FAQ How-To: TechStream In 5 Minutes

[mvrx]

A bunch of the Autel VCIs can be used with Techstream. I installed the Maxi PC Suite which installs the drivers and then under Setup > VIM Select, I can then pick my Autel obd and use that to connect to my vehicle. It shows everything as supported. I haven't experimented much with this because I haven't really yet had a need for the extensive functions.

Can you be more specific about which Autel VCI interface you used? I checked their website and only found 3 options, none of them under $100.

 

[duowing]

Can you be more specific about which Autel VCI interface you used? I checked their website and only found 3 options, none of them under $100.

When I go into TechStream under VIM Select I have the options for:
MaxiFlash Bluetooth
MaxiFlash Elite/Pro
MaxiFlash JVCI
MaxiFlash JVCI+
MaxiFlash LVCI
MaxiFlash VCI
MaxiFlash VCMI
MaxiFlash XLink
V1 Flash
V200

All of them have a 1 next to every item under Protocols Supported. Now I'm not sure how the Bluetooth ones work, if just connecting your laptop to it via Bluetooth works or not. I bought a used Autel MaxiSys Ultra on eBay a while back and found the MaxiPC Suite and happened to play around with seeing if TechStream would support it. Currently if I use TechStream I use a USB A to B cable so I can plug the VCI into my laptop then obviously the cable from the VCI to the OBD on the car. These may not be the cheapest options. It was just something I found because the high end ones said they support J2534

 

[mvrx]

Thanks. I asked because I started with one of those Chinese XHORSE mini-VCI clone cables (it was actually gifted to me). It worked fine for basic stuff like live data and reading/clearing DTCs, but failed when trying to write data, like registering new TPMS IDs, so I started looking into the alternatives people recommended.

I keep seeing Autel devices in a lot of YouTube repair videos, so I assume they’re kind of the “good but not insanely expensive” option. That’s why I was curious which J2534 interface you used and roughly how much it costs.

 

[doru]

Autel is a good brand in my book. I have a few of their devices (not VCI) and they all work well and have been supported with firmware and new cars added for many years. They are not cheap but I think their price is right for a small shop or someone that needs the tool for many years like 200 owners.
If you end up getting their VCI please post your experience here.

 

[2020LXINMI]

Hey everyone - trying to install techstream following the instructions in the first post (thanks btw). It loads in VM, I see the windows XP page, then it just comes back to VM and says "aborted". What am I doing wrong?

 

[brickwhite]

Hey everyone - trying to install techstream following the instructions in the first post (thanks btw). It loads in VM, I see the windows XP page, then it just comes back to VM and says "aborted". What am I doing wrong?

I had to run in safe mode on startup. Turn off wireless network

Then add a software code from post 1539

and was able to run it on a windows 11 laptop.

Tested by turning off the auto return of the steering wheel.

 

[sebestdiaz]

Tuve que iniciar en modo seguro. Desactivar la red inalámbrica.

Luego, agregue un código de software del mensaje 1539.

y pude ejecutarlo en una computadora portátil con Windows 11.

Probado desactivando el retorno automático del volante.

donde puedo obtener los instaladores de Techstream ?

 

[mvrx]

donde puedo obtener los instaladores de Techstream ?

253.81 MB file on MEGA

mega.nz

 

[eclipsegst97]

I had to run in safe mode on startup. Turn off wireless network

Then add a software code from post 1539

and was able to run it on a windows 11 laptop.

Tested by turning off the auto return of the steering wheel.

TY I"ll try it

 

[Mario123123]

Cześć wszystkim. Jest osobą w stanie mi pomóc w aktywowaniu ver. 12.20.024?
ID: 8A2F4120EEA44D8706EBE0D9FBA9BE04

Z góry dziękuję

 

[dkkim]

Hi Guys,

First, to the OP, publishing a VM like that was a fine thing!
FYI here's a tip I needed to get the VM working for me:
I use an Intel Mac largely with VMWare Fusion, so I needed to use a Pre-Vista .ISO to get a version of VMWare Tools that could install on XP, which was needed to get the default virtual mouse device to work. There are probably other work-arounds, but this one was direct and definitive. I found the old VMWare ISO here (I have not scanned it for additions, but the advertised function is legit. I used the "pre Vista" disc image. Add a virtual CD/DVD drive and point it at the .iso file).

