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DIY - Carsoft - BMW Diagnostic Software | How to get it running

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112K views 62 replies 26 participants last post by  mumumumu  
#1 · (Edited)
This thread is strictly for people having problems connecting to car or carsoft software, or computer problems related to it.
if you want to ask or tell what Carsoft can do, or how to get it to do something please use this thread:
DIY - Carsoft - BMW Diagnostic Software | what will it do? & how to do it?

where do i get it?
just a suggestion, right now the cheapest place is:
the now famous Chinese Ebay seller that sells the complete system, all cables and terminal connectors needed for all BMW's and software-Carsoft for $19.99 + $29.99 shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260357547306

First you need a laptop running Windows 2000 or Windows XP (as of right now Vista will not work with carsoft software)
with a built in serial port, or a usb to serial port converter if your laptop does not have a built in serial port..

BTW, you can always pick up an old laptop on Ebay for under $100 that will work fine

here is the installation procedure:

David Mc said:
To successfully install SP1 you must do it immediately after installing the Carsoft program (i.e. before Crack Installation). You will need to completely uninstall the whole program first.

The notes I used are attached below and are long and some may think a bit tedious - but the program does work! My Carsoft will read the following modules on my E36:- DME/DDE, Instrument Cluster, Airbag, ZKE/ZVM, EGS and EWS. Since I don't have an alarm system, rain or light sensors I think that is the full compliment. Notes are as follows:-

CARSOFT BMW 6.5 + SP1 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS - WINDOWS XP

The procedure EXACTLY for Windows XP is as follows:-

If you have EVER installed ANY version of Carsoft before:-

1. Uninstal the program using the ADD/DELETE Programs function available from the Control panel via SETTINGS on the START menu.

2. Use the Explore function to open the Programs tab from the START menu and delete any CARSOFT folders

3. Use the SEARCH function from the START menu to look for any files or folders containing the word CARSOFT and delete them.

4. Search your Hard Drive for a folder named CM70 or CM75s and use EXPLORE to view its contents. If you have located the correct folder it will contain CARSOFT files with names like "AIRBAG1.DXT" - DELETE THE ENTIRE FOLDER.

5. Restart your computer and from the START menu go to PROGRAMS then ACCESSORIES and select SYSTEM TOOLS then SYSTEM RESTORE and create a new restore point.

6. Once the new restore point has been created, close out of the SYSTEM RESTORE Menu, then go back into ACCESSORIES via the START and PROGRAMS Menus and choose SYSTEM TOOLS then DISK CLEANUP. Select the MORE OPTIONS Tab and under "System Restore," choose to Delete all but the most recent RESTORE Point and run the Disk Cleanup utility.

7. Open the "My Computer" Icon on the Desktop and right click on the Icon for your Hard Drive, then click "Properties". Click on the "Tools" Tab when the Properties Dialogue Box opens and choose "Check now". Two Dialogue boxes will appear asking if you want to check & repair files and scan the hard drive. Check both boxes then the START button. A message will appear telling you that this process can only be performed when the computer re-starts and asking you to confirm whether you wish this to occur. Confirm this request, then restart your computer. Dependent upon how many files you have stored and the size of the Hard Drive, the scanning process may take 2 -3 hours to complete after the system is restarted.

8. Temporarily disable any Anti-Virus or Spyware Programs that may be Running and use the setup program provided with the CARSOFT software to install CARSOFT 6.5.

9. Install SP1 which will search out and install to the CARSOFT/BMW Folder that has been copied to your hard drive.

10. Open the CRACKS Folder and copy ALL of the files contained in the Folder (including Instructions) to the BMW folder located in the newly created CARSOFT program Folder on your Hard Drive. The easiest way to accomplish this is firstly to open the CRACKS Folder then left click on the first file it contains and then each subsequent file whilst holding down the SHIFT key until ALL of the files are highlighted, then choose COPY THESE FILES and when the Dialogue Box pops up, locate the BMW folder in the newly installed CARSOFT folder on your Hard Drive, left click on it and then click on the COPY button.

11. Once this process has been completed, use the EXPLORE function to view the files in the BMW Folder of the newly installed CARSOFT Program. There will be 2 files with 6.5 Icons, labelled CARSOFT and CARSOFTBMW65. Delete the CARSOFT file and re-name CARSOFTBMW65 as CARSOFT.

