Hex+Can USB cable not being seen on Win 7 or Win 8.1 machines

[darrenbyrnes]

I have a Hex+Can USB cable that seemed to lose its connection after version 12.x with the WinXP laptops I used for scanning. I have been wrestling with this issues for some time now and originally thought it was either a cable issue or an "old and slow laptop" issue. I try to fix this problem, I bought a Winbook TW700 tablet running Win 8.1 figuring a faster computer with an upgraded OS would do the trick. I installed, reinstalled, re-reinstalled the VCDS SW and drivers, did all of the "stupid computer tricks" and I just can't get the cable to be seen by the computer. Other USB devices are seen without fail and show up in the Device Manager, but for some reason, the VCDS cable just won't.

This is what brought me to the conclusion that it HAS to be a cable issue, so I tried it again on my WinXP computers and lo and behold, I was able to connect to BOTH of the old laptops.

To test if the USB connection issue just happens on that tablet, I tried plugging in the cable to my work computer running Win7 with the same results as with the tablet...the USB bus doesn't even see the cable. I tried all 6 of the USB ports on my Win7 tower and...nothing. Device Manager shows nothing, the Port manager shows nothing, Devices and Printers shows nothing.

I see that others are using the cable with their Win7 and Win8 tablets and was wondering if they are using different drivers or config files?

Any clue as to what the problem might be? The VCDS software seems to run on the machine, it's just the USB cable that can't connect.

Thanks.

 

[jyoung8607]

Welcome!

If you see absolutely nothing happen in Device Manager, no refresh, no device-inserted sound, no device pops up as Ross-Tech (or even Unknown), then it's something hardware related. Given that you've tried it on several machines, that does tend to point toward the HEX-USB+CAN interface and cable.

How old is your interface? Any wear and tear to the USB cable or plug? Does wiggling the cable change anything at all? If it does turn out to be the interface, Ross-Tech have some reasonable cost repair options even if you're out of your warranty period.

Jason

 

[darrenbyrnes]

Welcome!

If you see absolutely nothing happen in Device Manager, no refresh, no device-inserted sound, no device pops up as Ross-Tech (or even Unknown), then it's something hardware related. Given that you've tried it on several machines, that does tend to point toward the HEX-USB+CAN interface and cable.

How old is your interface? Any wear and tear to the USB cable or plug? Does wiggling the cable change anything at all? If it does turn out to be the interface, Ross-Tech have some reasonable cost repair options even if you're out of your warranty period.

Jason

Nothing in Device Manager on my Win7 and Win 8.1 machines. I DO get a response from the WinXP machines - They do the usual sounds and what not, and even get recognized, although it's still sort of flaky.

I am going to try to plug in the cable while it's powered by the car (in a few hours after I get off of work).

I have had the cable for 5 years, but really haven't used it THAT much, maybe scanning fewer than 25 or 30 times in total over the years.

Thanks for the response.

 

[darrenbyrnes]

OK, I tried it on my Win8.1 tablet while plugged into the car and...nothing.

So this morning I plugged the cable into yet ANOTHER Win7 laptop and lo and behold, the cable was recognized by THAT laptop. I went back to my Win7 tower and my tower didn't recognize the cable. I then grabbed a powered USB hub, plugged it into the SAME USB port on my tower, and...it works...

I'm thinking that a small, powered USB hub may be the answer to get this "flaky" cable to work on certain computers...

Thoughts?

 

[Dana]

Hi Darren,

It sounds like that interface is flaky so the FRR (Flat Rate Repair) option would be the next step if you don't see any signs of connectivity problems inside the USB connection. I'll go ahead and get the RA number and FRR link sent in reply to your email.

Best,
Dana

P.S. I believe we discussed this via email but make sure you do not use a vehicle power inverter like this -or- a lower quality vehicle battery charger connected to the same vehicle and AC source as the AC laptop charger with the replacement interface. Although unlikely in this case, either of those conditions could damage a Ross-Tech interface regardless of age/use.

