islandsoon

I rec'd the CZ software and cable Monday. Now, I'm NOT the 'go to guy for software and computers, but the job took a few minutes and seemed to go okay. The software will throw some issues at you that are not in the instructions. In fact, I'm waiting for CZ to get back into town to let me know if my responses to the software were appropriate. Examples are, I seem to have loaded a file called GSC10.p into the CZ stage 1, where I was expecting to load a file called RX8-APR5-1-1.GSC. Now I believe the GSC file is some sort of main program setup and the GSC01.p is the update. And the instructions indicate there is a 'readme file included, but I assume that because Rachael forwarded it to me from Maurice who is out of town, maybe this missing 'readme is either for future editions or was omitted because they already know which flash my car is at (L).
Tom

RX-8 friend

I'm not sure what you've done, but if you selected to write to the "main unit", you'd better not run it in the car, as I don't recognise that map title. If the box is in the car, just switch the unit "off". Maurice can advise you this weekend. The correct file is the APR5-1-1.GSC (the current one we are using).
OK, just installed the program on my computer and that file (GSC01.p) is the basic starter one. If you wrote to the main unit (the box), then you overwrote the map file in your box and shouldn't use it until you get the correct file in there.

islandsoon

Thanks for the response RX-8 friend...

On the CD that was provided with the kit were two files the instructions say to manually transfer into the emanage folder on the laptop. When these are transfered over, they overwrite what is included in the emanage software. One is a language text file and the other is a newer version of the GSC01.p file. The emanage program insists on using a *.p file when transfering to the main unit. The *.GSC file doesn't / won't load to the main unit. Isn't the point of this exercise to update the CZ box and to overwrite the program that is in the CZ box?

Genom

Hey, are the maps going to be available on the a website somepalce for people to download? I'd like to grab the updated map for those few (me one of them) people with the L flash that have seen some problems.

RX-8 friend

OK, I think what is happening is Maurice did all this last Sunday (just before he had to leave for a Toronto computer show), and he didn't get time to put the maps on the ftp server. He didn't expect the shipping companies to be so efficient !

I think the *.p file is the ROM upgrade for the box. It detects if needed, and asks you if you want to load it when you first connect and start the program. To confirm my speculation, the ROM upgrade takes 2-5 minutes. It's safe to allow this to happen (even desirable). To write a map takes 5-10 sec. When you write a map you first load it to the program (File - open). Then you select "export data" under the "Communication" menu dropdown. It asks something like "load file to main unit?". I don't think Maurice put any maps on the CDs he is shipping (mainly because we have been changing them too often - not good practise to put things like that on distribution disks). They will appear on the ftp server this weekend.

Hope this clears up what happened.

Now, some warnings. When you connect either the laptop running the program or the Stage 3 display unit, the Stage 1 box runs whatever map has been loaded to the program or display unit, and NOT the map programmed into the Stage 1 box. If you haven't loaded a map into the program, you will be running a "default map" - not really what you want to do. So don't go driving about until you get your desired map loaded into the program/display unit. Idling will be safe. For the display unit (when we start shipping them), this only applies to the first time they are installed. Once programmed, they will start out with the map you want them to use. My guess is we will load an appropriate map to them before we ship them anyway.

I thought I'd warn all of you, as it kind of startled me when I found this out.

shebam

Thanks, David. Once we do get the maps from the site, I hope us ham-fisted guys will be able to make sure that we are locating and loading the right map when we hook the laptop to the CZ unit. The instructions say to connect to the unit and THEN start the process -- so naturally a novice will worry that the map, though on the laptop, is not being found and the default is going in instead. Is it possible to do a "dry run" without being connected to the CZ unit. And what if the CZ unit is switched off -- does this allow a dry run (or, perish the thought, mean we're messing with the ECU itself)? Just when I get the mechanical and electrical parts down, now it gets electronic on me ....

RX-8 friend

No, you only load the map to the unit you have loaded into the program. You can't load the wrong one unless you actually DO load the wrong one (how can I say that?). I created a folder inside my Trust folder called MAPS, and I copy all maps into it. I haven't tried it yet, but I think once you tell the program to look there for the map, it always will, until you tell it somewhere else.

Because you have to select from the communication menu to write to the Stage 1 and answer yes to "write to the main unit" before any changes to the map are done, it's pretty foolproof. The only caveat is the one I mentioned about the unit USING the map loaded in the program, without warning. It isn't written to the box until you tell it to do so. Go ahead and play with the program (explore the menus) without the box connected. It allows you to do so, you just can't select anything that requires a box connected. It's good to get familiar with the menus anyway. I know how nervous we can get when it's connected to our $30,000 toy!

