Genrad GDS3500 WDS Docking Station
 

My Ford/Jaguar WDS Genrad GDS3500 docking station failed. The PTU works fine but it locks-up when I dock it. I can charge the internal battery with the docking station if the PTU is OFF but I have to undock and THEN turn it on to get it to boot up. I need to find a place to repair it or get another docking station. I remember about 10 years ago I saw the same computer and docking station at The Home Depot. The display screen had the 'Home Depot' logo and I guess they used it for inventory etc. It runs Windows 98 so it is very outdated but I used Jaguar WDS at the dealer from 1999 to 2006. Then we got the IDS and the faster TOUGH BOOK with XP Pro. I bought a Ford WDS and converted it to Jaguar But I would still like to have the docking station for the 'A' Drive, CD ROM and other features the unit needs.

If anyone knows of a repair facility that deals with the old WDS Please let me know!!

bob gauff

Good luck with the hunt Bob. Bump for some more exposure.

I had a docking station with a bad power supply. The power transistors in one of the channels have a tendancy to fry. The PS was originally produced by a company in the UK called Power Solve. The PS is a GR250-ATX. I contacted them for a replacement, but they couldn't help.

I found a suitable ATX replacement with more wattage (250W to 300W), which is a good thing. The replacement ATX has one P8 connector with reversed polarity which is easy to convert. The twenty pin mother board connector is fully populated on the new PS and the original only uses 16 pin, but it too is plug/play. The only other connectors used are two simple +12v GND +5V power supplies to the drives and they are identical. The only feature lost on the new PS is the aux. 110VAC accessory plug.

So, if the PS is bad, I've been down that road already and have a replacement source.

BTW - I both need some WDS stuff and have some accessories for sale or trade. I need some Jaguar SW, I have some extra cables such as the OBD cable.

The PTU boots-up and operates normally if I plug in the external battery cable or on internal battery pack. (I soldered together a NIMh 4.2AH replacement battery pack as the old one was from 2001) If the unit is docked, it will charge the battery. The PTU gets through the BIOS screen and starts the 'WINDOWS 98' blue screen and then STOPS after about 3 seconds. If it is undocked and rebooted the PTU does the SCANDISK and then boots noramally. The 'A' drive ACTIVE light stays on constantly if the docking station is plugged in to 120VAC even though there is no 'FLOPPY DISK' in the drive, the CD ROM operates normally (blinks several times at startup or if a CD is loaded) The PTU does not recognize the 'GHOST DISK' or any other disk in the CD ROM. The docking station mother board has several lights that illuminate and the power supply is operating normally. I have replaced the CD ROM with a known good unit and uplugged the 'A' drive (floppy) to disconnect it from the system. The battery discharge resistors for cycling the battery pack have soot around them (They get HOT during use) but I have not removed the board for a full inspection of the circuit/solder traces. I have version 38 on the original 3.2 GB HDD (hard disk drive) in it now and I bought another 6.1 GB ATA 33 HDD. I am going to use someone elses docking station to load version 43 (the final version) so I can have both HDDs to rely on. I remember calling tech line and them telling me to go back to version 38 for some applications because the newer versions dropped some applications (newer versions added some things and dropped older little used applications) The very first software versions did a network integrety test and the newer versions did not. It's little things like that that get lost. Too bad it takes 3 or 4 hours to reGhost and load the software application every time you need to go backward to an earlier version. Thats' why I want to have different HDDs for several versions. It is easier to swap HDDs than to reload software. The WDS is good for 1995 to 2006 Jaguars so I want to get the docking station operating normally!!

stevetech
I have some Ford software disks that came with my WDS. I also have the 2 spark plug wire pickup harnesses for 4 to 8 cylinder oscilloscope function (Jaguar Never used this) I have 2 OBDII cables but 1 is inop and the one that works has a broken plug end. I have Jaguar versions 38, 42 and 43 plus the CD2 'GHOST DISK' and I might copy some earlier versions for keepsakes.

bob gauff

You could try to start the PTU in the docking station without the floppy/cd rom drives attached (and maybe also without the network card), just to see if one of these could be the culprit. You could also try to start once in the docking station without the internal battery in it, and see what happens.

