Any Foxwell gurus on here?
 

I just received the NT530 scanner, and it is missing the BMW software, and after going through all of the steps in the manuals, FoxAssist will not load updates or software to the scanner. Just wondering if it is me, or is Foxwell having some sort of outage.

I have heard of some difficulty loading software on the NT530 and having difficultly with tech support. I have not heard any solutions other than tech support.

Also, the FoxAssist software doesn't recognize my password when I run it each time. I have to go through the FORGET PASSWORD process everytime I open the application.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

I have 3 NT 520 Pros for different cars of mine. All these notes work for that, which is a little older than your 530. In general, all the support stuff from Foxwell is unreliable due mainly to language incomprehension.

serial number is printed on the back of the unit.
to see password: power on unit (USB or OBDII). on main screen, "setup." "about"

Either from the scanner, or by connecting it via USB and looking at the SN.txt file,
N5B18121********* (I starred my SN + Password out here - it is a single string with the SN and Password, with no space or anything in between) is the only thing in that file.
The screen says:
Product Serial Number: N5B181******
Register Password: 6D****
That serial number is also on the back of the unit.
The password should be recoverable via the login.

I registered myself at foxwelltech.com as username [my email address], choosing my own login password (different vs. the Foxwell unit's password)

Using my username, if I'm at foxwelltech.com, to get to the "Member Center" click on that userid in the upper right of the page.

Register Product - enter SN and Password. (for the unit, not for your login)
Confirms (as of 3/15/2019)
BMW V11.29, released 1/30/2019, and that this is the Latest.
OBDII V6.23, released 1/30/2019, and that this is the Latest.
OS-SOFTWARE V5.50, released 5/6/2018, and that this is the Latest.
UPDATETOOLS V8.71, released 1/24/2019, and that this is the Latest.

Updating the software:
Documentation is terrible. Best to ignore EVERYTHING, including realizing that most of what is written by the application is written by someone who does not understand English.
On a PC, run the FoxScanner V8.73 software. It is possible to launch that from the website.
Connect the foxwell scanner to the PC using a mini-USB cable.
The foxwell will get power from that, and boot up.
Select "Update" from the Application screen (first screen following boot-up) on the scanner, Enter
The FoxScanner application on the PC will now come alive, showing anything that is eligible for updating. For example, it will show the BMW software and the OBD software in black font at the top of a list, with both those items automatically check-marked for updating. All other auto brands will be listed below those, in gray font, not updatable.
Click update. Ignore most of the progress info and instructions since they are wrong.
^^^ That should update the Foxwell. After that, BMW and OBDII will no longer show up on the list in FoxScanner; the only options there will be grayed out, unchecked other brands, AstonMartin, Benz, Chrysler, ...
It looks like the update software is readable on the F: drive, which is the actual SD card in the scanner. The SD card can also be read directly using a microSD adapter.

When connected, and going to disconnect, Windows shows the connected device as: ATMEL AT91 MSD, with USB Drive F: shown grayed out as an apparent sub-device

Updated BMW on 6/27/21.
F:\Scan\OBDII\version.txt said v6.23 (file dated 6/27/2021)
F:\Scan\Bmw\version.txt said v11.30 (file dated 6/27/2021; release date on website shown as Oct 26, 2019)
F:\Scan\Version.txt said v5.50 (file dated 10/19/2018)
F:\SN.txt said N5B18121************ (file dated 1/14/2008)
(SN with password appended)

I am at the mercy of tech support I think. I was able to register it earlier in FoxAssist, so now I can't register the scanner in FoxScanner. It says serial number error in FoxScanner when I try to register my scanner to start updates.

Where did you buy your unit? Yours came without vehicle software at all?

The 530 has to use Foxassist. The older units use Foxscanner afaik. I had to download Foxassist and register a new account on another Foxwell site. There are 2 different Foxeell websites associated with the older scanners vs the 530. Dumb setup, but did eventually work once I figured that out.

I bought it direct from Foxwell. I have FoxAssist but the part that is supposed to be the link to the software updates and upgrades is a dead link. It opens a blank page.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

Allright. Went ahead and connected mine (update available already) to test it out. Works for me so their servers are up.

So, when you log into FoxAssist you have everything blanked out. That's normal. If you have NOT activated your unit, do so following this: https://www.foxwelltool.com/service/...2019.7.31.html.

Basically it's the below.

1. Log in to Fox Assist
2. Connect your NT530. Wait for it to boot.
3. Now on the 530 navigate to "Update." The PC will detect a new USB device and FoxAssist will now fill in your serial number.
4. Click "Activate," you will get a success message
5. Click "Download" in FoxAssist and follow the above guide.

