Working With Diagnostic Data Cable & Software

[bogieboy]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I received my diagnostic cable in my last shipment from Taobao. Now I need to acquire an inexpensive laptop computer which uses older software, and which I can dedicate to RX3 diagnostics. Does anyone have any suggestions for obtaining such a computer?

As soon as I acquire the right computer, I will start experimenting with the PCHud software, and I hope to contribute more to this thread.

I have had good luck so far with slightly older laptops off of ebay... I have run my HP dv9300 for 2.5 yrs now with no major glitches.... small things like a new battery but that was $17... I am quite fond of the HP laptops.... mine runs windows 7, I think in the 64 bit variety, but I could be wrong and it could be 32....

[rtking]

Originally Posted by humanbeing

This http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asus_Eee_PC is popular among network installer in my area
Cuz they're light weight & cheap <$50 (used) http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14976359094 . Standard size: can't go wrong with IBM / Lenovo , parts are easiest to find

Can't beat <$50!

FWIW, I have an Asus T100TA that I like really well. Available on eBay for about $120 shipped (or less.) Operates like a tablet with a mini-USB port, or dock to the keyboard if you need a full sized USB port. Comes with Win 8.1 (32 bit) and can upgrade and run Win 10 very nicely. I like mine quite a bit.

[SpudRider]

Thank you for the good recommendations, gentlemen.

[katflap]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I received my diagnostic cable in my last shipment from Taobao. Now I need to acquire an inexpensive laptop computer which uses older software, and which I can dedicate to RX3 diagnostics. Does anyone have any suggestions for obtaining such a computer?

As soon as I acquire the right computer, I will start experimenting with the PCHud software, and I hope to contribute more to this thread.

Glad to hear that you have got your data cable, Spud

Family can be a good source,

I managed to get an old HP MINI 110- 1030NR from my son. It was abandoned ,collecting dust in one of his cupboards.

Its pretty well beat up but good enough to use just as a diagnostic laptop.

One drawback is that it has a 10 inch screen, this seems to cause a small problem for PCHUD resizing its window and cuts a section of the status byte info at the bottom.
This can easily be worked around by arranging a 2nd view of the gauges where they are in view (.hud).
Then you can easily toggle between the 2 views whilst running the PCHUD software.

[SpudRider]

As always, thanks for the good tip regarding the 10-inch screen, Kat.

Unfortunately, all my family members prefer desktop computers to laptops. I was considering getting a used laptop with a 10-inch screen, but your advice has persuaded me to get a laptop with at least a 14-inch screen.

[SpudRider]

I purchased a used, Dell Latitude laptop running Windows 7.1, 32-bit software. I installed PCHUD, configured the computer, and I am getting data. I needed to configure port 4 to 10400 baud to enable the data link.

I used all three of your .par and .hud files; they work great. Thank you for all your labor, Kat.

I got playback to work, but I can't get log to work. I keep getting an error message telling me I don't have enough memory to open the log file. I also can't locate any .lgw files. Do you have any hints? I would like to make a few graphs.

[detours]

Spud, look up the specs of your laptop on the Dell website and find out how much RAM you have and how much you can install. Make sure you have 4 GB.

Also, are the log files opening in Notepad? It is notoriously slow opening large files. Try Notepad++ ... much faster and better all around.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the input, mate.

I have 1 GB of ram, with a limit of 4 GB. However, the log files are only 17 KB big. I just got a log file to load, but I still can't find any .lgw files to load the graphs. However, I did save the successful log file as a .csv file, so I am going to experiment with the graphing software provided by Katflap.

[humanbeing]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I have 1 GB of ram, with a limit of 4 GB...

2 * 2Gb DDR2 is ~$15 if u look at the right place

[detours]

The RAM upgrade still make a huge difference. 1 GB on Windows is a crime since Windows XP.

And 4 GB is the max a 32-bit computer can manage, so that's perfect.

[SpudRider]

I think you have offered good advice. I can easily upgrade to 3GB, but it appears I need to remove the keyboard to upgrade to 4 GB.

[SpudRider]

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by humanbeing

2 * 2Gb DDR2 is ~$15 if u look at the right place

Thanks for posting the good information, HB. Apparently I can get two of this RAM boards for $6.59 each, plus shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Dell-L...Memory+Upgrade

[katflap]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I purchased a used, Dell Latitude laptop running Windows 7.1, 32-bit software. I installed PCHUD, configured the computer, and I am getting data. I needed to configure port 4 to 10400 baud to enable the data link.

I used all three of your .par and .hud files; they work great. Thank you for all your labor, Kat.

I got playback to work, but I can't get log to work. I keep getting an error message telling me I don't have enough memory to open the log file. I also can't locate any .lgw files. Do you have any hints? I would like to make a few graphs.

Glad to here you are up and running , spud.

I don't think on this occasion a lack of ram memory is the problem.

your log file is too small, for some reason you haven't been able to record a properly formed log so your laptop is running out of memory because Log.exe its searching for data in the log file that just isn't there.

A typical 4 minute log would be something in the region of 140kb.


Some ideas of why your not getting a proper log file recording.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure PCHUD is receiving data before you start the capture
and also that is still receiving data when you stop the capture.

I usually run PCHUD as administrator but not sure if this makes any difference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the moment the purpose of the .lgw files are unclear but i do know you don't need them to create the graphs.

When you are running log.exe select the file tab then open then go on to select your .log file.
At this point you won't see any graphs.
Select the graph tab and then new, you will be presented with a list of parameters that you can then select. When one is selected log.exe will create a graph of that parameter.

I will have a look to see if i can find some more answers for you about your log files not working

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Kat. I got the log file to work.

From your post #41, I downloaded and installed the LiveLink Gen-II software. I also downloaded your files.

I can view RX3.log, and zoom in on the data.
I can view RX3.ply, and see a snapshot of the data in PCHUD.
I can view RX3 Live Link Gen.csv in the Live Link Gen-II software, and I see all the graphs. Individual lines are highlighted when I choose the desired engine parameter. Did you include any gauges?

The Live Link Gen-II software is very powerful, and much nicer than the PCHUD log program. Is there a help file, or tutorial for learning how to operate the Live Link Gen-II software, and create gauges?