Canarisky but why do many users use asiairpro without having to have handcontrol?
Because those mounts do not need a hand controller to interface to the computer. I rarely even take my RainbowAstro hand controller out of the closet; once every year or so to recalibrate its encoder index mark. There is a dedicated computer control USB connection on the RST-135.
Additionally, some mounts will let you use an EQMOD interface. In that case, the control is inside the EQMOD driver of the ASIAIR (i.e., computer). EQMOD is just an interface that lets the computer talk directly to the motors; the RA, Declination and GOTO functions are in the EQMOD driver of the computer. With EQMOD, you also don't need to star align.
I don't have to install the firmware on the SD card?
Your problem has nothing to do with the computer end. Your mount is one of these that simply won't open its own USB port until you do a star alignment. If your mount does not open the USB port, the computer (ASIAIR) cannot communicate with it. Until then, the hand controller is the only way you can communicate with the mount. It should be well documented by your mount's manual.
Chen
