Durametric Question
 

I got a Durametric cable yesterday and just downloaded the software.

Is it possible to check the number of remaining VIN's on the cable without connecting it to the car (ie at my desk at work)?

OK. Plugged it in and went to Tools>Tool Information. Here is what I get.

I assume this is because the car is not attached.

Can I upgrade the firmware without the car attached?

I think if you run the software with the cable connected to your pc, it will tell you.

Updating firmware is not always a good thing. Only update if it adds a feature you want or fixes bugs that you are having a problem with.

Often firmware updates fix 5 bugs and create 2 new ones.
I deal with broadcast equipments and that is often the case with changing firmware.
YMMV

And yes, you do not need to be connected to a car to do the update

You might want to trade it back for the pro cable. It is for unlimited Vins and gives you coding capabilities like turning on Cruise control etc. That's what I did.

Sorry, but I completely disagree with your assessment of Durametric firmware/software updates. I've owned Durametric systems since they first came out and have never had a issue with updates; in fact, I look forward to them as they constantly add new features and correct existing problems, which is exactly what I would expect of them.

JFP, Rarely (if ever) would I question your expertise, however, I have a lot of experience with lots of firmware updates to lots of hardware and often there are new bugs that pop up due to the update. It's just the nature of the beast. In software development, it is nearly impossible to test every possible scenario and it just takes 1 misplaced, incorrect, or missed character to mess something up, and that is very easy to do when updating code.

Perhaps Durametric is better than most.
I just subscribe to the notion, Don't fix whats not broken.

Problem is that Porsche keeps changing the game by doing things like switching DME suppliers on some vehicles, while Durametric keeps trying to add or improve capabilities, particularly for those of us that work on the full breadth of Porsche's product lines. While you may look at it as "not fixing what ain't broke", I see it as broadening my shop's ability to serve customers. And as I noted earlier, I am yet to see a Durametric update that has done any harm.

Point taken

Probably makes more sense with your use, working on lots of different models. You need the updates For personal use, just 1 or 2 cars, probably not so much

Of course I am referring to firmware, not application software
Its easy to delete and reinstall an older software app version if needed