Uh, you're going to want to do a lot more research than that. It's not as simple as loading software and you're in. I've looked into this a little off and on and still am.

Your best bet is the dedicated software forum on BF.c.

 

This is where I was hoping the forum came in.

I will try over on BF.

 

The GT1 vmware image works pretty well. You'll still need an interface to connect to the OBDII, but if you have an old laptop with serial port, it's a good tool for sure...

 

is there a free one you can download that can activate the Alarm system? and what kind of cable is needed to connect to computer?

 

is this worth the purchase? http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD...m4cf9b475a7&item=330606867879&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr#ht_2855wt_1139

 

I've ordered this and received it half an hour ago. I can't tell you if it's worth it, because I haven't done anything with it just yet, but one thing I can tell you is that a guy is legit, he is very VERY helpful, nice and pleasant person...the package contained items exactly as described: OBD cable + 2xDVDs, including a very helpful video etc etc... It took a day or two more than I expected to arrive (considering Romania and Serbia are neighbouring countries), but that's OK.

I'll give more feedback when I try it on my car....

 

PA 1.4.0 software can be had for ~$50 online. Does all the programming and reading of codes you need.

Comes complete with software.

 

PA 1.4.0 software can be had for ~$30 online. Does all the programming and reading of codes you need.

Comes complete with software.

Fixed. xcar360.com

 

The GT1 with yellow multiplexer works flawlessly. You ask the seller to provide you vmware images instead of hard drives for the IBM T30 and you can use any laptop with vmware installed and an ethernet port. Well, any laptop except netbooks - DIS and Progman are 4:3 screen ratio and you will loose the bottom of the screen if your screen is too short in height.

Lately I noticed they've come up with versions that don't even need a multiplexer, they tricked the soft into thinking there is one plugged in. It's much cheaper of course, can be had for around $50 and it's not just DIS and Progman, it comes with the whole suite - NCS Expert, Ediabas, INPA etc. but I can vouch for them as I haven't tried it. Some come with their own custom USB to OBDII, others require you to have your own EDIABAS interface cable, but at that price it would worth a try though.

Also, keep in mind there's stuff you can't do with DIS/Progman like one touch window closing for the rear quarters on the coupe, it was never a factory option but I hear it can be twicked with NCS Expert (after you modded the switch first).

Setting up the VMWare is relatively easy but you have to get the network settings and IPs right.

 

^ Most people aren't tech savvy enough to understand your post, let alone get to doing what you describe.

Why bother with complex setups and expensive tools when all the programming options the OP wants, and more, can be achieved with a cheap knockoff tool for next to no money and very little effort?

 

OP asked about a comprehensive solution, your device looks more like a gimmick to me.

 

http://www.xcar360.com/bmw-scanner-1-4-0-bmw-scanner-bmw-diagnostic-bmw-scan-tool.html


Is this /\ what i should be ordering in order to activate my Alarm system and be able to turn my corner lights off while headlights on?

 

yes sir.

 

It can disable DRLs, setup EU DRLs, and activate double impulse 4-way flashers, but it can not disable the corner lights from the LCM to my knowledge.

One other bother with it, it cannot program the fan to be off (by default) when I turn on the car. Other then that, it can program and read codes from any module.

 

so with that system i will be able to activate alarm? is there anywhere else to order it? that website seems iffy to me.

 

Read my alarm thread, I gave you the screencap which shows what options I selected to enable my alarm.

Another place to order is dealextreme, but there it's $48

 

Not sure where you're located in FL but I can possibly help you out with coding.

 

Lestat, I am interested in what you are describing too. Let me know which unit.

 

I was talking about what DakiBMW just bought from Romania. There are a few sellers in the UK too and the unit seems to be the same - blue OBDII to USB cable with 'BMW Cables' written on it + the software.

DakiBMW let us know how it works!

 

actually ordering it from deal extreme is cheaper by like 5 bucks vs that other one, because they offer free shipping.

 

Whoever order that $40/$50 cable can you post your review of this? The one I am speaking of is this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD...m4cf9b475a7&item=330606867879&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr#ht_2855wt_1139

It looks very similar to that PA 1.4.0 programmer minus the actual programmer box.. So I am curious to know what this cable can do? If it's just the cable couldn't you take the cable from the PA 1.4.0 programmer get the software and then have the best of both worlds?

 

The PA Soft cable is just a standard firewire cable. Probably the same thing your printer uses. That "programmer box" is what plugs into your OBDII port.

