Problems with Harrison R&D CanScan USB software.
 

I received my CanScan USB today. Installed OK, but I'm experiencing some problems with the software:
1. It does not pull out the VIN#;
2. When I close it, it still runs in the Windows XP Task Manager with close to 100% CPU usage in background and I have to force Windows to close it;
3. If I request the trouble codes, it goes to 100% CPU in use and doing nothing for a looooong time. After I restart the software, making sure it is not running in background, it cannot connect to the ECU anymore, displaying "Connecting, Wait" in red box and again taking 100% CPU. It needs to be reinstalled to make a connection.
Both v. 3.8 and v 4.2 are doing all that.
How is it running for you?
Any input would be useful.
BTW I emailed Harrison and waiting for a reply.

Make sure your .NET framework is up to date.

I have v. 2.0, which is the latest one. Just in case I reinstalled it again and gonna try CanScan tomorrow.
thanks for the reply. :)
BTW will CanZoomer s/w work with Harrison CanScan?
I know they are the same hardware, but...

I've gone back to version 3.5 which was the last non-bug-ridden version I've tried.
I'm going to try something else soon because I want a fully confiureable dashboard since it is permanently installed in my in-car PC.

Nothing better than being able to check/erase codes while you are driving at the touch of a button.

yes ths scanalizer rocks...

beer :beer:

I was thinking AutoTap, actually. I'm not a big fan of the Hymeelizer.

dont know that one...

beers :beer:

Good to know I'm not the only one with problems.
I'll see what Harrison gonna say about it.
Anyone using the paid Enhanced Data Viewer? Does it has the same bugs?

That software sucks. I could never get either version to log consistently. It crashes constantly.

I emailed for a refund.
After windows update it does not connects at all. It sucks.

It does truly suck, I've got both the regular and the enhanced and I can only get the enhanced to connect, and then it crashes when asking for freeze frame data, and then it's toast until reboot. I even reinstalled the o/s from scratch and tried w/no windows updates, no go. I've gota call him next week.

I just got my palm version of the canscan, but my new pda hasn't arrived yet. so I connected it via serial to a desktop and was able to use it to reset the CEL. The trouble codes it read were incorrect. I emailed dan and he just wrote back that he saw the problem and is releasing a fixed version in the next 24-48 hours.

He's very responsive, give him a chance to make it right before returning it. I've not had problems with the software when I last used it (over a year ago) so I can't speak about the current usb version that you're using..

I gave him a chance. He responded with something I expected like get the last v.4.2, use the exit instead of the X, etc. I emailed him back about s/w not working at all after Windows update and told him if he has no more suggestions, please return my money.
I really don't want to do that, but...
Waiting for his reply.

Just got the reply:

Dan:"I ran the software, version 4.20R3, on a Sony Laptop, XP, and did see a bug when running on our RX8. I should have that fixed today or tomorrow. On the new problem you saw with XP, it's possible that a copy of the drivers remained running in RAM after the program terminated and from that point on the program would not be able to make a connection. We have a solution for that also, but you can run Task Manager and kill the OBDScan process if it continues to run.
We have a 30 day money back policy if you need to return the tool. Best Regards Dan Harrison Harrison R&D"

I will try the fixes and if they are not any good it goes back.

in all honesty, his product was loads better with the pre .net versions.

I originally had the CZ version RS-232 version and it always worked flawlessly - it may have looked crude but I loved it. Unfortunetly I had it updated a while back to use the enhanced data software and ever since then it does not always log the data I ask for and kills my laptop is <10 minutes as it attacks the processor.... -sigh-

to his credit though, Dan is a standup guy that continues to work hard and improve it

Just received fixed CanScan s/w for RX-8 from Dan. I can't check it out b/c my scanner is fried I think. Please, try it and let me know how it works.