I have had many issues with new battery cells, and have not always been successful here. The issues ranged from system hangs, no battery charging, and WDS errors during boot up (maybe the electronics on the battery where already bad). Don’t think you have these issues, but just thought to mention it (you can always buy a new one, not cheap though).

To speed the machine up you could be an extra so-dimm of 128K or so, this will drastically speed up the system. Also I used a SDD disk (think it was from HAMA), that also helps in battery life and speed again.

You can attach these drives to a normal pc (with a 2$ adapter from china), then you can easily (&fast) make image/safety copies.

AVOS
I have already removed the PCI network card, the CD ROM and the 'A'drive ribbon cables (no change). I removed the dead battery pack and the PTU will not operate properly because of a "SYSTEM ERROR 2217" (defective or missing battery pack). I installed the new NiMh battery pack I assembled from new cells (8) with the old fuse, thermal breaker and circuit board. The PTU operates normally with the 3.2GB HDD with version 38. I installed a blank UDMA 100 slimline 40GB HDD and the PTU does NOT recognize the HDD. I have purchased a 6.1GB ATA 33 (old technology) so I can install version 43.

I will disassemble the PTU to check on available memory and see if the internal motherboard uses a normal 44 pin IDE to get a CD ROM directly to the PTU without the docking station. I know the HDD uses the 44 pin. Thanks for the info.

bob gauff

So if I get a larger drive I could partition a section for loading drivers and software without having to get into the operating system. Good idea as I plugged the HDD into my Pentium III laptop and it wanted to load every driver for evey peripheral it could find on the NEW computer. I'll copy the software to the new partition and load it from there. I might try a PCMCIA to USB card in the PTU if the win 98 will support the drivers. Then I could use a USB CD ROM or a Memory Stick FAT 32.

I'll keep playing with a way to communicate with the PTU without using a borrowed docking station!!

bob gauff

I contacted WDS europe and received the following reply

Good morning Bob,

Please provide dealer details

Best regards
Christina Schreiber

I am guessing that support is offered to dealers only but I will find out.

bob gauff

As far as I know they will give anyone support as long as you pay for a contract, and that is expensive (iirc form 2 or 3 years ago it was 1300 euros for 2 years).

I installed a 128MB SODIMM RAM (in addition to the 32MB soldered to the board) and the memory now reads 160MB RAM in the system info. The WDS is ALOT faster. I also got my 6 GB ATA 33 2.5" HDD so I will load WDS version 43. Thanks for all the info.

bob gauff

I got another response from Teradyne so there is a way to get some support for these old machines.

Hi Bob,

Teradyne does the repair for WDS tablet and Docking Station...unfortunately, there is no support available..and we do not have any type of software...also, I do not think Docking Station has any type of motherboard..anyway the repair cost for docking station is (795$) and for tablet is (1195$)...

Thank you,

Vish
Teradyne Diagnostic Solutions, Inc
1800 Fairlane Dr.
Allen Park, MI 48101
www.teradyne-ds.com

I found a 'work-around' for loading software onto the PTU hard drive. I bought an IDE ribbon cable adapter (two 44 pin and one 40 pin)

http://www.cablesonline.com/12in44feto44.html

from this company and looped the 2.5" HDD and the CD ROM with a power supply to the PTU motherboard all laid out on an insulated work table top. IT WORKS!!!!

I have A6-B43-C5 Ford software on a 4.3GB ATA33 HDD and CD2 and version 43 Jaguar software on a 6.1GB ATA33 HDD so I can swap hard disk drives to have either Ford or Jaguar WDS. It takes around 4 hours to load the software so this saves ALOT of time. I tried a UDMA100 40GB HDD and the old Pentium I 233mhz computer won't recognise the drive (too new)
It's a good way to have Ford and Jaguar software on the same WDS (just swap the HDDs as it takes 5 minutes)

bob gauff

Does anyone have some ford WDS discs they can copy or want to sell? I have a Jag WDS that I want to make into a ford WDS. I have some Jag discs available if someone wants to trade.

