hand held Car Diagnostic Scanners

[Alan_uk]

I've no longer a Windows based laptop PC since it "died" after a Windows Update. I'm now running PC LinuxOS, so I can't run the VCDS from Ross-Tech. For simply reading fault codes and resetting are the following suitable or similar?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Diagn..._Equipment&hash=item1c26ac2203#ht_3638wt_1102

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Diagn...s_Equipment&hash=item27c51ed5d6#ht_3823wt_905

The other alternative is ScanGuage2 with the advantage of mpg etc but posts on this forum give mixed reviews.

Thanks

 

[Mustang-owner]

Hi Alan,

If you installed the Linux based OS yourself (meaning you’re at least reasonably computer literate), have you thought about running a virtual windows XP machine under your host OS?
This would enable you to have the advantages of a Unix based host, with the ability to run ELSA, ETKA and VCDS (and any other windows based software) on a guest operating system under your Linux host.

I have recently done something similar on a Windows 7 64 bit host machine with a guest Windows XP virtual machine and it works very well. Compiling the software was time consuming, but now I have the ability to run ALL my Audi software on a virtual machine. Should the “virtual” machine suffer a failure from poor software coding or virus, etc, it is quick and easy to get back to a fully working XP machine, fully loaded with all my software.

I am planning on trialling it on a Linux derivative (Ubuntu) this week and I’m using Oracle’s open source Virtual Box to provide the interface between host and Guest OS’s.

Just a thought……and………has anyone else tried this with success?

Cheers

Jeff

 

[Alan_uk]

Hi Jeff. Sorry to be slow replying.

Whilst I've been in IT for 45 years (to which a lot of people reply, "were they invented that long ago"!) not really got into Linux. I downloaded PCLinuxOS and burned to CD and then ran the install. Not done anything with it since so a complete newbie re installing software, especially if it has to be compiled. I'm familiar with the concept of virtual machine, vaguely recalling using IBM VM at one point.

However, I don't think the laptop is up to running Windows XP, unless a fresh install and all the services fixes ends up with a much more efficient machine that my previous XP which was probably 5 years old. Also, the PC (an HP) never came with original XP disks (which annoyed me) but merely the option to burn the installed system to a recovery disk - so not too sure if than could be run under a virtual PC.

Cheers.

 

[Mustang-owner]

Hi Alan,

So you must be older than me.......haha........not many of us left.

Don't worry about not responding sooner - it's an age thing.

Unfortunately I can't help with a handheld scanner. The only one I've used is the Snap On Modis which cost over £3k.
I think, as with most cheapish handhelds, you'll get what you pay for. I'm not sure who on here has them, but I believe they give mixed results, and an inaccurate diagnostic tool can be a pain in the ar5e.

If you are attending any social events I'm happy to show you how the VM software works and installs. As I've compiled it already it's an easy task to get a system up and running.
I don't know if you own a genuine VCDS, but it works well on the Virtual Machine, however I am waiting for a cheap cable from the Internet and will install VCDS-Lite, and report back with the results.

Cheers

Jeff