ECMSPY Blues

Cable - check
Ignition on - check
Switch in the run position - check
FTDI USB-Serial driver installed - check
ECMSPY installed - check

Initially I was having issues with ECMSpy reporting "com port already open" - I beat my head on a wall for about 2 hours until I decided to try another laptop.

The first laptop is an HP, Windows 7 64 bit - from what I read the driver from FTDI is compatible with both versions (at least the file link in the 32 and 64 bit columns result in the same file).

The second worked slightly better, it's an older HP but with Windows 7 32 bit installed - it reported the com port as being opened by ECMSpy, but any activity resulted in a "communications time out".

The ECM port still had the cap on it when I began this undertaking this afternoon, and I'm the original owner of the bike - so no funny stuff there. The bike is a 2005 XB12R.

Could I have a bad cable? I purchased this from Xopti. From what I've heard he's respectable.

Could I have incompatible usb ports on the HP's?

Is Windows 7 a complete PITA for this function? Should I reload one of them with XP or dual boot?

Or have I missed an incredibly basic and simple step here that will cause me to want to stick an ice pick in my ear when someone informs me of it?

Thanks in advance, any input is appreciated.

I've been using an old xp laptop. I removed all other usb devices from the ports. Occasionally on the newer laptops, you'll get an internal or hot swappable cd/dvdr drive set up a connection. I Hear some of the Win 7 guys were forewarned to open the tuning apps using "Run As Administrator".

Also the xopti cables are usually good, the ebay cables are the ones people usually have problems with. Do you have another bueller near you with a cable. We figured out a friends cable was bad by running mine on the same machine.
Are you able to use another usb jack and select a different port?

On the older laptop I tried multiple ports - 2 of the USB ports were "over/under" while the other 2 are "left/right" - which means the USB controllers for each are different.

It picked a different port, but the result was the same.

On that note - any Buellers around Sterling VA have a working ECMSpy setup?

Cable - check
Ignition on - check
Switch in the run position - check
FTDI USB-Serial driver installed - check
ECMSPY installed - check

Click to expand...

ECMSpy running - check
Select Options/Communications - check
Hit autodetect - ?

Yes - found whatever port the usb serial adapter either configured itself as automatically or was specifically set to. Tried both.

Hit autodetect - ?

Click to expand...

So you got a message that said "Got COM port!" correct?

Yes - the only results I get past that are "communications timed out" or "Unable to retrieve firmware version" depending on what function I was attempting to execute.

Hmmm. Sounds like its seeing the ECM OK. Might be a Windows version problem. Start it, hit the "keys" and check for dashboard action, tach, etc. Anything?

And have you tried running ECMSpy as administrator?

uninstall reinstall drivers is my suggestion

Did, including older drivers to see if there was any compatibility issues with the newer drivers.

Open up "Ports" in Device Manager when trying to connect to your Bike. One of them should have a small yellow triangle !. Right-click on that one, go to "Drivers" tab and Click "Update Driver". If you're on the internet, direct it to search for a driver there and let it find it on it's own.... Did all on my Windows 7 laptop and everything's Golden.

Yep I have Windows 7 64-bit and it automatically found the drivers it needed. No problems with anything yet, either. eBay cable from ebay user impala-62.

The first time I had the cable attached/bike on/etc I attempted that - It never found anything.

All driver installations were manual and forced.

I just attempted using the Prolific Drivers I found a link to in another post - The cable/port was found/assigned easier (worked via plug and play) but unfortunately the result was the same - Communications Timeout whenever I attempt to do anything within ECMSpy.

Keep tossing the recommendations, I'm trying to find Xopti's e-mail address and see if he has some insight on this.

PM theOctopus if he doesn't post up before too long.

Yeah my options are running thin here. At this point I have no replies.

I'm attempting to get ahold of another brand of laptop to see if it has something to do with the USB ports which were used on the laptop, but I think that's a stab in the dark.

When I have time I'm also going to take it to the local shop and see if they can get a reading off the ECM port, to eliminate the bike as being an issue.

Have you checked continuity between the USB & Duetch connector to make sure all are connected? Also, seen occasions where a pin/wire pulled out of the Deutch end - can be an easy fix.

I'll break out the multimeter tonight and check all the pins. Good and easy check, thanks.

run ecmspy in WINDOWSXP compatibility mode and run as administrator