CAJ Innovations Forums - Newbie with a 15M MyECU

greenmonster Full Member Offline Sweden Posts: 196	Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU Reply #15 - 08/18/10 at 19:57:21 I have an about 10 years old Toshiba Tecra 8100, OS W98 . Works perfect, you can find one for nothing, still auctions on eBay etc. Must have connected it like 200 times w the 232 from Cliff w/o any issues.
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pasotibbs

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #16 - 08/19/10 at 20:01:08

Like Raz says any old laptop will do, I use old ones thrown away at work Pentium 3 1200Mhz is the fastest I've used, the slowest was a P2 400 but that was very slow with XP on!!
I'd say your minimum spec would be P3 800 with at least 256MB RAM, that will work but XP will jog rather than run Grin

If you run 98 or 2000 it should be fine.

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« Last Edit: 08/19/10 at 20:09:28 by pasotibbs »

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Atlanta Guzzi

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #17 - 08/20/10 at 07:31:36

Thanks again for all the feedback!

I swapped emails with Cliff and he told me that Windows 7 should work fine, but also mentioned I could use an old laptop too. So...I guess it's suposed to be all good? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

If I went with a new laptop the cabling logistics would start with a USB port. (It works through a USB port...right?) If so, I guess I would need to build the following "franken-cable-connection".

A USB to serial port cable...connected to the serial port to ethernet adapter supplied with MyECU...connected to an ethernet cable....connected to MyECU. Anyone on the board having success with this type of daisy-chain cabling, and using Windows 7?

I think I now understand why many of you are just using an old laptop with the serial port built in. A few less backwards conversions to worry about.

Last night I went to my local discount computer store and learned that I can pick up a new laptop, running Windows 7, for about $220 US. That's a single core processor using DDR2 and 2-3 gigs of memory. So, it's not the latest and greatest specs but will be a heck of a lot fast than an old beater. I also found out that the cost of a new motherboard for my dead Dell is around $150 US.

Of guess I could pick up something second-hand but I keep wondering if I'd be buying someone elses second-hand problems, unless of course I find a NOS vintage laptop with XP?

Well, it's kinda funny that in order to pursue advanced performance on my Guzzi...I might need to source an obsolete laptop! Wink

Once again I appreciate all the advice and will be surfing the web tonight for a cheap vintage laptop before buying something new and trying to make it backwards compatible.

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« Last Edit: 08/20/10 at 07:33:33 by Atlanta Guzzi »

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raz

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #18 - 08/20/10 at 08:59:31

Fwiw I have used several generic (whatever the store had in stock) usb-to-serial adapters with no problems. I once had weird problems and they ended up being caused by sync software for a pocket pc never really letting go of the port. Actually that never affected ECUControl, only the LC-1 (O2 sensor) programs iirc.

But if you can get yourself an old laptop with RS232 and set it up so it works fine, it will be more reliable in the long run as you wont use it for anything else. And native RS232 means less points of failure.

Right now I'm running wireless, Bluetooth. It's kinda experimental, search the forum. It has its share of problems but it works as good as anything and I got rid of meters of cables, USB adapters and the TTL-to-RS232 interface.

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Atlanta Guzzi

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #19 - 08/21/10 at 01:34:15

FYI - I'm headed down the vintage laptop route and thought I would post a list of laptops, with native RS232, that I found on a forum.

Dell Latitude D520
Dell Latitude D530
Dell Latitude D620
Dell Latitude D630
Dell Latitude D820
Dell Latitude D830

Dell E5500
Dell E5510

Dell Precision M2300
Dell Precision M4300

Toshiba Tecra M9
Toshiba Tecra M10
Toshiba Tecra A10
Toshiba Tecra A11
Toshiba Tecra S11

HP Compaq nc6320
HP Compaq nc8430

Fujitsu Lifebook E series
Fujitsu LifeBook E780

and of course there are more ...

Many in this list can still be bought new with Intel i3, i5, i7 CPUs and those older ones can be bought second hand for a fraction of the price.

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« Last Edit: 08/21/10 at 01:35:53 by Atlanta Guzzi »

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raz Senior Member Offline Guzzi 11OO Sport, My16MkV, Innovate LC-1 Posts: 373 Stockholm, Sweden Gender:	Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU Reply #20 - 08/21/10 at 01:45:27 I'm sure any one of them will do fine. The important thing is not to try to install a version of Windows that is newer than the hardware. That always end up being a ridiculously slow computer. Also, plenty of RAM (preferably the maximum amount you can fit inside it) is often way more rewarding than a powerful CPU.
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greenmonster Full Member Offline Sweden Posts: 196	Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU Reply #21 - 08/21/10 at 19:07:42 If this PC buy is only f MyECU mapping, buy the cheapest! One w 128 RAM is as fast as a 512 one for the ECUControl 143, I`ve tested.
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Atlanta Guzzi

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #22 - 08/25/10 at 08:02:23

raz wrote on 08/21/10 at 01:45:27:

I'm sure any one of them will do fine. The important thing is not to try to install a version of Windows that is newer than the hardware. That always end up being a ridiculously slow computer. Also, plenty of RAM (preferably the maximum amount you can fit inside it) is often way more rewarding than a powerful CPU.

I've got a lead on an old Dell D630, running XP, that I should be able to pick up for about $50 US. Nice!

You mentioned that I shouldn't install a version of Windows that is newer than the software. Do you recommend Windows 98, 2000, or XP? I have access to all three.

