Can cf-19 work with xentry diagnostics serial port?

Hello to all!
This is my first post here!
I didn't knew that exist forums for toughbooks. I found them through a member, toughasnails, as I was looking for spare parts on Ebay.
I am looking for some answers,
I bought this panasonic laptop so I can install star diagnosis for mercedes cars to work with. I bought from internet the xentry diagnostics with an external hard disc to work diagnosis with VMware. The problem I have is that the rs232 port can't work with the multiplexer I have nor the usb to serial cable. The diagnosis can work though to my other acer aspire laptop I have, with vmware and with usb to serial cable or rs232 port.
Is there a way that I am doing something wrong?
I know that with a native install for xentry diagnostics and not with virtual machine, the program can work with 2 laptops only. The IBM T30 and the Dell D630. With vmware why I cannot work it with panasonic and can work it with my acer aspire??
Thank you for your time....and for your answers if there are any..

 

Can you give us more information?
What is the full model number of your cf19?
What is the exact brand and model of multiplexer?
What versions of VMware and Xentry diagnostics are you using?


From what I understand a multiplexer creates multiple serial ports. Have you tried the multiplexer with a simple device? A mouse or a loopback plug?
What all are you plugging into the serial ports?
Is the external hard drive serial or usb?
If the external drive is serial, I would use an usb external drive. Plug the Xentry diagnostic directly into the cf19 serial port and eliminate the multiplexer.


Xentry info..
Mercedes Benz DAS Xentry

 

Why the multiplexer? If you just need a serial port you can install a virtual one. USGlobalSat, my favorite GPS people, have one for free download. It works fine on every Toughbook I've ever owned. Look for the "PL2303" USB driver. If you must have multiple serial ports you can get one of these:
I have a couple of Quatech ones which are half the price but they seem to have stopped making them. No sweat getting 5 serial feeds into even a CF-27.
CAP

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook Forum
Glad you found it...stick around and these guys will fix you right up.

 

Thank you all for your answers, nails glad to found you!
Multiplexer is a basic tool for the diagnostic, it connects the car obd with the rs232 port to communicate with the program "star diagnosis". So I cannot rid off it..
The panasonic is a cf-19 model. Sticker with serial is missing, I lost it and I don't have right now around me to take a look of it. All I know is that a MK I model of cf-19. With all the extras can have but no GPS.
What is this serial you telling me about?

 

Its on the main screen of the bios..serial number

 

I'm not getting this. The CF-19 has a serial port, at least mine does. Upon rereading your initial post I gather that you only need a single input to the computer just like my OBD reader(multiplexer). So the bug seems to be,"I know that with a native install for xentry diagnostics and not with virtual machine, the program can work with 2 laptops only. The IBM T30 and the Dell D630." Where did you get this information? I ask because it makes no sense unless you are referring to the computers the seller of your software seems to sell. There isn't anything different between the Dell, IBM, and the Toughbook mechanically that would make them run or not run any software assuming they are all running the same OS. Which brings us to the VMware. I use Fusion on my Macbook (known as the 'hand warmer') so I can run Windows to set up navigation for some of my Apple Fan-Boy friends, so I know how it works, but again, it makes no sense that the brand of laptop would have any bearing on the functionality of VMware. It's an operating system thing, not a hardware thing, unless you're comparing computers with different architecture, ie. Mac vs Windows.
CAP

 

Yes, I think there is more to this also....The site I linked to sells Xentry on Refurbished Dell Latitudes d620/d630 or Panasonic CF-29/CF-51/CF-52
.
I have found a couple places that sell Xentry "preinstalled" on a hard drive for an IBM T30. I am guessing he is trying to use Vmware on the cf19 to emulate the IBM laptop.

2013/05 DAS XENTRY MB mercedes benz star C3/C4 HDD for T30 Mercedes Star Diagnostic Tool with dhl Free shipping-in Software from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com

I am guessing the hard drive was pulled from a Xentry diagnostic laptop and is being resold without the original install disk. He bought the usb version and is trying to make it work on an external hard drive. The multiplexer is the "brain box" needed to interface with the vehicle.

 

The "star diagnosis" only works with these laptop that Shawn says.. but there are external disks like I have that simulates an IBM laptop to vmware.
Shawn you got the point and I am glad you did!
Now this external disk I have, I made a copy to the hard disk of my acer laptop. I load the vmware and everything works. Multiplexer communicates! When I bought the cf-19, I made the same thing, copied the external hard disk to the cf-19. I installed vmware but when I load the star diagnosis software I can't get communication with the mercedes multiplexer. All drivers are loaded... but no communication... why is this happening? I know that it can work to any laptop but I don't know the way to do it.

 

Any thoughts why cf-19 ports don't communicate with multiplexer?

 

Compare the port settings of the Acer and the cf19. You will find the settings, speed etc in device manager. third party utilities will also work. Also check the port settings in the bios of the cf19....

 

Pay particular attention to the speed setting for the port on the virtual machine and real. I have not played much with this exact type of setup, but I have with virtual com ports for splitting GPS signals to two software inputs as well as PCMCIA serial adapters. Both were VERY touchy about port speed. I would expect virtual machine ports to behave much the same.

Also check in the virtual machine to ensure that the ports are set to pass through to a physical port. What little bit I have played with virtual machines, I had to do this to get the virtual CD to access the physical CD drive.

 

Hi, mauros200aris.

CF-19 can work with xentry diagnostics serial port.

MB Star C4 SD Connect Compact 4 C4 with Dell CF19

1) DAS: the automatically Diagnosis Assistance System

2) Xentry: New software released by Benz Company after 04/2009 by diagnosis new cars.

3) WIS.net: Workshop Information System

4) EPC.net: Electronic Parts Catalog

5) ST Finder: Part location finder

6) STARUTILITIES : the movement management system and self-test

7) SD Media : Video and PDF lessons

8) PL 66: Price List to find out how much price by input the parts number

9) Smart TAN Code: Opened special function in DAS program with Smart cars 450/451/452/454

10) Developer model: Mercedes-Benz engineer mode, remove limitations and open more functions.

11) Benz Disassembly system: Video lessons to teach you how to remove each

12) part from Benz cars with details order steps.C4.

You can choose to go to this website, looking for experts to help. They have professional obd technical customer service to answer your problem.

I hope I can help you.