Serial vs usb

[mudbuggy]

Why is there two styles of obd reader cords? Is it only for the ones that don't have the usb ports so they use the serial ports? Are the usb for use with computers without serial ports? Is there a difference in the capability of one over the other? I figured out what I did wrong with mine, I'm really embarrassed about it but I ordered the obd1 cord with the bare wires on the end, and I don't know what I was thinking but I had the wired taped into the serial port. Yea I know I'm a dumbas, but I guess I know now why I wasn't getting anything from the vehicles. In hind sight I guess I'm glad I didn't get any data either, hopefully it's a sign that I didn't mess anything up. I should have connected the dots when you guys were telling me to make sure I had the correct usb port for the obd cable in the 'my computer' section. At least its never boring around here!!! Thanks for your continuing support and bearing with my idiototic actions.

[Six_Shooter]

Both cables have the same functionality, where it comes to communications between the ECM and the laptop.

The difference is simply like you suggest, laptop connectivity.

I have USB logging cables, that I use in vehicles.

I also have a serial ALDL cable that I made years ago, that I now use with my PC for my test bench, since I have a serial port on it.

[EagleMark]

They are all serial. USB is converted to serial in computer. This has been a major issue since most laptops in last 5-6 years do not have sereial anymore. IIRC some USB did not have power either in the begining? Your cable should have come with CD and drivers too!
http://www.aldlcable.com/

[mudbuggy]

My first cable I got off of the internet, I got it for 10 bucks and came with nothing else. I only had the vehicle side connection, the other end was just a few wires, nothing else. I since then have learned what I ordered, and corrected my mistake and ordered a usb cable. That cable is to get here hopefully Monday. I hope!!! Until then I am back where I have been for months, but I also have learned a few more things since then.

[EagleMark]

If we all look back we could start a good thread with silly things we have done? Gives you time to play with TunerPro till then. Have you ever played back a data log? I'll post one for you. Acqusition, Load Log file... then Aqusition Play. Or right click on tool bar and check all of them and get used to the buttons! Much easier!

[mudbuggy]

Nope sure haven't but I am game to try!!!

Stupid thing was that I was trying to stick the wires into the serial port of the older laptop thinking to myself 'how in the hell are these guys driving, logging, holding wires, and what happens if they have to shift!'

So I can aquire this file right from the internet to tunerpro rt?

[mudbuggy]

So what bin and XDF do I use for that file? It plays, but the only thing that happens is the timer on the bottom center runs, that's it?