MB Carsoft 7.4 Multiplexer

[Mark weaver]

Where can i get these from.

Not the cheap eBay crap ones.

Links would help, thanks.

I haven't got the RS-232 port on my laptop neither, so is there any that i can get to work with my laptop ?


cheers

mark

 

[television]

Very doubt full really if it will work, it is always stressed the the serial is required

 

[Mark weaver]

I know someone on here said that the cardbus notebook thing worked but i think he had the better carsoft multiplexer

 

[jibcl500]

Carsoft requires 9 pin com port, there are PCMCIA cards to 9 pin available but I couldnt get it to work, USB is also a no no.

You wont find a proper carsoft multiplexor forsale as they just dont appear, the cheap china made ones on ebay dont work either, only one K-line is connected.

jib

 

[dragon]

Contact psmast, he is the Carsoft expert. It will set you back several thousands pounds, it even include a free flight to Brussel.

 

[Mark weaver]

I have found a laptop with the built in RS-232 port.

If i bought the laptop would the ebay version http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=370109660260 work with the laptop.

Just want to confirm before i buy the laptop.

Cheers

 

[psmart]

it even include a free flight to Brussel.

Worth it just for the Belgium Chocolate (Pierre Marcolini) and Oh! the beer ... just avoid there Crummy airport though!!

Maverick Technologies sold me a PCMCIA adapter which worked fine with the CarSoft Multiplexor under XP, so best to contact them for model/type (I cant find mine!!!!!!!). USB adapters are a no-no. From what I can gather, CarSoft do direct control of the RS-232 UART controller, a microchip providing the serial functionality and peripheral I/O control lines, hence the requirement to have a it on the motherboard or directly addressable via a PCMCIA adapter.

You can buy extra Multiplexors from CarSoft, but the best bet would be to contact Maveric Technologies (an authorised re-seller) or look on Ebay and avoid the Chinese copies (ie. 2nd hand units).

 

[psmart]

I have found a laptop with the built in RS-232 port.

If i bought the laptop would the ebay version http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=370109660260 work with the laptop.

Just want to confirm before i buy the laptop.

Cheers

It looks nothing like a CarSoft multiplexor, probably a UK guy importing and reselling Chinese units, but I cant tell from the advert. Write to him and get a guarantee that if it doesnt work you can get your money back.

 

[Mark weaver]

I have that PCMCIA adapter and it didn't seem to work. On the computer it is under LPT1 on the device manger and on the MB software it is under com1 and i don't know what to do about that.

 

[Mark weaver]

It looks nothing like a CarSoft multiplexor, probably a UK guy importing and reselling Chinese units, but I cant tell from the advert. Write to him and get a guarantee that if it doesnt work you can get your money back.

The site that you give me last week was good but i did not know where to buy it from. It seemed like it was just information about it.

 

[psmart]

I have that PCMCIA adapter and it didn't seem to work. On the computer it is under LPT1 on the device manger and on the MB software it is under com1 and i don't know what to do about that.

That is very strange, LPT(x) is a parallel port, how is the PCMCIA card labelled? Try updating the driver by going into Device Mangler, right clicking the device and saying Update Driver, then choose Browse and select the directory on the CD which came with the card.

 

[Mark weaver]

I have just had a look and it comes in under both of them, com1 and lpt3.

But when i was using it in my car it coming up with "moudule not built or does not respond" ?

Where can i get the better version of carsoft multiplexer, where i know how much i am paying for it.

 

[psmart]

I have just had a look and it comes in under both of them, com1 and lpt3.

But when i was using it in my car it coming up with "moudule not built or does not respond" ?

Where can i get the better version of carsoft multiplexer, where i know how much i am paying for it.

That probably makes sense because some PCMCIA adapters include both Parallel and Serial interfaces.

The message 'module not built in' could indicate a module is not present in your car, so initially choose the engine ECU, select petrol/diesel and see what it says. If it still indicates module not built in then there is a communications issue.

Just had a look on Ebay and this device sounds like it has all the K-lines connected:-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Aut...tors_Automotive_Tools?_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

None are original on Ebay by looks of it!

 

[psmart]

You may already know, but prior to any testing, you have to have the ignition switched on. You'll get the Module not builtin message if the ignition is not on as well.

 

[Mark weaver]

That probably makes sense because some PCMCIA adapters include both Parallel and Serial interfaces.

The message 'module not built in' could indicate a module is not present in your car, so initially choose the engine ECU, select petrol/diesel and see what it says. If it still indicates module not built in then there is a communications issue.

Just had a look on Ebay and this device sounds like it has all the K-lines connected:-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Aut...tors_Automotive_Tools?_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

None are original on Ebay by looks of it!

Would that be better than that other one i posted ?

 

[psmart]

Would that be better than that other one i posted ?

Unfortunately I cant say because Ive not played with them. Being copies the engineer who reverse engineered the CarSoft original would have had to get it exactly right.

For example, please excuse the basic explanation if you already know microcontrol theory, but suppose CarSoft needed a serial shift device to send data between its multiplexor and an on-board car computer. The engineer could have written software on the PC to toggle the RTS output of the UART controller to emulate a shift register, but due to various timing constraints of different laptops, he embedded a microcontroller into the multiplexor for this task. A microcontroller is a single chip computer with internal program memory which is protected from being read. A reverse engineer could either guess what and how the microcontroller is working or he can spend a lot of money to slice the microcontroller to gain direct access to the silicon substrate. Very few people can do the latter, so most will have to guess what the microcontroller is doing through trial and error.

In the above example you can see how its possible that some multiplexor copies will work and some wont. Unless someone on the board has got one working and willing to advise on the supplier, then the only sure option is to buy an original.

 

[Mark weaver]

How much is the original one ? and where can i get it to.

Sorry if i have asked this question before

 

[jibcl500]

Mark
are you using the 38 pin connector? if so take it apart and see how many wires are connected. Module does not respond could be because the K line isnt attached.
jib

 

[Mark weaver]

I am using the 16 pin connector, the one that goes just in under the dash.

 

[dragon]

Look at this guy based in Barking selling at least 300 items a month

http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayI...FeedbackAsSeller&sspagename=VIP:feedback:3:uk

Gathered that each chinese company sell 200 MB Star 2008 a month at £350 a time and there are a dozen of these companies. It must be half a million pounds business a month.

It cost me £75 for UPS courier and another £25 for Western Union fee.