2. How do I connect my VCM to a P-PC?

3. SD Card – Where should I install the PDS Data Store?

The PDS Data Store should be installed onto a Secure Digital (SD) memory card.  

4. SD Card – What are the minimum requirements for the SD card?

The minimum recommended capacity is 256MB.  

5. SD Card – How do I verify that my P-PC recognizes the SD card?

From the P-PC Today screen, select Start / Settings / System / Memory / Storage Card. Look for the SD card in the drop-down menu. If the SD card is listed, then the P-PC has successfully recognized it.  

6. SD Card – Why can't I select the grayed-out SD card?

The SD card may be write-protected. Remove the SD card from your P-PC. Move the write-protect switch to the unlocked position. Reinsert the SD card into the P-PC. And select the Restart/New Card button on the installation screen. If that does not work, verify that the SD card has enough free space to install the PDS Data Store.  

7. SD Card – Why is my SD card not listed as a possible location for the PDS Data Store?

If the SD card was inserted into the P-PC after the installation process was started, the P-PC may not have recognized it in time to display the selection. Select the Restart/New Card button on the installation screen. If this does not work, stop the PDS installation and verify that the P-PC recognizes the SD card.  

8. SD Card - After I select the Install button, the installer hangs-up at "Uninstalling Portable Diagnostic Software..." What     should I do?

Look at the P-PC screen. If an installation prompt is displayed, select OK. This should cause the installation to continue. If not, exit and restart the installation process.  

9. SD Card – Are there any restrictions on main memory usage after installing PDS?

PDS Software is required to be placed on the P-PC's Main Memory. After PDS installation, you may see more than 20MB free on main memory. This 20MB is required to be left free for proper PDS operation. Please do not use this space, as PDS operation will be impacted.  

10. SD Card – Is my P-PC's internal storage supported?

No, internal storage is not supported.  

11. SD Card – Is compact flash memory supported?

No, compact flash devices are not supported.  

12. SD Card – Can I insert, or remove, the SD card while my P-PC is turned ON?

No, SD card manufacturers suggest turning OFF the P-PC before inserting, or removing, the SD card.  

13. SD Card – Can I remove the SD card while it is being written to?

No, SD card manufacturers warn against this practice. Our testing has shown that this may render the SD card useless.  

14. SD Card – Does the SD card operate with a low battery charge on my P-PC?

No, the P-PC may not be able to recognize the SD card when its battery charge is low.  

15. Can I install PFM & PDS from the VCM DVD onto a Windows 98 PC?

No, the PFM & PDS installation may look as though it has completed successfully. But some required files do not get loaded properly. The VCM DVD will only install PFM & PDS onto Windows 2000 and Windows XP machines.  

16. What is the operating temperature of the PDS hardware?

The operating temperature range of the VCM is 0 – 50 °C (32 – 122°F). The operating temperature range of the PDS approved Pocket PC devices is 0 – 40 °C (32 – 104°F).  

17. If I remove the Pocket-PC battery, will I lose the PDS program?

Any user-loaded software programs can be lost from the Pocket-PC if the battery is not replaced immediately. The Pocket-PC's backup battery must be in good condition to provide data integrity while the main battery is removed.  

18. If the Pocket-PC battery completely discharges, will I lose the PDS program?

Any user-loaded software programs can be lost from the Pocket-PC if a dead battery is not replaced immediately. The Pocket-PC's backup battery must be in good condition to provide data integrity while the main battery is not able to provide power. Do not expect the backup battery to hold your data for more than 15 minutes after the main battery has completely discharged.  

1. PFM & PDS do not load properly on my Windows 98 PC. Will this be fixed?

No. Support for Windows 98 in Ford dealerships was dropped over two years ago. The PFM and PDS applications are no longer being tested on the Windows 98 operating system. Either upgrade your system to Windows XP Professional or install PFM / PDS on a PC that has Windows XP Professional.

Contact your Dealer Service Provider for information on upgrading to Windows XP Professional.

2. Will PDS work with Palm Pilots?

No, PDS is written for the Windows operating system and is specifically for the Pocket-PC

3. What is the minimum requirement Pocket-PC?

4. Will using PDS with a VCM remove the NGS+ program on the VCM?

Yes, to use NGS+ again you will have to reload NGS+ from DBS on your PC

5. Will PDS do Module Reprogramming?

PDS is capable of Module Reprogramming on some modules and some vehicles. Full coverage is provided by IDS.

6. Will PDS work with the CAN vehicle protocol?

Yes, the VCM was designed to support Ford/Lincoln/Mercury CAN

7. When will PDS be wireless to the VCM?

There are no plans to offer wireless functionality on PDS.

8. Can I use my Pocket-PC for other programs?

Yes, however PDS does require sufficient RAM free space to operate correctly. We do not recommend connecting other third party hardware devices to the Pocket-PC while using PDS, and all other programs should be stopped when running PDS

9. How will the software be updated?

The easiest option is to get all of your updates thru the Web.  DVD delivery is available at an additional cost when you purchase your VCM.

10. Will I need a high speed internet connection for PDS?

PDS requires PDS File Manger (PFM) to install the application and download calibration files. PFM requires an Internet connection. A high speed connection is not required, but due to the size of Module Calibration files and the frequency of reprogramming, a high speed connection is recommended

11. Can I perform ignition tests or other electronic measurements with PDS?

No, PDS is a vehicle communication link scan tool and is not capable of making any electronic measurements. The IDS software and the VMM (Vehicle Measurement Module) can be used to do electronic measurements.

12. What is the PDS Data Store?

The PDS Data Store consists of the PDS Database, Vehicle Session and Recording Files, and Module Configuration/Programming Files.

13. Does PDS support Villager?

PDS supports Villager from 2000MY forward.

14. Can I improve the battery life of my Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC?

15. How do I update my VCM to connect to the HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC?

1. What does PFM do for me?

PFM is installed on a Windows PC, and retrieves calibration files and database updates from the internet for PDS.  If the internet is unavailable, PFM can retrieve stored calibration files from the hard drive.

2. How do I know if PFM is up-to-date?

Open PFM, and click on "Version Information" on the tree in the left panel.  PFM will display the software and database versions in the upper right panel, as well as when it was last updated.

3. How do I check for updates on the web?

Under the Updates menu in PFM, select PFM Updates > Software Update

4. How do I schedule automatic updates from the internet?

The user option to schedule updates was removed with the release R60 introduction of FlexNet updates. On Internet connected PFM computers, FlexNet will check for software updates each time PFM is launched.

5. Can PFM print vehicle sessions from PDS?

Yes, follow the steps below:

1.       Synchronize your P-PC and open PFM

2.       Drag & drop the desired vehicle sessions from the P-PC panel in the lower right, to the PC window in the upper right

3.       Right click on the session in the PC window, and choose "Print"

6. Can PFM install PDS software on my Pocket-PC?

Yes.  Synchronize your P-PC, and then in PFM go to Updates > PDS Updates >Full Install

7. Why can’t my PFM retrieve updates from the internet?

PFM requires Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher to connect to the internet.  If you can use IE 5.5 or later to browse to a public web site, PFM should retrieve internet updates successfully.  For dealership networks that require an ID and password to access public sites,  go to the Tools > Options > Connection tab to store an ID and password for that purpose

8. Which Calibration "C" CD can be used with PFM?

Calibration files are now supplied on the VCM DVD.

9. Why is my printed PDS vehicle session incomplete?

The session may have been "open" on PDS when it was copied to PFM for saving and printing.  Delete the copied session from the PC, close the session on the P-PC, and try again.