Cannot Purchase New Vin License - No Auth Code

[tenpaiyomi]

I received a V2 that the owner stated they had used both VIN licenses and I would need to purchase another one. Cool, not a problem. I checked online how to do it, see that I need the serial and auth code, gotcha. I can get the serial, however in the VINs tab it doesn't give me an auth code, so I'm not sure how to go about purchasing another VIN license.

Any assistance?

EDIT: To add, when attempting to do any sort of flashing on the PCM, it gives me error $0533, No Vin License Slots Available which is technically correct, however it is not in any way, shape, or form giving me the option to purchase a new license because it does not seem to want to give me an auth code.

[Happy Jim]

Follow this and see if it helps you ;-)

https://support.efilive.com/kb_article.php?ref=2143-YUOG-8049

Regards

Jim

[tenpaiyomi]

Follow this and see if it helps you ;-)

https://support.efilive.com/kb_article.php?ref=2143-YUOG-8049

Regards

Jim

Yeah, that was the very first thing I was following. The Auth Code field in the VINs dialog literally says "N/A" and the VINs dialog only shows the 2 licenses that have already been used by the previous owner. To note, this does have the GM tuning option activated.

[joecar]

Did you get this sorted out...?

[tenpaiyomi]

No :( any help?

[joecar]

Yeah, that was the very first thing I was following. The Auth Code field in the VINs dialog literally says "N/A" and the VINs dialog only shows the 2 licenses that have already been used by the previous owner. To note, this does have the GM tuning option activated.Can you post a screenshot of this

( see post #1: Hosting-an-Image (https://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?3064-Hosting-an-Image) )

[tenpaiyomi]

Can you post a screenshot of this

( see post #1: Hosting-an-Image (https://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?3064-Hosting-an-Image) )

Unfortunately I just left out of town till Thursday for work. I'll grab a screenshot and mock up what my view looks like, give me just a few minutes.

[Blacky]

Can you generate a license backup file (*.lbu) of your V2? To do that, select the [F7 Licenses]->[Backup] option.
Then email the *.lbu file to me at [email protected] with a link to this thread.

Just for your interest the Auth Code field will show "N/A" under the following conditions:


If the FlashScan device is busy performing other tasks (such as read, flashing or logging data).
If a device is not selected in the lower right corner of the main EFILive V8 window.
If the device's serial number is less than 12 digits long.

Is it possible one of those is true?

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

Paul:

1) Not likely, it's just sitting there doing nothing
2) I wouldn't think so, I wouldn't expect it to be able to show the 2 redeemed licenses unless the flashscan was selected
3) 003669970871

[tenpaiyomi]

This is what it generally looks like, for what it's worth. A quick photoshop since I don't have access to my FlashScan V2 again till Thurs.

19257

[Blacky]

This is what it generally looks like, for what it's worth. A quick photoshop since I don't have access to my FlashScan V2 again till Thurs.

19257

That looks like a very old version of the V8 software (build 247). I highly recommend upgrading to the latest V7.5 (Build 299) and V8 (build 290) software from here:
http://www.efilive.com/latest/cat/download-efilive

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

That looks like a very old version of the V8 software (build 247). I highly recommend upgrading to the latest V7.5 (Build 299) and V8 (build 290) software from here:
http://www.efilive.com/latest/cat/download-efilive

Regards
Paul

yeah, please note that this isn't my version, this is just a screenshot I grabbed online real quick to edit since I wasn't at my hotel yet. I've attached a screenshot of the version of V7.5 and V8 I have, which I literally downloaded 2 days ago.

19258

[Blacky]

yeah, please note that this isn't my version, this is just a screenshot I grabbed online real quick to edit since I wasn't at my hotel yet. I've attached a screenshot of the version of V7.5 and V8 I have, which I literally downloaded 2 days ago.


Ok, then I guess I'll just wait for you to send the *.lbu file. Do you need to purchase a VIN license before then? If so then you can still order one online, just leave the Auth Code blank. It won't process automatically but will be processed manually tomorrow morning with any other failed orders. Just add a comment to your order saying you can't obtain your Auth Code at the moment.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

Ok, then I guess I'll just wait for you to send the *.lbu file. Do you need to purchase a VIN license before then? If so then you can still order one online, just leave the Auth Code blank. It won't process automatically but will be processed manually tomorrow morning with any other failed orders. Just add a comment to your order saying you can't obtain your Auth Code at the moment.

Regards
Paul

No, it can wait till I return, that won't be a problem. I wouldn't be able to use it right now anyways. Thank you for your assistance, by the way.

This is a tangent, but out of curiosity as another developer, what language(s) is EFI Live coded in? I do see note of Lua in the V8.

