Saturday, September 26, 2015

BMW Tools on Windows 10

After upgrading from Windows 7 32-bit to Windows 10 32-bit. I reinstalled BMW Tools and documented the process for my own reference. The OBD2 cable interface is from One-Stop-Electronics. Their cable works for E6x and E9x vehicles that I have worked with. There are cheaper or incompatible cables in the marketplace.
  • Install USB cable driver (eg FTDI virtual COM port driver)
  • Step_1_Install_BMW_Tools.exe
  • Step_2_Install_INPA.exe
  • Step_3_UPDATE.exe
  • English_NCSExpert_4.0.1_with_v54.3_Coding_Files.rar
    • robocopy.exe /s /xo *.* [sourcedir] [targetdir]
  • Download NCS Dummy and the related NCS Dummy profile from a post on BimmerForums.
  • Review:
    • C:\EDIABAS\Bin\obd.ini
    • C:\EDIABAS\Hardware\OBD\OBDSetup.exe
    • C:\NCSEXPER\CFGDAT\NCSEXPER.TXT (is in English at and least 8,145 bytes)
  • Verify / create Window shortcuts for:
    • INPA - C:\EC-APPS\INPA\BIN\INPALOAD.exe (Compatibility: Windows 7)
    • EDIABAS Tool32 - C:\EDIABAS\Bin\TOOL32.EXE (Compatibility: Windows XP SP3)
    • NCS-Expert - C:\NCSEXPER\BIN\NCSEXPER.EXE (Compatibility: Windows 7)
    • NCS-Dummy - C:\NCSDUMMY\NcsDummy.exe
    • They do not require "Run as administrator"; compatibility mode is as indicated
  • Connection process:
    • Start EDIABAS
    • Connect USB cable to OBD-II port
    • Turn engine on, but do not start
    • Test EDIABAS (Job / Ecu Info)
    • Exit EDIABAS
    • Start INPA
    • INPA should indicate battery and ignition status as ON
    • Exit INPA
    • Start NCS-Expert
Happy coding!

BMW Lead The Way

Free Route Planning Software For the CIC and NBT Onboard Navigation System


BMW Lead The Way software runs on Windows (tested in Windows 10). It has the ability to display traffic condition, weather (may be deprecated by Google), gas stations, parking, airports, BMW service, route preview, and to include/avoid highways and toll road. Software works with BMW NBT and CIC navigation systems, but CIC systems require coding to enable route import (NAVI_TRIP_IMPORT).

The Software uses public Google Maps API and is limited to 10 waypoints, including the start and destination. Occasionally, the software "Add itinerary" function stops working. Use "Reload Map" to refresh the map display.

The software author TokenMaster has posted more information about the BMW Lead The Way software at a BimmerFest forum post.