This problem has come up a few times with folks, so I thought I would post the solution to it here:

Problem: The DSI-Color Camera (not the Pro) has the Mono check box checked and it is grayed out so the user is unable to set the camera back to color:

Reason:  The DSI-C has an EPROM inside of it that stores information about the capabilities of the CCD chip.  Due to some issue such as a power surge or some other reason, the EPROM has been cleared and no longer contains the data.  Due to this, the software does not know this is a color camera and as such, forces it into a Mono Mode.

Solution:  Perform the following steps exactly as they are detailed here.  Once complete, you should be able to check and uncheck the Mono check box once again:

1. Make sure the DSI application is closed and the camera is plugged in (If you have more then one camera, ensure only the one wiht the issue is plugged in.  If more then one have this issue, do them one at a time)
2. Open a DOS window (in XP that is Start / Run, type CMD and hit enter)
3. At the DOS command prompt, set the current directory to the directory of the DSI application (example CD C:\Program Files\Meade\AutostarSuite\DSI or whatever directory the DSI software is in)
4. The chip must be registered again by starting the DSI application and telling it the chip name.
5. Type the following. Envisage.exe ICX404AK and hit enter (make sure ICX404AK is in all caps)
6. When the DSI application starts, it will still have the Mono checked and grayed out.
7. Close the Application
8. Restart the application again normally (or type Envisage.exe and hit enter)
9. The app should open and the Mono box will be unchecked or checked but not grayed out (and they can then uncheck it)

 

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

Thanks for that fast response.  I really hope the upgrade will work with the DSI-C. 

At present I have reloaded the old software and the color function works.

 

I will do the drizzle upgrade again and try your fix.  Been up all night with this problem and sure am ready to give up, but I have one more try in me.

Thanks.

UPDATE

Just to let you know, in my original post, I tell the user to use the DSI software (DSI.exe).  If you are experiencing this problem while using the Envisage software, then you should do this procedure using Envisage, not the DSI software.

Run Envisage.exe where you see DSI.exe in my original post.

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

Well the process did cause the DSI to launch with the color select enabled to be toggled for color to mono. 

I tried the proceedure several times.    When DSI is launched from the DOS prompt OR from the start menu,  the older GUI is presented and it functions like the before update version. 

When the DSI is launched from the autostar suite panel drop-down menu, the updated DSI panel is  displayed with the mono check locked. and the ability to select live or files to process. 

So, I guess I will just launch DSI direct for color, and launch DSI from the autostar suite for mono and drizzle functions.

Thanks for the help.

Also, I checked the disk to make sure there was only one DSI.exe in the system.  The file structure looks clean and there must be some other internal software switch that is selecting the DSI operator interface two different ways.

 

All is looking good now.  can launch from any icon or start menu and color select works.

What I did not understand was step (6) was an line action to perform - not just an infrmation line. You wanted the program launched and wanted to highlight and erase the old DSI NAME and rename the DSI with a NEW name.  I did that by launching the autostar suite from the desktop  icon ( not the command line)  but it still worked.  After rebooting the computer the DSI program  is now functioning normally. 

I have not excersized going from file combine to live combine yet.

Now I can start packing to go the Greate Lakes Star Gaze this Thursday with functional equipment.

THANKS, THANKS, THANKS  

 HELP ! I cant get this to work. I must be typing something wrong. After typing in after I get the DOS prompt I get an invalid command or unproper path. I tried typing it multiple ways with no luck. I am using the envisage software. I called Meade and they were of no help.

Thanks Gerry

Gerry,

I assume you are using the DSI 1 Color camera correct?  Also, amke sure you run Envisage.exe instead of DSI.exe.  Also, make sure you have changed the directory to the corect path.  Should be something like:

C:\Program Files\Meade\AutostarSuite\Envisage

 

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

I am using the DSI-C. I typed just as you wrote above and got "C:Program' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

  Thanks, Gerry

OK, go to the command prompt.

1. Type CD.. (with the two periods) until the command prompt simply says C:\>
2. Type CD "C:\Program Files\Meade\AutostarSuite\Envisage"  (with the quotes) and hit enter
3. Then type Envisage.exe

See if that works

 

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

 That did it. Thank you very much. This is a great website that I never would have found if it wasnt for this problem.  

    Thanks again, Gerry

Gerry,

Glad that worked out for you and thanks for the compliment on the site.  This is simply a web site, the members here make it great.

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

Another Update:  

If you are using this for the new DSI II Color (not the original DSI Color) then the code you should type in would be ICX429AKL, not ICX404AK.  The complete line would be:

Envisage.exe ICX429AKL

Hope this helps

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery

Wow Stephen great info and a message to be saved for sure.  Hope I don't need it but when/if I do, glad it's here

Paul in San Diego

 

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10" Meade Lx200-R
Mitty Evolution Wedge
Canon Digital Rebel DSLR
Meade 5000 Series 80mm APO
SBIG ST402-ME Imager
Meade DSI-c for guiding
San Diego Skys
California Taxes
Yada Yada Yada

Hello Stephen P Hamilton !

I got some problems about Meade Dsi Imager Pro II Monochrome CCD (chip:ICX429ALL ). 

I saw http://autostarsuite.net/forums/2343/showpost.aspx#2343 and tried. 

But it did not work for me.

My problems like this but my CCD is Monochrome CCD (chip:ICX429ALL ). 

System.Argument Out Of Range Exception:Index And Lengh must Refer to a Location within the String

Parameter Name:lengh

at System.string.substring(int32 start index,Int32lengh)

at meade.imager.dsi.init imager(string imager name)

When Envisage opens fully then I get the Message "Could not send command"and no response from DSI's no live mage or anything.

I need your help.

-----------------------------------------
Chien-Wen Wu (吳建文)
Department of Physics
National Sun Yat-Sen University
Kaohsiung 804
Taiwan

Chien-Wen,

Not totally sure on this one but  will forward to the Meade Programmer and see what he says.  I think, though I may be worng, that it sounds like one of two things to me.  1)  Are there any spaces in the name you gave to the camera.  In other words something like DSI II vs DSI-II.  Not sure, that could be a cause.  2)  Wen I have seen something like this before it generally has to do with file naming. If the file name you are saving images as has a space in it (such as Moon 01 instead of Moon01) then it will cause something like this.

The error is indicative of an operation that is attempting to read a string of some sort and can't parse it correctly.  Since you said it happens when you open the application, that is why i am guessing it is in the name of the camera.

Have you ever gotten the camera to work correctly?

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Stephen P. Hamilton
AutoStarSuite.Net Owner/Moderator
http://www.HamiltonAstronomy.com
King George Observatory
38° 21' 26" , -77° 03' 04"
Photos: My Photo Gallery