Something else I learned, is that these flash ram chips still are limited to about 100 lifetime loads. So if you expected the unit to last 5 years, that would be 20 maps per year, or one every few weeks. I guess we'll be ok. BTW, this also applies to the stock PCM! So this is probably why the display unit (Stage 3) is popular. It uses normal flash ram (battery inside, like CF or SD ram modules), so isn't limited to writes, and can carry 3 Maps which you can select whenever you like. Because these aren't WRITTEN to the box, it doesn't affect the flash ram life. Same effect as leaving a laptop connected, running the program, and changing the loaded map in the program (the box uses it, rather than the map in its' flash ram).

Also, no, whatever you do to the Stage 1 module has no effect on the PCM. There is only minimal interconnection between the two computers. Just the coil driver outputs, the TPS, and the MAP sensor. Most of those $%^&@ wires you plug in just pass straight through. I curse because they will be the cause of my loss of eyesight soon .

shebam

You are a friend indeed. Thanks.

Genom

Welp, I eagerly await someone putting the files on the ftp site.

islandsoon

Thanks again for the help. The problem with the 'exporting files option (as compared to the 'updating the main unit) is that the export drop down dialog box in the Communications menu asks for a password, which of course I don't have. I didn't even try to just <enter> past the password request as I assumed ( jeepers I might be exporting Maurice's bank records for all I know) I didn't belong in the 'export files section if someone was needing a password to enter information.
It does take about 3 minutes to upload the *.p file via the 'main unit update drop down menu option.

islandsoon

The instruction sheet advises to update the *.p file that emanage loads to my laptop with the intial install. No problem. The updated *.p file has a different size and loads right over the *.p file on my laptop when I copy and paste.
The *.p file is accessed when you go to the 'Comunications menu and select the 'update main unit option. As the GSC01.p file is the only *.p file there (and it only likes *.p files), it grabs it and asks if I want to load the rascal. It didn't automatically detect on mine, so based on your comment, mine didn't need the *.p update, but that by loading the *.p update i didn't hurt anything.
It sounds like I still don't have the RX8-APR5-1-1.GSC loaded as the *.GSC goes to the title bar, but nothing indicates that it has or is loading to the CZ stage 1main unit.

RX-8 friend

If the program doesn't auto-detect (make sure the box is powered before you start the program) then you don't need to update the ROM. It has seen that the version you have is current.

OK, as I do my best thinking while asleep, one more warning I thought of last night. If you do a ROM upgrade (load the GSC01.p file), you will have to power off the unit when it's done. This means either disconnecting the -ve terminal of the battery or unplugging the center of the three connectors to the box from the car's harness. Also, sometimes the thing can get upset after this, I -think- because some data gets trapped in the USB port. Just unplug the USB connector from your laptop and plug it back in. That usually clears it. You also should exit the program before you disconnect and restart it once the unit is powered back up. If you watch closely, the right (amber) light will flicker, indicating the program is talking to the unit.

As for the password, yes, the MAP files are locked. I'm not sure how Maurice wants to handle this so I'll do nothing until he's back tonight and advises me.
You were doing it correctly if you got to the password prompt. That is the only way to load a map to the unit. See there are two data files, the ROM upgrades and the MAP files. The ROM upgrades are rare. MAP file changes are not rare.

Why password protected? Well, about 1/3 of the cost of the unit is tied up in the work to develop the MAP files. We don't want them passed around freely. I suspect we may create MAP files with different passwords for the ftp site, but again I don't know what Maurice had in mind for this. Expect files this weekend! Maurice will advise you of the password.

islandsoon

The CZ box is updated via the 'EXPORT DATA option. The CZ stage one can be switched to "on" or "off" at the time of the updating. Call or email CZ for the password to allow the update to occur. The Menu locations listed in the instructions are not correct, but easy enough to find anyway. Look in 'Options and 'Communications for most. Lastly, the instructions say to use the 'LOAD selection in the drop down menu under 'File. It really is the 'Open' selection in the drop down menu under 'File.

Tom

TitaniumRX8MD

I got in touch with Maurice and all I want is thanks! There is a big smile on my face. He helped me every step of the install process without a hitch. By the way the new map is great, smoother throughtout. Thanks again Maurice.