12. Empty the deleted items from your trash bin and restart the system - CARSOFT 6.5.06 is now installed.

Remember to disable any anit-virus or Spyware programs prior to running the program
Click to expand...
more troubleshooting from David Mc:
David Mc said:
I have pm'ed you some further info and have posted a copy here for the information of other members who may have run across the same problem:-

There are several possible reasons (assuming that you are attempting to run the diagnosis with the ignition switched on but engine turned off (dash lights should be on).

1. The "Crack" folder that you used may be incomplete. Check the folder, it should contain 10 files, including instructions. If not, email me and I will send you one that works.

2. Right click on your "Programs" folder from the "Start" menu and choose "Explore". Locate the Carsoft folder, which should be in the "Program files" directory. When you left click on the Carsoft Folder it should contain a folder called "BMW". Choose the BMW folder and make sure that it contains only one file with a "CS V6.5" icon. That file should be called CARSOFT. Double (left) click on the CARSOFT file and it should open the diagnosis screen. Click on the _____?_____ drop down menu and choose "Info about Carsoft" to make sure that it is version 6.5.06. If the version is 6.5.05, SP1 is not installed. If there are 2 "CS V6.5" icons, double click on each in turn to view the version information as described above. Delete the icon for version 6.5.05 and rename the other CS V6.5 file CARSOFT.

3. You may have a blown fuse or faulty cable. Check all the fuses in your car and attempt a diagnostic again. If unsuccessful, try another cable.

4. The battery in your vehicle may be low, check output voltage to make sure that it is >12volts.
Click to expand...
also try hooking a battery charger on trickle charge to your cars Battery to keep it well above 14v state
carsoft is very finicky about this.

this PDF attachment is from Carsoft, for troubleshooting connection problems
 

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#2 ·
BTW,
I just bought one of these from above, after i noticed many have in the past couple of weeks.
(although i dont like buying from China i much prefer someplace more... democratic) :) but,, you cant beat the price,, these were going for $150+
so I broke down and bought one..
it takes about a week to get it.. i got it on the 10th of feb, so i should have it by tuesday next week..
and i intend to know all about it, how to set it up, what it can do, and how to do it, by the time i get it.
ive been searching all night on various forums,, and theres so much info out their,, it would take forever to go through the hundreds upon hundreds of posts to find what your looking for.

for instance i spent the last 4 hours going through this thread:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=952429

this is the best one so far.. but theres over 750 posts,, 90% of them are peeps saying thanks or mostly cant get the software to work on their car/computer
that why i split this into two threads
cause i really want to know what it can do
and i also want to get it working so i can do those things

but i dont want to read endless hijacked posts for important posts
so im hoping peeps here that know alot about this program will jump right in and help take over :)
 
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M
#3 ·
I just installed Carsoft on my laptop but I did it before I read this thread. Everytime I click the icon to open the software from my desktop, I receive a window "Your program is not activated. Do you want to activate now?" and I click yes and a Carsoft International window opens up with "activate protection" and "Exit" boxes at the bottom of the window. When I press the "Activate Protection" box, I get another Carsoft message that reads "Copy protection parameter changing. Version 3.8, Product code: BS65, Serial no:260846924, Update number1, Invalid code entered.
I don't understand the complete instructions on the crack CD I recieved and I don't know what I doing wrong but I would like to diagnose the problems on my 540i so please help.
Thanks
 
#4 ·
from what ive read.. its extremely important you have either windows 2000 or windows xp.. it will not work on other operating systems.
having said that.
many have experianced what you have.
the fix is to completely uninstall the carsoft software.
and then install it word for word as it says in this thread.. dont use the info on the cd, use this thread

let me know if this works
i just got mine today also.. so im about to do this myself for the first time too.
ill let you know how i make out
 
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#6 · (Edited)
that was the CD they sent me
 
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#10 ·
just installed mine too
seems to be running perfectly
was a flawless install
 
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#12 ·
no im not, im like you..
did you erase or reset?
im about to do this on mine too
my check engine and airbag light is on
airbag light is cause the battery wasnt disconnected when plugging in the nav unit
and the check engine was from a faulty camshaft position sensor, now replaced.

im getting nervous about resetting this now, with all your problems
btw, i have the same car as you, 2000 540i
 
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M
#14 ·
Their is no reset option, just erase that I noticed. They may have the newer Carsoft version. I would definetly not try it. I'm on another forum and the other guy thinks I should disconnect the battery and see if the car will reset. I am trying that now and will be reconnecting back in about 5 mins. Will let you know
 
#15 ·
just reading the big thread in bimmerforums and found this:

question said:
Please excuse if this question has been asked before. I have only read thru the first 10 pages of this 28 page thread so far!

