Power FC Datalogit WORKING on Mac!
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Photo Diety
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,311
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From: Florida
Datalogit WORKING on Mac!
Moderator, you may want to make this sticky. I've cross-posted to the Yahoo Datalogit group too.
Guys,
After putting a hex on Bill Gates, I've managed to get the FC Edit program to interface with the Datalogit. There's been much blood, sweat and tears, but the effort was worth it. Perhaps I could post an entire synopsis of the installation and proceedures on the Datalogit web page? Here's a brief summary;
First, you'll need a Mac laptop, at the very least 400mhz Powerbook (Bronze Keyboard, otherwise known as Lombard, or the later Pismo model with built-in Firewire). Any of the newer I-books (magnesium case, all white) should work even better. My system configuration is:
400mhz G3, 320mb of ram, and a 6Gig hard drive (becoming 30Gig by tomorrow!) I also have an iBook 500mhz (one of the new ones) with 192mb of ram. Virtual PC requires at least 192mb to run in OSX, 128mb in OS9. I'll try and install it on my iBook to see if the decrease in RAM slows things down. Also, I have a swappable SuperDrive so I can read plain jane floppies. Remember those? The Serial to USB adapter comes with it's own driver, on a 1.44mb floppy. So...you'll have to either download the disk to a hard drive and transfer it somehow, or purchase your own adapter that utilizes a more modern disk to store the driver on. Most Wintel-based PC's still come with a floppy drive. Very retro. Good thing cars don't come with 8-tracks any more.
Second, I'd recommend that you have OSX installed (10.1) instead of OS9.2. Why? Virtual PC version 5.0 (what I recommend) is much snappier on OSX and has more functionality. You loose a bit of function when running in "classic" mode. However, it'll work with both.
Third, you'll need Virtual PC 5.0 with either Windows98 or Win2000. I recommend Windows98 as it's less problematic than Win2000 and it's a bit cheaper to boot. Virtual PC is pre-packaged with either one, and several other Windows packages for that matter.
Fourth, you will need a serial to USB adapter. I'd imagine you could purchase these at most larger computer stores. If not, Glen and Steve have them. Their version requres either Windows 98 or Windows 2000. See "Third".
Fifth, you'll need FC_Edit v1.04 (or later) as it has settings for Com1-Com4. Com is short for communications port in Windows 98. Why they just don't call it the modem port, or the printer port, or the USB...wait, that would be too logical for Bill Gates and his evil empire, but I digress. Anyhoo, for some reason, Windows 98 assigns Com1 and Com2 to something else (it may be Virtual PC doing this too, or the Mac OS). The point being that in v1.03 of FC_Edit, you only had the choice of Com1 or Com2, which are taken. In v1.04, you two additional Com ports, 3 and 4. More on that below.
After you have all of the above, you'll need to install Virtual PC on your Mac. Follow the instructions and read the manual first as there's some new lingo. I named my virtual pc engine "FC_Edit" since I don't have any other reason to use crappy Windows programs. I would recommend that you choose the easy install option. Once installed, quit the installer and go through the steps. There's one section of the setup where it allows you to choose the "parameters" of your Virtual PC. Think of it like you're actually setting up preferences on a PC. In it, it'll allow you to choose how much RAM is allocated to the program. Give it all the ram you can as it'll speed things up a bit. I believe I'm running a 144mb allocation of RAM, per the Virtual PC program. Install the FC_Edit program and then update it with v1.04 available from the Datalogit web site. Simply download it and drop the program into the "Program Files" located on your "C" drive (hard drive to you and me) and then in FC Edit. It looks something like this; C:\Program Files\FCEdit I then dragged it to the Windows Desktop which created an automatic shortcut so you don't have to go digging on the hard drive.
For the following, you must do it just as I specify (and the adapter directions specify). Once you have Virtual PC installed and running, shut down Windows 98 and Virtual PC. Install the Serial to USB adapter in USB port #2 (#1 may work as well). Once it's hooked up, boot Virtual PC and your "virtual" machine (whatever you named it) which will launch Windows 98. Once it's up and running, it'll auto detect a new divice and search for the appropriate driver. The install new hardware program will launch and you should insert the floppy (or CD) which contains the driver. Follow the instructions and complete the installation.
