PCM 2.1 Software Upgrade

[Guest]

Hi,
Don't know if this is of interest to anyone; but I just got my 10/04 C2S 997 back fromm my local OPC after a few minor bits of work. Whilst with them I asked for the PCM 2.1 upgrade to be carried out to allow TMC and a few other options to be enabled. Anyway when I collected it I was given a sealed box - part 000 044 900 88 - PCM 2.1 upgrade pack. When I got home and opened it I found I also have in it the "dealer use only" software update CD's 1 & 2. I ran these in the PCM CD loader and updated the: -
Phone software
System software
PCM software
MicPegel Motorola software

Once completed I popped the new Sat Nav DVD in the front bonnet mounted loader and hey presto - TMC enabled.

Now one with a enquiring mind wonders if one was to copy the disks - could anyone then use it and save the £350+ VAT I just shelled out. I know this was a contentious issue when the vehicle was first released, but lost track of members progress in coming to a suitable settlement with the OPC's and Porsche, Reading.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

The upgrade using the CD's is free at any OPC. BUT the compatible "updated" DVD is charged for. You will find that your old DVD will now not be recognised by the PCM (no problem). For others to use copies of your disks is a matter of suck and see. You could try copying the DVD and see if it works in your system. Beware that unofficial DVD's can and will invalidate the warranty if an OPC finds one installed. If my car was out of original warranty I would be happy to give it a go. So for now will have to wait until next April. Any volunteers?

 

[Guest]

Geoff,
Thanks for the reply... strange my OPC did not explain in more detail????
With regards to your comments, I have done just that, copied both the upgrade CD's and the NAV DVD and found when re-inserting the CD's the PCM states - "No upggrade required". The DVD works fine and I currently have a "backup" DVD loaded as I did with my previous version as I prefer to keep the original out of the vehicle.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

It looks like you have confirmed that original disks are not copy protected and that the copies work fine. what date DVD was supplied? I would gladly install the copy in mine if only the original would then still work for when car is at OPC for service etc. I would recommend you follow the same tactic to avoid any warranty hassles.

 

[Guest]

The DVD is dated 08.2005, which although is a year out of date it is the latest I believe. I know on my old 2004 DVD (which when inserted now shows "incompatible Data DVD") the M6 Toll road was not complete, whereas this one is. Do you know if the TMC gives Voice warnings of congestion etc as I know in my wife's Disco 3 it does. Not been in any affected areas to find out yet...

 

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

What is TMC?

How much is the updated SatNav DVD ?

Dave

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: dwhatley

Hi Guys,

What is TMC?

How much is the updated SatNav DVD ?

Dave

Hi Dave
TMC stands for Traffic Message Channel - a discreet data stream transmitted on the spare bandwith of some FM radio station signals (Classic FM). The idea is if you have planned a route and asked for Dynamic routing if there is a hold up indicated by the TMC the sat nav will automatically re-route your journey - or so the theory goes....Don't know the cost of just the Sat Nav DVD but the full upgrade cost me £354.00 + VAT. To find out if you have TMC enabled (early 997's did not due to an alleged licencing issue between Porsche & the TMC data supplier) go to info mesasges in PCM and see if you have TMC-Route and TMC-all options available.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

removed wromg forum

 

[snarf]

Slightly off-topic but thought you might be interested in my recent experiences of using dynamic sat nav and TMC while driving through Belgium on my way to Germany just over a week ago (I should point out this is my first experience of sat nav so some of the problems my be due to lack of experience).

The motorways around Antwerp are Belgium's answer to the M25 in spades. While stuck in stationary traffic the nice lady in the sat nav box said she knew a better way that would avoid the congestion - "take the next exit on the left". I obediently followed her instructions immediately finding myself in free flowing high speed light traffic, after a few more turns I was in what I suppose was the suburbs of Antwerp. Eventually stopping at a set of lights and expecting to proceed straight ahead on green my smug satisfaction at having such wonderful technology at my fingertips was shattered by the realisation that the road ahead was closed due to a problem in a tunnel, which was presumably the explanation for the motorway congestion. There were no diversion signs so on green I decided to turn left only to be reprimanded by now not so nice sounding sat nav lady - "do a U turn". I was now truly lost I couldn't use the sat nav to find a route back to the motorway and any attempt to use the sat nav merely directed me back to the closed tunnel. By following my nose I did eventually find a way out but I think the whole sorry episode cost me over an hour.

The TMC clearly had information on the motorway congestion but not on the tunnel closure which was possibly the root cause of the problem, so my advice is to think twice before deviating from your intended route, especially if you have limited local knowledge of the topography.

One final point of amusement if you should happen to turn on the sat nav while crossing another road, e.g. on a motorway flyover, you can get some very rapid and contradictory instructions, in the time it takes to say I was told to:
make a U turn
turn left
turn right
make a U turn

 

[robert997]

You're absolutely right, this happens in the UK too if the traffic info [provided by Traffic Master ?] doesn't cover the road you're being directed onto, such as a B-road. However, don't be dismayed, should this happen again you'll see in the top-right corner of the PCM a squiggly arrow button. Press this to re-route around a hold-up by entering the potential length of problem, e.g. 0.5 miles, and she'll hopefully have routed you around the tunnel and back onto her 'traffic-free' route.

Good Luck !

 

[snarf]

Rob, thanks for the tip - provided me with an excuse to spend a few minutes in the garage to experiment and retrieve the handbook. I will be driving up to Scotland next week so perhaps I will get a chance to use this but hopefully it will not be necessary.

Allan

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: snarf



The TMC clearly had information on the motorway congestion but not on the tunnel closure which was possibly the root cause of the problem, so my advice is to think twice before deviating from your intended route, especially if you have limited local knowledge of the topography.

I've found this function very useful when I haven't had local knowledge - I set off to a conference on the M25 1/2 an hour after my colleagues, and arrived 1.5 hrs earlier due to 5 diversions off the M25 at various points by the TMC - cutting the journey time round the M25 at morning rush hour by half.