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raz Senior Member Offline Guzzi 11OO Sport, My16MkV, Innovate LC-1 Posts: 373 Stockholm, Sweden Gender:	Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU Reply #23 - 08/25/10 at 08:08:13 Maybe I should have said "use the Windows version that the computer was originally sold with". In fact, you may have problems finding a display driver for a much older version of Windows. If it comes with XP, that's probably fine.
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pasotibbs

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #24 - 08/25/10 at 17:46:59

Like Raz says try not to go too new with the O/S, I use XP because it supports USB sticks (for backing up maps) but Win98 will need drivers so can be a pain, W2k has the advantages of XP but runs ok on lower spec devices better.
One trick is if you install XP and don't intend using it for the internet don't add the service packs as it runs much faster without them.

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lynno

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #25 - 09/05/10 at 18:26:06

I have a map that makes my 2003 Cali purr like a kitten.
Happy to share if you're interested...
I started with the map Cliff provided and only changed the mixture and spark timing. I didn't understand the rest of it so I haven't changed anything else...
Some fine tuning would definitely get some more out of it but it's as good as I can get it by the old 'seat of the pants' method & it runs better than any other Guzzi I've owned (including my sweet running '75 carbied bitser)...
Let's face it - owning a Cali isn't about horsepower anyway...

Before starting I'd recommend you make sure your TPS is set up correctly (I mean the actual instrument on the bike, not the variable you load into the map - you can use the optimizer to do it). Also make sure your throttle bodies are well balanced.
If your bike has sat for any length of time, it may be worth having the injectors tested and cleaned too...

After that the best advice I can give is to keep the changes small & simple. Think about them before you do it, only change what you understand and ALWAYS make a backup first.
Good luck...

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COnewbie Full Member Offline 97 Sport1100i My16M MkVII 2 LC-1s Posts: 120 Central Oregon, USA Gender:	Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU Reply #26 - 09/07/10 at 12:22:19 If you want to run Windows on your Mac, check out using VMware Fusion. It's only $79.99. Here is a link: http://store.vmware.com/store/vmware/pd/productID.165310200/Currency.USD/?src=Pa... At least that way, you only have to have one laptop.
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Atlanta Guzzi

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #27 - 10/01/10 at 04:05:19

lynno wrote on 09/05/10 at 18:26:06:

I have a map that makes my 2003 Cali purr like a kitten.
Happy to share if you're interested...
I started with the map Cliff provided and only changed the mixture and spark timing. I didn't understand the rest of it so I haven't changed anything else...
Some fine tuning would definitely get some more out of it but it's as good as I can get it by the old 'seat of the pants' method & it runs better than any other Guzzi I've owned (including my sweet running '75 carbied bitser)...
Let's face it - owning a Cali isn't about horsepower anyway...

Before starting I'd recommend you make sure your TPS is set up correctly (I mean the actual instrument on the bike, not the variable you load into the map - you can use the optimizer to do it). Also make sure your throttle bodies are well balanced.
If your bike has sat for any length of time, it may be worth having the injectors tested and cleaned too...

After that the best advice I can give is to keep the changes small & simple. Think about them before you do it, only change what you understand and ALWAYS make a backup first.
Good luck...

I might take you up on that! It would be a much faster way to get in the ballpark than starting from scratch.

Unfortunately, work, life, and the ability to find a cheap laptop had this project on the back burner again. Since I last posted I've found and passed on two old laptops. Both seemed to be one boot-up away from biting the bullet. Today I found a small computer shop in town that has plenty of vintage laptops for sale. If they can hook me up I'll be back at it this weekend. If not...I might have to break down and use my Mac.

If anyone has a Macbook Pro, and you've got the software running well, tell me exactly what you're using.

Thanks once again for the help

PS: Lynno - If you see this message let me know how to get in touch with you for the map.

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« Last Edit: 10/01/10 at 23:42:20 by Atlanta Guzzi »

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Mad Farquhar

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #28 - 10/01/10 at 15:17:22

I have run ecu software on my Macbook using http://www.parallels.com/ to host Vista. I was seriously under ram'd for a while and put poor performance down to either Parallels and/or Vista however adding a Gb to ram sorted out the performance issue.
It's a bit of a faff getting the usb / serial sorted but once you do it make a note of settings for future use. There was a time when Keyspan was the serial /usb doofer of choice however my local Maplin (N. American: Tandy / Radioshack equiv I guess) does a cheapish one for some £15 (~$20?).

I would also suggest NOT using Vista or 7 but Win 2000 or XP as recommended by Raz purely for economising on MacBook resources unless you need those hungry OSs for something else.

So for about $100 you should have usable system on the Mac.

I am lucky in that I have an old Tosh laptop which I use on my yacht as plotter, passage planner and entertainment box so it is used for ecu work too and has also benefited from a ram upgrade. The MacBook has had usb/serials hanging off it with a usb in from an instrument multiplexer too on the boat. So - yes it is "doable" with most usb/serials.

If you want any more specifics PM me if you want.

Just for fun here is a pic from yesterdays run to the north west of Scotland. Air temp 12 deg C, dry roads, red deer roaring in the distance - barked back with the straight through pipes. Grin from ear to ear.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=125561&l=8925774c65&id=100001354645069

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lynno

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Re: Newbie with a 15M MyECU
Reply #29 - 10/17/10 at 08:15:28

I used the old Aussie bush method - pull the PC out of the study and cart it down to the workshop every time I have a tuning session. Cheesy

If nothing else it makes you think through every change very carefully before you go and do it... ' Got a sweet running Guzzi out of it all...

'Once I couldn't spell tight-arse, now I are one...'

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