Once the driver is installed, and with the adapter still plugged into the back of the computer, connect the serial end to the Datalogit box with the car off. Turn the car on and launch FC_Edit which you should have installed already. It may say "Error opening Com2" or something stupid like that. Click "ok". You'll have to go under the menu at the top to "Setup" and choose Com3. Once that's done, try "reading" your PFC. If you get an "interface not responding", try quitting FC_Edit and launching it again. If that doesn't work, shut down Windows 98 and restart it with everything plugged in and the car off. Once it's fully boots, turn the car on to accessory (engine not running) and launch FC_Edit again. If that doesn't work yet again, go down to the USB symbol at the bottom of Virtual PC and click on it, then USB Settings. Once the "Settings" window for your Virtual PC pop up, click on USB and make sure the driver for the Serial to USB adapter is enabled as well as the USB itself. Once it's enabled, close the window and you should be able to read and write to the Power FC and to of course, Datalog!
If anyone needs any assistance, feel free to contact me. Greg, Steve, does this mean you guys are going to send me a free Wideband 02? :-)
Guys,
After putting a hex on Bill Gates, I've managed to get the FC Edit program to interface with the Datalogit. There's been much blood, sweat and tears, but the effort was worth it. Perhaps I could post an entire synopsis of the installation and proceedures on the Datalogit web page? Here's a brief summary;
First, you'll need a Mac laptop, at the very least 400mhz Powerbook (Bronze Keyboard, otherwise known as Lombard, or the later Pismo model with built-in Firewire). Any of the newer I-books (magnesium case, all white) should work even better. My system configuration is:
400mhz G3, 320mb of ram, and a 6Gig hard drive (becoming 30Gig by tomorrow!) I also have an iBook 500mhz (one of the new ones) with 192mb of ram. Virtual PC requires at least 192mb to run in OSX, 128mb in OS9. I'll try and install it on my iBook to see if the decrease in RAM slows things down. Also, I have a swappable SuperDrive so I can read plain jane floppies. Remember those? The Serial to USB adapter comes with it's own driver, on a 1.44mb floppy. So...you'll have to either download the disk to a hard drive and transfer it somehow, or purchase your own adapter that utilizes a more modern disk to store the driver on. Most Wintel-based PC's still come with a floppy drive. Very retro. Good thing cars don't come with 8-tracks any more.
Second, I'd recommend that you have OSX installed (10.1) instead of OS9.2. Why? Virtual PC version 5.0 (what I recommend) is much snappier on OSX and has more functionality. You loose a bit of function when running in "classic" mode. However, it'll work with both.
Third, you'll need Virtual PC 5.0 with either Windows98 or Win2000. I recommend Windows98 as it's less problematic than Win2000 and it's a bit cheaper to boot. Virtual PC is pre-packaged with either one, and several other Windows packages for that matter.
Fourth, you will need a serial to USB adapter. I'd imagine you could purchase these at most larger computer stores. If not, Glen and Steve have them. Their version requres either Windows 98 or Windows 2000. See "Third".
Fifth, you'll need FC_Edit v1.04 (or later) as it has settings for Com1-Com4. Com is short for communications port in Windows 98. Why they just don't call it the modem port, or the printer port, or the USB...wait, that would be too logical for Bill Gates and his evil empire, but I digress. Anyhoo, for some reason, Windows 98 assigns Com1 and Com2 to something else (it may be Virtual PC doing this too, or the Mac OS). The point being that in v1.03 of FC_Edit, you only had the choice of Com1 or Com2, which are taken. In v1.04, you two additional Com ports, 3 and 4. More on that below.
After you have all of the above, you'll need to install Virtual PC on your Mac. Follow the instructions and read the manual first as there's some new lingo. I named my virtual pc engine "FC_Edit" since I don't have any other reason to use crappy Windows programs. I would recommend that you choose the easy install option. Once installed, quit the installer and go through the steps. There's one section of the setup where it allows you to choose the "parameters" of your Virtual PC. Think of it like you're actually setting up preferences on a PC. In it, it'll allow you to choose how much RAM is allocated to the program. Give it all the ram you can as it'll speed things up a bit. I believe I'm running a 144mb allocation of RAM, per the Virtual PC program. Install the FC_Edit program and then update it with v1.04 available from the Datalogit web site. Simply download it and drop the program into the "Program Files" located on your "C" drive (hard drive to you and me) and then in FC Edit. It looks something like this; C:\Program Files\FCEdit I then dragged it to the Windows Desktop which created an automatic shortcut so you don't have to go digging on the hard drive.
