Topic: Using ScanTool(win) under Linux using Wine

[softbirdy]

Here it is how I got ScanTool to work under Linux using Wine.  It was strait forward, no driver to install, no built, nor recompilation required.

PC Configuration
--------------------------
Equipment:
   ElmScan 5 USB (ELM327, HW rev. 1.5, FW rev. 1.3) Mfg date 13 Nov 2008.
   PC: Dell Latitude D630
Operating System:
   Ubuntu release 8.10 (intrepid) running from a USB memory stick (http://www.ubuntu.com/)
   with Linux Kernel 2.6.27-7 generic
Installed software:
   Wine 1.0.1 (www.winehq.org)(Note: Wine comes by default installed on Ubuntu)
   ScanTool.net 1.14 for Windows (downloaded from www.scantool.net)

Software Installation
--------------------------------
(1) Use Wine to install Scantool.  WIne can be directly access under the application menu.

(2) Upon software installation, check installation by executing Scantool without the ElmScan hardware plugged into the PC.  You should be able to navigate through the different menus.  Exit from the ScanTool application.

(3) On a terminal, enter the following command:
   ls -l /dev/ttyUSB*
   Observe if any ttyUSB exist.  If none came out, it might be just normal.

(4) Plug the USB cable into the ElmScan box and then to the PC.  Wait few seconds, the time the OS detects the USB device. 

(5) Check if the OS has detected the ElmScan device by entering the following command at the terminal:
   ls -l /dev/ttyUSB*

If detected, something like ttyUSBn (e.g. ttyUSB0) should appear.  n being the digit under which the ELM device has register with the PC.  Looking at the timestamps, it should also help you to identity which ttyUSB correspond to the Elm device.  If not detected, then investigate.  No need to go further with these instructions. 

(6) Take note of which serial ports are currently being used by the PC.  Enter the following command at the terminal:
  ls -l /dev/ttyS*
   Note: ttySm = COM(m+1), e.g. ttyS3 = COM4

(7) Map the Elm device to an unused serial port by entering the following command as root at the terminal:
  ln -s /dev/ttyUSBn /dev/ttySm
   or
  sudo ln -s /dev/ttyUSBn /dev/ttySm

   n being the digit under the ELM device register with the PC, and
   m being an unused serial port number.

  e.g. ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyS4

( Unplug the Elm device from the PC.
(9) Your installation should now work.

Operating the ElmScan5
--------------------------------------
(10) Have the PC turned on and ready to go.
(11) Follow the following sequence in which cables are to be plugged:
     (a) Plug the OBD-II cable into the car somewhere under the dash.
     (b) plug the OBD-II cable (D serial end) into the ElmScan box.
     (c) plug the USB cable into the ElmScan box.
     (d) plug the USB cable into the PC USB port.
(12) Start the ScanTool application, and configure the appropriate serial port under the "option" menu.  Select the COM port on which you have mapped the Elm device (e.g. ttyS4 = COM5), and the appropriate Baud rate (e.g. 38400).
(13) Turn the car ignition key to the "ON" position.
(14) Now the ScanTool application should be able to communicate with the car's ECU.  Do your car troubleshooting as required.
(15) To terminate, exist from the ScanTool application.  Unplug the USB cable from the PC and the car, then turn off the PC.

Enjoy,

[Vitaliy]

Thanks, softbirdy.

[TaoHawaii]

That's a great example of how a tutorial should be written.  Well done. 

I differ in my opinion on a matter of principal however.  I think that it is worth noting (explicitly) that although WINE is a fabulous piece of software and works well in a pinch,  It is not necessary in this instance as the scantool.net software works on Linux without it.  (As you accurately hinted to when you stated that you did not have to build or recompile (which for those who don't know are the same thing)).

./configure && make && make install
This line is how you compile the scantool.net software and it really isn't that bad.  There are people who have had success compiling and running scantool.net software natively (I include myself) without the use of WINE.

If you love WINE, use it.  But I believe that Linux as the windows alternative is every bit the equal if not the superior platform and deserves at least one shot at using its in-built functionality..

Thanks again for the effort and the well written tutorial..  Sorry if I sound derrogatory but running applications under WINE seems like a bastardization of all the things good and pure about Linux.  I reserve WINE for instances where I have no alternative but to run a specific windows only application.

[softbirdy]

Thanks TaoHawaii for the good words for the tutorial.

Regarding compiling ScanTool.net for Linux instead of using Wine, you are making an false assumption which is that Linux users are necessarily computer programmer or proficient users.  I am a Linux user because I became an anti-Microsoft and I did not choose Mac because the $$$.  This does not make me necessarily a highly proficient computer users, anyhow, not enough to use Make and GCC compiler.  So I glad to share with others my little knowledge on how to get Scantool.net to work on Linux with a minimal effort and computer knowledge.

However, if they are computer users around this forum that are proficient enough and can build Scantool.net for Linux and provide .deb or .rpm package for easy distribution that would be more than welcome.  Until then, people can rely on the above tutorial.

[softbirdy]

Here is additional discussion regarding this tutorial.  I used Ubuntu because, other than the fact that it is free, I can run it from an USB stick.  You may ask why?  I own a desktop at home but not a laptop.  Since I need a laptop to reach my car when I am working with my ElmScan, I borrow a laptop from work.  However my employer does not provide me with an Administrator access right.  So, by booting with Ubuntu on an USB stick, I bypass the default OS MS-Windows on the laptop and I am gaining admin right.  There after I install ScanTool.net on the USB stick once.  Whenever I need to work on my car, I borrow the laptop from my employer, plug the USB stick and ElmScan, and I am in business for some car diagnostic.  That is my cheep approach to car diagnostic.

[kd5byb]

Thanks so much for posting this!  I found myself without a Windows laptop but with an Ubuntu 9.04 machine.  With this tutorial I got ScanTool up and working just in time to diagnose the CEL on my wife's car...

Thanks so much!
-ben