 

not firewire, its standard usb but with a type B plug (square). your right that most printers use this cable.

 

What about these cables here that this guy is selling..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=889112

 

I think i bought mine from the same seller on ebay (from romania) very good instructions to setup everything. Got it up and running in two days, my only issue was my USB com port was set to 3, but the software was trying to read on com 1. changed it and everything came to life.

Its easy to get them running, hard to master them since they come with no guides or info to use them. You find the occasional guides online to change VO or activate/deactivate single features but nothing comprehensive. And you could easily screw up the car with these software, so its best to tread lightly and carefully when your new. So far ive been able to do all the basic stuff, turning features on/off, also added oem led taillights to my m3 and cleared up the bulb out errors.

Also if your battery (either your laptop or your car) drains in the middle of an encode session, you could possibly damage your modules. They recommend to have car connected to battery charger while in Pos 2 or have the engine running.

 

Well I've been tinkering arounad and I got my hands on the software. So far I've installed Gt1/DIS, INPA/Edbias.. Took my macbook and created a windows xp partition and now I got XP running on it with the programs listed but I am still unclear so some...

I am not exactly sure what is the purpose of SSS do I need that? Same with NCS? What I want to do is check error codes clear and program features.

I guess Gt1/DIS does everything basically only SSS and NCS are more complicated versions? Like I can't seem to figure out what those two are exactly..

Hope someone can clear this up for me as I am totally confused on those two programs...

 

They have some overlap.

THESE ARE BMW DEALER SOFTWARE___________________________________

SSS/Progman - programming vehicle, enable/disable almost any feature with a visual gui.

DIS v57 - Diagnostics Information ONLY (they moved all programming functions under Progman as a seperate software)

DIS v44 (older) - Diagnostics Information AND programming

INPA - Diagnostics, a very powerful scanner software (recommended)


THESE ARE BMW FACTORY SOFTWARE_________________________________

NCS Expert - Basically a programming tool that the BMW FACTORY used, its like progman, except its not a visual interface, and its much more powerful to get into any features. It has no diagnostics ability. personally i prefer NCS Expert over progman, its just much faster. You can download data off any of the car modules, change settings and recode them. You have to be very careful with it, your can easily make your car :evil: if you hit the wrong buttons. Serious.



Edibias is just a communication protocol that these programs use to interface with the car and it has to be running in the background, you dont actually use it for any work.

Dealers and consumers were never meant to have ncs expert, it was leaked out of the factory.
Makes sense?

 

as long as your light switch module allows that feature, yes you can. you can do almost anything with progman, and its much safer than ncs expert. But its good to know how to use both, you may need to go further than progman allows occasionally. im not familiar with adaptive headlights in particular... but if your car came with halogens and you want to program it to use xenons, yea stuff like that is all available to you. saves you a visit to the dealer, and the ass pain that usually ensues...

 

Thank you sir My car already has xenons. I had to replace the adaptive control unit b/c of water damage I caused.

 

Thanks for the clarification Vic328CSi!! That explains it exactly.

I am in the process of obtaining SSS (Porgman), that looks fairly straight forward to use. I guess GT1/DIS was phased out by Porgman, right?

Also I am trying to find a cable to use? I read that you can get a $8 USB VAG-COM cable and just bridge 2 solder points and get a fully functioning cable for the fraction of the cost. Wouldn't happen to know more about this?

 

no DIS wasnt phased out. the older version v44 DIS could program as well, but they took that feature out and made it ProgMan. the newer version of DIS v57 can only do diagnostics. DIS is like a step by step guide to figuring out whats wrong with the car and how to fix it. So you plug it in, DIS scans all the modules, and shows you any errors. Once you select an error, it prompts you for symptoms that are present, you select whats there, then it goes to possible options to repair it. once you select an appropriate repair, it shows you the TIS (technical info) documents necessary to do the repair!

I purchased it on ebay, got the cable, software and install instructions. Honestly the install instructions (video) that come with it is well worth the money. Was about $50ish.


ac_2007 yea I agree, I havent retired PA Soft yet, its still quick and easy for most needs.

 

Hi guys, I just wanted to ask how everything is going with these new usb cable & software only packages. I'm interested in buying this item of ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280794192640?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661 as the one you guys got from Romania, the seller won't ship to Australia so I'm forced to get one elsewhere and this one from the uk looks ok.

 

looks like the same cable i got...