W

wantaquad

Active Member
Hi Guys,

Looking to buy a second hand laptop with a serial port for the EAS software but don't know which to go for..

Could anyone who is succesfully running the EAS software on a laptop that doesn't need a USB serial emulator jobby please post what lappy they use and the operating system on it Cheers
 
wantaquad said:
Hi Guys,

Looking to buy a second hand laptop with a serial port for the EAS software but don't know which to go for..

Could anyone who is succesfully running the EAS software on a laptop that doesn't need a USB serial emulator jobby please post what lappy they use and the operating system on it Cheers
Click to expand...

give wrxfifer a pm,he has got one for sale i think.
 
i have had no issues with my lead and usb to serial adaptor, mind you i know mine is connected cos i soldered the fecker in there myself!!!!
 
Buy a cheap reconditioned Panasonic Toughbook off ebay for under £50 - they are meant for industrial use and are incredibly robust, which normal Dells and Acers and the like are NOT. You don't need a new or recent one. I bought one and dedicated it to the software and also intend using it for Faultmate when I eventually buy one!!!:D
 
rangiegal said:
Buy a cheap reconditioned Panasonic Toughbook off ebay for under £50 - they are meant for industrial use and are incredibly robust, which normal Dells and Acers and the like are NOT. You don't need a new or recent one. I bought one and dedicated it to the software and also intend using it for Faultmate when I eventually buy one!!!:D
Click to expand...


They come with Windows 98 which aint the best for reliability. XP with USB to serial works fine for me:D
 
I work with Toughbooks - I HATE them with a vengeance, especially the newer ones! Still, perhaps that's just me.

I've been using the wife's laptop with a USB to serial adaptor and the EAS Unlock stuff works a treat. Got a kicker as well though which fits in the glove box a whole lot better!

Guy
 
Datatek said:
They come with Windows 98 which aint the best for reliability. XP with USB to serial works fine for me:D
Click to expand...

Never had a problem with this or any other Win 98 computer...its just a cheap tool that I use for the cars only so my usual laptop doesn't get knocked around. USB to serial sometimes causes problems depending on the hardware / software, but hey, whatever works for you is the right answer isn't it?:D
 
kooky_guy said:
I work with Toughbooks - I HATE them with a vengeance, especially the newer ones! Still, perhaps that's just me.

Guy
Click to expand...

Why? They're not pretty, sure, but they are just laptops at the end of the day, with a tougher build than usual chinese cr**p. Just a means of running software to use the hardware to connect to the car - its simple enough and the guys at Blackbox recommend them, too - they also sell used units, at far higher prices than ebay, though!:rolleyes:
 
wantaquad said:
Hi Guys,

Looking to buy a second hand laptop with a serial port for the EAS software but don't know which to go for..

Could anyone who is succesfully running the EAS software on a laptop that doesn't need a USB serial emulator jobby please post what lappy they use and the operating system on it Cheers
Click to expand...

I have two laptops an old Dell Latitude C510 with the serial port and an ACER 243 LC that only has USB both running XP. The dell connects and syncs with the car no problem but the ACER will not using the USB adaptor. I suppose the ACER would if i could be bothered adjusting the connection paramiters. But the Dell works out of the box so to speak, whilst the much more expensive all singing and dancing ACER does not. If you look on student sites there are lots of cheap laptops for sale for them to do course work on. You can get a reasonable serial ported one that will do all you require for around £50.00 to £70.00 or less if your lucky.
 
rangiegal said:
Why? They're not pretty, sure, but they are just laptops at the end of the day, with a tougher build than usual chinese cr**p. Just a means of running software to use the hardware to connect to the car - its simple enough and the guys at Blackbox recommend them, too - they also sell used units, at far higher prices than ebay, though!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It's more to do with the internals and the specific use that we have for them that gives me nightmares. I'm sure for general purposes they're fine. It's just the mention of that name that sends fills me with a feeling of dread...
 
I have a Toughbook (£50 Ebay) dedicated just for use with my Extreme MSV and I'm very happy with it. The problem I used to find with Windows is that over time it gets slower and slower the more programmes you have on it. That's why I'm a Mac user now, and would never go back (apart from for the MSV that is).
 
Nidjet said:
I have a Toughbook (£50 Ebay) dedicated just for use with my Extreme MSV and I'm very happy with it. The problem I used to find with Windows is that over time it gets slower and slower the more programmes you have on it. That's why I'm a Mac user now, and would never go back (apart from for the MSV that is).
Click to expand...

Exactly my point, They are excellent for this dedicated purpose - so much so that Rovacom / Faultmate guys at Black Box recommend and sell them. They are perfect for this use, and you won't get anything much cheaper than £50 in laptops of any age. Oh, and agreed about the Mac too - we have both in the house, and if I didn't have to use Windoze I wouldn't. Partner just avoids the Windoze laptops and PCs completely!!!:D
 
you can also get the software for pda's but you need specific types of pda with a usb host port. its not complex but it wont work on any pda. if you happen to have a suitable pda it'd save space and money to put it on there!
 
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