ASCOM Driver Error Message--focuser/rotator fail to connect - Forums

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 9, 2025

I'm getting this message below when I try to connect the Moonlight Nightcrawler focuser/rotator to both NINA and to the Moonlight Remote software. I am not having any issues connecting the camera, flat panel, filter wheel, which are also ASCOM. I've tried restarting and rebooting computer but to no avail. Windows 11 device driver looks fine, all com ports are working properly, I ran an ASCOM diagnostice test and every test succeeded. Damn, another clear night lost to tech problems.

I don't know what to try next. I had it working earlier today.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Jerry

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Jun 9, 2025

That sounds as Bad News. Sometimes it is physical in that you have to remove and re-insert the USB plug (because the whole set-up isn't totally grounded and there might be a bit of an electrical leak). The other reason is when two separate programs are attempting to control the same device. The first one served gets it. The other gets the finger(s).

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 9, 2025

Scope is remote so I am waiting for tech to check cables. I'm hoping that's all it is.

Timothy Martin

IOTD Staff

Jun 9, 2025

Jerry Gerber:
Anyone have any ideas?

Is it plugged into one of the USB2 ports on your PPBA? Could it be Unity rearing its ugly head again?

Are you sure you've got the right COM port configured in the ASCOM driver?

Have you disabled Power Management for ALL COM and USB ports that support it?

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

I don't think the Pegasus USB port is the problem, although it might be. There are other devices (flip-flat, camera, EFW) that are plugged into USB ports and they're working fine.

Yep, Com7 is the right port for the Moonlight and it's listed in ASCOM as the right port and in Windows Device Manager all ports are working properly. Also there's a COM to USB driver that's installed correctly and that is verified in Device Manager as well.

Do you mean the power management settings in Windows, like the USB selective suspend setting (it's disabled). I don't see a way to suspend power management with the COM ports.

Timothy, are you having problems with the Pegasus Unity version 2.9.4730.475? Maybe I should try downloading it.

Timothy Martin

IOTD Staff

Jun 10, 2025

The latest driver worked fine last night, but the jury is still out.

For Power Management, go to Dev Mgr, expand the com ports, right click on each one, select Properties, click the Power Management tab if there is one, and uncheck the box that allows Windows to turn off the device. Do the same thing for all the entries under usb. Total pain in the ass. You’ll need to check this any time there’s a Windows update.

John Hayes

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

When I have this kind of failure, here's my MO:

1) Cycle the power to the device and that doesn't work…
2) Unplug and replug the USB (same and different ports) and if that doesn't work…
3) Reboot everything from scratch and if that doesn't work…
4) Replace the USB cable with a new one (or one that you are 100% certain is good). Yes, cables can fail and if that doesn't work…
5) Check the device manager in Windoz to see if the PC can even see the device, and if there is no sign of it…
5) Plan for a repair or replacement of the failed device.

Make sure that you don't have any power settings or time out set on any of your USB ports.

Good luck with it!

John

Helpful

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025 · Edited: Jun 10, 2025

Got it working! Unplugging the focuser/rotator and plugging it back in did the trick. Urgh!! What would I do without Greg, the owner of HCRO??

Respectful Supportive

Jeffery Richards

Jun 10, 2025

Jerry,

Agreed on Greg and that's part of the reason I'm moving my rig there in October. In the future, you could try cycling the power and the usb port to just the troublesome device via the Unity software (or in NINA if you have the switch set up), while waiting on Greg.

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

I shall warn you that the issue could happen again if unplug-replug did the trick. The underlying reason isn't software related or power settings but rather more basic in my experience, which had to do with the ground voltage (which should be zero but might not be). After having these issues plaguing me for over a year I went in a scouting expedition to find the source of the leak and eventually found a cracked cable in the undergound pipes bringing electricity to the rigs. In the end I had to replace all cabling and get much thicker ones to replace them, as a way of insurance. Since then these issues are gone for good.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

Jeffery Richards:
Jerry,

Agreed on Greg and that's part of the reason I'm moving my rig there in October. In the future, you could try cycling the power and the usb port to just the troublesome device via the Unity software (or in NINA if you have the switch set up), while waiting on Greg.

***I did try that several times but it didn't help. Very odd as by cutting both the power and the USB current from the power box I'd think that's the same as turning off the focuser itself. Hmm, I don't understand that...

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

andrea tasselli:
I shall warn you that the issue could happen again if unplug-replug did the trick. The underlying reason isn't software related or power settings but rather more basic in my experience, which had to do with the ground voltage (which should be zero but might not be). After having these issues plaguing me for over a year I went in a scouting expedition to find the source of the leak and eventually found a cracked cable in the undergound pipes bringing electricity to the rigs. In the end I had to replace all cabling and get much thicker ones to replace them, as a way
Maybe, maybe not. I've experienced countless times of a computer or digital device freezing, turning it off and on and not having that problem come back. Yes, a problem like that can be caused by something more serious and persistent, but it can also be a one-time glitch.

Maybe, maybe not. I've experienced countless times a computer or digital device freezing, turning it off and on and not having that problem come back. Yes, a problem like that can be caused by something more serious and persistent, but it can also be a one-time glitch.

Time will tell!

Well Written

Jeffery Richards

Jun 10, 2025

Jerry Gerber:
Jeffery Richards:
Jerry,

Agreed on Greg and that's part of the reason I'm moving my rig there in October. In the future, you could try cycling the power and the usb port to just the troublesome device via the Unity software (or in NINA if you have the switch set up), while waiting on Greg.

***I did try that several times but it didn't help. Very odd as by cutting both the power and the USB current from the power box I'd think that's the same as turning off the focuser itself. Hmm, I don't understand that...

Well it could also have been a poor electrical connection since unplugging and plugging back in fixed the problem. Could also be a cable that on the edge. Might be a good idea to do some cable swap outs if you have another issue.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

Jeffery Richards:
Jerry Gerber:
Jeffery Richards:
Jerry,

Agreed on Greg and that's part of the reason I'm moving my rig there in October. In the future, you could try cycling the power and the usb port to just the troublesome device via the Unity software (or in NINA if you have the switch set up), while waiting on Greg.

***I did try that several times but it didn't help. Very odd as by cutting both the power and the USB current from the power box I'd think that's the same as turning off the focuser itself. Hmm, I don't understand that...

Well it could also have been a poor electrical connection since unplugging and plugging back in fixed the problem. Could also be a cable that on the edge. Might be a good idea to do some cable swap outs if you have another issue.

I think that was done already.

John Hayes

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

I now use Stabilant 22 on all of my USB cables. It's widely used in aviation, it's expensive, and it is very effective.

John

Well Written

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Jun 10, 2025

John Hayes:
Stabilant 22

I'll sent that to the observatory if it happens again..
Thanks John!

Jeffery Richards

Jun 10, 2025

John Hayes:
I now use Stabilant 22 on all of my USB cables. It's widely used in aviation, it's expensive, and it is very effective.

John

Deoxit is another good product.