 

[Uwe]

Given your symptoms, I'm inclined to suspect an intermittent fault in the USB wire assembly or USB plug.

-Uwe-

 

[darrenbyrnes]

Hi Darren,

It sounds like that interface is flaky so the FRR (Flat Rate Repair) option would be the next step if you don't see any signs of connectivity problems inside the USB connection. I'll go ahead and get the RA number and FRR link sent in reply to your email.

Best,
Dana

P.S. I believe we discussed this via email but make sure you do not use a vehicle power inverter like this -or- a lower quality vehicle battery charger connected to the same vehicle and AC source as the AC laptop charger with the replacement interface. Although unlikely in this case, either of those conditions could damage a Ross-Tech interface regardless of age/use.

Yes, we discussed this via e-mail.

Regarding the use of an inverter, I don't use those when scanning a car, I just use the laptop's battery power.

I guess I'll have to sell some plasma to scrape up the $129 for the FRR.

 

[darrenbyrnes]

Given your symptoms, I'm inclined to suspect an intermittent fault in the USB wire assembly or USB plug.

-Uwe-

That's what I was thinking too...

 

[Uwe]

Are you capable of replacing the USB wire/plug assembly yourself? If so, we'll send one out to you, free of charge.

-Uwe-

 

[Dana]

I was drafting the same when Uwe replied (free USB wire if you are comfortable soldering) but if you aren't into that idea I went ahead and sent you the RA number and FRR details in the email.

Ref to: RET?ID=4295

-Dana

 

[darrenbyrnes]

Are you capable of replacing the USB wire/plug assembly yourself? If so, we'll send one out to you, free of charge.

-Uwe-

Heh, I spliced/soldered in a new wiring harness on my Audi TT. I can sure give it a shot unless the solder points are really small.

 

[jyoung8607]

Heh, I spliced/soldered in a new wiring harness on my Audi TT. I can sure give it a shot unless the solder points are really small.

It's nothing to write home about. Just be careful while lifting the internal PCB out of any potting that may be present, and also carefully note the wire colors and positions before you desolder the old cable, because there's nothing on the board to tell you which one goes where.

I took a bunch of pictures when I did mine. These might give you a sense of what you're facing. That said, this particular HUC is very old and I'm given to understand the internals were revised a few times over the years. So, you'll want to take your own pictures before desoldering anything.

Jason

 

[darrenbyrnes]

It's nothing to write home about. Just be careful while lifting the internal PCB out of any potting that may be present, and also carefully note the wire colors and positions before you desolder the old cable, because there's nothing on the board to tell you which one goes where.

I took a bunch of pictures when I did mine. These might give you a sense of what you're facing. That said, this particular HUC is very old and I'm given to understand the internals were revised a few times over the years. So, you'll want to take your own pictures before desoldering anything.

Jason

Awesome!

Thanks a TON!

 

[Dana]

Hi Darren,

Feel free to keep that RA number and special FRR link if you need to use it in the future but I placed an order for a free USB wire to be sent (via snail mail) for free in the meanwhile.

Best,
Dana

O?ID=285320

 

[t0rqued]

The usb connector|head is most likely the root of all evil here.. I had a local shop with same issue and ross-tech kindly sent replacement cable for it. It was noted that if we crimped down the actual connector housing (metal) just a bit the pc would start recognizing the vagcom cable. Once the new cable was put it in, no crimping was required.

 

[darrenbyrnes]

Hi Darren,

Feel free to keep that RA number and special FRR link if you need to use it in the future but I placed an order for a free USB wire to be sent (via snail mail) for free in the meanwhile.

Best,
Dana

Awesome. Thank you very much for your great customer service.

 

[darrenbyrnes]

UPDATE:

After soldering in the new USB wire, the VCDS cable STILL didn't work correctly. I went ahead and did the flat rate repair/replace, received my new cable and am happy to report that the new cable works like a BOSS on both my Win8.1 tablet (Winbook TW700) and my Win7 64-bit tower.

Thanks again!