David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 909 (2021-08-27)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (1),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (12),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (16)
 
Bullet Images from 2021-08-27 >>        [ Local Files >> ]
Bullet Aurora Images/Video from 2021-08-27 >>
2021-08-28
Bullet Investigation - Target Position Failure (2 Pallas)
Bullet SharpCap 4.0
2021-08-30
Bullet Review - Spectra Processing and Analysis

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-08-27)

Main aims

  1. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.
  2. AstroMain. Test fixes, improvements and new features in AstroMain 3.41.4. Check for stability.

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image
 
  
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
19:17:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:14 & 03:45
21:14:48   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:14
21:14:49   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
21:37:10 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:37)
21:37:39 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-08-27 S00909, ImageSaveNum: 909001)
21:37:42   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
21:39:23   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:39:30 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
21:39:35 Session Pending Session pending (2021-08-27)
21:39:37 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-08-27)
21:39:39   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.22.6)
21:41:13   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 650)
21:41:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
21:41:33   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
21:41:44 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
21:42:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s)
21:42:35 Session Running Session running
21:42:37   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected)
21:42:39     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
21:44:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
21:44:41       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:47:00       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
21:48:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:49:11     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
21:54:36     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, NGC 6500 w/SN2021wuf)
21:58:58       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
22:16:45     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, NGC 6500 w/SN2021wuf)
22:20:35     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, NGC 4896 w/SN2021wad)
22:40:42     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/26, NGC 4896 w/SN2021wad)
22:40:44     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, 17P/Holmes)
22:46:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
22:57:41     Target Completed Target completed (3/26, 17P/Holmes)
22:57:43     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, UGC 4002 w/AT2021wvy)
22:59:00 User Intervention User Intervention to take off lens cap
22:59:13     Target Failed Target failed due to centering error (4/26, UGC 4002 w/AT2021wvy)
22:59:15   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
23:12:37   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
23:19:00 User Intervention User Intervention to resync telescope following user error
23:37:31 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:37 & 03:45
23:37:33 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
23:37:35 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:37)
23:37:57   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:38:02 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
23:38:05 Session Pending Session pending (2021-08-27)
23:38:07 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-08-27)
23:38:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 650)
23:38:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
23:38:29   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
23:38:44 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
23:38:46 Session Running Session running
23:38:48   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected)
23:38:50     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850)
23:40:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:43:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
23:45:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
23:45:55     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850)
23:45:57     Target Missed (5/26) Target's time slot was missed (5/26, 2019 L3 (ATLAS))
23:50:04     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, NGC 6184 w/SN2021wkv)
23:50:06     Target Failed Target failed due to missed start time (6/26, NGC 6184 w/SN2021wkv)
23:52:42   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:52:48     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, AT2021uoa (CV))
23:53:56       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
23:56:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide)
23:58:10       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
00:00:35 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
00:00:37   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity)
00:00:40     Target Aborted (7/26) Target aborted (7/26, AT2021uoa (CV)) due to high humidity
00:00:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:00:45 Session Suspended Session suspended
00:01:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
00:03:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/26, AT2021uoa (CV)) due to cloud
00:07:10 Session Resuming Session resuming
00:07:55   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
00:07:57 Session Running Session running
