How-To: TechStream In 5 Minutes (38 Viewers)

[LateOnTheBrakes]

Getting Techstream up and running can be a bit of a pain. Hopefully this helps someone get started quickly.

Step 1: Purchase an OBD-II / Mini-VCI interface.
- These are out of stock everywhere, or priced crazyily, so I'm selling them to mud members for $39 via paypal/venmo. Ships free. PM if you want.

Step 2: Download VirtualBox for Your Operating System:
- Windows: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/6.1.18/VirtualBox-6.1.18-142142-Win.exe
- MacOS: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/6.1.18/VirtualBox-6.1.18-142142-OSX.dmg

Step 3: Install VirtualBox Software You Just Downloaded
- Windows: Double-Click downloaded file
- MacOS: Double-Click downloaded file, run installer

Step 4: Download TechStream Image:
- MEGA (V2! Click to download)

Step 5: Double-Click downloaded file.

Connect & Enjoy.



-g

Edit (4/8/18): I removed the more expensive cable, as I received a new Mini-VCI cable that works 100% at 1/4 the cost.
Edit (02/28/21): Updated links to new versions of Virtualbox & new link to cheap Mini-VCI cable

Does the update just include a newer version of virtualbox or Techstream itself. I tried to use on my 2020 Tundra and the newest model year available from the dropdown is 2018.

 

[turtlepower]

I recently had to get a new laptop (new MacBook Air) so I'm restarting this process

I'm not able to install Virtual Box from the link in the first thread (version 6.1.18) due to perceived security threats. So I found the newest version (6.1.34) and tried that but failed as well: Unsupported hardware architecture detected! The installer has detected an unsupported architecture. VirtualBox only runs on the amd64 architecture.

Where do I go from here?

You might be out of luck if you have the new Apple M1 CPU. Unless there have been recent updates, it sounds like you need an x86 CPU to run an x86 virtual machine.

 

[Acrad]

I don't have the bandwidth to do this now but one may need to leverage Parallels on a M1 Mac

A new VM built in Parallels on a M1 Mac might need to be created with a Techstream load. My x86 VMs on an Intel iMac didn't port over to my new M1 Max Studio and had to start from scratch VMs but the apps still run. Remember the M1 is ARM based for those that don't know.

The Parallels VMs that run on this ARM CPU leverage x64 emulation

Introducing x64 emulation in preview for Windows 10 on ARM PCs to the Windows Insider Program

Updated 11/16/2021: x64 emulation for Windows is now generally available in Windows 11. For those interested in experiencing this, a PC running Windows 11 on Arm is required. Today, we're releasing the first preview of x64 emulation

blogs.windows.com

KB Parallels: About Parallels Desktop for Mac with Apple silicon

Virtual machines created on Intel-based Mac computers have that is fundamentally .

kb.parallels.com

 

[ToySldr]

My damn techstream software "broke" and I can't get it to load. It says it needs a new license key. Every single patch that I have downloaded (patch.rar) appears to be corrupt. I'm not totally sure what to do and I also have the check engine light.... errrrr

 

[Squashola]

You might be out of luck if you have the new Apple M1 CPU. Unless there have been recent updates, it sounds like you need an x86 CPU to run an x86 virtual machine.

I also have a new MacBook Pro with the M1 but I tried the Previous version that was originally provided and so far is is prepared to go forward with the install. The newest version didn't work. Incompatibility hardware issue.

 

[Squashola]

Spoke to soon. Failed to install.

 

[Acrad]

Even if TS loads on new Parallels VM the USB drivers for the OBD dongle are likely not compatible.

I don't have the bandwidth to do this now but one may need to leverage Parallels on a M1 Mac

A new VM built in Parallels on a M1 Mac might need to be created with a Techstream load. My x86 VMs on an Intel iMac didn't port over to my new M1 Max Studio and had to start from scratch VMs but the apps still run. Remember the M1 is ARM based for those that don't know.

