.5 in order for all this steps to work. A few months ago, I was working
with 6.5 and I was not getting anywhere. So, I decided to move up to 7.1.1 and then
7.1.4 with no luck.?
So,? as I install DL 6.5, I will follow your instructions step by step. However, because I
am not a computer whiz, could you guide me on how to install 6.50?
Eduardo
From:[email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of WILL B via groups.io <william.bristow@...>
Sent:?Wednesday, March 12, 2025 10:08 AM To:[email protected] <[email protected]> Subject:?Re: [QSI-CCD] Driver Setup Dialog Error ?
Hi Eduardo.
?
I took an old QSI 683 camera out to the observatory today and can confirm your initial problem when attempting to open the ASCOM "Properties" U.I. on Windows 11 24H2 and ASCOM Platform 7 update 2, however this can be resolved by disconnecting the camera
and removing the installed QSI software, via the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" (Apps - Installed Apps") U.I. in Windows Settings, and then reboot the PC before reinstalling the latest QSI software for version 6 cameras again.
?
?
You may have to try this several times before the QSI ASCOM drivers are correctly installed but it does resolve itself eventually if you repeat the installation procedure a couple of times.
?
The ASCOM?driver?is valid for 32bit Maxim DL 6x and 64bit MaxIm DL 7x?and I tested that here today with my 683 working in both versions of MaxIm with the ASCOM driver selected.
?
Once you are able to open the ASCOM "Properties" U.I. successfully there is one more setting in MaxIm that must be carried out:
?
Click on the "Options" button in Camera Control - Setup and de-select the Advanced options for "Camera threading on" and "Filter wheel threading on", these are enabled by default but when used with the QSI ASCOM driver in MaxIm DL 6/7 , or the QSI PlugIn
in MaxIm DL 6 then the camera will report an error after the first exposure is compete and the second exposure begins, a screen grab is attached below. With both these options disabled then the camera works as expected.
?
Even with the ASCOM driver working properly I would still recommend you use the QSI native PlugIn in MaxIm DL 6 in preference to the ASCOM driver because not all the camera features are available through the ASCOM interface in MaxIm DL, such as download
speed/quality etc, but as mentioned previously the MaxIm native QSI PlugIn is only available for MaxIm DL 6. If you want to use MaxIm DL 7 then the only possibility is to use the ASCOM driver.
?
HTH
?
Will.
?
|
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
I took an old QSI 683 camera out to the observatory today and can confirm your initial problem when attempting to open the ASCOM "Properties" U.I. on Windows 11 24H2 and ASCOM Platform 7 update 2, however this can be resolved by disconnecting the camera and removing the installed QSI software, via the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" (Apps - Installed Apps") U.I. in Windows Settings, and then reboot the PC before reinstalling the latest QSI software for version 6 cameras again.
?
?
You may have to try this several times before the QSI ASCOM drivers are correctly installed but it does resolve itself eventually if you repeat the installation procedure a couple of times.
?
The ASCOM driver is valid for 32bit Maxim DL 6x and 64bit MaxIm DL 7x and I tested that here today with my 683 working in both versions of MaxIm with the ASCOM driver selected.
?
Once you are able to open the ASCOM "Properties" U.I. successfully there is one more setting in MaxIm that must be carried out:
?
Click on the "Options" button in Camera Control - Setup and de-select the Advanced options for "Camera threading on" and "Filter wheel threading on", these are enabled by default but when used with the QSI ASCOM driver in MaxIm DL 6/7 , or the QSI PlugIn in MaxIm DL 6 then the camera will report an error after the first exposure is compete and the second exposure begins, a screen grab is attached below. With both these options disabled then the camera works as expected.
?
Even with the ASCOM driver working properly I would still recommend you use the QSI native PlugIn in MaxIm DL 6 in preference to the ASCOM driver because not all the camera features are available through the ASCOM interface in MaxIm DL, such as download speed/quality etc, but as mentioned previously the MaxIm native QSI PlugIn is only available for MaxIm DL 6. If you want to use MaxIm DL 7 then the only possibility is to use the ASCOM driver.
?
HTH
?
Will.
?
|
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo, Bruce...
?
The installer for the MaxIm DL native QSI PlugIn puts the camera plugin .dll file in the wrong folder and MaxIm DL 6.50 doesn't see it, that was because Diffraction Limited suddenly decided to change the name of the MaxIm DL program folder from MaxIm DL V6 to MaxIm DL 6 part way through the MaxIm DL 6x release cycle.
?
Eduardo,
?
With MaxIm DL 6.50 closed, download this from my DropBox for the MaxIm DL QSI PlugIn and run it, at the final stage it will display a list of locations that it will suggest to install the PlugIn.
?
Select the option "Custom Location" then click the "Change" button and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Diffraction Limited\MaxIm DL 6\ and click "OK" then "Next" to install the QSI Universal Plugin for MaxIm DL 6.
?
?
