FORScan Modifications

[Cmar]

I've been involved in the computer Industry my entire career. I run Linux Mint as my primary OS on several computers and laptops. I do 99% of my work from Linux. It is more stable, reliable, privacy oriented, and all the software is completely free and compatible with MS Office formats. And no need to worry about viruses!

With all that said... I keep 1 older laptop with Windoz 7 installed on it just for esoteric tools and apps like Forscan, a few medical devices (like an ECG monitor), label makers, Geiger counters, our homemade automated quilter support files, including the WinXP OS Image (the quilter CNC micro-computer runs a stripped down version of WinXP that I installed on a Compact Flash drive), etc.

It is a minimal computer with only a 128GB SSD installed. It is air gapped and is never exposed to the internet. Those old Thinkpads are industrial quality and cheap.... Tanks!

Major businesses cycle through them every 3 years (after they are fully depreciated), and that is the perfect place and time to pick a used one up for a couple hundred dollars.

My daughter runs her small business on two Thinkpads (running Linux) that I handed down to her from the early 2000's. They just keep on running.

Same for me, my daily driver is Ubuntu LTS, I've been running the same install for more than 5 years, and several hardware changes, it just quietly updates itself in the background, none of this "your hardware has changed and we've de-registered you BS, just a simple update of the new driver modules as required. Sadly I have to dual boot with windoze for a few work apps and games. Once I retire the work apps will go - and good riddance, and as I said above Linux gaming is getting better and better every day thanks to the efforts of the Steam team and open source programmers.

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[Cmar]

You'll need to lodd Virtual Machine Software such as Oracle VirtualBox, but that operates on a Chromebox OS. I fear that the CPU will not be powerful enough to handle a VM.

There is a way to do it what you want, but it is complicated process. You need to install a "Linux development environment", then download and install Oracle VirtualBox, then install Windows 7, 10 or 11, then install Forscan in the Windows Virtual Machine.

It is complicated, but if you are fluent in Computer OSes and Software (an I/T Techie), it is pretty straightforward. You'll have the most trouble configuring the VM to allow access through the USB port.

But it IS doable... Here is a link on how to get it done.

How to Install and Use VirtualBox on Your Chromebook

Once you've installed the Virtualbox, you'll then install your versions of Windows. I use Win 7 as it is not as big a hog on resources as the newer versions.

Once windows is installed, you can download and install Forscan in the Windows Virtual Machine.

It IS complicated, but it can be done.

A much easier way to go is to purchase an old Thinkpad T490, and use it. They can be had for ~$240. Then install Forscan on it and enjoy.

This will probably work but it's a lot of work to do it this way, and it will only work if you have an X86 based Chrome book or you use windows for ARM (will the Windows version of Forscan run on that?). If you have a RISC chip based one, easier to try the way I suggested above using Chrome OS Android emulation and the phone app from the Android app store.

 

[TJC]

I believe that the phone app is missing function.

 

[Cmar]

I believe that the phone app is missing function.

Yes it's hobbled, you need to purchase it for full function, but it's pretty cheap.

 

[Big Blue]

Yes it's hobbled, you need to purchase it for full function, but it's pretty cheap.

Yes, the phone app can read DTCs and reset them. It cannot make changes to setup files or perform maintenance functions. To be able to do all the functions you need the full windows version with an extended license, either the free 2 month or the one year purchased license.

 

[moorejl57]

I have an Intel based HP Chromebook, I will see if I can enable Linux, install Wine and see if the app runs properly. If I get it working, I will report back with the procedure.

 

[TJC]

I

I have an Intel based HP Chromebook, I will see if I can enable Linux, install Wine and see if the app runs properly. If I get it working, I will report back with the procedure.

I've not tried Wine for a while, but I hear folks have had success using it with Forscan.

 

[Cmar]

Wine is pretty good these days, the list of windows programs which run more or less successfully on it seems to increase constantly. I run a couple of app image win programs on this box (where the wine component is already in the app image) and they run flawlessly, as good, or possibly even better, than they do natively.

 

[TJC]

Wine is a pretty neat tool, and big kudos to the SW developers for building a whole new compatible FOSS version of the Windows Binary library.

I think I'll visit it again to see if my few remaining Win apps run on it.

 

[Cmar]

Wine is a pretty neat tool, and big kudos to the SW developers for building a whole new compatible FOSS version of the Windows Binary library.

I think I'll visit it again to see if my few remaining Win apps run on it.

Some of the Wine based launchers designed for Games, such as Lutris and Play on Linux can be quite useful for running other windows programs too.

