RFC - Diagnostic Software

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Malafax_Dand said:
By all means, please continue on your own endeavors. I agree that in the end we may both be able to construct something greater than if we were working alone. I look forward to working with you all in the near future.
Click to expand...

Can I assume you are referring to my intended development, if that is the case then is there any point in starting it? Why re-invent the wheel after all.

OK, the 'wheel' may well be missing a few metaphoric spokes but from what you say it's only a matter of time till these are complete.

If anything my expertise would be better used elsewhere, maybe even creating one or two of those 'missing spokes' for you!

One other option would be to have a Poll on this but I do not know if this facility is available on this forum.

But with all that said I am more than willing to put my hands up for the challenge provided that the consensus of opinion justified it.
 
will, theres a point, i would get familiar with the protocols of the p38. then as and when storey releases his software you will hit the ground running.

i know the elm 327 obd2 box ( the one i have) switches automatically so you don't have an option to choose a protocol, then if the protocol isn't standard then you have very little chance of reading it.

my endeavours with the webasto heater and diagnostics using a vag com interface have been frought wit trying to get the software to connect to the unit. it did it once and after resetting the computer has never connected again. a dos based program, think it may be community written connects very well but lacks the gui of the oem software.

i dont understand enough about the 'protocols' used or how to read them to be able to make any adjustments, i have yet to read up fully on it.

you could certainly fill your time with looking into this for me!!!

is there any way to build a gui that i maybe use as a learning project?
 
as i already own testbook t4 and a omitec ucm module and have just aquired the ids ford platform diagnostics for the sport d3/4 and 2006 on l322 at some considerable cost and every unit has one thing in coman a comunication handler which converts the information and the ecu software works best with windows xp anything newer in operating software is too fast for the car ecu if you have a old copy of windos 98 or millenuim they will comunicate with the ecu faster!

i spent a lot of time checking out and usuing all the other diag units out there but for what i do these are the best for me i'm not rubishing what you are trying to do i have to admit the ids software is so antiquated compared to what t4 can do but was not to be ford knows best!!!

what you also need to help the man in the street is a guided diag once the fault has been shown with the code and a referrence book or a drop down window with possible cause to help fix the fault unlike some systems i have seen where most people blown away by the cause clear the fault and prey it does not come back!!!
 
gavbriggs said:
will, theres a point, i would get familiar with the protocols of the p38. then as and when storey releases his software you will hit the ground running.
Click to expand...

Not to convinced on that one.

gavbriggs said:
A dos based program, think it may be community written connects very well but lacks the gui of the oem software.
Click to expand...

Is the source code available? If it's not then unless it can be driven by the command line and have it's output redirected then there's not a lot doing here either.

gavbriggs said:
you could certainly fill your time with looking into this for me!!!
Click to expand...

Not to sure what you mean here.

gavbriggs said:
is there any way to build a gui that i maybe use as a learning project?
Click to expand...

Building a GUI is a trivial task using a the new IDEs such as Qt or Visual Studio, and as a result a really nice GUI can be put together in a matter of minutes / hours. However, the caveat is the code behind the GUI to make it all work, the Signals, Slots, Threads, Callbacks, Classes, Functions and Methods is what takes the hours, days, weeks and months to do.

But if you do want something doing then let me know, the winter isn't over yet, and there's a few more dark nights remaining.
 
vougese39 said:
What you also need to help the man in the street is a guided diag once the fault has been shown with the code and a referrence book or a drop down window with possible cause to help fix the fault unlike some systems i have seen where most people blown away by the cause clear the fault and prey it does not come back!!!
Click to expand...

Yes, this would be good, using a ranked set of fixes for a given probable cause, with the lowest ranked being the starting point and working up, but where does this information come from the green-oval?
 
woogoo said:
Yes, this would be good, using a ranked set of fixes for a given probable cause, with the lowest ranked being the starting point and working up, but where does this information come from the green-oval?
Click to expand...

