Tried running Diacom on a 750 Mhz Celeron HP (N5310) laptop and wouldn't link in either ALDL or Diagnostic, even using the /f switch (Diacom-p.exe /f)

Booted to a DOS prompt (not shelled out From Windows) using both the Windows ME Emergency Start Up Disc and a DOS 6.22 boot disc; same result.

Tried both cables, 91006 and 91007, same result; no link.

Sound familiar?

Called Rinda and they sent me a new version of Diacom, 2.86 that has a slightly different Diacom-p.exe file, date of 11 May 2001.

Still wouldn't link in ALDL but using the 91007 cable, it would link in Diagnostic, but ran much, much slower than before when using a Compac LTE Lite 4133C laptop and startup idle was raunchy.

I was able to drive the car with Diacom running in Diagnostic mode and logged the data, but in Diagnostic Mode, no ignition timing was shown and some other less important stuff didn't show either.

I tried changing to all of the four different Parallel port configurations in "Setup", ECP, Bi-Directional, Normal and EPP and only in Normal would the Diagnostic Mode link.

Rinda said it won't run in Bi-Directional and that 86 Vettes (like mine) and other 'F' bodies have a unique problem with Diacom that later year cars don't have: DUH!

I believe it also has a lot to do with the laptop since Diacom ran fine with the old (and now broken)Compac laptop.

Guess it's back to the used computer store for me to try to find an old 486 33 Mhz.

Here's an update, thought it might help some of you having the same problem.

This is the last msg from Rinda:

"Jake,

First you can try all the suggestions below only if you don't have an AMD processor. If you do, Diacom will not work with your laptop and you can skip all suggestions below.

The 91006 must be used only with 1986-1988 Corvettes.

Any ECP or EPP parallel modes will not work with Diacom. You'll have to check that. Also, if you find yourself poking into BIOS disable any power saving features, especially if they shut off the hardrive(s).

You may try the following procedures:

1. Connect a jumper from a point connected to your laptop's chassis to a good ground on your vehicle.

2. If suggestion above fails then try this: carefully
clip pin number 7 on your Diacom parallel cable. It is OK to do and it wont affect cable's normal operation.

If all these suggestions don't make a difference, you might need to get a different laptop.

Best regards,
Bogdan"




[Modified by JAKE, 2:18 PM 2/28/2004]

 

[EDIT] I had to review my notes and change my post to be more accurate /EDIT]

Jake,

Did you also try the startup switches /N and /D? And also using them all at the same time? I don't know what they do, all I can suggest is that you try them. I found them when searching the Internet, so I don't know if they are reliable.

FWIW, I can link to my '85 with the 91006 cable using a brand new Intel Centrino laptop with a half a gig of ram. I'm running the parallel port in bi-directional mode. It's an IBM ThinkPad T40.

When I called Rinda (spoke with Ed) I asked them what this other 5 pin DIN barrel adapter is for that comes with Diacom. They said it was for 1986-1989 GM ECM's. If your car is in those years, have you tried that adapter too?

A couple of questions. Are you using Diacom or Diacom+?
What year is your car? What model is your ECM? (is it the car's original?)

Take care,
Shayne



[Modified by sspackman, 12:08 PM 2/28/2004]

 

Thanks for those switches, I didn't know about them and I'll give them a try.
Are there any more switches that I can try?

I'm running Diacom Plus, car is an 86; ECM is a remanufactured 7165 with a modified PROM with basically 89 programming.

I have run Diacom on my car before without any problem and all the logged data (GDF files) saved properly. The only difference is the laptop. It would run on the Compaq but not on the HP.

I remember a couple of years ago I lugged a desk top PC down to the garage - monitor, keyboard and mouse - hooked it up to the car and Diacom ran on it too.

Has to be something with the computer differences.

I have two adapter cables, 91006 and 91007 and have tried them both, but only with the slash "F" switch, since I didn't know about the other two you posted.

Jake

 

Just an update:

Yesterday I drove the car about 40 miles with Diacom running in DIAGNOSTIC Mode and I logged the data that the screen was showing as I drove.

