VAP

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Got the 5 SMT6's with my developers software today two full days before I was expecting it which NEVER happens (a good omen perhaps).

First thing I noticed is the relative small size of the control unit (nail clippers for scale).

Next thing I noticed is I need to find a USB cable to adapt the one in the pic. I'll defer to you guys expertise on what to look for but bear in mind I want the BEST!

Lastly and most disappointing thing is no paper manual of any kind. Not even one that tells how to open the CD tho I think I've got that down-pat.

I ordered 5 of these with my own Abnormally Aspirated Developer's setup pages. Everything will be proprietary to me as far as how I make this available and to how much/little I put in peoples hands. I can make them 100% lock-out, partial locked or wide-open for personal development. Jury's still out on what I'll offer and it's entirely possible anyone wanting total programming shall sign a waiver release.

Don't know how long it'll take to get a working unit in my car but I knew if I only bought one there would be no greed-button pushed and I'd drag my feet. Being this leveraged changes that a little. But not so much I'll release it one second before I'm 100% confident that what I've done will allow every car it's installed in to be driven incredibly stupidly and still have a motor. Max HP/TQ is not my goal. Max "safe" HP/TQ is. Anything more than that and a release of liability will be signed and on file or it won't even be considered.

So now we embark. Scarey and exciting at the same time. It'll be an adventure.

PS; Please dont ask about any specififc part in the pic other than the nail clippers. As of this posting you know as much as I do. I'll open the CD and peruse it after dinner and share any findings.

scott12v@pghaudi

If you're talking about the one in the upper left, I *think* that the smaller connector is a proprietary connector that hooks into the control unit for programming. The other end plugs into your laptop's serial port.

It would be nice if it were USB, but I don't think it is.

Scott

VAP

it isnt and I have nothing but USB in my laptop. I need to convert that plug if possible?

odelay12v

i think he means to connect through an addapter an usb cable to the serial ported cable you mention

VAP

BINGO!!! "to adapt the one in the pic"

odelay12v

wish i knew how but atleast i understood the question

Brdman*

<center><img src="http://www.quatech.com/images/usb_bot_nav.jpg"></center><p><ul><li><a href="http://www.quatech.com/products/usb.php">http://www.quatech.com/products/usb.php</a</li></ul>

VAP

thats the ticket!! I knew I'd seen one. Maybe even bought one once for older printer and this laptop

scott12v@pghaudi

Hmmm, those are not always 100% reliable, but it might work for you. I don't have any personal experience with the adapters, so I won't offer a personal reccomendation. However, I will point out Uwe's policy for using an adapter with VAG-COM (basically don't do it). He suggests buying a PCMCIA card that has a serial interface on it.

Honestly, your best bet would be to ask Perfect Power and see what they say. Most likely they'll say they won't give you any support if you use an adapter (the PCMCIA card wouldn't be considered an adapter, but is pricy.)

"Q: What if my Laptop doesn't have a Serial Port?
A: We now offer our own USB Interfaces which use the USB port on your PC, rather than the Serial Port. We even offer USB Interface Upgrades for existing Ross-Tech customers. These interfaces work best with Windows XP. If you have a PC that doesn't have a Serial port and it has a version of Windows prior to XP, we strongly urge you to update to Windows XP before installing VAG-COM. Realistic hardware requirements for Windows XP and VAG-COM are a 500 MHZ CPU with at least 128 MB or RAM.

If you want to use one of our RS-232 Serial interfaces (especially the HEX-COM) on a PC that doesn't have a serial port, we recommend you buy this Quatech SSP-100 PCMCIA-Card. We don't sell them, but we've had excellent results with them. We've got installation and configuration notes here.

USB&lt;-&gt;RS-232 converters are often unable to handle the baud rate and timing requirements that are demanded by many control modules using the VAG protocol. We have had very poor results with most available USB&lt;-&gt;RS-232 converters, therefore USB&lt;-&gt;RS232 converters are "Not Supported." Please do not ask us for technical assistance if you are using one of these converters."<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/faq_1.html#USB">"Q: What if my Laptop doesn't have a Serial Port?" from Ross-Tech</a></li></ul>

VAP

later try a PCMCIA card if recommended by Perfect Power before downloading. Who knows, maybe they even offer a USB cable/interface. Probably not but they have to know something. You cant even buy laptops with a parallel port any more... least none that I've looked at.

Thanks for the heads-up tho. Much appreciated!