Transmission Fluid Change Question

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by Bimmer man24

You don't like it for using INPA either? it seems like it would be beneficial since it shows you so much data.

With the mis-information about this subject--you DO NOT need an [old laptop] to run INPA, or Tool32, or ISTA D/P, or PA Soft 1.4, or NCS Expert/Dummy, or etc. But what you do need is to be computer literate.

I have successfully run nearly everything off of my laptop servicing E-chassis generation bimmers/R-minis as well as later F-chassis. And btw...I'm running M$ Win10.

PA Soft 1.4 is really simple, and you can find it for circa ~$15 for the specific adapter. For INPA, it is about the same price for that adapter as well.

Honestly, if you can read directions AND follow them with understanding, you can figure it out for Win10.

[andrewwynn]

Win10 ≤ WinXP IMHO. Yes for those who can stomach windows it's possible to run 30yr old software on the current version of horrible OS. Win10 hurts my soul it's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I'm not alone most of my computer customers wish they could go back to win 7.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I'm not alone most of my computer customers wish they could go back to win 7.

I still run Win 7/64 on 8 machines here at home. Before that I ran Win 2000 (basically NT). I loathe Win10. But will likely have to "upgrade" soon as newer hardware features are not being utilized in Win 10 (specifically newer Ryzen processor/mb feature compatibility).

That said, I do have a laptop that has Win 10 on it that I use only for ISTA/INPA/Bimmer tools and for DSP tuning. The new installs of ISTA are relatively "easy" to setup if you can follow directions and are at least computer literate as RocketyMan stated. Still wasn't a fun process, but MUCH MUCH better than it used to be. And as much as I use my Carly and Foxwell for different things, ISTA/NCSexpert/etc on a laptop can not be rivaled for capability.

[RocketyMan]

OP... (and everyone else)

If you don't have BMW scanner 1.4, I would suggest trying it out. It's pretty easy to use and relatively inexpensive for the "chinesium" ones. I ordered mine off Ali for I think around $10 (plus S&H) at the time. I made sure to get the FT232RQ chip (most likely fake...but better than the FT232RL). This can still be used with the official FTDI drivers and for me, works great.

At any rate, the Ali listing says that this only works for WinXP--but it isn't true. The FTDI chip that converts the old serial data to USB data has in fact Win10 support. So then at that point, the SW can interpret this data and use it. The latest "official" version of PA Soft 1.4 is the 2009 version (if I remember correctly) as there is an "un"official version out there (I think 2011..?).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...90759223%22%7D

[andrewwynn]

I use win7 on my Mac for the two programs I run just about annually that have no online/Mac/iPhone solution.

Doing IT for a living since 89 or so, it's always significantly more difficult to do *anything* in the windows architecture, so though I have to support clients that use (and bitch about) windows. No thanks — barf.

A study showed in large companies it cost over $1000 more per year per computer to maintain windows which we definitely confirmed in our IT staffing. My 8-10,000 hours working in windows was more effort than my 35-40,000 on Mac and I'm literally a computer genius (add opposed to the blue shirts).

I will probably get INPA etc running in a virtual environment on my Mac some day as I would like to access the couple things I can't with a foxwell like correct the non temp gauge and turn off the idiot alert that blocks the back up camera on wife's e70 every single start.

FWIW not a "fanboy".  (apple) can suck donkey dick they are as evil as evil comes, they just make superior operating systems.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I use win7 on my Mac for the two programs I run just about annually that have no online/Mac/iPhone solution.

Doing IT for a living since 89 or so, it's always significantly more difficult to do *anything* in the windows architecture, so though I have to support clients that use (and bitch about) windows. No thanks — barf.

A study showed in large companies it cost over $1000 more per year per computer to maintain windows which we definitely confirmed in our IT staffing. My 8-10,000 hours working in windows was more effort than my 35-40,000 on Mac and I'm literally a computer genius (add opposed to the blue shirts).

I will probably get INPA etc running in a virtual environment on my Mac some day as I would like to access the couple things I can't with a foxwell like correct the non temp gauge and turn off the idiot alert that blocks the back up camera on wife's e70 every single start.

FWIW not a "fanboy".  (apple) can suck donkey dick they are as evil as evil comes, they just make superior operating systems.

I will note that I ultimately found that it was easier and cheaper to keep a couple of ancient thinkpads around for this. And that was before I moved to an ARM MBP. Otherwise, I'm having to keep a VMWare or Parallels or whatever machine up to date. Because the Thinkpads don't need an internet connection, they never need to be updated or messed with. I just use them and put them away.

I keep one ThinkPad T30 with a GT1/DIS setup (running UNIX). And a ThinkPad W530 with Win10 for ISTA/MSSFlasher/TunerPro/Etc.

Edit: Otherwise, I keep a 27" iMac in the garage, a 27" iMac in the shop, and live on a 16" MBP.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

... Doing IT for a living since 89 or so, ...

Me too (1988 I think) - and I LONG ago got over what OS was best - I m more focused on the outcome than the tools used to get there.

We all get here eventually..

[crystalworks]

Apple makes very reliable and decent products. I'll likely still never own any. Evil as they come as Andrew mentioned, and I don't like locked down ecosystems. Plus the amount that their buyers allows them to charge is obscene.

I'd run some flavor of Linux on all my machines if it made sense to do so. But I don't have time to learn command line based OS stuff. Last time I had to do that was 386/486 MS Dos based systems. It was fine, but if you forget syntax as frequently as I tend to... it sucks. Maybe when the kids are back in school I can play around with it.

Anywho... I'm glad there are so many options for talking to these older Bimmers now. And all the different methods seem to have their uses where they are quickest, or easiest, or more comprehensive in a certain situation. Makes working on our cars much more accessible.

[andrewwynn]

I would prob buy a prefab old Thinkpad etc from Craig list. I would like to code out hyper blink from my LED turn signals but I actually prefer it now.

My think scanner was able to code my key how I like (all doors with remote, driver door only with key blade).

I haven't really needed to use laptop solution as much as I could for sure take advantage of the 2-3 coding issues. (and fix the worthless non temp gauge).

[X5chemist]

I paid a shop to do mine. The GM transmission is very common. A shop charged me $125 for transmission and transfer case service. Fresh oil and filter. Saved me hours of trying to figure it out. Plus, no mess in the garage.