PHD2 looses connection to guide camera when creating dark frames

[Edwin Kawecki]

Hello Forum,

I am a beginner and am setting up equipment for the first time. At the end of the PHD2 setup wizard there is an option to create Dark Frames. When doing so PHD2 repeatedly loses connection to the camera and fails to complete creating the Dark Frames. See below error message.

The guide camera is an ASI290 mini and is connected to the ASI294MC Pro main camera “USB 2.0 out” port. The ASI294 MC Pro is then connected to the PC via the USB 3.0 B IN port.

 

Any suggestions or guidance on how to fix would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

EdK

 

Error log

HD2 version 2.6.10 [Windows], Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2021-08-15 09:03:14

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

 

Log Summary: calcnt:0 gcnt:0 gdur:0 gacnt:0

Log closed at 2021-08-15 09:04:39

PHD2 version 2.6.10 [Windows], Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2021-08-15 09:03:14

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

 

Log Summary: calcnt:0 gcnt:0 gdur:0 gacnt:0

Log closed at 2021-08-15 09:37:39

PHD2 version 2.6.10 [Windows], Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2021-08-15 09:03:14

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

 

Log Summary: calcnt:0 gcnt:0 gdur:0 gacnt:0

Log closed at 2021-08-15 09:54:43

PHD2 version 2.6.10 [Windows], Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2021-08-15 09:03:14

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

INFO: Guiding parameter change, MultiStar = false

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hello Ed, I'm not familiar with the ASI294 and its USB hub, but if you're experiencing guidecam problems, I'd suggest eliminating it (the ASI294) from the equation at this stage. Have you tried to create the Darks using a direct connection between the guidecam and laptop? It might be informative.

Cheers.

- Jack

[Bryan]

Ed

There have been challenges in the past related to two cameras from the same manufacturer.  The best way to diagnose ANY issue is to provide the logs using

https://openphdguiding.org/getting-help/

Bryan

[mark T]

I had exactly the same problem and I updated the ZWO camera firmware and that solved it.  No problems since.

Mark

[Bruce Waddington]

Hi Edwin.  This is a common connectivity problem – nothing to do with PHD2 - and you’ll probably need to do some trouble-shooting to find and correct it.  There’s some specific suggestions in the trouble-shooting section of the manual:

 

https://openphdguiding.org/man/Trouble_shooting.htm#Problems-_Camera_Timeouts

 

 

I wonder if you’ve spent enough time studying the documentation and the available support resources.  Guiding is a challenging business, not the sort of thing you can just dive into without a lot of self-learning. In addition to the manual, which you should read carefully, there are other important references:

 

Getting Help:

https://openphdguiding.org/getting-help/

 

 

Best practices:

https://openphdguiding.org/phd2-best-practices/

 

Just so you know, the snippet you posted in your message isn’t an “error” log – it’s part of the guide log which is used to analyze performance once you’re up and running.  When you need help, you should always use the built-in log uploader facility to post *all* of the relevant log information – not just isolated parts of it.  Again, this is all explained in the manual.

 

Good luck,

Bruce

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[edk]

Thanks Jack,

I will try a direct connect from guide cam to computer. 

thanks 

astroed

[edk]

Folks,

One suggestion was to update the ZWO ASI120 mini Firmware for the guide camera. I followed a youtube video to download but got an error message that "The disc image file is corrupted" . it would not download. Any insight to what this means and how to correct? Which Disc image file are they referring to?

Also, below is the phd2 log for the error message. 

thanks 

Ed

https://openphdguiding.org/logs/dl/PHD2_logs_7ZCd.zip

[bw_msgboard]

Hi Ed.  I think this would be a question better directed to ZWO.  It's their firmware, their file. And for future refeence, there is no log in your message.  When you need to post logs - which you don't in this case - you should use the PHD2 Help/Upload feature.

 

Bruce

---

From: open-phd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:open-phd...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of edk
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 10:16 AM
To: Open PHD Guiding
Subject: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 looses connection to guide camera when creating dark frames

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[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hi Ed, did you try a direct connection between the guide camera and the laptop? Have you created the Darks OK?

Since you're new to guiding and are using two ZWO cameras, I'd explore further strategies before committing to a firmware 'update' that probably isn't necessary. I note ZWO warn that updating the firmware will reduce the performance of the camera, which doesn't sound very helpful. They seem to offer the update as a last resort to help resolve a specific camera/computer incompatibility.

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-drivers

- Jack

[edk]

Folks,

the PhD2 data log is now attached. I have added comments.

[edk]

Should have started with it. Log is now attached. 

On Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 6:58:42 PM UTC-4 Bryan wrote:

[edk]

I have now downloaded the User Guide and am reading it front to back. Lots of good information, but not on this topic yet. the two other information references referenced in the user guide did not address it either. The one useful comment form another responder was that PhD does have issues with two cameras from the same mfg. In the PhD2 log it appears that it is using the main camera to build dark Frames, not the guide camera. not sure why this would generate a disconnect, but is an issue anyway. 

