St3phen

Actually, it will talk to it long enough to get information about the module, including the Soft Coding. At times, I can even get it to jump into the Fault screen. Most times, I am also able to get it to jump into the Recode screen (which is where I need to be). I need to code the RNS-E properly, but it retains it's default coding.

Unfortunately, VAC-COM seems to be eternally trying to initialize the address (with or without CAN turned on) and eventually either (1) nothing happens, or (2) I get a "Too Many Communications Errors" dialogue and am returned to the module selection screen. VAG-COM is able to communicate with most other modules normally.

My setup: 2002 allroad. RNS-E (European flashed to US) replaced Symphony II; Bluetooth TEL module installed.

VAG-COM: 512-4 on POS old laptop, USB HEX-CAN interface

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

Make, Model, CPU, RAM, version of Windows?

-Uwe-

St3phen

Toshiba Satellite 2545XCDT (AMD K-6, 333MHz)
128MB RAM (this is the laptop's maximum)
Windows 2000 (SP4 and all updates)

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

Minimum requirement with a USB interface is 500 MHz, 1 GHz is recommended.

-Uwe-

St3phen

this laptop 3 years ago exclusively to run your software. It's worked fine with the original COM cable, then the TWIN-COM cable I paid to upgrade to. I just paid again a month ago to upgrade to the HEX-COM USB cable.

Before I did so, I checked your site for <a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/faq_1.html#PC-Requirements" target="_new">PC Requirements</a> and didn't see a 500MHz requirement when I paid for the upgrade.

In fact, only now do I see the 500MHz requirements under the section titled "<a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/faq_1.html#USB" target="_new">What if my Laptop doesn't have a Serial Port?</a>." Since my laptop <i>has</i> a serial port, I never needed to read that section. (Maybe this should be moved/copied to "PC Requirements"?)

Ugh. How frustrating! Especially since VAG-COM and the computer work with <u>every other module present in the car</u>.

I appreciate that you've taken the time to respond to me. Are you sure I'm dead because of the PC speed?

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

So which do you have? Serial or USB?

If you have a USB interface, your PC does not meet the requirements.

If you have a serial interface, it should be fine, which means the source of the problem ought to be elsewhere.

-Uwe-

St3phen

USB. I just paid to upgrade from the TWIN-COM a month ago and had to send the TWIN-COM in to recover the core charge. Like I said, I had the COM cable originally. Then I paid $$ to upgrade to TWIN-COM. Then, a month ago, paid $$$ to upgrade to HEX-CAN USB.

I reiterate that in your FAQ for "PC Requirements," it is not clear that your USB cables require a 500MHz or 1GHz. Only if one reads the "What if my laptop does not have a serial port?" does one learn of the requirement. Since my laptop has a serial port, I never read that section.

I again suggest that to better serve potential customers (so they won't end up with a non-working situation and be poorer for it) that you move or copy the USB PC Requirements to the "PC Requirements" section.

I appreciate your help and apologize if I was not clear. I'll just go off with my uncoded RNS now.

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

No, I am not certain that the speed of the PC is the issue here. I've seen USB work reliably on slower PC's, but I've also seen it not work reliably on some that approach 500 MHz.

As far as it working with all the other modules in your car, different modules have different levels of "fussiness" when it comes to protocol timing. However, not aware of any general issues talking to the RNS-E. So we have to try to narrow things down by process of elimination. Trying a faster PC would be one way to eliminate one of the potential causes of your woes.

Another way would be to get you a serial interface to try. I'd like to help you more, but I think it's time to move this to e-mail (my username here is also my e-mail address).

And yes you're right, it's time to brush the cobwebs off that section of our FAQ. I will try to get to that ASAP. Still, it's quite rare that we get people trying to use a USB interface on such an "old POS" PC. For one thing, the "How to choose the interface that's right for you" section of our site says: "If the PC you're planning to use has a Serial Port, then we suggest you get a Serial Interface."

-Uwe-<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/interfaces.html#choose">How to choose the interface that's right for you:</a></li></ul>