To clear all codes from my car, I take it i just highlight the "Erase Error Memory"......do I have to do a separate "erase" for every single module; or can i erase all codes like one would with the Peake tool?
Click to expand...
answer said:
The Peake tools only work on one module, which is why they clear all the codes in that module. You will have to do a single diagnosis on each module with an error code and clear the errors that way.
Click to expand...
 
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#17 · (Edited)
Hello everyone, I found your board, I tried to read everything, I probably messed something but :
I have Carsoft 6.5 SP1 BMW with the cable bought on Ebay, I received everything.
All is installed, I tried the software, lot of things work but DDE Module does not respond...
I don't know why, I had a lot of errors, I made a reset of them, but I can't access to DDE Module, do you know why ?

Image


I have a BMW 325 TDS E36 10/97 EURO.
Thanks for your help :)
 
#18 ·
When I hook up Carsoft on my 1999 540it, I don't see all modules either, but I do see DDE. I ask myself, "Gee, is my car supposed to have that module or not?"

At this point, If Carsoft does not detect it, I figure my cars not equipped with that module or feature. Further research for me (when I get a few minutes) is to verify what each detected module is and it's normal function for this car.

This software is intended to cover many modles of BMWs for multiple years. Not all models are equipped the same.

So, what needed is a table of which modules apply to which models and years as a quick reference. I've not spend a whole lot of time with the Carsoft package, otherwise I would have already figured it out for my model/year. :D
 
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#19 · (Edited)
Well the DDE module is on most of diesel cars..
I tried with another laptop, same issue... BUT :
When I see the 3 green lights on the interface, changing to red, I unplug the COM port, wait for the retry ask... replug and retry, it can read the informations !!
But not with my laptop... :/

I noticed something, when you don't have the module on your car, the "module does not respond" comes very fast. with DDE, it is very long to have the error. and lights are red

Edit : I found this : http://www.miglenium.de/pdf/e36.pdf

Image

the PIN lights : 20-17-15 are blinking in red when I try to read DDE Module

http://www.miglenium.de/workshop_obd-referenzliste.html
 
#20 ·
On the second link, I found the E39 references, Thanks! How's your translation knowledge of German to convert to english? :D I wonder if these are Euro model references and if there are any differences for the same comparative U.S. Model?

BTW, I also have noticed when a module is not found it does return a result much faster. Also in Carsoft help, there is a table for each major car model, but it does not differenciate any more granular beween sub models and model years. Looks like the table in German does.
 
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M
#21 ·
JUst a word of advice to anyone using Carsoft. I started this post because my car basically died after erasing all the error codes and now it is at the stealership and I am not looking forward to my bill. I would research the codes before erasing. Maybe I'm an idiot for doing this on my own but I have heard of a few guys who have done this..BE CAUTIOUS.. ....But maybe my car was on the fritz any ways because i was having issues.
 
#23 ·
Good to hear your back up and running. Did they say what was wrong with the throttle body?

Thanks!
 
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#24 ·
No not really. The service advisor they gave me had a personality of a goat. I had a hard time getting anything out of him. Their were other problems with the car and he was not very clear on any of it. I'm just glad I have the car back. Have you ever changed the valve cover gaskets on the 8cyl? I changed them on my 528i and it was alot of work but something I manage.
 
#25 ·
No, not yet. I have a slight leak developing and have the parts and pieces to swap the gaskets. I want to do valley pan up at the same time I do the VCs. Just don't need to do it just now.
 
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#27 ·
I am having an issue. I just got my interface kit and I cant connect to any modules. Can someone tell me what the light sequence should be when you first plug the module in? Which lights should be green vs red? I have the same interface pictured in post 19....
 
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