Hmm, did you do any test on your vehicle? Run the health check to see if TechStream show any DTC.

 

I have tech stream for my RCF, wife's NX and my daily Solara. I used to run it on a 32bit version of windows 7. Then I couldn't access certain things on my RCF because of the version number which was around 12 for tech stream. I installed v14.*** something on my spare windows 10 laptop that is 64 bit. Other than manually extracting the drivers out of the msi file and then pointing the hardware to the drivers I didn't have to do anything else. Everything works as it should just like before, but this time I can fully see everything on my newer lexus.
The health check goes through all systems and reports back everything. I'm in IT so software/hardware isn't hard to me. But for someone that has never done stuff I can see it being confusing if you don't know how or what to look for.

Many how-to videos on youtube and google. You could even purchase it from Toyota for a few days/month and you'll get a legit copy. You would just have to buy the mongoose cable.

Most of the crap from eBay and Amazon are riddled with viruses with the disc they give you...

But if you plan on doing any type of work on Toyota/Lexus vehicles you should 100% have Tech Stream.

I programmed my credit card key to my car, and the dealer wanted to charge $100 to do it...ROFL. It took me all of 5 minutes to do via TechStream. It's cool to unlock certain features depending on the model, such as windows down with the unlock button on the keyfob..etc.

-Nigel

 

Yup, works on ct200h and on sc430 both..shows codes, i did tpms on sc430, looks like it works just fine

 

Nigel, this is pretty much my concern......finding a reliable source. As an IT guy, any way you can point us in the direction of finding a non-virus loaded copy? And do you have a potential recommendation on the cable?

Thanks.

 

I bought mine years ago for the cable on eBay. At the time it was the only one with the newest firmware for the cable which is what I was looking for. The cd that came with the cable when I scanned it for viruses was nothing but riddled with them, so it went in the trash. I'd have to look when I get home as I have a couple things bookmarked for Tech stream. But there are several Youtube vids that walk you through the process of downloading and installing/setting everything up. I believe the newest cable firmware now is 2 something, but that seems hard to find for some reason.

When I was browsing amazon it seems like that's a hit or miss. Most cables there have bad reviews unfortunately.

-Nigel

 

It's not "riddled with viruses". Those are the cracks.

 

Anyone not knowing and just installs the software is going to have viruses/malware on their computer. I would assume the majority of people have no clue it's the "cracks" that are the viruses since most people that are buying the cable/software are just installing it and hoping they can use it on their cars.

If you get a legit copy of TechStream it should be fine. But anything that is coming from the majority of vendors on amazon/ebay is going to be tampered with.

-Nigel

 

whatever you might think about viruses vs cracks, thats your opinion, but to avoid all that nonsense - buy a cheap laptop, i got one on flea market for 20 bucks, install it and use it just for that. you will be fine

 

I bought ver 10 software and 1.41 firmware cable in 2016. Installed to Win XP fine. No virus. Gave that away then bought Ver 13 and 2.04 firmware in 2017. Installed to Win 10, also fine. No vírus. Dumped the Ver 13 and downloaded Ver 12 from the link. Everything is OK. I’m happy.

 

I haven't spoken with anyone who actually had their computer infected by a techstream supplier virus (I've got about a decade of experience), but lots who were worried when their virus software alarmed.

This might be helpful when thinking/worrying about a virus in the software. Two things cause windows defender, and other anti-virus routines, to alarm.

1 - whatever sort of hack the supplier provides to allow use of Techstream without going through official Toyota channels.
and
2 - some suppliers provide software that modifies the system registry to use the clone cable vice the OEM Mongoose solution (pretty much mandatory for 64-bit solutions). Microsoft will alert on any software that writes directly to the registry.

If an alert is attributed to either of them, then there is a good chance of a false alarm.

Safest solution for those uncomfortable about this is a cheap laptop that doesn't connect to the net, including your in-home net.

 

I am pretty sure I had two cables at one point as well just like you. My one was 1.4.1 firmware. Apparently I can't find both cables but the cable I pulled from my laptop bag with techstream on it I decided to check the firmware. And it is 2.0.4 which is ideally the one you want. I should have figured that is what it was because I programmed my RCF smart key system by adding the credit card key a couple months back. If it was the v1.4.1 I don't think it would have been able to do it. I probably gave the original cable I had to someone probably after I got this one years back. It's been a blur...lol.

Agreed though on the laptop. I have one specifically just for techstream. It doesn't touch my network or anything like that an all wifi/ethernet is disabled. I have one for our MB as well and it's multiplexer.

I checked out Ali Express and they do have the 2.0.4 cable and it appears to be in stock. Prices definitely seem higher than years ago but I guess with how our world is now, it's to be expected.

Yay for checking on the firmware! :-)



-Nigel