Aha, at last an opening for the spannerhands among us:p

Thats where the forum members come in, there are a lot of guys here with a lot of experience in diagnosing problems.
Reported fault codes need to be interpretted. A lot of people have fitted a lot of parts in response to fault codes without ever getting near the problem, particularily dealers!! The EAS pressure switch fault springs to mind!:eek:
 
I agree that diagnosing the problem is not the final step. The user will then need resources to correctly interpret the fault code and fix the problem. The forums have the best potential to accomplish this, but I have also attempted to do this for some of the most common failed systems.

Covering all of the most common diagnostic problems for the vehicle is a tall order;
Specifics:
http://www.rswsolutions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=38&Itemid=65
Overview:
http://www.rswsolutions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=63
 
Last edited:
Hiya Lowfat
On the 4th January 2010 on this thread Malfax Dand wrote
I am about 45 days away from having a fully functioning software release and hardware release.
Click to expand...

I will let you do the maths:)

TBH i am surprised i am posting on this thread at all, and if anyone wants to shoot me down in flames, please feel free.

However, Since i started our 24 / 7 work on writing the most comprehensive, relieable and capable software there has ever been for all the P38 systems back in mid 1996, finally released in late 1999, i have seen so many attempts to emulate what we did go under the bridge, it's really getting a bit repetative now. The closest that i have seen is when some anonymous person donated some EAS code on the Range Rovers.net forum a couple of years back.

The fact of the matter is that the P38 was created when there was absolutely little to no diagnostic communication standarisation at all. In fact at that time, making diagnostic communications as difficult and off the wall as possible was the main aim. Hence you can't even use the same hardware interface for all systems. As for talking to them, well thats like learning 12 different languages with no translation dictionary.

I am by no means being smug that we happen to currently sit on top of the mountain, but as i have expressed, it took us over 3 years of very dedicated 24 / 7 work to get here, which costs a huge amount to do and few would be prepared to unvest the same, and i know for certain that there is absolutely and most definately no quick, easy or cheap short cut to be had. As far as i am concerned, anyone who wants to join us is going to have to have gone through what we did and having done so, will then likely want the same if not more than we do to provide the benefit of their efforts to you.

I can only but apologise if my comments destroys or undermines anyones hopes dreams or wishes. But perhaps it might be time to wake up and face the real facts.
 
BBS Guy said:
Hiya Lowfat
On the 4th January 2010 on this thread Malfax Dand wrote


I will let you do the maths:)

TBH i am surprised i am posting on this thread at all, and if anyone wants to shoot me down in flames, please feel free.

However, Since i started our 24 / 7 work on writing the most comprehensive, relieable and capable software there has ever been for all the P38 systems back in mid 1996, finally released in late 1999, i have seen so many attempts to emulate what we did go under the bridge, it's really getting a bit repetative now. The closest that i have seen is when some anonymous person donated some EAS code on the Range Rovers.net forum a couple of years back.

The fact of the matter is that the P38 was created when there was absolutely little to no diagnostic communication standarisation at all. In fact at that time, making diagnostic communications as difficult and off the wall as possible was the main aim. Hence you can't even use the same hardware interface for all systems. As for talking to them, well thats like learning 12 different languages with no translation dictionary.

I am by no means being smug that we happen to currently sit on top of the mountain, but as i have expressed, it took us over 3 years of very dedicated 24 / 7 work to get here, which costs a huge amount to do and few would be prepared to unvest the same, and i know for certain that there is absolutely and most definately no quick, easy or cheap short cut to be had. As far as i am concerned, anyone who wants to join us is going to have to have gone through what we did and having done so, will then likely want the same if not more than we do to provide the benefit of their efforts to you.

I can only but apologise if my comments destroys or undermines anyones hopes dreams or wishes. But perhaps it might be time to wake up and face the real facts.
Click to expand...

