Replacing my old ASUS laptop with …

[ozfrog]

Hello wise people,

I’m not a Windows person. I detest Windows! I know nothing about Windows. I’m happy to stay like that. (I was a Windows user 25 or more years ago, but not now. Windows 3.1 was the last version I used. Does that date me?)

I bought the ASUS laptop with the Lexia equipment and software from an Aussiefrogs member maybe 6 years ago. He warned me to have the battery fully charged before I took the laptop to the car to do any work. The battery has deteriorated severely since then! I can’t buy a replacement battery in Australia. And then there’s the problem that I can’t upgrade the computer. It has an IDE interface. People look at me and laugh when I ask them about putting in anything other than the rusty, spinning drive that’s in there now.

Last week, I went to look for a laptop to run this software. It was eye opening. People were telling me that I would need at least 8 Gb RAM because I need to run an emulator and then the software on top of that.

My first question is whether that’s correct or not.

Then someone else suggested that an early model Surface laptop would be a good idea. I’ve known a couple of people who have owned a Surface laptop and they thought they were good. But would they be suitable in this instance?

So that’s my second question.

I’ll leave it there for you to answer my questions please. After you have answered the questions, I’m more than happy for you to give me your advice. But please, do answer my questions before you give me your advice.

Spoiler: show

Predictive text keeps telling me to type address or number when I have typed ‘give me your …’. I really don’t think I need your address or your number!

[mickthemaverick]

I had the same problems with the battery on my old diagnostic laptop and in the end by far the cheapest solution was a 50m extension lead to the car and I kept it plugged in. Worked for me!!

[myglaren]

Batteries on both my laptops are dead, just use them on the adaptor.
No diagnostics here though.

[Mihael_M]

You have a lot of unresolved questions. If you are not good with computers, you should find a friend to help you. We don't know what programs you have now, which operating system and which diagbox (program) is on that laptop of yours. Since you have older cars, you need an older version of diagbox. "People were telling me that I would need at least 8 Gb RAM because I need to run an emulator and then the software on top of that". It is not necessary, there are other solutions. So, if you would tell me which operating system you have now and which version of Diagbox, I can suggest a solution.I also think that buying a used laptop is a good solution, better than buying a new battery.

[ozfrog]

I had the same problems with the battery on my old diagnostic laptop and in the end by far the cheapest solution was a 50m extension lead to the car and I kept it plugged in. Worked for me!!

I understand that solution, and it’s something that I use when absolutely nothing else is available to me. But it is not convenient. I’m sure you understand that.

My wife doesn’t like having the extension lead running so far out from either the house or the garage. I don’t know if you experience this problem or not, but it is something that I have to consider.

Batteries on both my laptops are dead, just use them on the adaptor.
No diagnostics here though.

As I explained in my response to Mick, it isn’t really a long- term option for me.

Thanks to both of you for your suggestion.

[ozfrog]

You have a lot of unresolved questions.

I’m sure I have! But maybe they are not the same as you think they are. Let’s find out.

If you are not good with computers,

I didn’t say that. I specifically mentioned Windows.

I’m retired now, but I spent most of my working life with mainframe computers. I think I have a pretty good idea of computers. Just not Windows. Oh, and Linux. No interest in it. I used to use Windows. I said that in my original post. It was just a long time ago, Windows 3.1 is the last one I remember using.

Plus, I’m a Mac user now. I don’t want to use Windows anymore unless I am forced to.

you should find a friend to help you.

Most of them are Mac users now. Especially since Windows 11, they tell me!

We don't know what programs you have now, which operating system and which diagbox (program) is on that laptop of yours.

I’m sorry. That’s a mistake on my part. I should have included that information in my original post. Please forgive me for my oversight.

• Windows 7 (illegal copy, as it keeps reminding me),

• An xps to pdf converter (I don’t remember the name of it. And I should probably remove it from the laptop because it generally doesn’t work.)

• DiagBox 7.02

As far as I know, that’s everything that’s on the laptop. The previous owner might have removed some Windows software that he considered unnecessary. I know that he removed the network card from the laptop to ensure that DiagBox couldn’t seek and update itself. Whether or not he removed any associated software, I don’t know.

