how to link megajolt to the computer?
Turbo Mini Forums

good morning. i am not the best on computers so please bear with me.

i uploaded the megajolt software onto my laptop. i have the relevent connections to the megajolt unit in the car. when i plug the leads into the usb port on the laptop nothing happens. basically i need to enable the computer to talk to the mj unit. i have read in the instructions about configuring the port, but im unable to do this on my computer that i can see - the laptop is a dell, if anyone can explain what i need to do in simple terms it would be very much apreciated. many thanks, dan

EDIT - has the MJ got a genuine USB connection or a serial connection that needs a USB/serial adapter. (end EDIT)

If it uses a USB/serial adapter, you most likely you need the correct drivers for your adapter.

It's nothing to do with MJ, it's just getting your laptop to accept the USB adapter as replicating an old fashioned serial (COM) port.

Some later versions of Windows recognise the common adapters and install the drivers automatically but I've allways had to install them manualy on XP.

Your USB/Serial adapter should have come with a disk or a URL to download them from.

Edited by Rod S on 23rd Feb, 2012.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

thanks for the input rod. please bear with me as im useless at anthing computer based. so i have now checked the paperwork and have downloaded what i need to from the web address given. this has saved as a 'zipped' file. i have tried plugging the computer back into the car but its the same, so it seems that im still not there with this yet? what else do i need to do? thanks for your patience with this, dan

looking back at when i ordered this, the cable that the mj came with is a RJ-11 to RS232 computer cable if that mean anything, thanks again, dan

hi mate,

if its any consideration i've tried getting my MJ to work with my Mac with windows via bootcamp and my friends pc both running w7 with no luck. i've bough 2 seriel to usb adaptor cables both came with the same driver disc and still cant get it to pick up even though when i check the device manager i'm selecting the correct port from the list and in the MJ

Its a royal pain in the arse.

Best bet is to try and buy a used old lappy just for the MJ.

Edited by t@z on 23rd Feb, 2012.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

ok i think that this is installed properly. its installed in device manager etc as com3, i have changed the specifications as per the instructions that came with the megajolt. still when connected to the mj ecu, with ign on, and mj software open the bar across the bottom still states that it is unable to connect to port. this is the most difficult part of the mj install. i am using windows 7, is the consensus that this just wont work and i will have to buy a different computer? cheers, dan

also, yes, the lead that came with the megajolt i have plugged into the usb adaptor. i really am at a loss with this now - i thought it would have been simply a case of plugging the ecu into the computer but this obviously is not the case

Try going back into Device Manager and re-setting the COM port number to 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9 and obviously telling MJ which one you have selected. Unplug the USB/serial adapter for a few seconds after making the change for all the settings to take effect then plug it back in and go to Device Manager to make sure.

I'm not familiar with MJ but with MS, there are certain setups that won't work with COM 1,2,3,4 as they are "legacy" ports from the days of DOS. Also double digit COM numbers can sometimes be troublesome.

You won't need a different computer - obviously a really old one with a genuine DB9 COM port will allways work - but you may need a different USB/serial adapter with a different chipset hence different drivers, some work fine, some just never work right.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

welshdan if you are still struggling later i will attempt to try this later on my laptop and so screenshots and post them for you as i need to try this com port stuff anyway to get mine to work. but might not be till late.

Edited by t@z on 23rd Feb, 2012.

ok, i have changed the number to com7. the computer states that the hardware is working properly, and the hardware is up to date. it also appears in the task manager when selected. i have changed the settings as per the mj specified settings. so as far as i can see this is intalled peoperly so should be working now? also i bought this from trigger wheels, i have emailed them asking for advice. however i would say that if there was one of these cables that worked then it would be one supplied by them for this use. so i cant see that i would be needing to try different usb adaptors as if this was a regular problem for this aplication surely trigger wheels wouldnt be selling them? if anyone else can come up with anything else that would be great. thanks for the input. taz if you get chance to do that i would apreciate it very much, thanks again

ok i have sortd this out. trigger wheels emailed me back within half an hour and forwarded a troubleshooting guide to me. i overlooked the fact that i need to select the drive from the magajolt interface from the top menu. anyway it is now sorted, i am really glad that this is now ok. cheers rod and taz(if you need a look at the troubleshooting guide if you have problems with yours drop me a line), thanks again for the input with this, cheers dan

dan you on about in the calibration where you select when its to pick up the reading and drop down menu with the MAP/TPS option?

actually i'll pm you and see if you wouldnt mind sending to my emai.

Edited by t@z on 23rd Feb, 2012.

Dan, I would like to see that troubleshooting guide too, please.

Since I got another laptop I have not been able to communicate with my MJ