Autostar the display on my autostar is not coming on,

You may need to reload the firmware by following these instructions for Safe Load:

From the Autostar 2.0 README file: "SAFE LOADER MODE IN YOUR Autostar:
If the firmware in your Autostar crashes and you cannot access the "DOWNLOAD" menu item on your handbox, you can use the "SAFE LOADER" feature of your new Autostar software (version release 1.1G and above). To get into the safe loader, follow these simple steps: 1. Make sure the Autostar and ETX are turned off.
2. Press and hold the "ENTER" key and the Scroll Down Key located to the right of the help key on the Autostar handbox.
3. While depressing both keys, turn on your Autostar power switch. This will require you using both hands.

You should see "FLASH LOAD READY" on your display. This indicates that you can proceed to Update new software to your Autostar."

This is for the 497 controller. There is NO safe load for the 494 controller.

This is sometimes caused by a bad hand controller cable and or corrupted firmware in the hand controller.

Get a new cable first and try it-- if this does does work then RESET the hand controller and reload the firmware using the proper computer cable and Autostar Updater Version 5.9 available here:

http://www.meade.com/support/auto.html

http://www.meade.com/support/Win7_ASU592_Installation.pdf

Could be a cable problem. REVERSE the cable ends and try it again. Make sure the scope is always turned OFF before you plug or unplug a cable.

If this does not work then try a new cable. Meade sells these, or you can order a nice one from www.scopestuff.com . Not very expensive.

If after installing a NEW cable it still does not light up then time to buy another hand controller.

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

http://scopestuff.com/

Easy.

If the firmware in your Autostar crashes and you cannot access the "DOWNLOAD" menu item on your handbox, you can use the "SAFE LOADER" feature of your new Autostar software. To get into the safe loader, follow these simple steps: 1. Make sure the Autostar and ETX are turned off.
2. Press and hold the "ENTER" key and the Scroll Down Key located to the right of the help key on the Autostar handbox.
3. While depressing both keys, turn on your Autostar power switch. This will require you using both hands.
You should see "FLASH LOAD READY" on your display. This indicates that you can proceed to Update new software to your Autostar.

The manuals are all available to download from www.meade.com.

If your scope has the motor drives and a control panel into which a controller could be plugged, then you just need to buy an Autostar 497 - always available on eBay for about £85. However, there are older models of the ETX which only have one motor or as a spotting scope for terrrestrial use with no motors - Autostar cannot be connected to these.

Look at the pictures of scopes on eBay which come with Autostar - if your looks like these, Autostar will fit. Else you are out of luck!

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.

You may want to try a new cable to the Autostar.

When warm and indoors (!) connect Autostar to scope and by serial lead to a PC, allow Meade Autostar suite to update the Autostar Firmware to the latest version (2009!!)
Frome www.meade.com/support/auto.html :
How To Upgrade Your Handbox
To upgrade your Autostar first click on the link below to download the Autostar Update (ASU) Client Application for Windows. If your web browser allows you to open the installation file, you may choose that option when prompted. Otherwise, just save the install file to your local hard disk drive. When downloading is complete, double click on the saved file to start the installation. Follow the instructions provided to install Autostar Update (ASU) on your machine. When installation is complete, start ASU by selecting "Start Menu" -> "Programs" -> "Meade Inst" -> "ASU". If you have an active Internet connection and your telescope with Autostar is connected using the appropriate cable as listed above, ASU will detect and install the correct Autostar code directly from Meade's web site via the "Upgrade Autostar Software Now" button.
Autostar Update
Autostar Update is an application that functions to transfer the event files and software updates from your computer, through the serial port, USB or Connector Cable Set depending on your telescope model. The Autostar Update application is available as a stand-alone client application for Windows. The most recent versions of AutoStar Update automatically check for the newest versions of the AutoStar Updater and download it if necessary. It is critical that you use the most recent AutoStar Updater to ensure that you get the proper software updates for your system.
06/02/09 Autostar Update (ASU) Client Application for Windows, Version 5.6 (1,654 KB). This is the latest Autostar Update. Rev. 5.6 is compatible with the ETX-LS and #497EP Hand Controllers. This version is compatible with all versions of AutoStar II and #497 AutoStar computer controllers. This installation will automatically update the Update Client Application in AutoStar Suite™ Software. If you have previously installed the Autostar Update (ASU) Client Application for Windows, Uninstall the old version before installing this new version. 07/27/09 #497 AutoStar hand controller software update. Version 5BE2 (1,039 KB).
General update. Fixes many known bugs. Real time clock corrections. LXD75 polar alignment. Various LX90 pointing and tracking fixes. Adds new magnetic/true north alignment.
REQUIRES VERSION 5.6 AUTOSTAR UPDATER.