LX 200 GPS. The light on the telescope comes on and the AutoStar II hand control lights up but nothing appears on the screen. Tried other AutoStar II handcontrol; same thing. I tried to control it trough my computer but it says it is not connected. Could this be an internal fuse?

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--

These scopes have many bugs in the firmware and are not a mature technology. Some people have issues and some do not.

About the only thing you can try is to reload the firmware using the SC CARD method. Contact Meade or read the manual to learn how to upgrade the firmware using an SD flash memory card.

Other than that the scopes will need to be returned to Meade for repair.

1. Plug the cable into the BOTTOM of the hand controller-- NOT into the control panel.

2. Set the software to the proper COM port. Look under Telescope in the dropdown tab.

Many Meade dealers can order you a new hand controller, either Autostar II, or the 497 controller. Contact a large telescope dealer in the UK, or you can order direct from Meade here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Before you panic, try a new hand controller cable. You can buy these from Meade or for a better one from www.scopestuff.com

"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.

Read this page all the way through--

http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/guide-asu3x.html

Run it in XP Mode using Windows 7.

Get the updated Envisage software here:
http://www.meade.com/support/downloads.html

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.