LAST UPDATED: September 15, 2010
Sep 15, 2010:	Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS) Product Lifecycle
Jul 10, 2009:	The IDS/PDS Technicians viewable log now includes DTC Descriptions
Apr 29, 2009:	Revised 0.020' EVAP Leak Test
Jan 22, 2009:	PDS Installation: Two .CAB Files Loaded
Sep 15, 2010	Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS) Product Lifecycle
Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS) Product Lifecycle
The PDS scan tool product is being phased out. Listed below are the key milestones of the PDS plan. PDS sales ended - December 31, 2008 PDS software updates are discontinued - September 2010 Final PDS software release (DVD and web based) - November 2010 End of PDS technical information support - December 31, 2010
The following PDS functional changes will be noticed beginning with release R69 which will be delivered in September 2010: Software Update No PDS software updates will be provided after version R69 has been made available. Automatic software updates that have been initiated by the PDS File Manager (PFM) will be disabled. Manual attempts to retrieve software updates will result in a message stating that no updates are available. Users selecting the following menu items will be directed to use IDS to complete the module programming task. Module Reprogramming Programmable Module Installation Programmable Parameters When PDS is unable to identify a vehicle (for example, 2012 Model Year and newer), the user will be directed to use IDS to diagnose the vehicle issue.
This matrix shows the tool support once PDS release R69 arrives:
Jul 10, 2009:	The IDS/PDS Technicians viewable log now includes DTC Descriptions
Effective in R62, the technician's viewable log will include the Selftest DTC descriptions for each Selftest DTC logged.
Apr. 29, 2009:	Revised 0.020' EVAP Leak Test
A revised 0.020' EVAP Leak Test is now available for use in diagnosing EVAP system leaks. Some of the test features include the ability to identify the actual leak size, pass or fail results based on vehicle calibration, plotting of the vacuum degradation via an X/Y plot, and comprehensive leak detection diagnostics. Also, an EVAP Toolbox feature has been added to provide additional flexibility for diagnosing concerns with pulling target vacuum, checking bleed-up, verifying the EVAPCP functionality, and checking vapor generation. The revised test is currently available on the vehicles listed below and coverage will be expanded over the next several releases to include additional vehicles.
2006 – 2010 Explorer / Mountaineer / Sportrac 2006 – 2010 Focus 2006 – 2010 Escape / Mariner 2006 – 2010 Fusion / Milan / MKZ 2010 Transit Connect
This revised test replaces the existing EVAP test and can be accessed by selecting Toolbox/Powertrain/Fuel/EVAP Test.
Jan. 22, 2009:	PDS Installation: Two .CAB Files Loaded
You may notice a small change in the PDS R59 installation process. A new file, named PDS_APPS.ARM.CAB, will be loaded following the PDS.ARM.CAB file near the end of the installation process. This change is being made to accommodate a Windows Mobile 2003 limit on the number of files that can be included in a .CAB (application installation) file.