After the QSI Universal PlugIn is installed, start MaxIm DL 6 and you will find it in MaxIm DL 6.50's Camera Model list as "QSI Universal"
?
Select the same QSI Universal PlugIn when you setup the Filter Wheel in MaxIm.
?
Note that this plugin only works for 32bit MaxIm DL4/5 and 6 it is not useable in 64bit MaxIm DL 7
?
?
The QSI Universal PlugIn is a native driver for MaxIm DL that does not require ASCOM and does not invoke the ASCOM chooser "Properties" U.I. so maybe this will get your QSI 683 camera working for now and let you try and resolve the issues with the ASCOM drivers later.
?
HTH
?
Will. |
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
Try installing these two Microsoft Visual C/C++ Redistributable Libraries, these are not supplied with Windows 11 and the older version(s) installed by the QSI installer package may not be fully compatible with Windows 11 24H2:
?
?
?
After running both installers reboot the PC before trying to configure the QSI ASCOM driver in MaxIm DL again.
?
Note: you will need both the 32bit version and the 64bit C/C++ Redistributable Libraries linked above to be installed on a 64bit Windows 11 O.S to support old 32bit ASCOM drivers and apps as well as new 64bit ASCOM drivers and apps.
?
Also, update MaxIm DL 7 to version 7.1.4, the version you have installed, 7.1.1, has several bugs and is not stable.
?
If updating MaxIm to 7.1.4 and installing both Microsoft Visual C/C++ Redistributable Libraries does not solve the problem then you will need to contact both Diffraction Limited and QSI support for help, although you'll likely be told by both parties that it's not their problem and because QSI and Diffraction Limited (SBIG) are competitors they won't talk to each other.
?
The problem with the QSI 683 series cameras is that the QSI ASCOM driver (and the QSI MaxIm CCD Plug-in) were written back in the day for MaxIm DL5/6, which are 32bit apps, and MaxIm DL 7 is a 64bit only app, it can't use the old 32bit ASCOM drivers, and that might be the reason you are seeing this issue.
?
There are a couple of possibilities.
?
The ASCOM platform 7 includes a camera hub that allows 64bit applications to talk to 32bit camera drivers, I have tried it with a few older 32bit cameras, not QSI cameras, and for some cameras it works, others it can be buggy, but it is worth a try if installing the Visual C/C++ Libraries and updating MaxIm DL7 to v7.1.4 does not help.
?
The camera hub is found in the dropdown menu of the ASCOM chooser and is called "JustAhub", when selected, it will launch a new configuration menu where you choose the QSI ASCOM driver.
I have read elsewhere that the ASCOM platform 7 JustAhub does not currently support cameras with internal filter wheels but I'm unable to test that here as I don't have a QSI683 at the observatory today.
?
The other option is to install MaxIm DL6.50, your license key for MaxIm DL7 is also valid for MaxIm DL6.50 and both versions can be installed together on the same PC and you can choose whichever one you want to use for a particular observing session.
We know that the QSI ASCOM driver, and the QSI MaxIm DL CCD PlugIn, both work ok with MaxIm DL6.50.
?
If you want to install MaxIm DL6.50 just ask for the download link for the installer on the Diffraction Limited support forum.
?
HTH
?
Will. |
|
Re: M96 image
开云体育
Bruce,
That is sublime. I've not seen another image of M96 that shows the spiral arms, or outer ring structure extending so far as to encompass those 2 blue stars at 9 o'clock in your image and all around the galaxy core. When I imaged it a few years ago there was
no hint of that in 6 hours of exposure.
Regards,
Geof From:[email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of bw via groups.io <bw_msg01@...>
Sent:?06 March 2025 06:32 To:[email protected] <[email protected]> Subject:?[QSI-CCD] M96 image ?
This is an image of M96, a bright spiral galaxy in Leo and part of a small group of galaxies. First catalogued by Messier in 1781, it is roughly the same size as the Milky Way galaxy but has an unusually asymmetric structure.? The stars and dust in the arms aren't distributed uniformly and the galaxy core is offset from the geometric center of the disk.? The spiral arms are poorly defined and aren't delineated by the usual symmetric dust lanes.? In fact, some of the larger dust lanes curve into the galaxy nucleus.? This makes M96 markedly different from the photogenic "grand design" spiral galaxies that are visible elsewhere in the sky.? The structural irregularities are presumed to be the result of historical gravitational interactions with other galaxies in the Leo group. There are many background galaxies in the frame including a striking edge-on spiral galaxy that is peeking through the M96 disk at the 5:00 position in the image. ?The target was imaged during 6 nights in Jan-Feb 2025 using a 12.5" PlaneWave scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 from SkyPi? Remote Observatories.? Seeing conditions were generally poor with turbulent winter weather conditions in New Mexico.? Total LRGB integration was 16.7 hours. ? ? Thanks for looking, Bruce W. |
WILL B
Pico de Paperis
Geof Lewis