Convert your PC to a diagnostic scanner
June 30th, 2010 | 
Author: 
The ELM327 OBD-II OBD2 CAN USB Interface Diagnostic Tool is very easy to use. In a few words, all you need to do is hook the system to your pc or laptop via the USB port and you can do the normal engine diagnosis test, as if you’re using a hand-held obd diagnostic scanner.
Here I’m going through the process quickly, describing the slightly more technical steps you need to follow in order to get your your laptop or pc running like an obd diagnostic scanner.
There are several types of software which can run the ELM 327, but for this article we are describing the software: EasyOBDii ver. 2.2. which is the only one capable of running on Microsoft Windows Vista, including the other older versions of Microsoft Windows.
Installation Procedure:
- Connect your laptop/pc with your car via the USB link and turn the ignition key on the accessories position.
- The hardware should be automatically detected and should self-install. If nothing seems to happen you might need to install the given driver files manually. The process is self-guided and user-friendly enough to get it right first time.
- The most critical point of the installation is to take note of the output com port number. This will be needed later when scanning the vehicle. If it is set on another different port from the detected port, it will give you a communication error.
- Now that you have the same com port settings for software and hardware you are ready to run your first diagnostic test via your pc or laptop.
With these four steps mentioned above you now have a fully working diagnostic station at your finger-tips. The best part is that if the pc or laptop is fast, meaning it doesn’t lack in the ram and in the processor speed area you will have a slightly faster diagnostic test. A bigger pc or laptop screen is also welcome to most people as opposed to the small display screens found on normal readers and scanners. Depending on which software you decide to go with (normally included with the ELM327 kit) you will have all the versatile functions of an obd diagnostic scanner like freeze data, save or saved log data entries, print logs, normally a better help menu with better detailed tips, voltage output monitoring of all various sensors and much more.
Hope you found this article useful and convincing enough if you were about to take this route but wasn’t sure if you should go through this route, or else buy a scanner.
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Posted in obd, obd reader, obd scanner | 
Tags: car, diagnostics, electronics, obd, obd2, usb obd ii cable, usb obd2, usb obd2 cable, usb obd2 scanner, usb obd2 software