Who's got it? Turbo-Link v3.0.1 That Is.
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First, a moment of silence for the dead 240 
Seriously, it looks like we have duplicated the condition that causes the slowness of data. *DOH* I think some of the noise filtering we put into 3.01 might be too aggressive, so we're hammering away on a fix.
v3.02 is due out very soon (it has the fast data patch and several other goodies in it). We were hoping for end of week (and still are).
The fix will be in v3.02 (provided it is what we think it is). Thanks for the sharp eyes and scientific approach guys!
BTW, as a side note ... I roached together a "Medusa" that allows us to run the old TurboLink, the new TurboLink and a ScanMaster from the same ECM (on the test bench). Really ugly, but it works!
If anyone has any problems running the ScanMaster with your new TurboLink, it may be a ground loop issue (which I solved with a simple hack to the v3.0 circuit).... you can send me the unit and I'll fix it up for free. Sorry for the inconvenience guys, but you know how it is ... you test and test and test and still miss stuff!
Stay tuned! BTW, I'll be out for a few days (mother-in-law passed away last night and we have to drive close to 1000 miles to meet up with my wife who has been nursing her for the last couple months and then drive on to the funeral from there).
However, the shop is manned by some sharp folks who are working the problem, so don't hesitate to drop email to
support@turbo-link.com and keep an eye on the Support Forum for the v3.02 update.
Thanks!
Seriously, it looks like we have duplicated the condition that causes the slowness of data. *DOH* I think some of the noise filtering we put into 3.01 might be too aggressive, so we're hammering away on a fix.
v3.02 is due out very soon (it has the fast data patch and several other goodies in it). We were hoping for end of week (and still are).
The fix will be in v3.02 (provided it is what we think it is). Thanks for the sharp eyes and scientific approach guys!
BTW, as a side note ... I roached together a "Medusa" that allows us to run the old TurboLink, the new TurboLink and a ScanMaster from the same ECM (on the test bench). Really ugly, but it works!
If anyone has any problems running the ScanMaster with your new TurboLink, it may be a ground loop issue (which I solved with a simple hack to the v3.0 circuit).... you can send me the unit and I'll fix it up for free. Sorry for the inconvenience guys, but you know how it is ... you test and test and test and still miss stuff!
Stay tuned! BTW, I'll be out for a few days (mother-in-law passed away last night and we have to drive close to 1000 miles to meet up with my wife who has been nursing her for the last couple months and then drive on to the funeral from there).
However, the shop is manned by some sharp folks who are working the problem, so don't hesitate to drop email to
support@turbo-link.com and keep an eye on the Support Forum for the v3.02 update.
Thanks!
I don't think everyone is "switching back to the old DOS" TurboLink.... I think people are doing a good job of comparing stuff.
As stated above, I think we have a problem in the software that we are hot on the trail of a fix for (and we apologize ...)
The old DOS software (as someone dubbed it "TurboLink Classic") is the standard to which we are all comparing the new stuff to, since it works well. However, DOS is pretty much dead (and getting deader ) and Microsoft has shifted us to newer and groovier hardware with Windows. It's almost impossible to support DOS any more, since even the old compiler I used won't work on XP/2000 and it's a pain to port the software.
We're committed to making the new TurboLink the new standard ... don't let this bug scare you off. We'll fix it and continue to improve things. Unfortunately, despite having several Beta testers, several vehicles, and countless hours of testing, some of this just shows up once it's fielded. We're dedicated to fixing the issues and making this the slickest thing around!
Thanks!
As stated above, I think we have a problem in the software that we are hot on the trail of a fix for (and we apologize ...)
The old DOS software (as someone dubbed it "TurboLink Classic"
) is the standard to which we are all comparing the new stuff to, since it works well. However, DOS is pretty much dead (and getting deader ) and Microsoft has shifted us to newer and groovier hardware with Windows. It's almost impossible to support DOS any more, since even the old compiler I used won't work on XP/2000 and it's a pain to port the software.We're committed to making the new TurboLink the new standard ... don't let this bug scare you off. We'll fix it and continue to improve things. Unfortunately, despite having several Beta testers, several vehicles, and countless hours of testing, some of this just shows up once it's fielded. We're dedicated to fixing the issues and making this the slickest thing around!
Thanks!
FOUND IT!
*DOH*
Sure enough, we were doing way too good a job of filtering what we perceived as noise. The buffering stuff is still a little bit "jerky" on the little progress bar, but it stays in step with the "TurboLink Classic".
It's in perfect synch now and verified with various combinations. GREAT CATCH folks!
... your testing allowed us to narrow it down immediately and catch it doing it's "bad thing".
V3.0.2 is being tested and sent out to the Beta testers as we speak for some testing tonight. Look for it to be posted for download in the next day or so, pending a "clean bill of health" from the testers.
Again, THANKS to the careful attention and great info from you folks!
*DOH*
Sure enough, we were doing way too good a job of filtering what we perceived as noise. The buffering stuff is still a little bit "jerky" on the little progress bar, but it stays in step with the "TurboLink Classic".
