Scan tool - use questions
#1
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I have the scan tools soft ware and cable to link - Am trying this for the first time - Got the cable from Kevin Arndt -
I am running the software on a MacBook Pro using Parrallel Desktop running Windows XP - I can't get the scan tool program to link with the car- all I get is a red connecting notice. Are there any conditions that have to be met to get the connection to activate?
Has anyone tried to use the Mac as I have configured to run scan tools. I am not sure if the issue is within Windows XP and the Parrallel Desktop in finding the USB port that the cable is pugged into/ if it is with the software / or with the cable. Or if I am missing something as I have no -10 ( instructions) for this.
Thks
I am running the software on a MacBook Pro using Parrallel Desktop running Windows XP - I can't get the scan tool program to link with the car- all I get is a red connecting notice. Are there any conditions that have to be met to get the connection to activate?
Has anyone tried to use the Mac as I have configured to run scan tools. I am not sure if the issue is within Windows XP and the Parrallel Desktop in finding the USB port that the cable is pugged into/ if it is with the software / or with the cable. Or if I am missing something as I have no -10 ( instructions) for this.
Thks
#2
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You need to use a real PC ![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
If you are using a notebook be sure to plug in the powercord. Neither of mine will work on battery and is a common issue.
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
If you are using a notebook be sure to plug in the powercord. Neither of mine will work on battery and is a common issue.
#3
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Gus,
I got your email describing your problem.
The ignition key needs to be in and turned to "accessory" (where all the dash lights come on) or running.
XP isn't the issue as I run scantool on an XP computer.
I'm not I Mac user, but I suspect it could be your USB serial adapter, a proven adapter uses the FTDI chip. What is the manufacturer of your adapter?
Let me look for a program you can run to test your serial port while in virtual windows....
later, Kevin
I got your email describing your problem.
The ignition key needs to be in and turned to "accessory" (where all the dash lights come on) or running.
XP isn't the issue as I run scantool on an XP computer.
I'm not I Mac user, but I suspect it could be your USB serial adapter, a proven adapter uses the FTDI chip. What is the manufacturer of your adapter?
Let me look for a program you can run to test your serial port while in virtual windows....
later, Kevin
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Kevin - Thanks for feedback - I got a DYNEX - USB to Serial Adapter- from Best Buys -
package doesn't say much - Connects device with serial port to USB hub/ Connect RS232 to USB port/ Supports data transfer rate of 115Kbps/ No info on FTDI chip -
I agree with you - think issue is in the link between Parrallel Desktop & Windows and the Mac OS.
I have it set up to do an auto connect - but I am not sure that is happening -
Appreciate the help
Gus
package doesn't say much - Connects device with serial port to USB hub/ Connect RS232 to USB port/ Supports data transfer rate of 115Kbps/ No info on FTDI chip -
I agree with you - think issue is in the link between Parrallel Desktop & Windows and the Mac OS.
I have it set up to do an auto connect - but I am not sure that is happening -
Appreciate the help
Gus
#5
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I believe that adapter uses the chip from Prolific Technology Inc. which is problematic at best even with windows. It doesn't strictly follow the RS232 standard. I have one and it sucks. Check in your Mac system profiler for info. on the driver for this adapter.
Still working on it...
Still working on it...
#6
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Gus-
I can't emphasize enough what Jim said, above.
The key has to be turned enough to light up the dashboard like a christmas tree before Scantool can connect.
(I spent the better part of 2 days 'troubleshooting' Scantool for that failure on my part.) And, oddly, Scantool works least troublesome on the older pc you can dredge up...
I can't emphasize enough what Jim said, above.
The key has to be turned enough to light up the dashboard like a christmas tree before Scantool can connect.
(I spent the better part of 2 days 'troubleshooting' Scantool for that failure on my part.) And, oddly, Scantool works least troublesome on the older pc you can dredge up...
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Kevin - Thanks for feedback - I got a DYNEX - USB to Serial Adapter- from Best Buys -
package doesn't say much - Connects device with serial port to USB hub/ Connect RS232 to USB port/ Supports data transfer rate of 115Kbps/ No info on FTDI chip -
I agree with you - think issue is in the link between Parrallel Desktop & Windows and the Mac OS.
I have it set up to do an auto connect - but I am not sure that is happening -
Appreciate the help
Gus
package doesn't say much - Connects device with serial port to USB hub/ Connect RS232 to USB port/ Supports data transfer rate of 115Kbps/ No info on FTDI chip -
I agree with you - think issue is in the link between Parrallel Desktop & Windows and the Mac OS.
