TCS Startup

TCS runs on a PC clone and is launched from MS-DOS. At startup, it overwrites MS-DOS and takes control of the telescope through a custom interface board that communicates with the motor driver chassis. There is no return to MS-DOS from TCS; a system reset or power cycle is the only way to exit.
 

1. Before restarting TCS, drive the telescope to the zenith using the TCS keyboard menu. If you're recovering from a power failure, TCS crash, or telescope maintenance, you'll need to set the telescope to zenith with the bubble level.

 
2. Use the hand paddle to put the dome at its home position (the two red tape marks on the east wall line up). TCS assumes that the dome is home and the telescope is at zenith at startup.

 
3. Lift the flap on the lower part of the telescope control panel. Inside you'll see a computer. Push the reset button (the one the left; there are three). Cntl-Alt-Del will also reboot the machine, but will not reset the interface board; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Use the reset button.

 
4. The computer boots MS-DOS and leaves you in the C:\TCS directory. Make sure the EXTERNAL COMPUTER switch is on, then type TCS.

 
5. On startup, the system spends some time resetting the focus encoder. It drives the focus motor to a fiducial then back to its original position as measured on the old focus potentiometer. The potentiometer readout is not as precise as the encoder so the focus number will be close (< 1.0 focus units) but not precisely where you left it the night before. For more information, see the Focus Notes.

 

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