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View Full Version : How to select COM port to allow VOL-FCR to work



jamesy12345
Tuesday 4th March 2014, 09:17
I found that my version of VOL-FCR only read from COM 1 port, on my laptop the USB connections I was using have higher port numbers than that.....I guess it's because VOL-FCR is expecting a serial connection.

Here is how to change the port number on Windows 7:

http://plugable.com/2011/07/04/how-to-change-the-com-port-for-a-usb-serial-adapter-on-windows-7

Start by going to the Device Manager. Once there do the following:
Expand the Ports ‘(COM& LPT)’

As you can see Windows has set the port to COM10. However many legacy applications expect the port to be between 1-4.

Right click on the device and click on ‘Properties’.

Click on ‘Port Settings’. Then click on ‘Advanced…’

Once you’re in ‘Advanced Settings for COM10’ on the bottom you can see the ‘COM Port Number: COM10’. Click on that to change it to the lowest possible number (between 1-4)....VOL-FCR needs COM 1

Then click ‘OK’ on all open Property Windows.

munster732
Tuesday 4th March 2014, 20:18
Thank the lord for Jamesy, got exactly this problem and had no idea how to solve it!

Aww shucks, there isn't even a PORTS setting coming up. Fallen at the first hurdle...bunch of arris:mad:

jamesy12345
Saturday 8th March 2014, 10:44
Thank the lord for Jamesy, got exactly this problem and had no idea how to solve it!

Aww shucks, there isn't even a PORTS setting coming up. Fallen at the first hurdle...bunch of arris:mad:

Sorry didn't see your post til now fella, did u sort it? What version of Windows u on.....32-bit or 64-bit also pls

munster732
Saturday 8th March 2014, 11:48
Windows 7, god knows what bits lol

jamesy12345
Saturday 8th March 2014, 12:06
Windows 7, god knows what bits lol

Maybe try: in Device Manager, go to View, then show hidden devices? Might work. Here's a better how-to of the whole thing....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND7wHHNQgqs

To find out 32-bit or 64-bit just click the start icon then type system in the search box. Click on the icon System then that will open a dialogue box up, somewhere in there will be 32 or 64-bit.

jamesy12345
Tuesday 13th January 2015, 09:52
Leading on from this a little......VOL-FCR likes Windows XP, so I'm told...so here is a little how 2 for getting XP running on Windows 7 Home, should work on Windows 8 also. I need this for a little business venture I'm trying to get into - the software I want to run works only on Windows XP Professional.

It's still work in progress so I'll add to it as I go but here's where I got to.....

Download XP Mode from here

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8002

Then use 7-Zip or another archive tool to open the EXE file as an archive.

Within that archive, find the "sources/xpm" file within it, and extract that folder to your hard drive.

In the extracted xpm file, you'll find a file called VirtualXPVHD. Rename it with a VHD extension.

From Start menu, type Computer Management & choose Disk Management. From the Disk Management console, follow these steps:

Right-click Disk Management and then click Attach VHD. Follow the prompts that appear & find your 'VirtualXPVHD.vhd'

The another drive should open as a partition with Windows XP components (mine is called D:.......before I only had C: drive).

Now I am installing programs that I want to run in XP to this new drive - D:/program files/Vol-FCR for example

That's as far as I got. Next step will be starting the computer up from the XP drive (D: ).......

My files are all backed up - so I'm not worried about losing any. Remember if you are playing with operating systems pls back up your files, as there is a chance you may need to do a total reinstallation!!

jdavis
Tuesday 13th January 2015, 16:50
Where is vol fcr from and what cable do you use?

jamesy12345
Tuesday 13th January 2015, 17:37
Where is vol fcr from and what cable do you use?

I used a cable I got with OBDWiz

http://www.scantool-direct.co.uk/elmscan-5-compact-elm327-based-car-diagnostic-kit.html

I'm told cheapo cables from eBay work if they have FTDI chips but I know FA about that, seems like a lottery whether they work or not

The peeps below used to be the distibutors for VOL FCR no idea if they are still running

http://www.ilexa.co.uk/diagnostic-tools/vol-fcr/38-vol-fcr-quick-guide.html

jdavis
Tuesday 13th January 2015, 20:09
Ah, my amateurness has come to light, this is for obd equipped cars, something my 95 850 hasn't got.

jamesy12345
Thursday 15th January 2015, 17:49
Leading on from this a little......VOL-FCR likes Windows XP, so I'm told...so here is a little how 2 for getting XP running on Windows 7 Home, should work on Windows 8 also. I need this for a little business venture I'm trying to get into - the software I want to run works only on Windows XP Professional.

