Microtech How to connect the ecu to laptop!! please help!!!
Thread Starter
Spinner
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Washington
How to connect the ecu to laptop!! please help!!!
I have my microtech lt10s with x4 box hooked up. It starts the car and everything. I then bought the microtch dongle (black) and plugged it onto the ecu. Then bought a cable from 9 pin to 15 pin. Plugged into my laptop and it wont initialize into either of the com ports. So then i went out and bought a 9 pin to usb. Now it still doesnt work... Is the software not compatable with windows 7? or am i not doing something to get it to work? please help me!!!
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk, VA
I have my microtech lt10s with x4 box hooked up. It starts the car and everything. I then bought the microtch dongle (black) and plugged it onto the ecu. Then bought a cable from 9 pin to 15 pin. Plugged into my laptop and it wont initialize into either of the com ports. So then i went out and bought a 9 pin to usb. Now it still doesnt work... Is the software not compatable with windows 7? or am i not doing something to get it to work? please help me!!!
It work for me. I have the adapter from serial to usb i got it from radio shak. make sure your laptop recognize the adapter first and downloads the driver.
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 107
Likes: 3
From: Australia
Try the below
I have found with USB to serial converters that you need to have the COM port settings just right for them to work correctly. This is before I got sick of connection issues even after finding the optimal settings and just got a laptop with a serial port on it. Here is what I documented when using a USB to serial adapter, try it out and see if it helps.
a, Go to START - Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager
b, Expand the list of COM and LPT ports on the system by clicking on the + beside the item in the list called "Ports (COM & LPT)"
c, Double left click on the COM port that you are going to use
d, Change the settings for the port to:
19200
8
N
1
NONE
e, Click on the button "Advanced"
f, If you are using the USB to Serial Adapter then turn off all FIFO Buffers. NOTE: If you are just using a straight serial port to connect then choose the highest buffer level possible. (Usualy 14)
g, Apply all settings and click ok.
I have also noticed that not all USB to serial adapters work with automotive ECUs. Some with varying degrees of success and some not at all.
a, Go to START - Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager
b, Expand the list of COM and LPT ports on the system by clicking on the + beside the item in the list called "Ports (COM & LPT)"
c, Double left click on the COM port that you are going to use
d, Change the settings for the port to:
19200
8
N
1
NONE
e, Click on the button "Advanced"
f, If you are using the USB to Serial Adapter then turn off all FIFO Buffers. NOTE: If you are just using a straight serial port to connect then choose the highest buffer level possible. (Usualy 14)
g, Apply all settings and click ok.
I have also noticed that not all USB to serial adapters work with automotive ECUs. Some with varying degrees of success and some not at all.
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
If your laptop has a built in UART (many do for a docking station) then you need to disable it or at least reassign it to COM4 or something. Then that should free up either COM1 or COM2 which you can assign to your USB adapter.
Thread Starter
Spinner
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I cant figure out how to assign ports... I bought a new windows 7 compatible usb to 9 pin adaptor in the mail, coming soon. And my new laptop ends up uninstalling microtech software every time i shut the system off for some reason... i tried the method above where i go to control panel etc etc, but no "port" or "com" listed. Any ideas on how to change one of my usb ports to com1? thanks.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
From within Device Manager, do a properties on the USB adapter. It is usually in the Port Settings tab, or you may need to click the Advanced button.
As for it uninstalling everytime you reboot, that is quite odd. Do you have some kind of imaging software installed? I believe certain versions of Windows 7 have a setting to restore the system back to original configuration upon boot. Is this turned on?
As for it uninstalling everytime you reboot, that is quite odd. Do you have some kind of imaging software installed? I believe certain versions of Windows 7 have a setting to restore the system back to original configuration upon boot. Is this turned on?
Thread Starter
Spinner
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Microtech still wont connect even after i adjusted the com ports... Stupid windows 7. I cant firgure it out, if my friend cant get it, then im stuck and may just get frustrated and buy the dam handset.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Get a cheap laptop running Windows XP, 2000 or 98.
Then again, USB serial adapters often suck for EMS use. I have a PCMCIA adapter with a real UART that always works. They are about $100, but well worth it.
Then again, USB serial adapters often suck for EMS use. I have a PCMCIA adapter with a real UART that always works. They are about $100, but well worth it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: atoka ok
I have my microtech lt10s with x4 box hooked up. It starts the car and everything. I then bought the microtch dongle (black) and plugged it onto the ecu. Then bought a cable from 9 pin to 15 pin. Plugged into my laptop and it wont initialize into either of the com ports. So then i went out and bought a 9 pin to usb. Now it still doesnt work... Is the software not compatable with windows 7? or am i not doing something to get it to work? please help me!!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 7
From: Home of the Rolex 24
Man! Great question.... I have an old lap top for the Microtech with Windows XP.
Everything else is Mac products.
But someone here MUST know. Hopefully they'll chim in.
What worked for me was post #4 of this thread.
HTH.
Everything else is Mac products.
But someone here MUST know. Hopefully they'll chim in.
What worked for me was post #4 of this thread.
HTH.
talking head
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 15
From: Perth, WA, OZ
if you search around there is free versions of the software with only two com port pull down options and others with four
i suggest you keep googling till you get the 4 com port option version
and /or find an old PC with the serial port
i suggest you keep googling till you get the 4 com port option version
and /or find an old PC with the serial port
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
As with any USB to serial adapter, the drivers do have to be installed, generally before the adapter is plugged in for the first time. If it's some generic adapter of unknown origin you may be able to track down the driver from another manufacturer, as they all tend to use the same chipset (Prolific is one popular chipset).
If you have the choice, use a PCMCIA or ExpressCard adapter. They typically have a real UART on board instead of relying on the host computer to emulate one in software.
If you have the choice, use a PCMCIA or ExpressCard adapter. They typically have a real UART on board instead of relying on the host computer to emulate one in software.
Glock Lover
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 0
From: Currently residing in St Charles, MO
I'm wondering if I should spend the money to get the IOGear one since the drivers are easily accessible, and they have them for Windows 7. Then run the MicroTech software in Windows XP mode.
SLO Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
I dont want to open a old post on purpose but,
anybody find out what adaptor works the best with windows 7 for the MT?
maybe where you bought it and how much would be some nice info.
Thanks,
Jon
anybody find out what adaptor works the best with windows 7 for the MT?
maybe where you bought it and how much would be some nice info.
Thanks,
Jon