I saw this but opted for Ubuntu instead of Vista on my laptop. Am in the OS learning curve. http://www.obd-2.com/#download There is lots of linux related conversation also. Just wondering what others here have done. This looks interesting also. http://www.scantool.net/software/scanxl-std.html

I think its GuessWho that has a Laptop OBDII reader too...

yes i have a cheapie...it is a chinese nock-off elm 327 "v1.5" but simple HyperTerminal commands revealed it is a v1.3a...the problem i have run into is:the elm327 has a default order it uses to select the "language" to "talk" to the OBD2. i think mine has 11. some are faster than others. so for live data...you can only get so much data in 1 sec. the more PIDs that you monitor the slower they refresh. the slower ones are on top of that "default order". perfect for getting OBD2 codes and monitoring 1-2 PIDs. some cars can talk multiple "languages" but you have to use hyperterminal,zterminal,etc to send the command to use the language you want to TRY to use and decipher ASCII realtime...free software is OLD and no support, and my dodge is not fully OBD2 compliant, battery on my laptop is toast...don't have an extension cord long enough for a highway run to show conditions under load. it has worked very well for every gasser that i have used it on.i payed less than $22 to my door...it came from hong kong. as a hobbyist, i would do it all over!:thumbup2:hope this helps

Buy a cheap inverter to plug the laptop into... Problem fixed... Or Sell me the software and cord... Problem fixed...

Buy a cheap inverter to plug the laptop into... Problem fixed... Or Sell me the software and cord... Problem fixed...

OBD2 cords with usb connectors are cheap. Linux & some Linux obd2 software is free. I expect that much more information is available than simple list of codes. I'm hoping to take some of the guess work out of the diagnosis & change from guessing to well...diagnosing.

http://www.obdtester.com/obdtester-features $59 or $99 for the upgraded version. .

autoengineuity is another option. neat little outfit. obd connector to usb. software on a dvd. I think it is still floating around here somewhere... http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolpc.html

I would definitely be interested in a decent Linux option. especially if i get to do my he351ve Arduino project in the summer.

Buy a cheap inverter to plug the laptop into... Problem fixed...

man this is a pretty neat thread. i just might have to get one of these. thanks guys.