I have it set up to do an auto connect - but I am not sure that is happening -
Appreciate the help
Gus
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#8
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Hi Gus,
I have an FTDI adapter going your way from http://www.parallax.com
There's a driver that's native to the Mac OS here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Once it arrives, install to the Mac as usual. Don't install device under Parallels/Windows. Present the serial port to windows as a plain serial port (COM1) using the com port preferences configuration window.
It should arrive next week via USPS.
Let us know how it works, in the mean time I'll try to contact Ricardo ( another Rennlister that makes the scantool) if he knows anything about this problem. He's presently driving his 964 out to the westcoast, so hopefully he's not sitting somewhere on the roadside with a faulty DME relay....
Later, Kevin
I have an FTDI adapter going your way from http://www.parallax.com
There's a driver that's native to the Mac OS here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Once it arrives, install to the Mac as usual. Don't install device under Parallels/Windows. Present the serial port to windows as a plain serial port (COM1) using the com port preferences configuration window.
It should arrive next week via USPS.
Let us know how it works, in the mean time I'll try to contact Ricardo ( another Rennlister that makes the scantool) if he knows anything about this problem. He's presently driving his 964 out to the westcoast, so hopefully he's not sitting somewhere on the roadside with a faulty DME relay....
Later, Kevin
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Kevin - thanks a lot - I have tried another route and used BootCamp to install Windows directly on a partitioned area on my HD so it runs alone. But, When I started windows down loaded the Scantool4 program / installed / and started it could not find the com1 port. While on Parallel i could adjust the settings so Scantools could find the port com1 - it just would not make the connection with the car- think this was the adapter as you thought-
I am hoping that the MAC down load will allow the Scantool program to find the com1 port -
Will keep you posted - on the on going adventure -
What do I owe you for the adapter coming my way ??
Again thanks for your help -
I am hoping that the MAC down load will allow the Scantool program to find the com1 port -
Will keep you posted - on the on going adventure -
What do I owe you for the adapter coming my way ??
Again thanks for your help -
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Hi Gus,
I have an FTDI adapter going your way from http://www.parallax.com
There's a driver that's native to the Mac OS here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Once it arrives, install to the Mac as usual. Don't install device under Parallels/Windows. Present the serial port to windows as a plain serial port (COM1) using the com port preferences configuration window.
It should arrive next week via USPS.
Let us know how it works, in the mean time I'll try to contact Ricardo ( another Rennlister that makes the scantool) if he knows anything about this problem. He's presently driving his 964 out to the westcoast, so hopefully he's not sitting somewhere on the roadside with a faulty DME relay....
Later, Kevin
I have an FTDI adapter going your way from http://www.parallax.com
There's a driver that's native to the Mac OS here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Once it arrives, install to the Mac as usual. Don't install device under Parallels/Windows. Present the serial port to windows as a plain serial port (COM1) using the com port preferences configuration window.
It should arrive next week via USPS.
Let us know how it works, in the mean time I'll try to contact Ricardo ( another Rennlister that makes the scantool) if he knows anything about this problem. He's presently driving his 964 out to the westcoast, so hopefully he's not sitting somewhere on the roadside with a faulty DME relay....
Later, Kevin
#11
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I have had success using a Mac and Parallels. The issue is that within Parallels you need to "bless" the use of the COM port. I used COM2, but just made sure all the settings align correctly.
Parallels is a very good tool, and it is running a valid guest XP partition on an Intel chipset. It is exactly the same as any PC out there, except that you get a cool Mac wrapper around it.
Parallels is a very good tool, and it is running a valid guest XP partition on an Intel chipset. It is exactly the same as any PC out there, except that you get a cool Mac wrapper around it.
#12
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COM1 is not necessarily the correct port. It depends on the driver and what else is in the system. You might like to try COM4 ... If I recall correctly you need a Scantool.ini file in your Windows directory where that setting is specified.
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Looking good Mojorizing. I arrived in California safely, 3000 miles with no issues, but only after I purchased extra belts, DME etc to keep the voodoo roadtrip gods on my side.
I have a Mac laptop now and my solution will be to buy one of those new class of mini-laptops that run XP! I've got scantools for my Porsche and my Audis and its time to get a little XP machine just so I can talk to my cars!
I have a Mac laptop now and my solution will be to buy one of those new class of mini-laptops that run XP! I've got scantools for my Porsche and my Audis and its time to get a little XP machine just so I can talk to my cars!