VMware Tools for old Windows versions : VMware Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

VMWare Tools iso images for Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, and Server 2003. Two ISOs with self-explanatory names.

archive.org

Now I've got to read through a bunch of posts above and find a VCI/OBD II connector that will work

HTH,
D

(Edited to add link to the VMWare Tools .iso I mentioned, doh!)

 

[dkkim]

Also, does anyone know why the inexpensive VCI peripherals all have janky CD's and download link schemes included? Can these just be ignored using the VM-based scheme here, assuming that the requisite drivers are already in the image if you buy something vanilla enough?
I've read a couple things that say or imply it's just another vector for bots/trojans/gnatware, but hey how would you differentiate early Windows drivers (accidentally malicious) from intentionally malicious software?
Thanks!

 

[doru]

Yes, that should work on most cases. If not you'll have to install their drivers that are available separately on those CDs.
With any software from an untrusted source you may have troubles.
Some of those drivers will not install on Win 10 or 11 due to security risks detected.

 

[Urtwob]

Hi Guys. Just a pretty basic enquiry, is it possible to have No AHC parameters or options on the TechStream as downloaded from the first post on this “5 minute” forum. After a bit of jiggery pockery I managed to get TechStream running on a 2019 MacBook Pro. My Landcruiser is a Diesel 1998 4.2 vx Amazon. LC100. I was able to see a list of options like ECU’s and chassis, etc but no icon for AHC. Is this possible and is there nothing I can do about getting my AHC data. I was urgently seeking my AHC Pressures in particular.

 

[srdjanmax]

Hi guys,

I failed to find the answer for my problem, so might as well ask. I have everything up and running in the virtual machine. I have also bought VXDIAG VCX NANO for TOYOTA. However, when I connect it with my PC the VX Manager does not see the VCX Nano. When I open the device manager the VCX Nano is listed under "Other devices" as an unknown device. I tried to manually install the drivers from the VCX folder in program files, but nothing would install. Does anyone have an idea how to make VX manager connect with the VCX Nano?

 

[mmbirtcher]

I just got Techstream V18 working on a Windows 11 laptop with minimal issue. (I had tried the MacBook with VirtualBox to no avail.)
Here's what I did if it helps anyone.

• Found an older Windows laptop that I was able to dedicate solely to Techstream.
• Wiped all previous software from it.
• Installed clean version of Windows 11 (from Microsoft website).
• Purchased this MiniVCI: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ4C3TVM?tag=ihco-20
• I don't have a CD drive (and it's a mini CD with the software) so I contacted the seller via email for a link to download. There were some minimal instructions that included the email address.
• Ensured all firewall and antivirus was turned off (this will be a dedicated laptop).
• Downloaded and installed V18 and driver for the J2534.
• Contacted the seller as the driver would not install correctly and found a time to allow them to remote into my computer.
• Used the program TeamViewer for the seller (in China) to access and get it set up. This took about 15 minutes.
• Connected to OBD port and started changing settings!

 

[dkkim]

• Purchased this MiniVCI: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ4C3TVM?tag=ihco-20
• I don't have a CD drive (and it's a mini CD with the software) so I contacted the seller via email for a link to download. There were some minimal instructions that included the email address.

Thank you. Beat me to it! I got this same unit last week and was disappointed by the tiny CD that I had no drive capable of reading (what's with these tiny CDs?)

However, the VM image early on in this thread *worked fine* without additional drivers! This is the outcome for which I was hoping. Was able to connect to the car and trigger brake bleeding (I heard clicks, haven't got to open the lines yet).

Hope these experiences help someone.

 

[DeLorean12]

For those of you trying to boot up the VM and it immediately stops:

As others have said, booting the VM into safe mode does work, but then the OBDII usb connector won’t work.

If you’re on windows 11, the proper solution to this is to:
1. Go to Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation details.
2. Turn off Memory Integrity (if on).
3. Restart your PC.
4. Also run as an admin PowerShell:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Then restart again.

 

[frawstme]

I read that techsream can actuate the CDL on my 2000 lc100. I seem to have access to very few systems though:

Where would I usually find the CDL actuator?

edit;
also everything on customize function screen is empty when i click into the options

 

[frawstme]

Update - The Windows XP virtualbox image works fine on my old laptop but wont boot properly on my new Win11 laptop (will boot in safe mode but that is too restrictive and small a screen)

not sure if you ever figured this out, but with the JDM models if you want techstream to work properly, you have to change your local PC region to japan and enable unicode. otherwise most of the boxes appear blank