Beating a dead Carsoft horse

[Oneblown86]

Hey guys, ive searched and searched but i have not been able to come up with an answer. I just got my carsoft cable setup, and seperatly purchased serial port to usb adapter, i have a computer running on 64 bit windows 7. From the information i have been able to come up with it seems possible to run carsoft on this platform. I downloaded the software 6.5 and done the install from carsoft success thread. the program opens and it says its running on the correct version and it always comes up with bad communication error. im not sure what else to do, ive uninstalled and re-installed it a few times, and kind of stumped. the sp1 part of the installation never seems to find the files to install. i have a DSC light on and i would love to find out what it really is.

i have a 2002 525i.


thank you, you guys are always a huge help

[David Mc]

The serial to USB adaptor is probably the major component of the problem. I am a bit mystified about the SP1 problem, hit the "Info About Carsoft" option under the ____?____ menu and check the software version - v6.5.05 is v6.5 without SP1 installed, v6.5.06 is v6.5 with SP1 installed. I have only ever used this software on a 32 bit OS, so the other issue could be a mapping issue with your 64 bit OS. Try running the software in compatability mode and see how you go.

[Oneblown86]

It says it's on the .06 version not the .5. Tue USB to serial adapter is a trendnet adapter, I didn't think they made a differance but who knows. It shows power at the converter box thing, and connects through com3.

[David Mc]

The software you have installed is Carsoft v6.5.06. so SP1 has already been loaded, make sure that you have nominated the correct com port on the setting option of the diagnosis data drop down menu. The software is really designed to work with a true serial port so using a USB to Serial adaptor will be problematic - some will not work at all and others may appear to function properly but may fail to give full communication. Some members have had some success using a PCMCIA card based on an Oxford chipset or you may wish to borrow a Belkin F5U109 and give that a try. Unfortunately God did not make all USB to Serial adaptors equal.
You may also wish to download the BMW interface tester to ensure your interface is working.

[BMWPlanetDude]

OP you do realise you in your hands the most useless and buggy to hell program ever made for bmw?

The carsoft stickys should be removed from here, get yourself a proper bmw standard tools kit and be done with it. Original bmw tools for the same price as carsoft kit.

[Oneblown86]

I am aware of what I'm getting into, I just need it to read a few codes, I should be able to get it to work as many of the other members have I just have a couple of questions along the way. Can my cable setup be used with any other programs, that work better than carsoft?

[ninetyseven1]

I am aware of what I'm getting into, I just need it to read a few codes, I should be able to get it to work as many of the other members have I just have a couple of questions along the way. Can my cable setup be used with any other programs, that work better than carsoft?

Make sure the com port 3 is checked in the Carsoft program itself, and also in the bios on your pc. Also, go to device manager on your pc and make sure com port 3 is being used and go to properties. Make sure baud rate is set to 9600, data bits 8,parity-none, and flow control- none. I would also try xp compatibility mode too,but I'm betting your problem really lies in the usb drivers for that other cable you are using. Overall though, to just scan for codes, I would use some type of generic scanner.

[Oneblown86]

Will the generic scanner read the dsc light?

[ninetyseven]

Will the generic scanner read the dsc light?
Depends on the scanner most will only read cel codes
I wouldn't use carsoft to read cel

[David Mc]

I am aware of what I'm getting into, I just need it to read a few codes, I should be able to get it to work as many of the other members have I just have a couple of questions along the way. Can my cable setup be used with any other programs, that work better than carsoft?
Once you can establish communication between Carsoft and your car, the interface can be made to work with INPA in a pinch but the procedure is fiddly. Basically you need to start Carsoft and diagnose a small module like the SRS, then quickly start INPA and close carsoft whilst communication between the car and interface is still active. From there you can use INPA as normal for the remainder of the session.

[ninetyseven]

Will the generic scanner read the dsc light?


Once you can establish communication between Carsoft and your car, the interface can be made to work with INPA in a pinch but the procedure is fiddly. Basically you need to start Carsoft and diagnose a small module like the SRS, then quickly start INPA and close carsoft whilst communication between the car and interface is still active. From there you can use INPA as normal for the remainder of the session.

That doesn't work. There is a thread on here on how to set that up but I wouldn't waste your time

[David Mc]

It actually does work, but is not reliable as it depends on a number of other inputs, including the clock speed of your computer and OS installed.