Are we talking two to three thousand for the works? :icon_emm: OUCH:( The computer, discs, the ability of flashing, reflashing, everything the dealer has to program, reprogram, read, test, etc.?:icon_hunter:

If you have a laptop that meets the requirements I laid out and you reach out to Cambo as I provided a link to his add, you can get set up for less than a grand.

You say ouch. Not sure how you concluded $2k to $3k. A simple defective seat belt triggering the SRS repair will cost you $800 at the dealership. A trans re-flash, maybe $150 more.

It depends on what your needs are and how adept you are at repairs.

As I've stated before, OEM is overkill for the shade tree mechanic.

Sounds well worth a thousand for everything but the laptop. :icon_biggrin:Could you post, a link to buy?:icon_look: The only one i saw, was $1500, & sold already,:icon_emm: is this with a laptop all you need?:icon_hunter:

See post 13

Still no consensus on computer requirements.

Most say 1GB memory will work but 2GB is better (OK easy to find a used XP machine with 2GB). for processor I'm seeing that 1MHz will suffice (again easy to find most are faster than 1.5). For hard drives I'm seeing answers of 80GB and 160GB. It would be nice to know which since I can find numerous machines locally with 80GB hard drives, 160GB not so much.

Also is IE required? If so which versions are needed? Some of the used machines I'm looking at have older versions of IE, some have FireFox and some have later versions of IE.

Since most say the software is finicky and not to use a VM to run XP I'd like to at least eliminate the computer as a problem if I can't get a newly purchased system to work.

You can run IDS with a 40 GB HDD, 1 GB RAM late single core laptop.
Actually, this was the dealer level scan tool (Toughbook CF-18) used at the time.
See for example this:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/p...al-vcm-159943/

If you want a quicker system, an early dual core with 80 GB HDD is largely enough but you then better have 1.5 GB RAM (I found such a Toughbook CF-30, Core Duo, with 2 GB Ram). A fresh install of XP Pro is preferable to operate SDD so you better have the suitable disks (either you have XP discs, or you may source the laptop recovery disc, they are available for reputable brands).

You need IE6 which is contemporary of XP-SP2 (not IE8) and Java6. You may find them on the web and download.

Thanks for the information paydase. If I get a system I'll let the list know what I ended up with.

For my SDD set up I have a Toshiba Laptop with an Intel Celeron 1.47Ghz processor and 1.5 Gb memory with a 55Gb hard drive.

It runs Win 7 Home Premium with Internet Explorer removed since I do not access the Internet on this dedicated machine.

However when the SDD software loads it does so in a Windows XP virtual mc.

I also removed every program I could to increase available memory since I believe that 1.5 Gb is not quite a enough and I dont seem
to be able to add more memory to the Toshiba.

I run SDD V 130.03 V 109 with a Drew Tech Mongoose Pro cable.

I use it for standard diagnostics and have used it to reconfigure my suspension height.

I have tried to use it to adjust brake settings however it comes up with a failure message which is a serious irritation for me.

No one in this forum replied to my post regarding that failure and my research on it has not turned anything up at all.

I may be ignorant but what adjustability is there in the brake system?

When I ran SDD to check the braking system there , if I remember correctly, are two options. One to check the ABS system and one to set "pedal pressure or feel".

I started to run the pedal pressure program and it failed shortly after starting with some sort of "Tab" failure.

I had to disconnect my rear brake lines when I replaced the rear bushings.

After pressure bleeding the rear brakes my brake pedal pressure seemed quite a bit softer than it was before the disconnection.

Originally the brakes were a bit harsh especially when driving slowly. In other words I had to brake carefully at slow speeds or I would slow down too rapidly.

Now it is almost the opposite and I would like juts a little bit more "harshness".

I did not try the ABS option in case of screwing things up but I might try it some time. I doubt that it does anything more than cycle the pistons in the ABS system.

I wouldn't be trying those sort of routines with a clone Mongoose/Mangoose or questionable SDD installation...

Just purchased another laptop on Ebay with a much better configuration than my existing laptop.

Will load Brit Diagnostics SDD software on it when I get it.

I do use a Drew Technologies Pro cable with SDD and also a battery charger recommended in this forum when using SDD.

I don't know much in the way of computers and read over some of the replies here with a glazed look.

That said, Cambo knows his stuff. I ordered everything from him (VCM, laptop, and software) and he set it up so it was ready to plug and play out of the box. If anyone is looking at dealer equipment I highly recommend him.

That is the best way to go.

VCM is just too expensive for me.

Having said that I better not have an expensive failure!