I'll trade you. I have some Ford discs. I'll inventory them. Let me know what you have for Jaguar.

Edit:

I have 7 Ford Discs, but some dups.

A6
B39 (2 copies)
B40 with C5-1 and C5-2
B41 (2 copies)
B42

Ideally, I'd like to trade you copies, but would need some help getting copies made.

I have disc 23, 25, and 29 right off hand. the last release for Jag was disc 43. Im sure i can find that copy or 42, which is pretty much the same. email me: lanemeyer@hotmail.com These are originals since I dont need Jag discs. Copies of the ford ones are ok, as long as they work. I just need the latest disc for ford.

I have Ford WDS

A6 (red)
B37, 40, 41, 42, 43 (blue)
C5 Discs #1 and #2 (black)

I also have A5 and C4 but they are superceded

I have Jaguar WDS

CD2 (GHOST Disc)
38, 42 (A and B) and 43

Let me know if anyone needs copies of any of these.

bob gauff

Is it difficult to make copies of these? I am computer challenged so I have no knowledge whether I need anything more than my laptop.

Im not sure what discs are needed to convert a jag wds to a ford wds.id like to have copies of the ford stuff with the latest software release i can get. Let me know. my email address is in my prevous post. I have no real need for the Jag discs. (im a ford man)

Easy to copy but you have to have a 'burner' CD drive. A CDROM will not create a CD (only read it)
Put CD in CD drive and open NERO or other software.
Copy CD to HDD or other CD burner drive.
Put blank CD-R in destination drive and BURN!!!!

bob gauff

I'm concerned about the file types and compatability with the media type too. I might be overthinking it. Anyway, I'd be willing to exchange all of the Ford discs I have (listed) for the Jaguar discs, straight up. If willing, Let's just figure out how to get it done with trust.

steve11 send me a message with your address.

The copies work fine!!!!!
I worked at a dealer and before I left I copied the CD2 (GHOST) 38 42 and 43.
I removed the Ford Hard Disk Drive from the WDS I bought and installed a 4GB HDD.
I loaded the copied software onto the new Hard drive so now I have the Ford WDS and the Jaguar WDS on the same machine by simply swapping the Hard Drives.
Loading the software takes about 4 hours but the HDD swap is less than 5 minutes.

I don't work on Fords but I don't want to erase the software and then regret my decision.

I don't need the Ford Disks (I have them) but if you wan't a set of Jaguar then send me a message and I will send you copies of the 'ghost' CD and version 43 (2 CD set A and B) for a total of 3 CDs.

johnnie ryall needs Ford and I have A6 and B43 (plus C5 1 and 2) so between us we can get him some early and the latest version or
you can probably offer the Ford CDs on eBay and make a little cash.

CD blanks cost around 10 cents each and postage can't cost more than 2 dollars to ship in the US.

I also have a Jaguar WDS booklet that I got from attending the training course in 1999 that I had converted to .pdf as well as the FORD WDS operating manual and training guide in paper form that was shipped with the WDS unit.

These might be antique computers, but they were 'state of the art' from 1999 to 2006 and can still do (almost) everything the dealer did back then including module and key transponder configuration.

Jaguars from 1996 (sedans from 1995) to 2006 are covered by this computer.


I don't know what the Ford NGS disc is for but I have a broken one and can't load it. If someone can educate me and tell me if I need to find a good copy I would appreciate it.

Post what you have out there and maybe we can get all the info, parts or cables in one place to swap!! (WDS swap forum)

bob gauff

I like the idea of a WDS swap (group, forum, whatever it might be called). I have lots of WDS stuff - A slew of cables, at least 2 or 3 of the "blue" OBD cables, spark plug sets, etc.; two monitors, a docking station, etc.

I'd like to take you up on your offer for the Jaguar copies too. I'll cover whatever costs/money you need - Paypal? I'll put together a PM.. I am traveling in AZ for extended holidays so maybe I can have you send there to a friend where I will be staying.

