[anziani]

I have a great mechanic but he is not much of a businessman. He needs the computerized readout system and I will buy it for him and then take it out in trade. In looking at eBay and also at the post describing a Chinese system I am becoming more confused. On eBay there are a couple of offerings showing a used Dell computer. They both seems to emphasize the Dell. And neither source shows the multiplexer or cabling. And furthermore it seems that the sellers are out of the country. What do you do if there are problems? And why can't I supply a almost new HP laptop?
Any suggestions on how to get a decent system with local help?
Anziani

 

[MAVA]

Why not a new one?

First, you need a full dedicated DB9/DB25 serial port. You CANNOT use USB/PCMCIA to serial adapters as most think you can, so this limits the laptops as no laptop comes with a integrated serial port. The non-consumer laptops(The IBM's and the High-end Dell's) that have the ability to dock onto a port replicator will usually have a serial port.

Second, these C4 & C3 are cloned from a working system, but you need to boot in a different way on the PC every time you start, so these clone system includes a hard drive that works on a specific PC, and "smart money people" will who buy these systems should duplicate the hard drive, so when the drive crashes as you will not have a way of getting another-just a way to secure a back up.

Third, All these clones need XP to work, or windows 7 ultimate(which cost $500 for the operating system, and will run in XP mode)

I would take this route as Artic Dweller has done it.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/2315329-got-my-mb-star-c4-diagnostic.html

Remember their is NO support as you are buying a clone system. The real system may cost 30 to 40 times more than one of these Chinese units with support.

I want to say the snap-on unit is $6k to $8k...

With these Chinese units one flys-by-the-seat-of-your-pants...

All the best,

Martin

 

[anziani]

Mava,
As usual you are my hero for brushing away some of the cob webs. So the systems sold on EBAY use used Dell computers because of the serial port requirements? So these Chinese systems are clones and the real software costs a fortune? I'll keep digging.
Anziani

 

[MAVA]

The fleabay units use the old Dell's as the result the extra computing power over the IBM T20-T30-T40 series, andddd it has the DB9 serial port on the laptop. That is why?

No need to dig...

This is the real solution how most everyone here does it-They have a clone C3/C4 system if they are really bottom-feeding-it. They will buy the Carsoft unit for 50 bucks or so, and download the software of a Torrent site.

I have a NON-Multiplex unit for Carsoft(the cheapest of the bunch, but it works for what I need to do with it-reset limp mode on 722.6 cars). I have to un-solder the terminal on the circular test connector on my unit to test other systems. A royal pain in the ass to do for the average Joe. That is why you want the multiplex unit... It works for what I need to do!!

I have posted this many times. Around post 100 it get juicy and the software is there too. Look at the last 20 to 30 posts for the multiplex unit.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1574129-carsoft-7-4-multiplexer-diagnostic-tool.html

It is a cheap way of doing it

Martin

 

[nhzruthless818]

Martin don't get me wrong but carsoft is useless i bought a set for $200 and its collecting dust. I bought a few ibm laptops but still useless. Windows 7 ultimate for computer builders is cheap $50-80 per license. I had a contract to build 40 desktop computers last week and all had windows 7 ultimate and i bought product keys in bulk for $50ish per serial. You do not necessarily need the dvd because Microsoft offers that for free. Now this might not be interesting but i actually ordered a delphi diagnostics software with cables and hardware i am waiting on it (suppose to be good on all vehicles). I currently have an ibm t61 with windows 7 ultimate and docking station with rs232.

 

[Joe-V12]

Carsoft on W140 reads engine, trans and at least one other module (air system?), can reset some codes and adaptions, and has some basic live data. Far from useless, but it doesn't do everything.

 

[anziani]

Thanks guys. Keep those thoughts coming.
Anziani

 

[Snipersking]

Automotive Diagnostic Tool Fcar F3-w For All Cars---japan,Europe,China,America,Korean Cars,Etc With Tpms,Key Programming - Buy Automotive Diagnostic Tool,Auto Scanner,Automotive Diagnostic Scanner Product on Alibaba.com

I ordered this one from China and its just amazing easy to use and works on almost every running vehicle with special Benz port and cables check it out. cheers

 

[Rupununipete]

Snipersking, the link only goes to the Alibaba home search page. Do you have a direct link?

 

[Snipersking]

Snipersking, the link only goes to the Alibaba home search page. Do you have a direct link?

Just search Fcar f3_g

 

[MAVA]

Carsoft is not the best, but it works for me, and it is all I had needed to use.

Martin

 

[nhzruthless818]

Carsoft on W140 reads engine, trans and at least one other module (air system?), can reset some codes and adaptions, and has some basic live data. Far from useless, but it doesn't do everything.

I have never successfully scanned the w140 with carsoft. My cheap obd scanner worked better. I kept on getting a communication error even with a desktop with a serial connection i had the carsoft 7.4 i bought online for $200. This why I hate pirated chinese software. The only thing i was able to do with carsoft was reset airmatic on a w220.

 

[nhzruthless818]

Carsoft is not the best, but it works for me, and it is all I had needed to use.

Martin

Martin how did you get it to communicate with the w140?i kept on getting error module not built into car/ or communication error. I tried a belkin serial to usb (recommended by forum people) also bought a pcmia to serial card and still nothing. I even hooked it up to a desktop. Maybe I got bad software with my kit?

 

[MAVA]

As i have said before here, W210 and R129 forum.

The Carsoft, and MB Star NEED a dedicated DB9/DB25 serial port(NO IF AND BUT'S) on the computer NO ADAPTERS!!!!!!

YOU DID NOT READ my second post...

READ the first 100 posts of this thread....BUT read all the posts AND you will know why?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1574129-carsoft-7-4-multiplexer-diagnostic-tool.html

Martin

 

[anziani]

In reading all of the posts from Marin and others, I poked around on eBay and found a system complete with cables, multiplexer and used Dell for about $700. I then went to Amazon.com (who I trust) and found the latest version of Xentry(1-2015), the computer, multiplexer and all cables for $1200 or everything except the laptop for $650. This also included a hard drive for the Dell. There are Dell's aplenty on Amazon for under $100. I am thinking either of the last two would work fine.
I'm not looking for "cheap" here but "reliable". I get real quivery every time I buy Chinese stuff. Since they have dumped so much crap on the world, I trust them about as much as Putin and Khomeni!
Anziani

 

[anziani]

Now we are looking at Autel DS 708. My indie has had experience with their handhelds.
Any comments from the experts?
Anziani