Usage:
5130 (5ZL, 7TJ),
5230 (7LL) Excavators;
784B (5RK) Tractor;
785B (6HK),
789B (7EK),
793B (1HL) Trucks;
994 (9YF) Wheel Loaders
VIMS-PC V2.0 Service Tool Software And OS/2
The VIMS-PC V2.0 Service Tool software will operate with Microsoft Windows version 3.1 and Windows 3.11 for Workgroups. A later version of VIMS-PC Service Tool software will work with Windows 95. Caterpillar does not support VIMS-PC Service Tool software for the OS/2 operating system. VIMS-PC Service Tool software will not operate in a DOS window or a Microsoft Windows window in OS/2.
If the OS/2 platform must be used, make sure OS/2 is installed with a DOS partition. The OS/2 operating system, if installed with a DOS partition, provides a dual boot platform. This will allow the user to start the computer in the DOS partition and then operate the VIMS-PC Service Tool software with the installed version of Microsoft Windows.
To get to the DOS partition when the PC starts in OS/2, click on the Dual Boot icon in the OS/2 file manager. Answer Yes to the DOS BOOT prompt message. OS/2 will shut down and the computer will restart to DOS. Type Win to start Windows at the DOS prompt and proceed from there.
VIMS-PC V2.0 Service Tool Software Communications Issues
Some settings in Windows affect the way the VIMS-PC Service Tool software communicates with the VIMS on-board software. If communications errors occur or corrupted data is transmitted to the VIMS-PC Service Tool software, make sure the Communications Port parameters in the Windows Control Panel Program are set to the correct value.
The Windows Control Panel is located in the Main group in Windows Program Manager. Place the cursor arrow over the group icon called Main in Windows Program Manager. Double-click the left mouse button to bring up the Main group of program icons. Place the cursor arrow over the Control Panel icon and double-click the left mouse button to open the Control Panel program.
In the Control Panel window, place the mouse pointer on the Ports icon and double-click the left mouse button. Double-click on the port used to communicate (Com 1, Com 2,) with the VIMS on-board software. The Communicate-Preferences screen in the VIMS on-board software shows the port used by the VIMS on-board software.
Select the following settings for proper communication between the VIMS-PC Service Tool software and the VIMS on-board software:
- BAUD RATE: 9600 (VIMS-PC Service Tool software will automatically connect at the highest possible Baud Rate)
- DATA BITS: 8
- PARITY: None
- STOP BITS: 1
- FLOW CONTROL: None (XON/XOFF can cause data transmission errors. Make sure Flow Control is set to NONE).
- DATA BITS: 8
Close the Ports screen after setting the Port parameters.
VIMS-PC V2.0 Service Tool Software And Computer Screen Savers
Windows allows the user to have a Screen Saver program activate after a period of time when the computer has no keyboard activity. The screen saver program takes control of the computer and usually puts an image on the screen that moves around to prevent an image from burning into screen. A Screen Saver program can interrupt communications which will result in a corrupted or inaccurate data download.
A Screen Saver program is controlled from the Windows Desktop icon in the Windows Control Panel. Open a Control Panel window, place the mouse pointer on the Desktop icon and double- click the left mouse button. For the best communications results, disable an existing screen saver by selecting None for Screen Savers. If you really want to use a Screen Saver program, set Screen Saver Delay Time to a value greater than the time needed to complete a data download. Normally 10 minutes is long enough.
VIMS-PC V2.0 Service Tool Software and Computer Battery Savers
Many laptop personal computers have a battery saver function built into the computer operating system. The battery saver function usually reduces battery power to the computer when there is no keyboard activity for a period of time. One of the ways a battery saver reduces power consumption is to shut off the communications ports. This will interrupt communications, which will result in a corrupted or inaccurate data download.
A way of preventing the screen saver or battery saver programs from starting is to periodically press either the Ctrl key, or the Alt key, or the Shift key on the computer keyboard during a data download. These keys, when pressed by themselves, will not provide any action to the VIMS-PC Service Tool software. They do signal the computer operating system that the keyboard is active and this prevents the screen saver or battery saver programs from starting.