When I returned home, I review that data and it was garbage. RPMs were all over the place from a low of 163 to as high as over 6000. I never exceeded 3000 RPM during the drive. The Closed Loop indicator would cycle from "On" to "Off", GPS flow was extremely high, Intergrator and BLM values were all over the place and Error Codes galore (one telling me I had no distributor pulse, MAF high AND MAF LOW voltages, etc. None of the data was reliable as being accurate.

BTW, the car ran fine all the time so I know it wasn't the engine doing this; the data was corrupted. Engine never missed a beat.

Jake

 

I have the plus version too. It's really nice to not have the limitations that the regular Diacom has. Did you have to use that centerpiece 5 pin DIN adapter to get it working with the other laptop?

Another question for ya. In your BIOS, can you adjust the speed of the computer's CPU down? Sometimes this is called Compatible mode on laptops. Just something I thought of.

Does your fuel pump turn on (with only the key on accessory) when you try the ALDL mode and Normal mode when linking?

 

[SNIP] Did you have to use that centerpiece 5 pin DIN adapter to get it working with the other laptop?

No, Dash ALDL connector to 91006 (or 91007 - depending on which one I'm trying) which is connected to the 91003 then the 91003 to the laptop.

[SNIP]Does your fuel pump turn on (with only the key on accessory) when you try the ALDL mode and Normal mode when linking?[SNIP]

I don't understand the question. Can you explain.

Jake

 

When I was helping 'neat' on the forum, when he went to link in any of the modes other than diagnostic, his fuel pump seemed to be running the second you hit 'link' until you hit 'esc'. I was juts wondering if yours was similar.

Take care,
Shayne

 

Using a HP laptop, Celeron 750 MHz, 128 MB Ram, Windows ME. Port setting at "Normal" in "Setup". Other optional settings are Bi-Directional, EPP and ECP. Rinda said none of those three will work with Diacom linking to an 86.

I always start Diacom and hit the "Link" button BEFORE I make my connection to the dash ALDL.

I boot to DOS using a Windows ME Emergency Start Up disc that I made in Windows ME, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.

Once booting is complete, I then switch from the"A" drive to "C" and type in Diacom-p; I usually leave off the file name extension, which is probably "bat".

I then check that the correct VIN is displayed and before I click to "Link", I go into "OPTIONS", set the Rate to "Fast", then I go into "CONFIGURE" and make sure the "Directory: is correctly identified (C:\Diacom-p). I then go into 'MODE" and verify that ALDL is selected; it's the default but I check anyway.

I then back out of that slide over to 'LINK' and hit the enter key at which point I get the "Linking to Vehicle" (I believe it reads).

I then make the connection of the 91006 cable to the dash, insert the ignition key and start the engine.

With the new Diacom version (2.86) that Rinda sent me, I WAS able to link today in ALDL and drove the car around town logging all the data, which read out normally.

So my problem is solved.

Hope this helps.

Jake

 

Jake, did Rinda charge you for the update??? I also use Diacom and would like to upgrade if possible...

 

No charge. If anyone wants it, drop me a line. I told them I'd pass it around.

Jake

 

can someone give me the quick and dirty on the differences between regular diacom and the +?
just curious - as i'm in the market!

 

Diacom P gives you the ability to record the data and print it.

 

wonderful - and that's what i want.
if i were to acquire a regular version legally, could i upgrade to plus? probably a fee involved from rinda, but is it even possible?

 

Its been a few years but as I remember that's what I did...bought the base version then upgraded...not sure if they are still doing that.

 

My diacom + came with a 91007 cable and the centerpiece 5 pin adapter in a bag labeled "91006 GM TPI Adapter Use with 91007". So I have to use the 91007 cable to the 5 pin 91006 adapter to the 91003 cable to the ALDL.

You have a seperate cable marked 91006 that takes the place of the 91007 and 5 pin 91006 adapter?

I've never been able to connect to my 86 except in "Diagnostic" mode. I can see that you can connect in "ALDL" mode. Have you (or anyone else) been able to connect in "Normal" mode or is it not available with our ECM's?