If you get an error message, you'll probably have to contact Foxwell, though I doubt you will. I got one (purchased on Ebay) and had to contact my retailer as they had registered the unit to themselves and downloaded the BMW software prior to shipping. They contacted Foxwell and released the serial number so I could register to my account.

https://www.foxwelltech.us
 

I've saved my link and password (to Foxwell support) in my Google browser, so I wouldn't lose them. The above web link is where I updated my GM programming (already on the NT510 Elite when I bought it) and later bought the BMW programming; I've just opened it and copied/pasted it here. I see 2+ pages of vehicle programs listed there, that I could download if I need to. So, it is definitely working.

At first, after I had just received my 510, I had trouble getting into the website: I tried several times, using different passwords and combinations before giving up, stuck in a loop. Feeling defeated, I e-mailed them to try and sort it out for me, but after I tried some more, somehow it finally let me in (for the first time) for registration and updates.

I received an e-mail from them the next day, and I said never mind. I don't know what I did, right or wrong, but since I was in, I made sure to save the username & latest password in the Google password manager. I periodically sign-in, just to see if my username/password still works, and to check for later versions of the downloads.

If you're able to register and log-in, then click on your username on the top right to get to the Member Center https://www.foxwelltech.us/member#/user-member page; once there, you'll see a menu on the left. New programming is listed under Software Renewal Package https://www.foxwelltech.us/member#/soft-sales-packages (I'm thinking about getting Chrysler programming, to help out a friend). Be sure to save your username & password!

Here is what I see when I hook up the 530 to the PC, and click update on the 530. It already has the serial number on here, but there is no activate option anywhere.

^That looks totally different from my FoxAssist interface. Are you on a Mac or is that a browser account interface for Foxwell?

That is the FoxAssist application running on my PC. Not the website. But it looks exactly like the website. I've uninstalled it and reinstalled it 4 times. Still looks like that.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

FoxAssist vs https://www.foxwelltech.us/ website
 

I get a different screen than you do, also; I'm using Windows 10 on my home-built PC, and the https://www.foxwelltech.us/ website.

Did you receive an SD card reader with your 530? or do you have one already? I used the one I got from Foxwell to insert the SD card into my PC and to the https://www.foxwelltech.us/ website, and didn't plug the scan tool directly into the PC. Then, after conducting registration & software purchase/downloads are completed, I remove the SD card from the reader, and put it back into the scan tool. Here's a screenshot of the members page:
Attachment 81229

What FoxAssist version number are you running?

V1.12.002
 

In my case, I'm running V1.12.002

V1.12.002

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

I did receive an SD card, it was pre-installed on the scanner. I tried loading the software onto the SD card, then load the SD card into the scanner. Nothing.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

That's the correct version number. :thumbup:

Okay I logged into the website and that screen shot you posted was from that. Don't use the website at all once you have registered. Just open the FoxAssist program and follow the directions I posted.

The SD card needs to be in the unit. Open FoxAssist, hook up the USB cable to your PC and then to the Foxwell 530. After the 530 boots up, navigate to "Update" on it. Once you select that your PC will notify you of a USB drive connected and FoxAssist will populate the serial number and drive capacity information. From there you'd select Download on FoxAssist (if you've activated the serial number to your account already) and update the 530. The 530 needs to stay in that "Update" mode until you've completed doing everything.

Edit: Here is a video going step-by-step. :thumbup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXoEB6fRtP0

That is the issue I am having with FoxAssist. I am logging onto the application by clicking on the FoxAssist icon on my desktop, and it goes to the page that you are seeing. It looks EXACTLY like the website. I don't understand why it is doing that.

different models, different methods, acceptable results
 

When I first registered my Nt510e on 1-20-2021, I did use FoxAssist to register, but it was via a different version, and it wouldn't recognize my username/password when I tried again, a few minutes later. I think my first connection may've been done with the unit attached to the PC (I have the FoxAssist program on the PC, so I must've used it); I don't remember why I didn't update the programming at that time, before I disconnected.

Realizing my error, that's when I had the problem logging back in, with the unit plugged into the PC, so in desperation, I removed the SD card and tried again, via card reader. Eventually, I was able to log-in, and finished updating the software, via the website. And later on, in May, I used the SD/card reader method to add the BMW software.

Maybe I used a backdoor approach, but the results were the same as if I had done as in the video...it worked for me. YMMV

Is it opening a browser window (chrome, firefox, etc)? Try looking on your start menu in the FoxAssist folder and launch from there.

You downloaded the .exe file HERE and installed it?

If you already did that, uninstall it and reinstall it.

