VCM scanner freezing

[Viking Motorworks]

I'm running VCM scanner on a HP laptop, MPVI3 Win10, Core [email protected], 6gb ram(about 2.2gb free), not "protectsmart" equipped, otherwise a great unit, etc.

It has worked well for the last couple of months learning how to tune with HPT on a project car, a 5.3l LS1/4l60e swapped 82 Vette.
As I'm getting the VE tune pretty close and making WOT runs, the scanner has started freezing at higher rpm, and when I save the log I lose the end of the run. IOW, I make a pull up to 6200rpm and see the scanner reading it all the way there to 6k+. I let off the throttle and find the scanner has frozen. The high rpm mark on the gauges tach might show 5300rpm, and when I save the log and view it, it only saved up to 4500rpm -sometimes less.

I have pared down the channels to the bare minimum, tweaked the polling freqs, removed any unneeded histograms, etc. I have not tried a new cable yet because the one I'm using is new, high quality, and wiggle tests haven't revealed anything, but that's next. I switched to another SS USB port on the laptop, same.

The system req for it calls for 4gb RAM system, do you think my 2.2Gb available out of 6gb is the problem? I have some older logs with 6k pulls and a ton of channels, this seems to be a new issue. I've even had a couple of random freezes lately, not higher rpm related. Today it froze and I shut down the scanner, re started it, reconnected, and it froze halfway through the next run.

Here is my info log and a tuning log that actually pulled up to about 5000rpm or so when I spotted the scanner had frozen. You can see me start to lay into the throttle and the log just stops: VCMSuiteInfo.txtVE tune 15a.hpl

Thanks in advance!
Mike

[LilSick]

Which version of the suite are you using?

[abc]

Can you borrow a different laptop as a test?
With your current setup, try removing more PID's as a test, get it to 15 or below.
Try a completely different PID list and don't touch the polling rates and start with just 10 PID's or so as a test.

[Alvin]

I have to clean the USB ports on my work laptops often. I also rebend the USB tangs so that they make a tighter fit. Same thing.. it passes the wiggle test. Scanner freezing is how it starts.

I'd recommend cleaning them + new USB.

[Viking Motorworks]

I'm using version 5.0.4

I don't have access to another laptop -although I've been looking at getting a dedicated shop/tuning laptop. This one does double/triple duty for me(personal/business/tuning), and hauling a 17" laptop in and out of vehicles sucks. I'm trying to find one that won't break the bank. I don't mind spending money of shop equip, but I've had/have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

I'll try cleaning the USBs and new cable. It "feels" to me like it's either running out of resources or bandwidth, and I got concerned when I pulled the info and saw only 2GB available RAM on a 6GB system.

[Alvin]

I'm using version 5.0.4

I don't have access to another laptop -although I've been looking at getting a dedicated shop/tuning laptop. This one does double/triple duty for me(personal/business/tuning), and hauling a 17" laptop in and out of vehicles sucks. I'm trying to find one that won't break the bank. I don't mind spending money of shop equip, but I've had/have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

I'll try cleaning the USBs and new cable. It "feels" to me like it's either running out of resources or bandwidth, and I got concerned when I pulled the info and saw only 2GB available RAM on a 6GB system.

It could be.. but every 3-4 months my main work computer does this freeze/crash thing. I can't find a problem with anything moving or wiggling the cables. It seems like if there is any hiccup at all in the connection the scanner doesn't handle it well and will crash. It is extremely frustrating. A lot of times it seems like the scanner is handicapped until I close it and restart it completely.. Having said that.. If you keep loosing connection at the very least restart scanner but maybe even whole laptop. If I've had a crash from a bad connection it doesn't seem like HPtuners will be right again until I restart it.

I'm in and out of a ton of cars a day so undoubtedly things are being rough. I think there is a difference between say a USB keyboard that gets plugged in once and that's it and a HPtuners cable that is plugged in and unplugged several times a day.


All of this might just be some sort of voodoo rain dance and completely unrelated to it being sorted out.. But it does seem to work get me back on track. Nothing makes me more pissed than flaky hardware when you are trying to work. Sends me into a rage lol.

[Viking Motorworks]

Yeah man, it's super frustrating to drive out to a safe place and make a nice clean run only to lose half the log. I'm going to clean up the USBs and swap the cable shortly. Yesterday it froze on me during a casual log drive after a 4krpm burst. I stopped shut VCM Scanner down, restarted, connected, and started logging again -froze again as soon as I brought rpm over 4k. That's what got me thinking bandwidth(connection/cable) or running out of resources (RAM) -and I've run 30min logs on this car/laptop before, so I'm seriously leaning towards cable/connections the more I think about it.
Thanks for the input, I'll let you know how I make out.

[2xLS1]

Used $150 Dell Latitude Windows 10 laptops are all over Craigs List and FB Marketplace that are good for tuning. No need to spend a lot on a tuning laptop. Even if they need a new battery they are usually $20-$30 on Amazon.

[LilSick]

cheap n easy buy something refurbed that has a bootleg version of windows

OneDrive doesnt re activate itself if its bootleg

[abc]

Yup, find a local computer guy and have them build you a used lap top or buy a used one from them. They will know how to get the nasty shit out of it before you start using it.