00:07:59   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
00:08:01     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, GCVS SS Cyg)
00:11:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:12:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
00:16:26     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, GCVS SS Cyg)
00:19:51     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, GCVS CI Cyg)
00:23:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:25:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
00:29:21     Target Completed Target completed (9/26, GCVS CI Cyg)
00:29:23     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, GCVS BL Lac)
00:32:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:34:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
00:37:56     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, GCVS BL Lac)
00:38:52     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, Nova Cas 2021)
00:43:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:44:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
00:54:59     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, Nova Cas 2021)
00:55:01     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, GCVS HH And)
00:57:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:58:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
01:00:38     Target Completed Target completed (12/26, GCVS HH And)
01:03:08     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, NGC 7767 w/AT2021kni)
01:06:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:08:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
01:24:27     Target Completed Target completed (13/26, NGC 7767 w/AT2021kni)
01:25:30     Target Started (14/26) Target started (14/26, GCVS DY Per)
01:29:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:30:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
01:35:26     Target Completed Target completed (14/26, GCVS DY Per)
01:35:38     Target Started (15/26) Target started (15/26, Nova Per 2020)
01:39:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:41:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
01:55:01     Target Completed Target completed (15/26, Nova Per 2020)
01:55:52     Target Started (16/26) Target started (16/26, 61 Cyg)
01:59:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:01:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
02:02:25     Target Completed Target completed (16/26, 61 Cyg)
02:02:56     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, 2 Pallas)
02:05:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:07:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
02:10:11     Target Completed Target completed (17/26, 2 Pallas)
02:11:58     Target Started (18/26) Target started (18/26, UGC 505 w/SN2021ukt)
02:15:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:16:30       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
02:33:15     Target Completed Target completed (18/26, UGC 505 w/SN2021ukt)
02:38:09     Target Started (19/26) Target started (19/26, 15P/Finlay)
02:42:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:44:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:54:53     Target Completed Target completed (19/26, 15P/Finlay)
02:54:56     Target Started (20/26) Target started (20/26, GCVS EV Lac)
02:58:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:00:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
03:02:42     Target Completed Target completed (20/26, GCVS EV Lac)
03:02:44     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, GCVS Z And)
03:06:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:07:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
03:11:40     Target Completed Target completed (21/26, GCVS Z And)
03:11:42     Target Started (22/26) Target started (22/26, WDS GRB 34)
03:14:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:15:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:17:44     Target Completed Target completed (22/26, WDS GRB 34)
03:17:46     Target Started (23/26) Target started (23/26, GCVS U And)
03:20:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:22:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
03:32:11     Target Completed Target completed (23/26, GCVS U And)
03:32:13     Target Started (24/26) Target started (24/26, UGC 2605 w/SN2021wvw)
03:34:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:36:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
03:52:44     Target Completed Target completed (24/26, UGC 2605 w/SN2021wvw)
03:52:46     Target Started (25/26) Target started (25/26, UGC 3240 w/AT2021vau)
03:56:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:57:57       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
04:13:37     Target Completed Target completed (25/26, UGC 3240 w/AT2021vau)
04:14:04     Target Started (26/26) Target started (26/26, GCVS RX And)
04:17:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:19:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
04:21:50     Target Completed Target completed (26/26, GCVS RX And)
04:21:53   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
04:21:55 Session Closing Session closing
04:22:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
04:23:49   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 53s), Az: 90.0 deg
04:25:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s)
04:25:29   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox)
04:25:50   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
04:26:41   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
04:26:43 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
04:26:59 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
00:41:25 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (Nova Cas 2021)
00:51:24 Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 10 mins
00:55:05 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 14.3 mins)