Since you have older cars,

My friends have complimented me on having bought such new cars! And now I’m being told that they’re older cars. I’m not sure who to believe.

you need an older version of diagbox.

Is 7.02 old enough?

Can I get something more recent than that? Will something more recent still work with my ‘older’ cars?

"People were telling me that I would need at least 8 Gb RAM because I need to run an emulator and then the software on top of that". It is not necessary, there are other solutions.

I’m definitely interested to know what these other options are.

So, if you would tell me which operating system you have now and which version of Diagbox, I can suggest a solution.

Has what I’ve told you already been enough?

I also think that buying a used laptop is a good solution, better than buying a new battery.

I’m glad we agree with each other on this one.

Thanks for your response.

[xantia_v6]

If the only issue with your current system is the battery, then it may be worth asking a couple of questions.

Which model of Asus? What is the marked output voltage of the power adapter?

[Mihael_M]

Windows 7 and Diagbox 7.02 is enough for your cars. Since I also had a laptop with a bad battery, I was about to make an adapter from 12 V to 19 V, which is the same as my laptop (so I would connect it to the car battery). For me, an electronics engineer, it's not a problem, but it's not for nothing, and then I found a used laptop with a good battery for 50 Euros, which solved my problem.
"People were telling me that I would need at least 8 Gb RAM because I need to run an emulator and then the software on top of that".This is done by people who have one laptop and use it for everything (normal running stuff and self-diagnostics). That laptop has 8 GB of memory and a new operating system (Windows 10 or 11) and to use diagbox 7.02 you have to install an emulator (VMware) and then diagbox 7.02. That's why it's better to find an older laptop designed for Windows 7 with a good battery and just use diagbox on it . But if your current laptop is suitable for your auto diagnostic needs, check how much you can get a new battery for.

[Paul-R]

It doesn't have to be Windows 7. I phoned Jim at EasyDiagnostics a couple of weeks about reinstalling Diagbox and he said that Windows 10 works fine and is easier to find the suitable drivers and updates.

[Kees]

But then Windows 10/32bit

[Paul-R]

Jim did say that if you don't want/need to use the embedded 16 bit PP2000 or Lexia programs you can even use Windows 64 bit. So that's basically pre-2008 vehicles that couldn't be read in that case.

[ozfrog]

If the only issue with your current system is the battery, then it may be worth asking a couple of questions.

Maybe not the only issue. Stephenson showed his new invention, The Rocket, shortly after this particular laptop was released. And The Rocket won the speed trial!

Which model of Asus?

What is the marked output voltage of the power adapter?

[ozfrog]

Windows 7 and Diagbox 7.02 is enough for your cars. Since I also had a laptop with a bad battery, I was about to make an adapter from 12 V to 19 V, which is the same as my laptop (so I would connect it to the car battery). For me, an electronics engineer, it's not a problem, but it's not for nothing, and then I found a used laptop with a good battery for 50 Euros, which solved my problem.
"People were telling me that I would need at least 8 Gb RAM because I need to run an emulator and then the software on top of that".This is done by people who have one laptop and use it for everything (normal running stuff and self-diagnostics). That laptop has 8 GB of memory and a new operating system (Windows 10 or 11), and to use DiagBox 7.02, you have to install an emulator (VMware) and then diagbox 7.02. That's why it's better to find an older laptop designed for Windows 7 with a good battery and just use DiagBox on it. But if your current laptop is suitable for your auto diagnostic needs, check how much you can get a new battery for.

In a way, I could get by with just a new battery. However, the computer is old and slow. Very slow. I don't think it is suitable for me to use, even just for DiagBox. I didn't think I was impatient until I got this laptop!

[xantia_v6]

If you don't mind the slowness, you could get something like: https://www.jaycar.com.au/150w-car-lapt ... zdq4yX-tIS
To run it from the car, but you really need to leave the engine running to avoid a flat battery.

[Tr7v8]

I'll declare an interest here as I work for Dell UK. But the very latest laptops all use USB C which makes life so much easier.
Our work ones are renewed every 3 years and my latest Inspiron uses a more powerful 95W (I think) which has a USB connector. When I travel which I do a lot means I use the same supply for my phone and my personal tablet. No longer do I need myriad PSUs and cables in my case.