No, it is not opening a browser, it is opening the app. The version that you linked to is V1.01.005, which doesn't recognize my password, and it won't let me log in.

Yes, sorry, I changed the link to the newer version once I realized it was the wrong one. Try the link again.

Weird that it is opening the app and taking you to a page that mirrors the web interface on their site. I can't replicate that. :dunno:

It is working now! Woohoo! It is updating now.

Thank you for your help!

No problem. Glad you got it sorted. :thumbup: It takes awhile to update the manufacturer software. I think it took an hour + last time I did it. Don't exit the update mode on the 530 while it's in progress.

What ended up getting the unit to talk to the software?

I'm not sure, but it installed the FoxAssist application correctly this time.

If you can, return and get something else, a well known one. For BMW I had purchase the software separately. It's a about a year now that they stopped providing updates. Even with updates it is painfully slow. But it does most of the menu. But it's very very s........l............o.......w. Look for something else.

do we need updates for scanning decades-old vehicles?
 

My X5 is 20 years old, my four GM vehicles range from 13-23 years old; surely my 510 software is up-to-date (enough) to scan and help me test & repair most problems. Future updates maybe forthcoming for showroom-new models, but the software probably covers my old vehicles pretty well. I'll probably never get another vehicle in my stable at my age, so it is good enough for me. Yes, it is slow.

No kidding. Slow, yes. Absolutely. But for the price, hard to spend a better ~$150 to work on your E53 X5 (or any BMW pre F chassis). Recently upgraded my 3 year old NT520pro before selling it on to a new owner. Foxwell seems pretty good about updating their units and are a known commodity on this forum and others. Is INPA/ISTA better to have? Well, yeah. But they are a lot less convenient and can be a pain to set up depending on your level of computer savvy-ness.

ProTool from Bimmergeeks.net sure looks promising. If I wasn't already immersed in the ISTA/NCS software, I'd take a hard look at ProTool.

AM.

Pfffft ProTool is bullshit

from their website...

Coding Support
Most Bmw, Mini or Rolls Royce Models EXCEPT older chassis such as E46, E39, E38, E53, E85 and anything older.

It's useless to "us"

monitoring my E53 model is limited by a lack of capable apps
 

A lot of easy-to-use Android apps (not sure of apps for I-phones) are available to read and clear codes, but very few can do more, for the E53. I've tried three so far, but BMW PID's are limited, so I've been stymied in my search for basic gauge substitutes https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...l?nojs=1#links. So far, my expenditures have been small, so no harm done.

• 1) BAXF obd2 dongle ($20, bought in 2013),
• 2) Torque Pro app ($5, also bought in 2013),
• 3) OBDLink LX dongle ($50 in 2014, now $60-70, bought in 2016) free app included,
• 4) "OHP INPA Cable FTDI FT232RL USB OBD2 for BMW Diagnostic Coding | K Line | Windows Only" ($32, Oct.2021),
• 5) OTG adapter, ($5, from 2017),
• 6) dedicated smartphone to the project, no SIM card, Samsung Sm-J327A (spare phone, bought in 2017 for $100)

Total expenditure so far is $212, but all can be moved to other vehicles, and/or used regularly in them.

I'm interested in the "Deep OBD" app I've seen on Google Play, but it looks to be over my head due to my lack of expertise in computer-ese (my last computer schooling was in Fortran & COBOL back in the early 70's, no training on modern computers...just picking it up a bit at a time). I don't want to buy another app to get limited or no coding access on my 2001, and so I'm done trying new Android OBD apps.

Currently I'm busy (slowly, repetitively) repairing the brakes/MC/ABS on my wife's Cobalt, to be followed by fixing vacuum leaks/DISA on my X5, so my quest for onboard data displays is at a halt. Coolant and Oil temps are all I've got visible on the smartphone, via Torque Pro. I've not tried seeing if the NT510E display will be visible to me while driving (not sure yet what data it will display, or if it should be running while driving...possible data interference).

My other plans include

• 1) using the Ibus (K-line ?) behind the radio and a Resler to display data on my Android devices,
• 2) buying my wife a new laptop so I can get her current laptop to use "ISTA,INPA, whatever" in-car, and
• 3) finally resorting to an Avin Avant Android head unit to get what I want to see (current radio is almost new, so it'd be a waste to chunk it out; if the PO returns the original radio, I'd like to re-install it, so the Android HU wouldn't be installed).

So, in the meantime, I'll have to settle for the Foxwell's slow but handy abilities as a handheld scan tool, and limited usage of my Android apps for (meager) data display, (some) live data while driving, and just wait 'til I make a step towards a more capable system.