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Operational Issues (2021-08-27, S909)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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2021-08-28


Investigation - Target Position Failure (MPL 2 Pallas)

An attempt to image the minor planet 2 Pallas (forecast magnitude +8.9) was made at 2021-08-28 01:09 UT.   Whilst basic acquisition was successful in that resulting image showed a starfield of focused stars positioned only 0.2 arc min from the planned RA/Dec coordinates that corresponded with the calculated position of TheSky6 minor planet '2 Pallas', the field proved to be located 3.81 degrees from the calculated position of TheSky6 extended minor planet MLP 2 Pallas derived from latest MPCORB.dat file.

Since computed positions of Extended Minor Planets are only valid for a 24 hour period, it is not practical to always restart TheSky6 to compute positions at start-up or manually click on Extended Minor Planets 'Compute' button to get positions corresponding to earlier Images.   The compute process is slow (taking around 30s to compute the positions for some 1,120,272 minor planets (2021-08-28). This can be got around by copying specific minor planet details from 'Extended Minor Planets' to the Local 'Minor Planets', where the minor planet position can be readily obtained for any date/time.

Foward Actions
Image Delete minor planets in TheSky6 Minor Planets including '2 Pallas'

Image Open extended minor planet  'MPL 2 Pallas'  in TheSky6 and click 'Copy to Local' from Object Information/Utility Tab
      (details sent to   ./User/Documents/Software Bisque/TheSky6/Minor planets/MinorPl.dat)

Image Access local minor planet as '(2) Pallas'
      -it can also be accessed as 'Pallas'

Image Update '2 Pallas' target in AstroPlan and change name to '(2) Pallas'

Image Understand implications of object names using '( )' in names 
     - AstroPlan is ok with Target Name '(2) Pallas'.
     - Historic and new Observing Plan charts show '(2) Pallas'.  Historic Observing Results chart show '2 Pallas' if session predates name change.
     - Historic Sessions that acquired 2 Pallas images can still be picked up as reference is made via TargetID which is unchanged by name change.
     - If Object Name is (2) Pallas in 'Fit Summary.dat' then it is converted to 2_Pallas by the 'X2_Modify_Object_Names' macro
      when creating the session's Fits_Summary file
    -  If Object Name were to be left as (2) Pallas (by editing the 'X2_Modify_Object_Names'  macro) , then the A5_Group_Reduced_Fits' macro
       will create a folder with name like '(2)_Pallas 3x3 20s C'  and copy reduced images to names like '(2)_Pallas.20210828.im909144.20s.C.FIT'
    - Image Sets can see/use folder like  '(2)_Pallas 3x3 20s C' and show object name '(2) Pallas'
    - Store will try to access/create the store folder '(2) Pallas'

Image Understand if MinorPl.dat can be copied to Observatory Computer and immediately picked or it requires TheSky6 to be restarted
      - File can be copied to Observatory Computer ok with affecting an open TheSky6 program
      - Newly added minor planet is not immediately accessible in TheSky6
      - Newly added minor planets are accessible after restarting TheSky6 or individually going to Minor Planets,
        selecting the new minor planet, and then going to 'edit' & then clicking on 'Compute'   

 Image Understand the variations in Minor Planet naming

      - for the minor planet '2013 GB80' it is accessed using the name 'MPL 2013 GB80'. When it is copied to local it takes on the name  '2013 GB80'
     - for the older minor planet '2003 EL61'  it can no longer be accessed using the name 'MPL 2003 EL61', instead it is
       accessed as 'MPL 136108 Haumea'. which when copied to local takes on the name '136108 Haumea'.  
       (this minor planet was officially named as dwarf planet 'Haumea' and is no longer referrable as '2003 EL61')
     - for the older minor planet '2004 DW, it is accessed using either the name 'MPL 2004 DW' or 'MPL 90491 2004 DW22'.
       when copied to local it takes the name '(90491) 2004 DW22'
       where is can be accessed by the name '90491', '2004 DW22' or '(90491) 2004 DW22'
      (note that accessing MPL 2004 DV4 isn't unique and returns 7 objects in TheSky,
       one of which is  (144302) 2004 DV4, but others include 2004 DV41, 2004 DV42, 2004 DV47 etc
      MPL 2004 DV4 can't be accessed from AstroPlan but 2004 DV4 can
      after copying '2004 DV4' and '2004 DV47' to local   then either can be uniquely accessed using '2004 DV4' or  '2004 DV47' as appropriate
   - where target is named '2004 DV4'  the FITS image have OBJCT = "2004 DV4", initially FITS files are named like '00000001._144302__2004_DV4.FIT
     (but this is later cleaned up to become "00000001.FIT".   Fits Summary.dat shows files with
      object name '2004 DV4' which is modified to '2004_DV4' after  importing to session Fits Summary .xls file.

Image Modify '>> Store' buttons to open up 'MPL 2 Pallas' folder

Image Modify Excel macro 'Modify Object Names' to change names in format '(2) Pallas' to 'MPL_2_Pallas'

Image Open other extended minor planets as required and Copy to Local.

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SharpCap 4.0

The 4.0 version of SharpCap (4.0.81150.0, 64 bit, dated 2021-08-23) was downloaded and installed on Observatory Computer today (2021-08-28), but is not yet ready to use for live sessons.  This is the first 4.0 version downloaded and installed since the first 4.0 build was first issued in June 2021

SharpCap Downloads:  https://www.sharpcap.co.uk/sharpcap/downloads

4.0 Features

New features of version 4.0 that are most relevant to me are:

- New Sequencer (Sequence Planner)
- Still Mode
- Focuser position and mount co-ordinates added to capture settings file
- Fix FITS writing issue on ZWO cameras
- Bug Fixes
- Updated User Manual

 SharpCap 3.2 - Remains live

The previous 3.2 version is still installed on the computer, which is useful since AstroLaunch and AstroMain are still currently still set up to start the 3.2 version, and there is a critical issue that is currently preventing the running of my AstroShCap.py script which provides a communication interface between AstroMain and SharpCap.