It's still work in progress so I'll add to it as I go but here's where I got to.....

Download XP Mode from here

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8002

Then use 7-Zip or another archive tool to open the EXE file as an archive.

Within that archive, find the "sources/xpm" file within it, and extract that folder to your hard drive.

In the extracted xpm file, you'll find a file called VirtualXPVHD. Rename it with a VHD extension.

From Start menu, type Computer Management & choose Disk Management. From the Disk Management console, follow these steps:

Right-click Disk Management and then click Attach VHD. Follow the prompts that appear & find your 'VirtualXPVHD.vhd'

The another drive should open as a partition with Windows XP components (mine is called D:.......before I only had C: drive).

Now I am installing programs that I want to run in XP to this new drive - D:/program files/Vol-FCR for example

That's as far as I got. Next step will be starting the computer up from the XP drive (D: ).......

My files are all backed up - so I'm not worried about losing any. Remember if you are playing with operating systems pls back up your files, as there is a chance you may need to do a total reinstallation!!

Update to this/another option:

VHD file containing XP can be ran in Windows 7/8 in Oracle VirtualBox

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Redbrick
Thursday 15th January 2015, 20:45
I got VOL-FCR working on my Windows 8.1 equipped Asus T-100. Cheap ebay VAG-COM USB to OBD lead and change the port number to 1. I even impressed myself as it took minutes :P

jamesy12345
Friday 16th January 2015, 09:00
I got VOL-FCR working on my Windows 8.1 equipped Asus T-100. Cheap ebay VAG-COM USB to OBD lead and change the port number to 1. I even impressed myself as it took minutes :P

Windows 8 is in my bird's laptop and it seems OK in general, if you switch to classic mode or whatever it is called

Dangerous Dave
Friday 16th January 2015, 13:40
For some reason my VOL-FCR program won't clear the service light. It can connect to all the other ecus but communication fails on the service light/instrumentation module.

Problem is my OS is Mint linux and I'm running windows in Virtualbox.

I've found this website, the guy is using an elm327 (cable or bluetooth) to do more than just reset the service light. He's written a webpage that will connect
http://jonesrh.info/volvo850/index.html

martin_r_smith
Friday 16th January 2015, 19:22
I'm getting issues with vol-fcr dropping out whilst viewing live data. I know pretty much naf all about computers so any advice would be appreciated. I'm using windows 7. Everything else is working, it connects fine and reads codes/ does my tdi pump timing etc.

jamesy12345
Friday 16th January 2015, 23:38
For some reason my VOL-FCR program won't clear the service light. It can connect to all the other ecus but communication fails on the service light/instrumentation module.

Problem is my OS is Mint linux and I'm running windows in Virtualbox.

I've found this website, the guy is using an elm327 (cable or bluetooth) to do more than just reset the service light. He's written a webpage that will connect
http://jonesrh.info/volvo850/index.html

good find I'll take a look. My S70 T5 service light wouldn't switch off either


I'm getting issues with vol-fcr dropping out whilst viewing live data. I know pretty much naf all about computers so any advice would be appreciated. I'm using windows 7. Everything else is working, it connects fine and reads codes/ does my tdi pump timing etc.

If the cable is secure at both ends (into laptop and into OBD socket), maybe try changing baud rate?

martin_r_smith
Friday 16th January 2015, 23:58
The what rate??

jamesy12345
Saturday 17th January 2015, 07:03
The what rate??

If you google it you will see different set ups have different results, but the consensus seems to be start low - try different settings like 9600 or lower

Link here to a page below where a guy gives settings that worked for him. Maybe take a screen shot of your settings before changing, then if it buggers it up you can go back to what you started with

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/119001-vol-fcr-and-obd2-usb-cable-problem/page-2

Some other thoughts that I noticed while looking for baud rate:

Alternator/battery OK? Diagnostics can be affected by battery voltage
When you say live data, does that include WOT? Maybe the laptop has a shock sensor?)
Any other programs running that might affect VOL FCR? Like anti-virus

edit...

here is a how 2 on changing baud rate, I'll try and make a VOL-FCR specific one when I get the chance

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/136850-want-change-baud-rate.html

jamesy12345
Thursday 3rd November 2016, 22:31
FFS device manger on XP not easy to find...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acg9SikGnw

MoleT-5R
Friday 4th November 2016, 00:25
FFS device manger on XP not easy to find...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acg9SikGnw

I'd say, it's only taken you a year and a half mate......lol....but good work Jamesey :)

jamesy12345
Friday 4th November 2016, 08:42
:lol: I'm not very good but I'm slow, as my old pal used to say

I was trying to clear a fault code on a Subaru & had to dig out this how 2 to help...