I second the notion of loose pin fit on the USB connection. I keep a plastic wedge rubber banded to my USB cable that I wedge in with the USB connection so it won't wiggle it way out on test drives.

I watched a so called "pro" fight with his connection during a scheduled full day of dyno appointments. I already knew of this problem as I had been tuning my own stand alones for a few years at this point. When I mentioned a simple solution for the time being, he dismissed it and shortly after that he canceled the rest of the appointments for the day. His arrogance and car side manner is one of the main reasons I'm here and trying learn to handle my own builds.

[LilSick]

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.

-Herbert Spencer

[Alvin]

Nothing more enraging than connection issues or hardware issues while trying to get work done. Too much of that and I'm sure I turn into a grumpy dick for the rest of the day too. lol

[Viking Motorworks]

cheap n easy buy something refurbed that has a bootleg version of windows

OneDrive doesnt re activate itself if its bootleg

I just watchlisted several on ebay. A bunch of Dells, 2 HPs, a Lenovo. All Core i5 or i7, SSDs, 8-16GB ram. I've put this off too long already.

Edit to add: Lol, there's like 2,000 refurbed on Amazon under $200...

[abc]

I just watchlisted several on ebay. A bunch of Dells, 2 HPs, a Lenovo. All Core i5 or i7, SSDs, 8-16GB ram. I've put this off too long already.

Edit to add: Lol, there's like 2,000 refurbed on Amazon under $200...

Your better off finding a local computer guy, at least then you will have some support and a guy you can call when x, y, or z is happening and he may have a solution.

[LilSick]

that would be nice

you could tell said computer guy: "what is most important to me is 1) the condition of the usb port and 2) the hinges for the display"

give two shits what the rest looks like

: )

[Viking Motorworks]

that would be nice

you could tell said computer guy: "what is most important to me is 1) the condition of the usb port and 2) the hinges for the display"

give two shits what the rest looks like

: )

Lol, fair enough. I've been "the computer guy" for my friends & family for a long time, so I'm not too worried about it. If I can't steal one for $50 on ebay, I'll buy one off Amazon for $150. If it's a total POS, they'll send me another anyway. As long as it's got good bones, I'm more than happy to customize memory/storage/software myself.

[abc]

Lol, fair enough. I've been "the computer guy" for my friends & family for a long time, so I'm not too worried about it. If I can't steal one for $50 on ebay, I'll buy one off Amazon for $150. If it's a total POS, they'll send me another anyway. As long as it's got good bones, I'm more than happy to customize memory/storage/software myself.

Well shoot, if that's the case, wipe yours, install a newer hard drive, and add the Ram. Figure out how to replace the USB ports. I would install windows 10 if it were mine for now.
I have been thinking about hard wiring a quick disconnect to the USB connection on the mother board and have it easily replaceable with just one of the access panels or dangle outside of the laptop. This way when the pin fit gets loose just snap a new one in place and off you go. I think this would eliminate the stress on the pins from moving around in the car.

On a side note: Have you guys ever worked with a tablet instead of a laptop? I'm thinking one with a remote keyboard may be ideal. I could use it to log with/view logs, and if any major changes need done, attach the keyboard and type away.

[Viking Motorworks]

Well shoot, if that's the case, wipe yours, install a newer hard drive, and add the Ram. Figure out how to replace the USB ports. I would install windows 10 if it were mine for now.
I have been thinking about hard wiring a quick disconnect to the USB connection on the mother board and have it easily replaceable with just one of the access panels or dangle outside of the laptop. This way when the pin fit gets loose just snap a new one in place and off you go. I think this would eliminate the stress on the pins from moving around in the car.

On a side note: Have you guys ever worked with a tablet instead of a laptop? I'm thinking one with a remote keyboard may be ideal. I could use it to log with/view logs, and if any major changes need done, attach the keyboard and type away.

I thought about that, but a) It's still doing triple duty between personal-business-shop(tuning), and it's still fine for personal and business since I've already upgraded it a few years back with the 6GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. b) With a 17" screen it'll still be a PITA hauling in and out of cars. I need a second one dedicated for tuning and shop(tech info like wiring diagrams, parts lookup, etc.)

I've got a Galaxy Tab 7, but it's android based and I'm not really looking to invest in a MS Surface or another windows-based tablet that's going to get tossed around the shop, etc. I figure a laptop is cheaper(more easily replaced if/when it gets trashed), and more upgradeable. Maybe some more experienced tuners have a different perspective.

[LilSick]

check out tether pro

[Viking Motorworks]

Used $150 Dell Latitude Windows 10 laptops are all over Craigs List and FB Marketplace that are good for tuning. No need to spend a lot on a tuning laptop. Even if they need a new battery they are usually $20-$30 on Amazon.

Yeah, even refurb on Amazon. Ebay is loaded with them too(from reputable sellers)

I'm torn between a Thinkpad T470 or a Dell Latitude 7490. The Dells have a faster i7-8650u processor, the Lenovos have a i5-6300u but are generally thought to be much more durable -but for a $100-150 shop laptop I don't know how much I care.