Critical Issue - Unable to run AstroShCap.py script in SharpCap 4.0

AstroShCap is a script which provides communication between AstroMain and SharpCap, and successful operation of the script is critical to live Observatory operations.
At the moment there is a showstopping issue.

 Running script from C:\Data\ZWO Imaging\SharpCap\_Scripts\AstroShCap.py
C:/Data/ZWO Imaging/SharpCap/_Scripts/AstroShCap_version.py
Version: Point
VersionNo 1.3.11
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<string>", line 4672, in <module>
File "<string>", line 129, in __init__
AttributeError: 'WindowProxy' object has no attribute 'Location'

Foward Actions

Image Check settings in 4.0 vs those in 3.2
Image Get AstroShCap.py to successfully run in 4.0
Image Check ZWO 178MC camera functionality via 4.0
Image Get AstroLaunch and AstroMain to point to SharpCap 4.0 instead of 3.2

3.2 settings:
Automatically restore camera settings
Save capture settings file alongside each capture
Start camera with 'Auto' output format

Preferred Video Format:  SER
Preferred Image format:  FITS
Startup Scripts :   C:\Data\ZWO Imaging\SharpCap\_Scripts\AstroShCap.py
Focuser:   ASCOM Pegasus UPB Focuser
    Connect hardware automatically when opening camera

Filenames Tab
 Save captured files to :    C:\Data\ZWO Imaging\SharpCap

Filename Templates:

Single File (Video): {TargetName}\{Time:Z}
Sequence Stills:  {TargetName}\{Time:Z}\{TargetName}_{Index}
Live Stack: {TargetName}\LiveStack\{AutoSave}\Stack_{BitDepth}bits_{StackedFrames}frames_{TotalExposure}
Live Stack (Raw Frames):  {TargetName}\LiveStack\rawframes\frame_{StackedFrames}
Live Stack (Processed): {TargetName}\LiveStack\processed\Stack_{StackedFrames}frames_{TotalExposure}

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2021-08-30


Review - Spectra Processing and Analysis

A review of Spectra Processing And Analysis Workflows was conducted as part of a renewed initiative to improve skills in collection, processing and analysis of low resolution spectral data taken at my Observatory.

The Observatory's telescope (12" LX200GPS/R) is capable of collecting low resolution slitless spectral data using a Star Analyser 200.   The SA 200 is a high quality transmission diffraction grating held in a 1.25" filter cell and is mounted into one of the positions in a SBIG CFW-10 filter wheel attached to a SBIG ST-10XME CCD Camera (KAF-401E) .  This setup allows spectral imaging to be easily intermixed with general imaging (C), photometric imaging (BVRI) and special imaging (VR, Moon, Ha,  L-Enhance) without changing equipment.   A computer controlled focuser allows the telescope to be automatically focused according to filter.   The SA 200's grating with 200 lines/mm, a constrained distance of 26.4mm from the CCD and 6.8 x 6.8 mm size photosites, combine to produce spectral images with a dispersion of 25.5 A/pixel (at 2x2 binning) or 12.25 A/pixel (at 1x1 binning).  Images taken through the SA 200 grating are referred to having used the 'S' Filter.   Telescope mount is autoguided during imaging using a CMOS camera on a guidescope that is securely attached to the main scope.

Overall Process

Setup :

Pre-Session :

Session

Post-Session :

Notes:   
- RSpec SaveTo Dialog can accept clicking on shortcuts to one folder to directly move to another
- RSpec SaveTo Dialog can accept file names like "Spectra\Test.dat" which saves file in the current folder's subfolder 'Spectra'
        (this saves needing to click on subfolder)
- RSpec doesn't like Saving Profile (.dat) to a current actively monitored folder.
   Whilst .dat file is saved ok , the process also saves an .ini file which leads to a RSpec error dialog popping up  "Error opening file .ini   Invalid stream format..."

Foward Actions
 - None

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