Just cos you say your not being smug doesnt mean that your not, oh great you worked on something for a long time and you deserve to get paid? yes, but now that you have been paid any chance of bringing the price down to where jo soap can afford it??? ehh no. i bet your writing all these speaches from a nice up to date computer retired over there with lots of money you have made from the products, but dont point and say "i told you so" to other who want to try. personally i wont buy your product not cos of the price but cos of your holyer than though attitude.

i really hope RSW is successful in what they do and DESTROYS YOUR COMPANY!! oh and im not being an ass (well if you can get away with saying something your not why cant i??) :doh:
 
Hello P38_Ireland

Thanks for your comments, however before having a pop at us, you really do need to review your history a little, as you certainly do seem a little eneducated in such respects

any chance of bringing the price down to where jo soap can afford it??? ehh no.
Click to expand...

When released our equipment cost 10 Grand and with subsequent upgrades our equipment cost many businesses over 25 grand, however unlike anyone else, BBS turned their attention to helping jo public and released ever lower cost hardware and software solutions such as their single vehicle software licences that now means anyone can buy a full hardware and software kit for a P38 for about 400 GBP.

As it stands today, we are working very hard to provide at least the most basic Fault code capability on our renowned and respectesd FCR system for sub 200 GBP.

It is most interesting to note your imagination of my personal financial situation and especially in respect of my ability to afford the equipmemt i am currently using to write these posts on.

Yet again allow me to educate you.

The Laptop i am currently using to write on is indeed very much top of the line, however i personally could never ever hope to have ever afforded such.

I saw this laptop in a shop one day and only but dreamed that one day i could ever afford such a thing as everyone does
However in my case i had so very many times helped out a very well monied freind and asked nothing in return that when he asked what he could buy me for my birthday i retorted nothing but our freindship. But behind my back, my wife relayed the information about my dream laptop and here i am using it to try and convince you that you really could not be more wrong about me if you tried.

regards

Colin
 
BBS Guy said:
Hello P38_Ireland

Thanks for your comments, however before having a pop at us, you really do need to review your history a little, as you certainly do seem a little eneducated in such respects



When released our equipment cost 10 Grand and with subsequent upgrades our equipment cost many businesses over 25 grand, however unlike anyone else, BBS turned their attention to helping jo public and released ever lower cost hardware and software solutions such as their single vehicle software licences that now means anyone can buy a full hardware and software kit for a P38 for about 400 GBP.

As it stands today, we are working very hard to provide at least the most basic Fault code capability on our renowned and respectesd FCR system for sub 200 GBP.

It is most interesting to note your imagination of my personal financial situation and especially in respect of my ability to afford the equipmemt i am currently using to write these posts on.

Yet again allow me to educate you.

The Laptop i am currently using to write on is indeed very much top of the line, however i personally could never ever hope to have ever afforded such.

I saw this laptop in a shop one day and only but dreamed that one day i could ever afford such a thing as everyone does
However in my case i had so very many times helped out a very well monied freind and asked nothing in return that when he asked what he could buy me for my birthday i retorted nothing but our freindship. But behind my back, my wife relayed the information about my dream laptop and here i am using it to try and convince you that you really could not be more wrong about me if you tried.

regards

Colin
Click to expand...

Wow colin you would bring a tear to a glass eye with a story like that! :doh:

as i said you are more than entitled to charge what you want for your stuff but i did say now that it has been some years on that you might have lowered the price to what jo soap can afford.

end of the day your over priced and your no better off than the main "Stealers" i also think coming on here touting your biz is a shocking example how your "ramming" your ego down the throats of people on the forum. on one hand you encourage people to try write the software themselves and yet on the other you scoff when its mentioned

BBS Guy said:
Originally Posted by BBS Guy
Hiya Lowfat
On the 4th January 2010 on this thread Malfax Dand wrote

Quote:
I am about 45 days away from having a fully functioning software release and hardware release.
I will let you do the maths

I will let you do the maths :)
Click to expand...

Come on RSW its only a matter of time before your software becomes worthless i for one will be one of the 1st to gloat!!
 