If you WDS owners would like any help in coordinating a single thread or even a sub-section area of the forum for that very purpose maybe title it Technician Area - finding/exchanging technical information/discs/WDS parts etc, let me know. We'll be glad to help if it makes it easier on you guys to get the diagnostic tools you need.

I would also be willing to assist in the duplication or even a middleman for the hostage, ahhhem...goods 'exchange' you may negotiate.

Thanks Matt - That "could" be cool, on the other hand, there are probably only 5 or 6 of us with WDS interests as it is about the equivalent of a coal fired locomotive, but, who knows, maybe a dedicated Tech site could pick up other interests besides just WDS.

Hi I am pretty new to the Jaguars and was wondering what diagnostic system was used before this WDS came out? What is the obd 1 scan tool?

This is the begining of OBDII
good write-up
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=32683

But JDS (pinoccio) was the first and it told every mechanic to replace the front harness.

The real first diagnostic was PDU (Portabe Diagnostic Unit) and is the only one that can access the ECM/TCM/ABS on the 1990 to 1995 OBDI cars. It was used (with adapters like MPA) to about 2000MY cars.

bob gauff

I have the very same PSU and I would love to use a standard ATX PSU, but the original from powersolve mentions a +16v output which is not available on a standard ATX PSU, what did you do for that? - The P8 plug has a +5v and two +3.3v pins, which did you use ?


Thanks,
Pantelis

I'm going on memory now - As I recall, the +16v was on an accessory plug that was unused. I only needed 3v, 5v and 12v. I used all of the P8 connector, but I found the ATX had the ground wire on the opposite side of the connector.

Thanks for your reply, I am really happy that this worked for you, unfortunatelly, in my case, this plug is used to charge the tablet, so I had to use a separate laptop charger soldered in psu casing.

Wds user manual
 

Hi,
I am new to this forum as I am seeking help with a WDS I bought in Germany to maintain an ASTON MARTIN DB9,I am an independant Land Rover dealer in Martinique French West Indies, and use on a regular basis the LR T4 and IDS,would it be possible for you to send me the user manual and WDS booklet files.Thanks for your help.
Seb

I have the Jaguar WDS Introduction Course Guide in .pdf but it is over 24mb so I don't think it will eMail.

I don't know how long it would take to send a CDROM to Martinique but send a message to me with an address and I will try to get it to you.

I don't know if there are size limits on the websites for uploading info but 24mb is pretty large.

bob gauff

Hi,

thanks for your help,could you contact me at SS972@ORANGE.FR

Regards

Seb

My WDS shows an 2127 error and prompts me to contact support... anyone knows what that means ?

Bob-motorcarman,
What document number, date ect. is your manual? I have a training guide and all the WDS specific manuals, and I think they are small enough to pass around; the largest are 7MB.

Cheers,

I went to the WDS training seminar in 1998 or 1999 when the WDS was introduced. A few weeks ago I took my 3 ring binder to a copy store and they copied it to .pdf at a medium setting and it came out at 24mb.

I uploaded it to Translator's Moderator website so you can contact Richard to upload your's or download mine.

I also uploaded the V6/V8 Engine Course 168.

I started uploading my old TSBs but it takes a while to create a folder and transfer the .pdf to the correct folder.

I'll eventually get all my Course Guides converted to .pdf but a little at a time for now.

I have the Ford WDS, Genrad docking station and PTU operators manuals that are generic to Jaguar and Ford. They are glued paper back and can't be copied easily like a 3 ring binder individual pages.

bob gauff

hello

My Ford WDS just got broken... windows down but i only have the ford disk b44 can someone help me with a copy of the ghost cd(or what is it called) and do i need anything else?

Thank you for your help

The North American English Ford WDS B43 is the last version.
The sequence for loading the software is...

A6 (red disc)
B43 (blue disc)
C5-1 (black disc)
C5-2 (black disc)

This will load the latest version that I know of.

If you have B44 then I don't have info on that.

I can send you a copy of the B43 CD set.

bob gauff

it whould be awsome...but i whould need the reghosting cd too.. my windows cracked:( and 1 more info... i'm on ford europe...the cd-s are the same?