mini vci question

No.

Buy a junker laptop from craigslist or eBay, or ask friends in IT for an obsolete laptop that's laying around.

Get the cheapest mini VCI from Amazon/eBay. Software version doesn't really matter, as you can find a more current version online somewhere if you plan to work on very late model Toyotas. All the people/companies selling the hacked miniVCI cable & software, are probably coming from the same one, two, or three producers in China; so it really does not matter who on eBay/Amazon you buy from. That being said, probably best to buy one from a seller who has a better reputation.

Read this for more information on setting up Techstream software and using the miniVCI cable. It also contains a link for a 64bit OS (Operating System) set-up.
TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Offical TechStream software thread( settings and such)

If you are a Mac user, I hear you have to have software for the Mac that will run a Microsoft Windows emulator, which will allow Techstream software to run.

Whatever laptop you install this hacked copy of Techstream on, this should be a spare junker laptop to be only used for Toyota diagnosis. Assume the software has malware on it tracking all your keystrokes and reporting to some criminal organization trying to steal your identity/financial information; definitely do not use this laptop on websites that require log-in/password entries (email, banking, etc). Given this warning, the many Prius gurus here have had no problems/issues using the hacked Techstream software.

Page 8 of the attached PDF, contains the official hardware requirements for Techstream Lite.

 

Hello,

I didn't want to start a new thread so I've found this one to ask my question about Mini VCI. I would like to get one but there are lots of them on eBay starting from 17$ to 100$ and I don't know which to choose. What is the difference between them? Every cable looks same with J2534 sticker on it. However some are described as v8 some as v9 or v10. I would like to get the latest one of course. Is it possible to buy v8 and then download v10 from the internet and use it with that cable? Or is the software version somehow connected with the cable and you have to use the SW that comes with it?

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

all of the software is counterfeit and loaded with viruses...get an only laptop running windows xp and use it for only this program..i got mine on amazon for 27 shipped..called amazon and told them about the bad software and computer issue and got a refund... (well that's what they said anyway will see when my statement comes in)

 

Thank you but that doesn't answer any of my questions. I work in IT sector, so that wouldn't be problem for me.

 

Hmm I cant believe that nobody tried to install newer Techstream on "old" cable .. ?

 

Why? The later Techstream covers new cars and any updates to systems. The "cable" remains the same it is the system on the computer that alters.

John

 

Hello John,
so can I buy the cheapest cable and then download newest Techstream somewhere from the internet (Tundra forums or some trusted site)?

 

Yes but you can also download the latest from the Techstream European web site web site for free.

John

 

I have ordered the cable for 18$ and as I was still curious, I have googled about them and found this post: Mini VCI Cable TechStream - Club Lexus Forums
The seller has already sent me the cable and I'm almost 100% sure that it will come with firmware version 1.4.1 which will not support my other Prius (2013) and also won't support active tests. So for somebody who will find this thread in future I recommend buying more expensive one (from 30$ to 60$). Thank you anyways.

 

You can download the latest software there is no difference with the VCI's. Mine is 5 years old with no version number and I am running
Techstream version 10.10.018. I have tried it on a number of late Toyota's, and it appears to be fully functional.

John

 

Hi John, you are right about the software version that you can use the cable with newer one. But there is firmware version on the cable which has nothing to do with software on your PC. You cannot flash it to newer version and fw 1.4.1 cannot connect to newer Priuses [also mentioned by other members here on Priuschat in different threads]. You have to get 2.0.4 to be functional with them.

 

Since you already ordered it and can't change nothing, i think you should not worry and don't think negative before the cable arrive , who know maybe you will get 2.0.4 or a 1.4.1 but may it will work normally, i have 1.4.1 and it works a normally

 

I have asked the seller about the firmware and of course it's 1.4.1
Were you able to do some customization on your Lexus? I mean for example turning off reverse beeper, enabling DRL and so on.

 

My car does not have reverse beeper and and i don't remember if it have DRL option, but i was able to enter all the customizations settings!

The only negative that is in that cable that it very slow and it cannot update ECU software, but for that price is a great tool!


Alex.

 

The X-Horse interface reports the MVCI driver version as 2.0.4, but Techstream reports it as 1.4.1 so not sure why, but I'd not worry too much about it.

As far as I know, none of the MVCI will update ECU's and many people experience different levels of being able to access the customise features.

 

Mine cable driver shows it like fw 1.4.1 and techstream reports it as 1.4.6
Here a screenshot


it's very confused the driver installer i used is 2.0.1 you can see that even on the window that shows the cable, inside the window it show that firmware is 1.4.1 and techstream shows it like 1.4.6, crazy

also i remember when i used driver 1.4.1 instead of 2.0.1 then the techstream reports it different, i don't remember exactly but for sure a lower number than 1.4.6 which shows now

if interesting i can upload both drivers that i have 1.4.1 and 2.0.1

Alex.

 

I wasn't quite correct in my previous post re what my setup reports:

My MVCI driver shows ver 2.0.4 and techstream reports it as 1.4.6

Here a screenshot:

 

Thanks for your posts. As you wrote, the only thing I can do now is wait. I will let you know what firmware version has arrived in about 3 weeks