That was my original plan, but the software package this vendor is selling appears to have some advantages. When I wrote to them inquiring about XP compatibility he replied:

Hello,

Inpa works on XP but Inpa is old and the most important piece of the software in this package is ISTAD which is what the dealers use now in workshops, it's fully English compared to Inpa, has wiring diagrams included, it will automatically detect the car and all corresponding modules and it will help you troubleshoot each fault code found which Inpa cannot do.

regards!



Here is the link to the software package on E-Bay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD...53.m1438.l2649


I think I will go ahead and just order the hard drive and see what happens. I've gambled more money for less benefit in the past.