Do you need to have a laptop for efi live? or can you use a home, desktop computer?

Thanks!

You just need a computer with USB port and running Windows OS. One can use a Mac but needs to run software to run a guest version of a windows os. People just mention laptop for portability use to the truck. But a desktop will work quite well.

Brian

You just need a computer with USB port and running Windows OS. One can use a Mac but needs to run software to run a guest version of a windows os. People just mention laptop for portability use to the truck. But a desktop will work quite well.

Brian

Just make sure you can get the truck close enough to the Computer to run the USB cable w/V2 and OBDII cable to the truck.

so is that a yes ill need a laptop?

Any PC and or Laptop running Windows OS or a Mac running a Windows OS guest and a USB post is all you need. Like mentioned use the cables that come with the Flashscan. Longer USB cable can cause some issues possible.

Brian

Theoretically you could get an OBD2 bench harness(s) and flash the ecm/tcm next to your desktop machine. They would be expensive and obviously its not easy to remove the tcm and pcm so I'ts not really an optimal solution.

Also EFI live (v2 hardware only) will soon have standalone flashing and it already has standalone PCM reading and black box logging so you may be able to do this with limited functionality in the future.

Pardon my ignorance. What you guys are saying is: You can use a desk top if you have a USB cable that can reach from the desktop to the truck? Or from the desktop to the V2, then from the V2 (via OBDII cable) to the ALDL? Please circle one!!

Still looking for the info in my last post. Please respond when you've got the time. Thanks.

It is recommended not to use longer USB cable than what comes with the hardware.

Brian

It is recommended not to use longer USB cable than what comes with the hardware.

In general, USB is only assumed to be "error-free" over cables up to about 10 feet/3 meters in length or so. Longer distances -- within reason -- while usually not a problem, are something of a crap shoot. I'd think that trying to extend the distance more than a couple of meters or so beyond that (and even then, only for non-critical data transfer, like print jobs) would almost certainly be asking for trouble.

I'd be willing to risk potential integrity problems with the occasional print job, if the best location for a printer happened to be more than ten feet from my computer, but I certainly wouldn't want to risk compromising my high-dollar PCM.

in other words...

Yes you need a laptop. Just spring for a netbook off of the net somewhere for 250 bucks, it will be good to run EFI

OK, so up to 10' of USB (or whatever length comes in the kit), and after that, a laptop is needed. Now I've just gotta move the desktop to the garage! Thanks, fellas!

in other words...

Yes you need a laptop. Just spring for a netbook off of the net somewhere for 250 bucks, it will be good to run EFI
This sounds like a good idea, I'll look into it. Thanks.

Is there any reason I can't use both a desktop and a laptop? Or would that require two licenses?

You can use any number of machines. The licensing is stored in the Flashscan. Just have to enter registration codes into EFILive software so as not in Demo mode. All the info in the box.

Brian

Is there any reason I can't use both a desktop and a laptop? Or would that require two licenses?


I use both desktop and laptop. I use the desktop to build and make changes to the tune, and the laptop to Flash and Log, and have a flashdrive labeled "EFI LIVE ONLY" to transfer the files.

I think it's a PITA to edit a tune with a laptop keyboard and touchpad.

Pat, what are you using for a laptop? I see it's a Dell product, but would like to know specifics. CL has all kinds of stuff in the $2-$300 range, trying to zero in on the most popular models. Thanks.

I got mine off of fleabay.
This one is identical to mine. I bought mine about a year ago from a different seller for a LOT less...just under $300.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-DELL-LATITUDE-D620-DC-XP-2-CDRW-DVD-WiFi-LAPTOP-NR_W0QQitemZ150407458453QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops _Nov05?hash=item2304fbae95

If this one ever dies on me then a Netbook is next on the list.

Moved to EFI Live...

just buy a laptop

As far as a first laptop I would not go with those mini ones with the Atom processor. Not a powerful or fast processor. They are great for on the road work and stuff but to play video at least on 1 year ago models was awful. I just recommend a 15" which is a nice screen size, a nice decent size keyboard, and usually more than enough power for what you use it for.

Brian

I was going to buy this http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2893288&CatId=444 which extends usb use up to 150ft over a cat5 cable but I ended up buying a laptop instead. I am sure that it would work though and its only $40.

With 3.3 out of 5 stars and many reviews saying intermittent or no connection at all......I wouldn't take the chance of turning my ECM into a paperweight.

I was going to buy this http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2893288&CatId=444 which extends usb use up to 150ft over a cat5 cable but I ended up buying a laptop instead. I am sure that it would work though and its only $40.

I am guessing it is making use of the twisted pair in a network cable to help the distance but now you have 3 additional plug connections that if bumped can cause complete communication loss and possible lockup of the ECM. Just worst case thinking but if it was a printer I say OK.

Brian

I've been using the cables that came with my V2 and a 16 foot USB extension out my living room window for the past year, no problems tuning 2 trucks. I do wish I had a laptop so i could do some logging without having to use somebody else's laptop, and it would be nice to make quick changes in the truck when trying to dial it in.

You can easily setup the V2 to log a series of PIDs and store on the sdcard. Real easy to setup with their latest V8 software.

Brian