FAQs
We have decided to provide these pages of information relating to frequently asked questions regularly received via our technical helpline. This is being offered as a free service to our customers as an alternative to paying for premium rate telephone calls. I hope you will find the following useful.
2. When running the decoding program, the system displays a 'hardware not found' message.
3. When running the decoding program, the system displays a 'system malfunction' message.
5. Is there any limit to the number of PCs that the decoding software can be installed?
7. The green LED on the A-400 decoder does not glow when decoding any micro based radios.
8. I occasionally get intermittant reads on radios using the P3 probe
10. I received my updated software but no PCB layout sheets.
18. Do you supply spare parts for radios and radio/cassettes etc?
19. One or more wires have come off of my Probe 7. What can I do?
The decoding software will need to be re-configured. To do this, from the Licensee screen, press the key combination [SHIFT+F1]. When prompted for the master password, enter your password (or the default password if this has not been changed) and press <ENTER>. Select option 6 from the utilities menu and insert your first program disk into the floppy drive. Select the letter (A or B) as appropriate and a list of all radio types will be displayed. *Move the cursor to the first radio type you wish to configure and press Y once only. If the system bleeps and asks you to confirm, just ignore this and move the cursor to the next selection.* Follow the above procedure from * to * until all software has been configured (you may need to swap disks several times) and finally press <ENTER>. Press the escape key to exit the configuration screen and escape once more and you should see the message 'DATA Recorded'. At this point press <ENTER> to load the main menu screen and you should see that your software is fully highlighted and ready to run.
2. When running the decoding program, the system displays a 'hardware not found' message
Make sure the red LED on the decoders front panel is lit. If not, check the power supply leads are not reversed. Check the decoders internal fuse and replace, if necessary, with a 1 amp quick blow device. Make sure the decoder is connected to the correct COMs port on the PC. The default setting is COM1. To change the port setting, proceed as follows :-
From the DOS prompt, type cd\decoder and press<ENTER>. Now type exactly as shown: SETPORT COM2 <ENTER> to change to COM port 2, or SETPORT COM1 <ENTER> for COM port 1. After changing the port setting, type CD\ <ENTER> to go back to the root directory. Check to see if the 12v power supply to the decoder is plugged into the dc input jack of the unit - not the aux jack.
If you are using a battery to power the decoder, make sure it's on-load terminal voltage is at least 11.5 volts. For best results, we recommend a power supply rated between 12 and 14 volts, rather than a battery.
3. When running the decoding program, the system displays a 'system malfunction' message
Your computers mouse is probably connected to the COM port that the decoding program is set to. Initially, the decoding program will default to COM 1. See question 2 for information on changing the port setting.
4. The program loads but displays the message 'hardware located and working but incorrect serial number' and starts counting down from 999
An A-400 decoder with a different serial number to that of the installed software has been connected to the PC. Connect the correct decoder to the PC and let the counter decrement to 000. Enter the master password to reset the system.
5. Is there any limit to the number of PCs that the decoding software can be installed?
There are no restrictions. You may install the software on as many PCs as you wish and you can make as many backups of the software as you deem necessary.
6. I keep getting an invalid code displayed especially when decoding micro based radios eg. Grundig SC303s
Although the latest version of our software caters for high speed PCs, some radios & ECUs (processor based) won't decode. Therefore, to decode these units, you will need to use a PC with a processor speed no greater than 200Mhz. Check that you have power to both ignition and ACC connectors on the radio. In the case of Ford radios, you will also need to have both grounds connected. The power for the radio should be derived from the A-400s AUX jack unless otherwise stated. In the case of earlier radios - the ones fitted with a rotary type on/off volume control, make sure the switch is in the ON position. When using probes P7, P9 or P10, it is a good idea to spray the pins of the processor chip within the radio with switch cleaner prior to fitting the probe in order to ensure a low resistance connection. Also, after fitting the probe, make sure you press the lock levers into place to clamp the probe on to the chip firmly.
7. The green LED on the A-400 decoder does not glow when decoding any micro based radios.
Check the AUX fuse inside the A-400 decoder. If blown, this should be replaced with a 1 amp quick blow device - definately no higher.
8. I occasionally get intermittant reads on radios using the P3 probe.
Through use, the pins of the P3 probe have a tendancy to work their way back from the tip of the probe, resulting in lost connections to the chip being decoded. The remedy is to slide the pins back into place with a small screwdriver. Make sure the jaws of the P3 probe are fully open and try to avoid using excessive pressure when fitting over the chip.
Instead of using the 470 ohm resistor as suggested, try a 220 ohm as we have found that tolerances vary somewhat on these radios.
10. I received my updated software but no PCB layout sheets.
If you have received your software on CD ROM, there is a PCB layout file recorded on the disk. Alternately, if you are missing any layouts, they are available for download from our web site - just click here and select the ones you want.
The Eeprom has worn out. Replace it with a new one and the fault will clear.
12. Someone sent me a 24C02 Eeprom from a Philips radio to decode, but when I connect the probe to the device, I get an invalid code.
Try placing the chip in a DIL socket with pins 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7 linked together.
13. I have obtained the code for a Ford Traffic model but the set shows LOCK 10 when powered up. How can I enter the code?
Press ( and hold ) preset 6 for a few seconds until CODE is displayed. You will get a further 3 attempts at code entry. In the case of the 2006 models, pressing both SELECT and MANUAL keys simultaneously will permit one further attempt.
14. I have obtained the code for a Blaupunkt radio but the set is locked and I cannot enter the code.
In most cases, pressing 1 and 4 or 1 and FM while switching the radio on will reset the timer lock and permit entry of the code.
15. I have received for decoding a Blaupunkt key card radio but the customer has lost his card. What can I do?
We can supply both passive and active key cards for Blaupunkt radios. After fitting the card, enter the code using the method described above and the radio will re-program itself to the new card.
16. After connecting up one of the display emulators to a radio and computer, there is no activity on the PCs screen.
The radio and emulator MUST be connected via a common power supply in order to maintain a signal ground throughout. Make sure the emulator program running on the PC is set to the correct COM port, ie. not attempting to communicate with another device.
17. I am a beginner as far as decoding radios is concerned and realise that there is a 'learning curve' involved in the complete understanding of the concept, but I want to start straight away. Do you provide any sort of training?
We can provide training for both radio and ECU decoding at our premises at a cost of £50.00 + Vat for a half day course. You will also be provided with a demo CD for future reference.
18. Do you supply spare parts for radios and radio/cassettes etc?
We keep stocks of common components and frequently used components for various products as well as a complete set of spares for our decoding equipment.