Last edited:
If someone decides to write diagnostic software and give it away, so be it.

Being honest pays your money and takes your choice
 
fanatic said:
If someone decides to write diagnostic software and give it away, so be it.

Being honest pays your money and takes your choice
Click to expand...

I completely agree, as i said if someone invests in doing this mammoth task i dont expect they do it for free. But a few years after the process has been achieved and well in to profit (which im sure BBS Buy will deny) it could be said that the price could drop to a reasonable price for the masses to afford.

i am in a fortunate position that i could afford a unit for my P38 but choose not to as i dont like BBS Guys style for dealing with P38 owners/enthusiasts.
 
I am an ordinary Joe Soap who purchased the then, Rovacomlite system with a couple of modules initially, simply because I was fed up of being ripped off for diagnostics by Main Stealers. I have been a user for many years now and a couple of years ago I decided to invest in a complete set of modules for the P38.
As BBS guy has stated, and I together with other users agree that it beats Test Book hands down. O.k. BBS guy may seem abrupt but he appears to be someone who doesn't stand fools easily but be assured that the Blackbox support team, including the boss are most helpful.
I feel the green eyed monster is at play here...BBS have invested to produce their products and , like every other business are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labour and risk taking. Admittedly, free diagnostics systems would be a dream come true for all owners but personally I think it is just that.... a dream.
Seems strange that Autologic has not been mentioned in these posts.
:behindsofa: (BBS alias johneastleach)
 
Irishrover said:
I am an ordinary Joe Soap who purchased the then, Rovacomlite system with a couple of modules initially, simply because I was fed up of being ripped off for diagnostics by Main Stealers. I have been a user for many years now and a couple of years ago I decided to invest in a complete set of modules for the P38.
As BBS guy has stated, and I together with other users agree that it beats Test Book hands down. O.k. BBS guy may seem abrupt but he appears to be someone who doesn't stand fools easily but be assured that the Blackbox support team, including the boss are most helpful.
I feel the green eyed monster is at play here...BBS have invested to produce their products and , like every other business are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labour and risk taking. Admittedly, free diagnostics systems would be a dream come true for all owners but personally I think it is just that.... a dream.
Seems strange that Autologic has not been mentioned in these posts.
:behindsofa: (BBS alias johneastleach)
Click to expand...

Hi Irish

I completely agree that a company have to make there money back and some, its called business. my problem is with BBS Guy coming on here talking down people who want to try there own way. he's being so facetious. for those reasons i have a problem with BBS
 
If someone can do it it can be replicated-my opinion on this is if someone else wants to do it and sell it cheaper/give it away or whatever do it.

If you can't accept that's the way it is.

Meet people like that every day-can't do it and don't want to pay
 
fanatic said:
If someone can do it it can be replicated-my opinion on this is if someone else wants to do it and sell it cheaper/give it away or whatever do it.

If you can't accept that's the way it is.

Meet people like that every day-can't do it and don't want to pay
Click to expand...

did you even read my reply? i have no problem with someone selling something its there facetious attitude i have the problem with
 
yes I read your reply and in a polite way suggested:-
1)if you don't like their methods of doing things-make your own
2)You don't have the skills to make one then buy another make.

Your whining like a bitch, life is not fair and capitalism is how things are.
If you have some constructive ideas I'd be interested.

If I could feel the need, which I can't I would buy a competitors product and reverse engineer by logging data flow.

Feel free to reply if it does not involve -the big boys are picking on me and lifes not fair
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
LR Testbook Software
Replies
0
Views
373
bristop
B
p38DH
P38A Diagnostic device
Replies
8
Views
1K
p38DH
p38DH
M
Air suspension problems
2 3
Replies
59
Views
3K
Rubberknees
Rubberknees
P38 guy
Amplifier/sub 12v line
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
kermit_rr
kermit_rr
awkwardbob
L322 INPA Cable pin-out
Replies
2
Views
861
awkwardbob
awkwardbob
Back
Top