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PC power failure caused the mount not to connect in Sharpcap

The ASCOM Initiative ASCOM Troubleshooting
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Gary Warnes avatar
Gary Warnes avatar

I’ve created a major issue with my rig’s MeLe 4c PC not connecting to my HE5 Pro mount after a power failure via a power box. A Runtime error 62: input past end of file is shown, which given the log from Sharpcap seems related to a server issue, see below

Create Creating device

Error System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80080005): Creating an instance of the COM component with CLSID {92CE9F17-5CFD-42BA-9BB9-F2DE1BCA3512} from the IClassFactory failed due to the following error: 80080005 Server execution failed (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80080005 (CO_E_SERVER_EXEC_FAILURE)).

at System.RuntimeTypeHandle.CreateInstance(RuntimeType type, Boolean publicOnly, Boolean noCheck, Boolean& canBeCached, RuntimeMethodHandleInternal& ctor, Boolean& bNeedSecurityCheck)

at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceSlow(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)

at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type, Boolean nonPublic)

at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type)

at ASCOM.DriverConnect.ConnectForm.btnConnect_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\ASCOM Build\Export\Diagnostics\ASCOM.DriverConnect\ConnectForm.cs:line 236

Dispose Disposing of device

ReleaseComObject Releasing COM instance

GC Collect Starting garbage collection

GC Collect Completed garbage collection

I have tried quite a few remedies I have found on line, including deleting the ini files in the ASCOM Toolbox, repairing and re-installing EQMOD, ASCOM and Sharpcap to no avail. I also repaired 2089 files via a scannow fix in the CMD prompt command and also got some software to try and fix the issue without resolving the issue.

So I was hoping for more suggests to fix the issue, I’ll be using the regular power supply that came with the pc from now on

Jon Foulkes avatar
Jon Foulkes avatar

If it had happened to me, once I’ve finished crying & wailing I would try to establish if the hardware is still working. Are you able to operate the mount through just the hand controller? If that works ok, I would try ruling out the FTDI cable (either by swapping out with a known good one or else connecting the PC through a usb link through the hand controller (assuming you have the newer version which has the usb port on the hand controller). You could also try a different port on your Mele, in case that got damaged (or better yet, try a different pc).

If you’re certain it’s a corrupt software file, there’s always the nuclear option of a factory reset & full re-install.

Good luck - hope you get it sorted.

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Gary Warnes avatar
Gary Warnes avatar

Yes I was going to try my old windows 10 laptop next to test if everything on rig still works and it’s an issue with the MeLe pc as the previous post and yourself has suggested. After doing the MS fix for a runtime 62 error which repair a lot of files, the EQMOD Toolbox when deleting the ini files comes up with the runtime error box even when not connected to anything on my rig. Also if I connect a camera and run Sharpcap the error happens where before it would just say not connected to mount.

So I guess i’ll be looking at a factory reset as you suggested, I may get advice about this from my friendly local pc repair shop. Thanks again for your advice, given potential cost involved, the price of the pc and the Amazon Black Friday sale starting in the UK next I may just buy another pc.

Jon Foulkes avatar
Jon Foulkes avatar

If you get that error even with everything (inc cables) disconnected, then it does suggest the Mele is the problem. Getting it checked out by a PC repair shop is a good move & might save you the cost of a new mini pc. Hope it’s sorted soon.

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Gary Warnes avatar
Gary Warnes avatar

Hi Jon, so after installing all the software yesterday after the factory reset i’ve managed to get everything working on my rig again. Just pleased I had not wrecked the PC completely by using the powebox, so i’ll be using the supplied power plug from now on.

So thank you for all your great help and suggestions, all the best

Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Glad you got it all sorted out @Gary Warnes and happy to hear the problems remained in the PC and not into your rig. Out of curiosity, how do/did you power your Mele from the Powerbox? I've found the Mele quite tricky when it comes to power supplies. It does only accept PD power sources that support 12V (no 9 or 15V), which is not a standard. And good DC>USB-C cables are hard to find. I've finally found one from PegasusAstro that works great. Would have liked Mele to be a bit more versatile when it comes to power inputs.
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BlackStarsAstro avatar
BlackStarsAstro avatar

The WandererAstro V3pro has a dedicated Mele power output. That is the reason I got it. I have had Mele problems with other solutions. With the WandererAstro, zero issues after running for a year straight.

Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
That's good to know, very practical. Just looking at the Wanderer V3Pro, which outlet # do you refer to? 
They specify #2 as mini PC outlet, but that is 19V, too high for Mele.
BlackStarsAstro avatar
BlackStarsAstro avatar

Willem Jan Drijfhout · Nov 16, 2025 at 03:30 PM

hat's good to know, very practical. Just looking at the Wanderer V3Pro, which outlet # do you refer to? 
They specify #2 as mini PC outlet, but that is 19V, too high for Mele.

Its actually regulated so it doesn’t put out a constant 19v. It has a 19v max to adjust for the variations/fluctuations in PC process power demands.

Jon Foulkes avatar
Jon Foulkes avatar

Gary Warnes · Nov 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Hi Jon, so after installing all the software yesterday after the factory reset i’ve managed to get everything working on my rig again. Just pleased I had not wrecked the PC completely by using the powebox, so i’ll be using the supplied power plug from now on.

So thank you for all your great help and suggestions, all the best

Delighted you fixed it, well done !

Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout · Nov 16, 2025 at 03:30 PM

hat's good to know, very practical. Just looking at the Wanderer V3Pro, which outlet # do you refer to? 
They specify #2 as mini PC outlet, but that is 19V, too high for Mele.

Its actually regulated so it doesn’t put out a constant 19v. It has a 19v max to adjust for the variations/fluctuations in PC process power demands.

Sounds scary for a 12V device, but if it works, it works. Thanks.
Gary Warnes avatar
Gary Warnes avatar

Thank you all for your nice replies. Yes to address the cable issue, I just bought any old type C lead from Amazon which was longer than the ones supplied by SvBony on their power box, so not the Pro version. This initially did cause a problem with the PC in that after use the PC would start up straight away, then switch off then start up again. This went on ok for several months until a recent windows upgrade, then the PC start went back to normal. But the next time I had the PC on the rig it would not stay powered up and caused the recent problem.

However, I had tried a 19v PD lead and also another one reccomended by a U Tuber which worked fine on his MeLe 4c. I was guessing it did not work on mine because I had used other power leads before that one. I don’t know much about the power supply issues, hence the guess work. So yes very scary just pleased nothing was damaged.

So I’ll be sticking to the original power supply and just use the power box (which is on top of my newtonian) for the cables from my astro and guide camera's as well as my autofocusser, which stops any cables snagging when the scope moves around.