It's in perfect synch now and verified with various combinations. GREAT CATCH folks!
... your testing allowed us to narrow it down immediately and catch it doing it's "bad thing".
V3.0.2 is being tested and sent out to the Beta testers as we speak for some testing tonight. Look for it to be posted for download in the next day or so, pending a "clean bill of health" from the testers.
Again, THANKS to the careful attention and great info from you folks!
Oooh - sorry to hear about the mother-in-law. Unless she is like my mother-in-law.....
Fired up the new laptop tonight. This one is a PIII 400 Fujitsu S4510 with 128Mb RAM running patched WIn 98SE.
Runs like a champ - almost exactly as fast as the DOS one. I suspect the tweak in 3.0.2 will make it exactly like the DOS one, so i am looking forward to that. I am still running 2.13 on the same laptop for comparison. Using highly scientific methods (one-one thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand) I came to the above conclusion.
I wait to see how the new patch is. Too bad I killed the 240 before I had a chance to really use it. I like using the mini-laptops. The 4510 is pretty small, but still too big for my case. I think I am going to work up a deal with a 6" LCD screen. This way I could mount the laptop under the seat, use a wireless mouse, and mount a small screen above the radio pod.
If I get it done - I will publish plans and part numbers to do it.
Fired up the new laptop tonight. This one is a PIII 400 Fujitsu S4510 with 128Mb RAM running patched WIn 98SE.
Runs like a champ - almost exactly as fast as the DOS one. I suspect the tweak in 3.0.2 will make it exactly like the DOS one, so i am looking forward to that. I am still running 2.13 on the same laptop for comparison. Using highly scientific methods (one-one thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand) I came to the above conclusion.
I wait to see how the new patch is. Too bad I killed the 240 before I had a chance to really use it. I like using the mini-laptops. The 4510 is pretty small, but still too big for my case. I think I am going to work up a deal with a 6" LCD screen. This way I could mount the laptop under the seat, use a wireless mouse, and mount a small screen above the radio pod.
If I get it done - I will publish plans and part numbers to do it.
OK, hitting the road now ... but before I leave ... v3.0.2 went out for testing last night to a couple people.
Unfortunately, it looks like we rushed it a bit and broke the install package
We've corrected it and people should be testing the GOOD package today. When we get a thumbs up from the field testers, then it'll go on the site for everyone to download/update.
Also, we'll be sending an email to all the known customers notifying them of this important update. Again, thanks to all for the sharp eyes!
Unfortunately, it looks like we rushed it a bit and broke the install package
We've corrected it and people should be testing the GOOD package today. When we get a thumbs up from the field testers, then it'll go on the site for everyone to download/update.
Also, we'll be sending an email to all the known customers notifying them of this important update. Again, thanks to all for the sharp eyes!
Just a quick update ...
Looks like v3.0.2 testing was accomplished while I was gone. There will be a patch release up on the support forum in the next day or so (the Microsoft installed is a real pain in the butt to get setup to handle updates correctly...)
The new version will have the following:
Version 3.0.2
Bug Fixes:
---------------------------
* Fixed incorrect units on MAT in details screen
* Fixed Turbo Regal datastreams (XCNTS, PROMID) so they would work correctly in stripcharts
* Fixed First Time configuration screen - for adapter but no cable attached
* Implemented routines to handle "weak" and "noisy" data to prevent data drops
* Fixed some COM issues
* Fixed the stop bits - it now runs 2x - same speed as v2.13
* DLL and VB Version Matching
* Better invalid drive or storage path handling
* Updated 89 Turbo Trans Am to have same Special Hardware as Turbo Regal
Enhancements:
---------------------------
* Scanmaster X,Y,Z support (dll update / new datastreams) - 86,87 Regal
* Multibyte parms
* Auto Configure button added to Application Setup screen
* Cable Configuration checking before you connect
Looks like v3.0.2 testing was accomplished while I was gone. There will be a patch release up on the support forum in the next day or so (the Microsoft installed is a real pain in the butt to get setup to handle updates correctly...)
The new version will have the following:
Version 3.0.2
Bug Fixes:
---------------------------
* Fixed incorrect units on MAT in details screen
* Fixed Turbo Regal datastreams (XCNTS, PROMID) so they would work correctly in stripcharts
* Fixed First Time configuration screen - for adapter but no cable attached
* Implemented routines to handle "weak" and "noisy" data to prevent data drops
* Fixed some COM issues
* Fixed the stop bits - it now runs 2x - same speed as v2.13
* DLL and VB Version Matching
* Better invalid drive or storage path handling
* Updated 89 Turbo Trans Am to have same Special Hardware as Turbo Regal
Enhancements:
---------------------------
* Scanmaster X,Y,Z support (dll update / new datastreams) - 86,87 Regal
* Multibyte parms
* Auto Configure button added to Application Setup screen
* Cable Configuration checking before you connect