The Parallels VMs that run on this ARM CPU leverage x64 emulation

Introducing x64 emulation in preview for Windows 10 on ARM PCs to the Windows Insider Program

Updated 11/16/2021: x64 emulation for Windows is now generally available in Windows 11. For those interested in experiencing this, a PC running Windows 11 on Arm is required. Today, we're releasing the first preview of x64 emulation

blogs.windows.com

KB Parallels: About Parallels Desktop for Mac with Apple silicon

Virtual machines created on Intel-based Mac computers have that is fundamentally .

kb.parallels.com

 

[headrec]

I have a j2534 cable that I need to get the driver for (I'm guessing) I've tried downloading it but the cable isn't recognized when I go to use the xhorse firmware update tool.

 

[CharBar]

I have been using the TechStream VM for years with an old ThinkPad and it has worked flawlessly. Unfortunately the ThinkPad bit the dust, and I'm looking for a new laptop. I have a Dell Percision 5760 work computer, and a USB-C docking station, so I'm tempted to get another Dell laptop that will work with this dock. But these new Dell laptops do not have USB-A (or USB 3.0 or whatever)... they only have USB-C.

Has anyone been using the TechStream successfully with a OBDII-USB + USB 3.0-USB-C adapter? Thx in advance.

Here is the OBDII-USB cable I have:
Amazon product ASIN B097YC5LSR

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

Does the update just include a newer version of virtualbox or Techstream itself. I tried to use on my 2020 Tundra and the newest model year available from the dropdown is 2018.

I assume this error is what is causing the problem. But I don't know if the newer version of the software will just break my installation.

 

[GTV]

I’m pretty tech dumb. My new MacBook isn’t going to work with me so I’d like to keep a small tablet in the truck that I can use for Techstream. Any advice what to look for?

 

[jLB]

@GTV

I retasked an old Dell Venue 8 Pro 5830 that I had sitting in a “junk drawer” for a while. The screen was a bit too small, and you had to use a OTG USB adapter on the charging port to get a USB port. It was workable, but fiddly.

I soon upgraded to an eBayed Dell Venue 11 Pro 5130 (less than $100), which has a larger screen, and built in USB ports, as my dedicated TechStream tablet. It works just fine, but I’m running TechStream directly on the device (not the VirtualBox VM that this thread is based around).

The tablet is great for a road trip, but as an “always in the car device”, a scangauge, or iCarsoft device, is much more convenient, due to not having to worry if it is charged.

 

[kpecks]

Anybody have a link to a working cable? I sent the OP a message but haven't heard back. Looking at purchasing a 2000 lx and will need to check a few things out..
thanks
Jason

Any update on a working cable?? Amazon? Ebay?

 

[apalt]

Have any of you been able to get tech stream to work on a Mac?

The TIS website says PC only, but the thread on this site that says how to do it in 5 minutes has a link for Mac Install.

Thanks - Greg

 

[saucebox]

Have any of you been able to get tech stream to work on a Mac?

The TIS website says PC only, but the thread on this site that says how to do it in 5 minutes has a link for Mac Install.

Thanks - Greg

It's done through a virtual machine—something like Parallels, Fusion, or the like. The setup is basically 1) install the virtual machine software, 2) install windows on that virtual machine, and 3) set up techstream and the drivers.

It's a little fussy, but it works fine for those of us on Macs. I use Parallels (it costs) for other work, and find it to be 1000x more stable than Virtualbox.

 

[GTV]

Have any of you been able to get tech stream to work on a Mac?

The TIS website says PC only, but the thread on this site that says how to do it in 5 minutes has a link for Mac Install.

Thanks - Greg

I did but it was an old (2012-ish) Mac. While it may be possible with my new Mac it doesn’t really look like it’s worth the effort.

 

[getco]

Any update on a working cable?? Amazon? Ebay?

Shoot me a DM. I have cables for $39 shipped. The quoted message was from when my inbox was full.

 

[jLB]

I have cables for $39 shipped.

Which version of the cable firmware (1.4.x or 2.0.x)?

 

[getco]

Which version of the cable firmware (1.4.x or 2.0.x)?

1.4.x

I've looked into sourcing a few cases of 2.0.4 cables, but they are much more expensive. I could get some if there's interest, but the price would be closer to $89.

 

[uHu]

Is there any benefit in a 2.0 vci/cable on a 100?