Shop Computer
 

Anyone have a dedicated Computer for their shop? I have a old IBM Thinkpad i am thinking of making just for shop use maybe some music but mosly shop manuals OBD2 stuff. I am checking into free software and low cost cables.

Anyone already have a setup? Any tips? Ideas? recomended software, I am a cheap bastard but if software is worth the money I may buy some.

that is an awesome idea. I have no idea why i never thought about doing this.

I ordered my Ebay cable, download a few "trials" and a couple software free bees. Darn cable will not be here to a week or two. Free shipping from China sure i slow :(

I also ordered a new laptop battery and I need to find a AMP so I can crank my MP3 into some real speakers.

I use an audio setup for an entertainment system. The one i got is 1000w and it was only like 150 bucks at target. Comes with some speakers and a sub too.

I made some head way, I picked up the Ebay ELM cable and I have gotten several software packages working. I have yet to find anything that will work with ABS or Air Bag. Any help out there?

Looks like ScanXL may work but looks like its about $200.

I have an older desktop running xp. Its great for music and has this forum as its homepage....
Which ever setup you go with, try not to let it be anywhere near your work bench. Metal dust from a grinder might get sucked inside the cooling ports. Dont ask how I know, just a thought...lol
:icon_bricks:

The nice part about a lap top is relocating when I am painting or grinding is real easy. Heck if I am in a rush I can just stick in a car.

Here is what I ended up with. A think pad T42 Plus a 21.5" monitor. Work has been throwing away laptops if they are a little older and they have any issue. I got a T42 that was dead and one with a broken LCD, Swapped the LCD. Good as new, I did have to buy a HD and battery off ebay so I have a little less the $50 in the whole setup. The monitor got something spilled on it and I have to carfully clean part of the screen with a razon it came out nice.

The cable works good, Below are pics of the software that shipped with the Ebay cable. You sure can look at a lot of data. Much more then my $150 Scan tool,

Attachment 20277

Codes from my 96 Tahoe
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Data stream, There are 8 pages worth of data.
Attachment 20279

I am looking at a USB bore scope and I have a discarded Thinkpad X60 net book which I am working on to replace the T42.

I got the much smaller X60 Net book up and running, It just took a hard drive, I picked up a used 120 gig off ebay for $23. I also got the Bore scope I ordered from Ebay. I want to say I am pleasantly surpised. The bore scope does not feel like the cheap kids toy I was expecting. It came with a nice case and installed in 2 minutes.

Ebay USB bore scope to my door from China was $27.89


Attachment 19827



Ever have trouble looking for a oil leak? Check out this upside down shot of my LT1 Valve cover. The black part on the right is the cover and silver is the head, No leak here
Attachment 19828

This is a full motion camara and it says it 30 FPS. I kind of doubt that. The only down side is you really need to hold the camara still when using the snap shot function. I can get a pretty good idea what is going on with the laptop monitor but if I take a few snap shops and take those over to the large monitor (see above) I can make them full screen and really see the detail.

Playing with light is key the 2 built in LEDs are not bad but and extra drop light can really show some details.
This is a shot behind the intake on a LT1. A little more light would have helped.
Attachment 19829

How it showed up
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Next upgrade will be a set of speakers with a sub.

This stuff and a UV/blacklight works really well for finding oil leaks. Amazon.com: Tracerline Dye-Lite All-In-One Oil Dye Kit (6 Ct.): Automotive

The leaks show up a very bright color underneath the light.

The point of the bore scope is to see places you could not normally see. The dye does not help if you can not see the area in question, like the back of the intake. With that level of magnafication Dye would be over kill. Even a small drop of oil would be noticable.

FYI I just put that motor in. I was not really looking for an oil leak.

I have gotten a copy of ScanXL Pro, that one that lets you see that "other" systems in your car. It is just about usless on the 96. After researching on their website it comes down to PIDs. and OBD1 vs OBD2 protocals.

The way OBD 2 works is that the scan tool or laptop sends a PID to the PCM. It is a series of codes and asks a question. The OBD2 system responds with codes. This is the standard the goverment came up with and required for all emission systems in 1996. Before that the scan tool used to have to go into PCM and take measurment itself instead of just talking. That is why you can not use a laptop pre 1996.

While all emission system used the OBD2 protocals many subsystems did not. In my 96 the ABS, Airbad sub systems are all OBD1 and require a scan tool with the correct hardware interface to talk to my ABS. This is why none of cheap hand held ABS scanners work with my car either. It takes a higher end scan tool and is very configurable and all the right specs to make it work. You are talking the larger high end scanners and where designed and debugged back when these cars where new.

Many older designed GM cars did not switch over to OBD2 ABS untill 2005, I think the 2000-2002 Camaro has the the OBD2 ABS.

I hope this info helps others cause I wasted a lot of time figuring it out :{

Here is what I ended up with for sound. Its not the best sound but it is handy to drop my ipod in or use the cable to the computer. I got it at Rite Aid of all places. Normally $99 on sale for $29 and the wife handed me a 5 off coupon. I can even watch movies in the garage, don't tell my wife that part :)

Note the smaller X60 laptop. So far all I have paid for is the Harddrive, the OBD2 adapter, the Bore scope and the sound system. I have right around $100 in the whole setup. I guess I can sell my actron scan tool now :)

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Quick update on the shop computer. I now have a OBD2 Blue tooth adapter, I have a tablet I can use with it. Its kind cool you can walk around the car and still see sensor info. You can even set the table up playing music and set gadgets like monitoring Fuel mileage or any sensor if you want to keep it in the car all the time.

I also ordered a new toy. This should be fun,,, No more guessing at misses. If it works decent I would be adding inductive pickups and more secondary cables. It will be nice to look at more then one cylinder during testing.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hantek-10...&wl13=&veh=sem

It is not pro grade obviously but seems nice for DIY. Some type of review will follow.