Blank autostar screen,light but no message,bought new one same thing,buttons still do what they are suppose to,running blind help!

Rick, Check the attached links,
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."

http://www.meade.com/support/auto/autostar.pdf

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjnwIi_u6DLAhWG74MKHUJODScQFgghMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.meade.com%2Fsupport%2Fetxseries_faq.html&usg=AFQjCNGFz4ltSftR7Bcf5k0XhOv0F0hMOg

Meade ETX 90PE Instruction Manual Initializing Autostar For The First Time...

The contrast and brightness can be reset --- here is the manual -- how to do this is listed in the manual. If this does not repair the controller then you will need to buy a new hand controller-- the 497 hand controller is available used on Ebay from time to time.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/ETXtelescopes/ETX-90%20w-autostar%20man.pdf

Manual down load above--

If it there is power in the system (red light on power swithch),yet the dryer does not run - with a totally blank LED screen (no error message), the controller board may be out. You can snap in a new one (remove the top of the dryer, take picture to make sure you know where the wires go) remove from clips n replace. Only thing, it'll cost you $220 to buy a new one. Try repairclinic.com - if it doesn't work you can return for full refund.

Try replacing the cable with a new one. www.scopestuff.com sells the cable.

If this does not work you have something wrong with the circuit board inside the scope.

Also check and see if the CONTRAST and BRIGHTNESS is set wrong. Look at the manual for the "tree" that shows all the features. You will have to guess at which buttons to press to get to the Contrast and brightness adjustments -- just follow the "tree" diagram. This could also be your problem.

Finally you can try just a RESET of the hand controller if the above is too difficult. Easier to get too in the "tree". You can also try reloading the firmware, which requires NO BUTTONS to be pressed.

Other than the above the scope will need to be returned to Meade for repairs if nothing works -- try all of the above first before you panic.

You may need to purchase a new hand unit.
go to meade.com for purchase.

Does the Autostar start to come on then fail, ie you get the bleep and initial display, then nothing more? If so, it sounds like it is not completely blown.

I wonder if you need to reload the firmware? You can do this if you have a serial cable to connect it to a PC. To put the Autostar into "Bootstrap loader" mode, power off, then hold down the top left and bottom right buttons on the Autostar whilst you turn the power on (needs at least 3 hands!). The screen displays a different message and waits for new firmware to arrive up the serial lead. Look on Mike Weasner's site www.weasner.com/etx for full instructions.

Try doing either a garbage collect or a safe load-- and then reinstall the hand controller firmware--

Instructions-- depending on the type of controller
Autostar 495 or 497: You enter Safe Mode by holding the [enter] and
[scroll down] keys pressed when you power up the telescope. The
Autostar will say "Flash Load Ready"... now go start the ASU.

Autostar II: if you need to use Safe Mode to recover from a disaster,
turn on the telescope, and key 999 before it says "Initializing"
The Autostar will say "Flash Load Ready"... now go start the ASU.

LX200gps: BEFORE proceeding further, click on the OPTIONS item on the Top Bar.
Now click on "Garbage Collect Hbx" ... this will perform data cleanup
within the Autostar which will avoid potential mess-ups.

I assume the small red light on the power panel is ON. ???

If it is the scope is receiving power--- check to make sure the cable from the hand controller is plugged in properly-- jiggle the cable to see if you have a loose BAD cable. Before you panic --- try another cable or reverse the ends ---

Before you buy another hand controller try a new cable-- scopestuff.com sells a nice long flexible one for the 497 hand controller.

Double check the cable from the Autostar to the telescope. Sometimes the ends go bad. They can be replaced with regular telephone cables.

MS-DOS edit command help edit myfile.txt <press enter>. This would bring up a blank edit screen, as long as the file is saved upon exit this will create the file myfile.txt.