Thanks for your advice. 

AstroEdK

[edk]

Log attached. Thanks for the heads up. 

[edk]

The log was too big to upload to this site so I captured a snippet---of the wrong log. I am using the Users Guide but learning is steep.

Ed

On Monday, August 16, 2021 at 1:08:25 AM UTC-4 bw_m...@earthlink.net wrote:

[Brian Valente]

Hi Ed

someone else suggested this earlier, but I would try to connect the 290mm guide camera directly to your computer and leave the 294mc disconnected and powered down.

Then try capturing your darks in PHD2

If that works (and I suspect it may), you know you have a connectivity issue with cables/ports/etc.

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/ad414400-e8e2-4012-8cbe-3fbb4a22dda3n%40googlegroups.com.

--

Brian 

Brian Valente

portfolio brianvalentephotography.com 

[edk]

Thank you for your  continued support while I learn the system. I believe, with your help, that I now understand how to properly pose questions and include supporting documentation. For whatever reason PhD2 is now again successfully maintaining the connection to the camera and building a library of Dark Frames. In looking at the logs, both Debug and  Guide, it appears that PhD2 senses the photo camera (ASI294MC Pro) as the guide camera instead of  the actual guide camera (ASI 290mm mini). As this is a separate issue I will post separately. 

Again

Thank you very much as I learn the system. 

AstroEdK

[edk]

I will try the proposed direct connect of the guide camera.

Thanks 

Ed

[Brian Valente]

Hi Ed

>>>, it appears that PhD2 senses the photo camera (ASI294MC Pro) as the guide camera instead of  the actual guide camera (ASI 290mm mini). 

this is (unfortunately) a common issue when using the ASCOM drivers with 2 ZWO cameras. The problem often happens when the guide camera becomes unavailable (for whatever reason), so ZWO driver switches to the next available camera, which is your 294mc. It really should not do that, but this happens inside the ZWO ascom driver.

to avoid this, I suggest you consider using the native ZWO driver in PHD2 to connect your guide camera. choose that driver and click the "double arrows" to the right of the camera driver choice, and you can select your 290mm there

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[edk]

Wow, quite a dance. 

• If I connect the guide camera (ASI290) to the computer via a USBA port on the image camera (ASI294) and  connect the image camera to a  USBA port on the computer, PhD2 does not recognize the guide camera, only the image camera. Only one camera shows up when ckicking on the divided arrow icon per your note. 
  
• If I connect the guide camera (ASI290) to the computer directly (USBC TO USBC on computer) and leave the image camera (ASI294) connected through a USBA port, PhD2 does not recognize the guide camera but only the image camera. 
• If I connect the guide camera (ASI290) to the computer directly (USBC TO USBC) and unplug the image camera (ASI294), PhD2 does not recognize any camera, including the guide camera (still connected USBC to USBC). 
  
• If I connect the guide camera (ASI290) to the computer directly (USBC TO USBA) and unplug the image camera (ASI294), PhD2 now recognizes the guide camera. With this setup it was possible to successfully complete generating Dark Frames for the guide camera and complete setup connection of the guide camera. 
• If I now connect the guide camera (ASI290) to the computer via a USBA port on the image camera (ASI294) and  connect the image camera to a  USBA port on the computer, PhD2 now recognizes the guide camera!! and gives the choice, via the double arrow you pointed out, to select it (ASI290) as the guide camera. I assume PhD2 will associate the Dark Frames built for this camera, under the earlier connection, with the now selected guide camera (ASI290). 

Now I am getting the hang of this (with  great deal of your help!!). 

On to finishing the PhD2 users guide, then APT and photo acquisition.

Ed

[Brian Valente]

Good work Ed

Glad it's working for you, although imo the guide camera should show up in all the scenarios you outlined. you might doublecheck and/or swap out the USB cables and see if that makes a difference

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/a9cf5ffc-64e4-4c28-9fba-1229817e1447n%40googlegroups.com.

[edk]

in the process, the final cable setup from guide camera to image camera, then second cable from image camera to computer, are the same cables that did not work initially but worked after the guide camera was direct connected to computer and finally recognized. 

Could be a wiggle made the difference?

Thanks again

Ed

[Brian Valente]

>>>Could be a wiggle made the difference?

possibly. but if that's the case, and you find them to work intermittently, i would replace them

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/a86f1c9e-c486-4dc1-bcb4-aa9e793b0cb9n%40googlegroups.com.

[George Shoup]

Ed:

Yes, cables and connectors and powered hubs are a common source of glitches.  Past posts have listed quality usb cable vendors.  Cold weather below 20F seems to increase frequency of cable and connector problems.

George

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 26, 2021, at 12:00 PM, edk <flae...@gmail.com> wrote:

in the process, the final cable setup from guide camera to image camera, then second cable from image camera to computer, are the same cables that did not work initially but worked after the guide camera was direct connected to computer and finally recognized. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/a86f1c9e-c486-4dc1-bcb4-aa9e793b0cb9n%40googlegroups.com.