Can I just swap out my meade 492 motorized mount remote for a used 494 autostar remote or 497?

Meade Instruments Corp Meade Customer Support

StarGPS

Meade ETX60AT Telescope Items found similar to Meade Autostar 497 controller for parts or repair

The 494 is the HAND CONTROLLER NUMBER--- not the telescope. What Meade telescope do you own??

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.

Many Meade dealers can order you a new hand controller, either Autostar II, or the 497 controller. Contact a large telescope dealer in the UK, or you can order direct from Meade here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Did you update the 494 controller improperly with 497 controller firmware. You must use this updater software :

http://www.meade.com/support/auto/Au2ver59.exe

Hold down the ENTER key and the scroll down arrow key at the same time abd power on the scope. This will place the hand controller into the SAFE load function and you will be able to do another update.

If you plugged or unplugged the controller cable with the scope turned on you may have burned out the controller. Contact Meade:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

This is called "rubber-banding". Your scope needs to be re-trained.

So, setup a target during the day at least 100 feet away from the scope (200 feet would be better, Calibrate motors using the same power source you use at night, and Train Drives. Later after dark, do a Calibrate sensors on Polaris.

You should train drives about once per year, and calibrate sensors about twice per year.

You may want to update the firmware before you Train Drives. The latest version is 43Eg available on the Meade.com web site. You with need the Autostar Updater Software also available on the Meade web site under Customer Service---- Downloads. Version 5.9

www.meade.com

You may have a bad cable- you can order these from Meade-
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Try a new cable first-

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!

You damaged the circuits inside the hand controller-- unless you are an electronics whiz these cannot be repaired.

However you can find them for sale directly from Meade and on Ebay (used) usually for about $80.

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.