Hey Guys,

I bought the Vivid softronic flash for my 2k3 turbo.
The cable came today, no written instructions at all. So I hunted around on the vividracing website and eventually found two zip files. One for the black cable and one for gray. I have a black cable so I downloaded that.

There is a warning saying run setup.exe not flasher client setup. There is no setup.exe in the zip file and only a flashersetup.exe

So, I installed that and it looks like the right thing, talks about being the Porsche ECU reader etc. But clicking next causes it to immediately fail with a missing DLL DuraD2xx.dll which worries me immensely.

This laptop is a clean install of XP SP3 that I did tonight, with the latest .NET framework as required by the flasher.

I'm very disappointed so far since the instructions tell you one thing but the zip file has something else in it and there are no written instructions anyway with the cable.

I don't want to brick my ECU and I have no faith in this product now. I may just send it back as a non starter.

Do any guys here have experience with this ? It seems kinda half baked.

Edit : the "FlasherSetup.exe" now appears to run correctly, I reinstalled it again and now I don't see the missing DLL, but I'm still worried that FlasherSetup.exe is not the correct thing to run, given the terse instructions on Vivid's site.

Edit : So, with the DLL now being found I decided to give it a quick try in my car and see if it can read the ECU. No dice, "This cable it not the right cable for the vehicle"
This is junk.

 

wow what a bugger job. they sell you some crap with no instruction? half the fun is just going for it... you can always fix it. I guess if you have to ask, you wont understand.

 

Yeah, I was pretty pissed off when I started this and messed around for several hours. Thing is I'm a Software Engineer of over 20 years and this just isn't how I'd ship a product. No release notes, no getting started, no FAQ, nothing just a cable in a fedex letter envelope. I'm sorry, but I'm responsible for several pieces of software that get used in consumer electronics products, and some critical systems and I'd never release a product like this because unless you have process it's prone to failure, just like this has failed.

I've emailed Vivid with the details and also asked for an RMA for it. Maybe Vivid will come up with some answers tomorrow, but as it stands it looks like they shipped the wrong cable or a faulty cable (cables are not marked, no serial numbers, version numbers, QA numbers, etc) and the SW so far seems flakey.

Not sure I'd trust my engine to this given my experience so far.

 

well me's think they would be liable if it screwed anything up.

what does it take to make a decent instruction?!

 

I am not sure this will make you feel better but, I got one from Proto and the only thing in the box was the invoice. So it looks like I will also be having some fun.

 

Why didn't you just wait and call Vivid if you didn't understand the process.Then you have no chance of messing anything up.

 

Process is pretty easy Here is the link to the instructions with a VIDEO I made. The Proto one is the same. Call me for help. http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/p...?cID=10&pID=64

PS at a 1130 when you posted this - I was asleep...

 

Your cable is activated, if you call me, I will walk you through it.

 

In case ANYONE else comes across this thread and does not click the link for instructions or the link on the Product page of our website, here they are

You must have a Windows laptop with a wireless internet connection to complete this. The car must be able to be turned to the on position without starting it. Once connected, the stock ECU file will be pulled from your vehicle and sent to the Softronic servers. Once they receive it, they will alter the factory file and email it back to you to be uploaded. Please download and install the ZIP file below. Once it has downloaded click on the "Setup" file in the folder, not the one that has "Flash Client Setup".

Black OBD Flash Cable - http://softronic.us/flashersetup.zip
Gray OBD Flash Cable (996 Non EGas 3.4L) HERE

Watch the YOUTUBE Video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl3FkzruqNU


You MUST enter your Name, Email Address, Vehicle Model, Year, and Transmission Type in the Comments Box.

1. Plug in the cable to the USB and let the computer install it automatically. Should it ask then say yes and proceed.
2. Plug the cable into the OBD2 port or also known as the diagnostic port.
3. Turn on the key.
4. Launch the software and after it reads when you get to the "Comments " fill in if you want Sport mode, what year, model and trans you cars has, manual or auto.
5. The file will then upload.
6. Softronic can then can send you a file back.
7. If you incur any issues, please contact Vivid Racing for Support.

 

I just purchased the K&N cold air and the softronic ECU flash from Dan at Vivid Racing.Although I had some issues in the beginning because I put in the MAF in backward once that was turned around it worked great then I installed the softronics and Dan was there whenever i needed him and it went perfectly I am very happy with the products and the service i received and i look forward to purchasing more mods from them.The car sounds and performs incredibly.

 

I think I owe an apology here. I woke up this morning to find Dan had sent me two emails assuring me I was doing the right thing and to give him a call.

Anyway, I decided to try another laptop. On the 3rd laptop I found one that worked and read the ECU without issue. I don't know why the other two laptops didn't work the FTDI driver is very common and should work on just about anything.

Anyway, the bottom line : Dan was all over my issues immediately, and you can tell here his comments are direct and on the ball.

So, as of now I've uploaded my ECU and they are making the changes right now.

I was very frustrated last night and was too quick with my comments here, I feel pretty bad about myself because Dan has been nothing but a gentlemen and of great help.

I'd like to publicly apologize for that. Sorry Dan.

(hangs head in shame).

:-)

 

I think you had to install some sort of .net software first thats what happened to me once that was done it went over and I got it back and it only took 5minutes to upload the new tuned file good luck tonight uplaoding it you will be happy with the results.

 

no worries man... we all have those days

 

I am waiting on a tune as I type, so far does not seem to be to difficult

Christian

 

I installed mine the other night I am curious on what you think changed on the car I want to see if it matches what it think happened.It does feel different and with my other mods realy loud at high rpm's