 

[ControlNode]

This will probably work but it's a lot of work to do it this way, and it will only work if you have an X86 based Chrome book or you use windows for ARM (will the Windows version of Forscan run on that?). If you have a RISC chip based one, easier to try the way I suggested above using Chrome OS Android emulation and the phone app from the Android app store.

As long as you can get the sandbox to link the connected USB-OBD2 device to the Windows for ARM virtual machine and find drivers that will install it should work. My MacBook Air M2 is ARM based and I'm running Windows for ARM in Parallels on it and recently tried again and it's working fine, but last I tried M2 was still fairly new and I couldn't get the adapter seen or working in Windows.

Today I finally did the full test (writing blocks of data back to the truck) or running ForScan from Windows VM on M2 MacBook. Disabled the parking lights during remote start (Anzo lights now do their startup sequence when I unlock the truck while it's running), enabled fog light cornering lights and swapped the Ford Sync3 boot screen for the Ford Performance one.

 

[twk]

I just renewed my 1 year license from the FORScan web site. $21.00 w/tax.
It takes you here - https://iobd.io/forscan
I think it took 20 seconds. I guess they weren't very busy.
I should have gotten the lifetime license when I had the chance.

 

[Superspirit]

I just renewed my 1 year license from the FORScan web site. $21.00 w/tax.
It takes you here - https://iobd.io/forscan
I think it took 20 seconds. I guess they weren't very busy.
I should have gotten the lifetime license when I had the chance.

Yep renewed my yearly 2 days ago. Nice getting it through forscan again.

 

[JimmyH]

I saw that someone in this thread asked if there was a Forscan mod that set only parking lights as DRL, but I didn’t see an answer. So bumping to ask again. Is there a Forscan mod to program my DRL for parking lamps only? Has anyone done this and did it work even after changing out incandescent bulbs to LEDs?

 

[airline tech]

I saw that someone in this thread asked if there was a Forscan mod that set only parking lights as DRL, but I didn’t see an answer. So bumping to ask again. Is there a Forscan mod to program my DRL for parking lamps only? Has anyone done this and did it work even after changing out incandescent bulbs to LEDs?

As far as I know, No you cannot have (Park Lights) as the only light programed as DRL.
You can however set them as (Included) with DRL.
If you have the Halogen Headlight Assemblies - This will include the (dimmed) half of the parking light bulb along with the Side Marker and Taillight (Parking) and License Plate Lights

DRL Include Park Lamps
726-26-02 - 0000-0002-0057 - x1xx-xxxx-xxxx
0=Disabled 1=Enabled
This will allow (Side Marker & Taillamps & License Plate Lights) On with the DRL's

A work around alternative is to disable the DRL (Via IPC Menu) and then install a set of Raptor Grille Lights and wire them to a tapped (Ignition) power source - for the 2023 that would be Fuse #19 as the popular Fuse #24 has been eliminated for that model year.
This will give you a (Always-On) Amber Light when the engine is running (Day or Night)


Now for other options for (Amber) DRL's are:

Set the (Turn Signal) Bright half of the Parking Light Bulb - As your DRL
(This may require getting a set of Switch Back) LED Bulbs) (?)
Other will need to confirm as I have the Lariat LED Housings

DRL (Switchback) w/Turn Signals
726-26-02 - 0000-0002-0057 - xxx1-xxxx-xxxx
0=Disabled 1=Enabled

or
Get a set of aftermarket FOG Lights (Amber) and set those as DRLs

Here are the Forscan Options for DRL Configuration.

DRL Lamp Mask Configure
726-45-01 0A01-0200-0080 (Halo)
726-45-01 0A01-1000-008E (LED) xxxx-10xx-xxxx
01=DRL (Disable) -02=Low Beams - 04=Front Fogs - 08=Front Turns 10-Dedicated DRL 20=Hi Beams
40=Low Beams +Dedicated DRL 7F= (All of the above options)
This allows + additional DRL options (if desired) if none leave this as (10) if LED Housings

DRL Lamp Configure
726-50-01 0280 (Halo)
726-50-01 108E (LED) - 10xx
01=DRL Disabled 02=DRL Low Beams 04=DRL Front Fogs 08=DRL Front Turn Lamps 10=Dedicated DRL 20-DRL Hi Beams
40=DRL Low Beams +Dedicated DRL
This ties to (what is the main DRL Circuit and this also applies Power to (Pin#6) Dedicated DRL Circuit (10)
Note: The Halogen Housings - Do not have Pin #6, this is only for the LED Housings,

It all boils down to what Headlight Assembly you have, the wire harness to the Headlights are all the same - the change occurs within the Headlight Assembly itself and how it is pinned.
The BCM programming is limited to the above options and the only way around it is to add additional lighting and the associated wiring.

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