If the mapping and OS software are installed on a 2.5" hdd or ssd, I wonder if a similar bare drive from a BMW 5 series or X5 would be a straight swap? They'd be much easier to find than a sacrificial FF.

By swapping the bare drive, we may get around the differences in communication buses.

It could also negate the need for JLR specific hardware and maybe even the activation code.

The middle connector in the eBay photos looks suspiciously like a Firewire 400 connector.

If the spec of the hdd was correct, it would not be difficult to exceed those performance figures with an SSD!

Mike

from memory when I read up on this a while back the machine they use is basically a HDD which is plugged into the FireWire port. The head unit itself then searches for the new mapping data on the external drive and updates itself.

Which would lead us to think that if it was possible to configure a slave drive with the updates on it in a way the head unit can read it will pull what it is looking for over itself?

In theory......

So a cheap HDD with the correct cabling would do the job. Then it’s just down to finding a suitable mapping update.

Or am I being naive enough to think it’s anything like that simple. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Hi,
Thanks Greg, already read all of that. Further down in the update instructions it indicates the hdd is integrated with the screen.
I have also sent the seller of that unit a message.

Mike, that is one option.
That means pulling the unit anyway though.
My objective is to find a way to get the latest map release (of whatever type or source) and make it compatible with our cars, and load without having to pull the unit. I want to examine the hdd though to see what is stored, plus check out the firmware.

Nmj, I think you are right.

I am speculating, but I don't think the map data for our cars is any different to other lr models, and may not be any different to other makes.
The install instructions suggest a map release is installed on the lr approved update device (probably a laptop).
For our cars the firewire drive is plugged into it and the drive formatted, then data copied.
This suggests the dealer gets a single release for a given version, not one release per vehicle. There is also a single unlock code, not one per vehicle as I previously thought.

If someone has purchased a USB update for a later car, or even if someone with an 08 or 09 car has maps on dvd, I would be interested to have a chat, and possibly have a loan / copy to investigate. Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

if the hdd can be made to run win-ce then igo primo could be a choice of nav software.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

mpirie wrote:

The middle connector in the eBay photos looks suspiciously like a Firewire 400 connector.

John w wrote:

if someone with an 08 or 09 car has maps on dvd, I would be interested to have a chat, and possibly have a loan / copy to investigate.

in addition to johns offer i have the iso for download if it helps. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Could be a FireWire 800 connector. Can’t remember exactly, the update device is simply a HDD I’ve seen a pic of it, I think there’s instructions in rave with a special tool number, which you x ref on the net for a pic.

This is the tool

https://jlrequipment.service-solutions.com...RIGINAV160

I think they use a diagnostic laptop to update the device first then it plugs into the car.

Would need to be a fire wire to fire wire link to the car tho as FireWire To USB isn’t a thing.

Hey are having the same issues on disco4

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic116499.html There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Firewire 800 uses 9-pin from what I can glean. I don't think that 800 would have been out long enough to be ready to be used in vehicles sold Aug 09 considering development to production lead-times.

You could buy the 1m cable from the LR tool store....price is a snip at £300.....

https://www.cablestogo.com/learning/connector-guides/firewire

FireWire guide.

Anyone got a pic of the connector under the dash? I did find it a while ago but I’m not near the car at the mo. I’m wondering if simply connecting a Mac to the FireWire via its own FireWire, will let us have a look at the Hdd? There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

A USB-A plug with the metal shield removed fits nicely into the socket and has the same contact spacing. I have a short USB extn lead with the metal shiedl removed that then plugs into a USB to FW 4-pin lead that is straight through pin for pin. As most FW PC adaptor cards have 6-pin and 9-pin fw sockets, a 4-pin to 6/9 pin adaptor would also be needed.

However as the HDD specs suggest that the HDDs have standard interfaces and therefore unlikely to also have a FW connection then perhaps the FW link is only used by the nav computer to retrieve the map file from the diagnostic tool. Later vehicles with USB ports for loading new maps are most unlikely to use USB to communicate with the HDD, only using USB to read the map files.

Hi,
Just plugging into the port won't get you access to the hdd. It is connected to the MCU (CPU).
It is the MCU within the touchscreen unit that reads the drive and updates it's maps.

Stan, I'm not sure just how practical it is to try to install a custom android OS.
The MCU is a triple core Arm Cortex, with lots of embedded interfaces.
Whilst I could decompile the embedded code (and it's certainly an option), that's a way down the list of things to look at.

I have a firewire hdd I can use, and will buy one of those head units.
That will get some answers at least.

I Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

The connector
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic40829-15.html

Please post cost of head unit and if you have paypal i can share the cost with you. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

Thought I’d taken a pic......

Looking at it, it’s not like either of the FireWire connectors listed, as you say it does look like a USB would kinda fit in. The point of FireWire is that 2 devices can communicate without a host controller.

It does look like LR has pulled a fast one an put a non standard connector in here to stop folks meddling. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial