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Wondering if anyone has seen something like this: 1) starting about 2 PM Yesterday I intermittenly started losing connection. Signal strong, unwarvering, but tx7 errors (receive not tuned properly for transmit). Then "optimal timing", then "can't communicate with NOC" then loop. 2) I call Optistreams, we did a manual antenna pointing successfully, then a no-phone setup succesfully. then same thing. 3) Of course, restarted, unplugged modems, etc. 4) Check all connections on roof, etc. 5) all night no connection 6) this morning, I shut off server, restarted modems, same thing. 7) I redid the antenna pointing using actual GPS coordinates. Then voila, it started working again. HOWEVER, ever so often (only been about 10 minutes so far), it drops out again.
Any hints in case this continues?
Newt Perdue
Posts: 117 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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I am on G4R and have not had problems the last few days.
1350
-------------------- Larry 99 34Q Discovery & 08 HHR LT2 Banks Powerpack F1 | D3 3.8.9 | HN7000S | 117/1070 |Hardwired through 8 Port Switch with WRT54 |Trav'ler Slimline SWM |Wilson SOHO Click here to see where I am Posts: 1172 | From: Homestead, FL | Registered: Aug 2003
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Newt, On the assumption that you do not have a phone line available to do an actual websetup, I would download an install (right over the top of the current) the Direcway 4.2.1.10 from http://www.groundcontrol.com/downdirecway_001.htm Then you could do an actual websetup and see if there is something in that that is causing conflicts within your system. After you install the software, you will want to let the DataStorm pass ACP again and then close it and kill the DSServer.exe. Now go to the websetup and run that. It may take 2-3 tries to connect via satellite. If it fails, click back and try again. Let us know if you find any solution to your quirky problem.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15778 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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It appears the problem was that something was wrong with the antenna tilt. I checked the MotoSat software and it said: TX err: Tilt Skew, or something like that. I repeaked (which took 15 minutes) and now it appears to be solid. I'm afraid to say so since its only been 30 minutes, but I haven't noticed any hiccups.
What's funny is that I could do a manual point, and it seemed to work on and off.
Thanks for your help.
Posts: 117 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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Newt, That could be an indication of a problem with the UCB. If you get a TX error Skew Tilt, you will want to click on the "refresh" button and see what kind of reading you get in the black box that runs down the left side. The elevation tilt should make some sort of sense (70 or the like) and the skew tilt should read something near 0 (unless you are way out of level). If you click "refresh" and you get readings of 45 or 90 or something silly like that, you need a new UCB. You can confirm or deny a problem with the UCB by getting on line and then KILLING the Dsserver.exe. If your connection then stabilizes with no further problems, you most likely do have a problem. If you close the DataStorm Administrator and the Dsserver.exe and still have a problem, it is not related to the antenna. As a side note, I recommend that everyone change the startup of the DataStorm Server to MANUAL (Yes Scott, I know you disagree). This will cause the Dsserver.exe only to execute if you open the DataStorm Admin. Re-boot, and the Dsserver.exe will not fire up. So here is where we stand, Get yourself on-line and KILL the Dsserver.exe (to switch it to manual RIGHT click on My Computer>Manage>Services and Applications>Services and go to DataStorm server. Double click on that and change the "startup type" to manual. Click OK and you are good to go.) if you stay on line, you have a DataStorm problem. If you keep getting knocked off line, you have a Direcway problem! RV having fun yet!
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15778 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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As a side note, I recommend that everyone change the startup of the DataStorm Server to MANUAL (Yes Scott, I know you disagree).
It is not so much that I disagree, per se. It is just that I don't see an overwhelming reason to deviate from "Da Book".
I run with my DSServer running and my positioner on 24/7 and have for months on end. No ill effects. Last time I remember a false stow was in Florida when half the Datastoms at the rally stowed. Since versions .21 & .23 came out I don't recall ever having a false stow.
The above is in reference to 4000s. The 6000 does get knocked offline by DSServer.exe. And I fully understand the reasoning behind killing it. Once the dish is pointed, there is no reason to need it running in the background. The times when I change it to manual start-up is when a customer moves their host box from house fixed dish to MotoSAT in the RV and back.
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Another issue to consider when you change the DataStorm Server to Manual startup is. If the service is changed to manual you are disabling the auto stow feature that is built into the system for saftey. As an installer I do not want to take the liability for disabling this feature. If this feature is going to be disabled I will let the customer take the liability for disabling the service of his own system.
-------------------- Darel Pedersen IT Systems Technician Posts: 723 | From: Boise, Idaho | Registered: May 2003
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As Scott noted, he has had no "false stows". My guess is that he has had NO stows. The stow in FL at the rally was not a false stow either. Hughes went down and was sending no signal. The software perceived that as a storm or a drive-off and stowed the antenna. 30 minutes later when the signal returned the ACP system did not. Those running Dsserver were off line anywhere from several hours to 24 hours depending upon there ability to do a manual cross-pol. The software depends upon the computer running for all of these "features" to work. It is unlikely that you will forget to turn off and secure your computer before travel. Assuming you do, Dsserver will NOT stow that antenna when you drive off. I see no advantage to the service, many disadvantages and I explain this to the customer prior to changing it. It they want the service to run we will leave it as automatic. I have gotten a couple of call-backs asking how to change it to manual.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15778 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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My guess is that he has had NO stows Right. I leave it up in all kinds of weather, except close proximity lightening. I was intermittantly knocked off and on-line all night last night due to thunderstorms. Dish never stowed, PC on, DSserver running, positioner on. I wake up this morning and am on-line. No problems.
Anyway, not worth splitting hairs over. I totally understand all the reasons for killing it.
It may all be moot when the D2 starts rolling out anyway.
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Haha, dunno! As far as I am concerned hopefully never. If the winds are strong enough to damage my Datastorm, it will be because a tornado rolled my whole bus on top of the Datastorm. And if I drive off and clothesline it on some overhead power lines, well, then I will have a good story to tell at Kerrville Datastorm rally.
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If the winds are strong enough to damage my Datastorm, it will be because a tornado rolled my whole bus on top of the Datastorm. And if I drive off and clothesline it on some overhead power lines, well, then I will have a good story to tell at Kerrville Datastorm rally. 
