meade autostar hand controller PROBLEMS

I took out my 125 about 2 hours ago for some solar observing. Unfortunately my batteries were dead (or so I thought). I guided by hand for a while and got some good views but frustration got the better of me at about 7pm so I rushed out and got replacements before the sun went down. Now for the bad news. Each time I plug in the controller to the hbx port the screen lights up and initialisation begins.......then nothing. The screen goes dead. Please someone offer me an inexpensive solution. I've little enoygh hair as it is and don't want to start tearing out the rest of it.

William - as a stab in the dark, were the batteries top end ones (eg Duracell M3)? I've heard hand controllers can be funny with cheapie batteries... FWIW...

Dave

No, the batteries were good. But the hand controller "dies" after about 10 seconds each time I plug it into the controller port. Flashes copyright, begins initialisation... then kaput. I've e-mailed mike weasner about the problem. If that doesnt work out I'll contact andy mccrea in Bangor.

did you check to make sure it's not a cable fault? swap the cable 'round?
can you get into the menus at all to do a reset?

yes, I swapped the cable and also tried a 1.5metre data transfer cable to no avail. no accessto menus as the controller flashes copyright statement, flashes "initialisation" then goes blank (red glow remains but no response to any key presses)

Are you using rechargable batteries or "regulars"? Rechargables are of a slightly lower voltage..... just a thought.

P.S.
Is the 125 still under warranty?