TECH 2 Stopped working
#11
Again guys thanks for all your suggestions.
The PCMCIA connector seems fine, but I don't have a PCMCIA reader so I've never tried a laptop. I have another card and still get ERAM Fail. Does it matter which slot i.e. top or bottom? (though it seems to make no difference)
With or without the card, it won't boot, the error is "hard" and the menu will not go beyond that.
Putting in the loop-back connector makes the unit go through a different sequence, but all the errors are still there.
I replaced the RTC battery now I get 009 ... CLKMEM... FAIL and 002....ERAM FAIL i.e. the RTC FAIL has gone.
Think I'll try VDDS next week.
The PCMCIA connector seems fine, but I don't have a PCMCIA reader so I've never tried a laptop. I have another card and still get ERAM Fail. Does it matter which slot i.e. top or bottom? (though it seems to make no difference)
With or without the card, it won't boot, the error is "hard" and the menu will not go beyond that.
Putting in the loop-back connector makes the unit go through a different sequence, but all the errors are still there.
I replaced the RTC battery now I get 009 ... CLKMEM... FAIL and 002....ERAM FAIL i.e. the RTC FAIL has gone.
Think I'll try VDDS next week.
#12
the pcmcia slots do matter i believe only one works the other was for an expansion that was never developed on
what voltage is the rtc battery reading?
what voltage is the rtc battery reading?
Last edited by bronxteck; 01-08-2021 at 04:41 PM.
#13
Looks like my Tech2 is heading to the scrap pile. At the moment it's with VJ at VDDS but he doesn't sound hopeful.
All I actually need (I think) is another raw Tech2 without all the modules and cables, need a cost effective solution as I've already invested once.
I may attempt the repairs myself, only trouble is my truck is down with a good old "Service Air Suspension" so time is an issue.
Where is the best place to get a new Tech2 in the forum's opinion?
All I actually need (I think) is another raw Tech2 without all the modules and cables, need a cost effective solution as I've already invested once.
I may attempt the repairs myself, only trouble is my truck is down with a good old "Service Air Suspension" so time is an issue.
Where is the best place to get a new Tech2 in the forum's opinion?
#14
i do not remember if you and i got them from the same source but i got mine from china https://www.chinacardiags.com/wholes...l-package.html but i think i paid that price with the case at that time but they also sell the VCI version but you have to use a computer at all times with it and the tech2 win software.
#16
Still waiting for an outcome with VDDS.
Its seems is a quality issue with the PCMCIA cards coming out of china, but more likely its a problem with the PCMCIA logic on the TECH2 according to AJ. He also said my unit was like nothing he'd ever seen before, not a replica of the GM system for sure.
Going get my old unit back then try and fix it myself, nothing to loose, failing that I'll order a new one.
Keep you posted
Its seems is a quality issue with the PCMCIA cards coming out of china, but more likely its a problem with the PCMCIA logic on the TECH2 according to AJ. He also said my unit was like nothing he'd ever seen before, not a replica of the GM system for sure.
Going get my old unit back then try and fix it myself, nothing to loose, failing that I'll order a new one.
Keep you posted
#17
remember when you order pcmcia cards that the tech2 uses linear ram pcmcia cards
https://tech2wiki.com/wiki/how-to-wr...l%20not%20work.
and this is the data sheet / pinout to the linear pcmcia card my tech2 clone came with model USLF032 SV+ 32mb card
https://unitydigital.com/content/Uni...riesSVRevG.pdf
i am sure that will come in handy for your troubleshooting
https://tech2wiki.com/wiki/how-to-wr...l%20not%20work.
and this is the data sheet / pinout to the linear pcmcia card my tech2 clone came with model USLF032 SV+ 32mb card
https://unitydigital.com/content/Uni...riesSVRevG.pdf
i am sure that will come in handy for your troubleshooting
Last edited by bronxteck; 03-09-2021 at 09:19 PM.
#18
Thank you bronxteck, I'm sure your info will prove very useful and I appreciate the time it takes to post information.
It's been a long time since I used PCMCIA cards and readers and recall some of the issues.
Whilst waiting for repairs, I managed to get a virtual Windows XP Pro 32bit (has to be) image running on my Dell laptop. Previously I was using an old Samsung mini-laptop but it was so s l o w like watching paint dry.
Also managed to get my GM Service Manual image running ... all so much faster and very usable now !
It's been a long time since I used PCMCIA cards and readers and recall some of the issues.
Whilst waiting for repairs, I managed to get a virtual Windows XP Pro 32bit (has to be) image running on my Dell laptop. Previously I was using an old Samsung mini-laptop but it was so s l o w like watching paint dry.
Also managed to get my GM Service Manual image running ... all so much faster and very usable now !
#19
yeah i actually had 2 of the laptops mentioned in the wiki D430 and the D620 for the pcmcia reading and writing. but i am having problems finding the software they mention. memory card explorer. i was trying to see if i could image and dump my card for you. the other issue was that the card when inserted asks for a driver disk and i cant find a specific driver for it. some of the XP built in pcmcia flash card drivers where able to install to the flashcards hardware but none mounted it as a drive. i tried another software for imaging any drive but that software has to be able to see the drive so it can image it. https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/. i have not tried using the tech2 itself yet as the cardreader device via the com port
Last edited by bronxteck; 03-10-2021 at 09:51 AM.
#20
Software for working with linear flash PCMCIA cards.(along with full software images for the cards, etc)... ---------------> https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...kt?usp=sharing
I've used it on an older laptop running Windows 98 but I think it can work on other Windows versions as well as long as the PC has a PCMCIA slot. I have not tried it with the Tech2 connected to the computer using the Tech2 as the PCMCIA slot but I think that is also an option.
Some of the Saab forums users have really gone much deeper into the clone Tech2's with replacing the power regulator, serial chip, etc.... https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/...60738/page-119
Some on MHauto https://mhhauto.com/Thread-Clone-Tech2-problems
I've used it on an older laptop running Windows 98 but I think it can work on other Windows versions as well as long as the PC has a PCMCIA slot. I have not tried it with the Tech2 connected to the computer using the Tech2 as the PCMCIA slot but I think that is also an option.
Some of the Saab forums users have really gone much deeper into the clone Tech2's with replacing the power regulator, serial chip, etc.... https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/...60738/page-119
Some on MHauto https://mhhauto.com/Thread-Clone-Tech2-problems