For the following, you must do it just as I specify (and the adapter directions specify). Once you have Virtual PC installed and running, shut down Windows 98 and Virtual PC. Install the Serial to USB adapter in USB port #2 (#1 may work as well). Once it's hooked up, boot Virtual PC and your "virtual" machine (whatever you named it) which will launch Windows 98. Once it's up and running, it'll auto detect a new divice and search for the appropriate driver. The install new hardware program will launch and you should insert the floppy (or CD) which contains the driver. Follow the instructions and complete the installation.
Once the driver is installed, and with the adapter still plugged into the back of the computer, connect the serial end to the Datalogit box with the car off. Turn the car on and launch FC_Edit which you should have installed already. It may say "Error opening Com2" or something stupid like that. Click "ok". You'll have to go under the menu at the top to "Setup" and choose Com3. Once that's done, try "reading" your PFC. If you get an "interface not responding", try quitting FC_Edit and launching it again. If that doesn't work, shut down Windows 98 and restart it with everything plugged in and the car off. Once it's fully boots, turn the car on to accessory (engine not running) and launch FC_Edit again. If that doesn't work yet again, go down to the USB symbol at the bottom of Virtual PC and click on it, then USB Settings. Once the "Settings" window for your Virtual PC pop up, click on USB and make sure the driver for the Serial to USB adapter is enabled as well as the USB itself. Once it's enabled, close the window and you should be able to read and write to the Power FC and to of course, Datalog!
If anyone needs any assistance, feel free to contact me. Greg, Steve, does this mean you guys are going to send me a free Wideband 02? :-)
Good news! I plan on running it on my Old iBook (300 MHz oc'd to 400 MHz) I will report how that goes as well. Its too bad the FC_Edit software isn't open source, I could work on porting it to Mac. Either as a Carbon or Cocoa, or even as a Darwin app. 
Though this will have to work for now. Are you using Office for Windows for your importing your datalog files or are you using Office X?
Though this will have to work for now. Are you using Office for Windows for your importing your datalog files or are you using Office X?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 270
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From: Los Gatos, CA
i'm a die hard mac user, but that procedure sounds too involved even for me. i think i'm gonna just buy a used p.o.s pc laptop and use it only for the datalogit. after buying all the software and adapters for the mac, you've probably spent what it would cost to get an accepatable pc on ebay. plus you wouldn't have to worry about our nice macs getting dropped and greased up in the garage.
now if the datalogit boys would just put out the mac software and usb or firewire hardware.....
now if the datalogit boys would just put out the mac software and usb or firewire hardware.....
Thread Starter
Photo Diety
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 0
From: Florida
You can get the USB adapter for $25. Then it's under $200 depending on which version of Virtual PC you get. So, $225 tops. Not that expensive. What I have found is that datalogging itself may be a bit slow and lines are skipped. I'll have to do some more testing on it. Glassman, I don't have office or anything like that. The FC Edit program is it's own program and you don't need a supporting program. Datalog files are saved at txt if I remember correctly.
Michel
Michel
Thread Starter
Photo Diety
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I will agree however, that Glen/Steve need to port this to Mac. Windows and anything Bill Gates is just plain worthless. Honestly, I have a pc now as well and it's about the most difficult piece of computer equipment I've ever come across, and I'm on Windows 98! Heaven forbid if I had XP or Win2000. HOW this ever became the most popular operating system is beyond me. Mac OSX is sooo far superior (heck 8.6 is superior for ease of use) it's not funny. Not to mention the fact that most PC's have a battery life of under two hours...not exactly useful at the drag strip when you're running on battery power. My iBook runs 5 hours, same for my G3 powerbook with two batteries. With all that said, there are no plans to port it to Mac sigh....
Michel
Michel