[Blacky]

This is a tangent, but out of curiosity as another developer, what language(s) is EFI Live coded in?

The V7 and V8 software is developed using Delphi.
The V8 EFILiveVM.dll is developed using C.
The FlashScan and AutoCal firmware is developed using C.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

The V7 and V8 software is developed using Delphi.
The V8 EFILiveVM.dll is developed using C.
The FlashScan and AutoCal firmware is developed using C.

Regards
Paul

Paul,

I'm sending the requested file now. I'm also attaching an image that I had my wife take of the screen with my FlashScan attached.

Regards,
Eric

[Blacky]

If you look at the serial number of your FlashScan it is missing the first 2 leading zeros. The leading zeros should be automatically added by the firmware. I'll investigate why they are not being added.

Can you use FlashScan itself to view the serial number, F4->F3->F1, it should look something like this (i.e. with all 12 digits showing, although I suspect yours may show with the leading zeros missing or replaced with some other symbol):
19260

Also please do this:

Start the EFILive Control Panel (Start->All Programs->EFILive->V8->EFILive Control Panel).
Click on the FlashScan icon that appears in the System Tray near the clock on the Windows Task Bar.
Select [F2: USB], then click [Status] - ensure the serial number is displayed in the EFILive Control Panel window.
Select [F8: Trace], then click [Save Trace].
Locate the trace file in the folder: \My Documents\EFILive\V8\Trace and send me a copy of that file.


The trace file will help me to understand if and how the serial number has become corrupted in your FlashScan device.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

If you look at the serial number of your FlashScan it is missing the first 2 leading zeros. The leading zeros should be automatically added by the firmware. I'll investigate why they are not being added.

Can you use FlashScan itself to view the serial number, F4->F3->F1, it should look something like this (i.e. with all 12 digits showing, although I suspect yours may show with the leading zeros missing or replaced with some other symbol):
19260

Also please do this:

Start the EFILive Control Panel (Start->All Programs->EFILive->V8->EFILive Control Panel).
Click on the FlashScan icon that appears in the System Tray near the clock on the Windows Task Bar.
Select [F2: USB], then click [Status] - ensure the serial number is displayed in the EFILive Control Panel window.
Select [F8: Trace], then click [Save Trace].
Locate the trace file in the folder: \My Documents\EFILive\V8\Trace and send me a copy of that file.


The trace file will help me to understand if and how the serial number has become corrupted in your FlashScan device.

Regards
Paul

Paul,

Weird, the number I copied to provide to support, the same number I provided to you, had the 00 appended. I'll have to provide the trace on Thurs, definitely more than I want to guide my wife through over the phone.

[Blacky]

Paul,

Weird, the number I copied to provide to support, the same number I provided to you, had the 00 appended. I'll have to provide the trace on Thurs, definitely more than I want to guide my wife through over the phone.

After some more detailed investigation it appears that very early FlashScan devices only had 10 digit serial numbers. The V7.5 software is designed to prefix '00' to 10 digit numbers to make them 12 digits. The V8 software does not have that "feature".
So for the time being, I expect that you should be able to generate a valid "Auth Code" using the V7 software and order VIN licenses that way.

Meanwhile I will add the "feature" to V8 that prefixes '00' to 10 digit numbers.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

After some more detailed investigation it appears that very early FlashScan devices only had 10 digit serial numbers. The V7.5 software is designed to prefix '00' to 10 digit numbers to make them 12 digits. The V8 software does not have that "feature".
So for the time being, I expect that you should be able to generate a valid "Auth Code" using the V7 software and order VIN licenses that way.

Meanwhile I will add the "feature" to V8 that prefixes '00' to 10 digit numbers.

Regards
Paul

Paul,

I actually was able to contact my wife and guide her through everything over video call. You are correct, it is showing up without the appended 00, though it did copy with it. Applicable files are attached and I'll email you the htx trace.

For the generating an auth code, do I specifically need v7, or should it be possible with v7.5? I know in the v7.5 software, I have attempted to do licensing through it and it tells me that I must use the v8 software.

Regards,
Eric

[Blacky]

Paul,

I actually was able to contact my wife and guide her through everything over video call. You are correct, it is showing up without the appended 00, though it did copy with it. Applicable files are attached and I'll email you the htx trace.
Thanks the trace shows that the serial number is not corrupt. Rather it is an old FlashScan device that was originally programmed with a 10 digit serial number. There are not many of those older ones left in the wild :)


For the generating an auth code, do I specifically need v7, or should it be possible with v7.5? I know in the v7.5 software, I have attempted to do licensing through it and it tells me that I must use the v8 software.