Dan:"Finally got this, our power was out multiple times today but the storms have diminished long enough for me to get this done. The trouble code read should be fixed but the problem with the drivers remaining running when the program is abnormally shut down is still in work. That symptom was never exhibited while I was using the new program so I hope it will be the same for you. The rev still shows as 3, it will be 4 when this gets 100% finished. The program is working on our Sony laptop, XP, 1G RAM, 1.7G Intel processor and our 2004 RX8. A few word of explanation, the VIN/CAL function on the menu bar must be used prior to selecting the USB button or the VIN read will be disabled. I don't know what happened with your computer when you updated the OS, all of our computers update automatically with Windows Update and so far we have not had a problem. If you still have the problem try to send me a detailed explanation of what happens when the program runs and I'll do what ever I can. While I was thinking of possible problems it occurred to me to check the firmware version in your unit, it should be 'CS2.1', if not then we will need to fix that. The firmware version will show up near the location where the VIN and CAL numbers are. Please check it when you run the program. I assume the USB ports on your laptop are USB 2.0 and not USB 1.1, if the laptop is less than 2 years old they should be 2.0, but it does not hurt to check.

Here is the procedure I always use to scan a car:
1. connect tool to RX8
2. Switch Key all the way ON or start engine. If the battery is weak wait until engine is started before connecting tool. A weak battery will have a large voltage droop on start and might cause the scan tool to malfunction but won't damage it. 3. Connect tool to computer 4. Launch program 5. Select VIN/CAL to ON. 6. Click USB and wait for screen to change to MAIN 7. Click 'Request Diagnostic Trouble Codes' - any codes should be displayed on the screen

If you have ANY problems please let me know.
Best Regards
Dan Harrison
Harrison R&D"

OBDScan_Fixed.zip

cool, let us know!

OBDScan 4.30?
 

I got my Harrison R&D OBDScan 4.30 a week or 2 ago and I just got around to installing it. Well I got the new S flash today so I decided to do a run and log the new data.

My problem is that version 4.30 is putting text in the columns along with the data that gets logged. Does anyone know how to stop the software from adding this text?

I cant figure out how to attach the excel sheet so if someone wants to see it I can email it to you.

Just e-mail them you problem and they will fix it asap!

dharrison14@houston.rr.com

I actually got it to work last night after I posted the question. However, I still may email Dan to see if there is anything I can do to fix the root problem.

What I did was highlight each column, select "Data" -> "Text to Columns". This brings up the "Convert Text to Columns Wizard". On Step 1 of 3, I selected the "Delimited" radio button. On Step 2 of 3, I selected the "Other" radio button and in the textbox I typed the first character of the text I didn't want. This seperated the data into 2 columns on the next screen of the "Convert Text to Columns Wizard". Finally, on Step 3 of 3, I highlighted the column with the text that I didn't need and selected the "do not import" radio button.

This seperated the numbers that I needed from the text that I didn't and allowed me to delete the text. It kinda sucks to have to do this for every run which is why I am going to email Dan to see if there is a setting I san set so that only the numeric data gets saved to the log file created by the OBDScan...

Cool, Dan is very helpful and prompt.

except nothing is resolved, bought a new PC with a clean install, still all the same old problems, it doesn't even read the VIn/Calibrations. All it's good for is seeing and clearing codes. Otherwise it goes into an error mode and you get a MS forced closure window. F--- it, it's a ripoff as far as I'm concerned. :mad:

What did Dan say???

it works fine on his Sony PC, or at least that's all I ever get from him ... at a minimum it doesn't work on Dell PC's ... I'm just sick of this, it's been like this from the beginning, ecept that it's even worse now. I used to at least be able to read my VIN back on the original version ...

I have it kind of working on a Dell laptop. He sent me a version a few months ago that worked ok (it logs most of the time), and I updated to the latest one (June '06) today and it still seems to do okay.

It's not very stable though and sometimes takes multiple tries to get it working. Not a product I would reccomend. I can get my calibration ID, but I've never once seen my VIN show up.