Regards,
Eric

Sorry my mistake, I meant V7.5. I had also forgotten that the licensing option has been removed from V7.5 so that is not an option you can use.

Which means until I get the next version released*, you'll need to order your VIN licenses without an Auth Code. It just means the order won't process automatically. It will only get processed manually first thing each business day in Auckland.

* hopefully the new version will be available in the next week or two.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

Thanks the trace shows that the serial number is not corrupt. Rather it is an old FlashScan device that was originally programmed with a 10 digit serial number. There are not many of those older ones left in the wild :)



Sorry my mistake, I meant V7.5. I had also forgotten that the licensing option has been removed from V7.5 so that is not an option you can use.

Which means until I get the next version released*, you'll need to order your VIN licenses without an Auth Code. It just means the order won't process automatically. It will only get processed manually first thing each business day in Auckland.

* hopefully the new version will be available in the next week or two.

Regards
Paul

Paul,

Beautiful, thank you for your assistance in this matter, and I'm glad I was able to help out in figuring out an issue that may have potentially plagued some other user.

Just out of curiosity, is there some general variance between the older V2 devices and the newer ones, or just a variance of serial numbers? Apologies for the general lack of knowledge, this is my first foray into the EFILive world

Regards,
Eric

[minytrker]

I have a really old V2 but the serial starts with 00, then 10 digits. Did EFI add 00 to the beginning of the serials later?

[Blacky]

I have a really old V2 but the serial starts with 00, then 10 digits. Did EFI add 00 to the beginning of the serials later?

At some stage (many years ago) the serials changed from 10 digits to 12 digits. The V7 software was modified to always prefix 10 digit numbers with '00'. The V8 software does not have that prefix option. It was an oversight on my part, I thought the firmware had been modified to always add the '00'. Instead the USB interface in V7.5 was adding the '00'. That should have been done in V8 as well - it will be in the next update.

To check how your serial number is formatted in FlashScan's memory, use the on-board option F4->F3->F1.

Regards
Paul

[Blacky]

Just out of curiosity, is there some general variance between the older V2 devices and the newer ones, or just a variance of serial numbers? Apologies for the general lack of knowledge, this is my first foray into the EFILive world
Regards,
Eric

There are two different FlashScan V2s: The Black ones and the Blue ones. The differences are:



Black has 4MB of onboard flash memory, Blue has 8MB of onboard flash memory. That's really only significant if you don't use an SD Card and only use the on-board memory for tunes and data logs.
Blue has the ability to support the SCI protocol (for older Cummins diesels) - however EFILive has no plans to provide support for the SCI protocol.
Blue FlashScan's have a different (more hardened) USB power interface to help prevent floating grounds and ground loops between the vehicle chassis and the laptop from shorting via the FlashScan USB connection. What that means is there's a 99% chance of blowing something up if you use a Black FlashScan connected to a laptop powered via power inverter from the vehicle's battery. The Blue FlashScan just makes that chance a little less. We still recommend to never use a power inverter to power your laptop if/when you are using a FlashScan/AutoCal connection between the laptop and the vehicle.


Plus there were a few minor circuit board updates but I 'm not sure exactly what they were. Mostly just part number updates.

Note: the 10 v's 12 digit serial number issue is not related to the differences between Blue and Black. The serial number change happened during the production of Black FlashScans, years before we updated to the Blue FlashScan's.

Regards
Paul

[tenpaiyomi]

There are two different FlashScan V2s: The Black ones and the Blue ones. The differences are:



Black has 4MB of onboard flash memory, Blue has 8MB of onboard flash memory. That's really only significant if you don't use an SD Card and only use the on-board memory for tunes and data logs.
Blue has the ability to support the SCI protocol (for older Cummins diesels) - however EFILive has no plans to provide support for the SCI protocol.
Blue FlashScan's have a different (more hardened) USB power interface to help prevent floating grounds and ground loops between the vehicle chassis and the laptop from shorting via the FlashScan USB connection. What that means is there's a 99% chance of blowing something up if you use a Black FlashScan connected to a laptop powered via power inverter from the vehicle's battery. The Blue FlashScan just makes that chance a little less. We still recommend to never use a power inverter to power your laptop if/when you are using a FlashScan/AutoCal connection between the laptop and the vehicle.


Plus there were a few minor circuit board updates but I 'm not sure exactly what they were. Mostly just part number updates.

Note: the 10 v's 12 digit serial number issue is not related to the differences between Blue and Black. The serial number change happened during the production of Black FlashScans, years before we updated to the Blue FlashScan's.

Regards
Paul

Good to know. I intend to use an SD card since they are so cheap, I don't have a Cummins diesel, and I don't intend to use an inverter, so the variances shouldn't affect me. Thanks for the clarification!