Non Game Program Question

[atech514]

Hey guys. So I have a question that I was hoping someone here would be able to help me with. I realize this doesn't have to do with gaming, but I've used information on this forum that relates to the issue I am having.

Some of you may be in the same boat as me. I drive a Subaru Sti, and recently the tuning company Cobb has made big changes to their tuning software that removes the ability of the user to have access to specific features that in all honesty defeat the purpose of even using the product. The program requires internet access and from what I can tell will only start if connection to a host server is made.

Is there a way to change a specific file in the program folder to stop that process or skip it and allow the software to run without being connected to a host server?

 

I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this, or even the right website. Any info either way is appreciated. Thank you.

 

 

[HeyYou]

It's possible that 'feature' is baked into the exe file.... in which case, defeating it ain't gonna be easy, and will require a rather specialized skill set/tools. (need to decompile the exe, find the code, and then come up with a way to neutralize it.) Real curious why the company that wrote it would require that though.... seems to me, that if you want to do data logging, chances are real good you won't be able to maintain an internet connection while driving around.

 

I might be more tempted to find a different software package, that doesn't have the limitations your current software does. Not too familiar with the Subaru tuning scene though, so, not sure just how many options you have..... Might have a look at HP Tuners, and see if they support your car.

[atech514]

I appreciate the reply and insight. It seems to be something that is definitely out of my scope of understanding and I doubt it's something I would be able to tackle at this point in time. A little background on how this all works just to clarify. Accesstuner is the tuning software and the Accessport is the device that is used to communicate with the cars ECU. So the Accessport is able to data log and store the tune files for you to load onto the ECU at any point in time, while Accesstuner is used for adjusting the tune file and reading the data logs. I would think they assume that a tuner using their software is doing so on a dyno instead of the street and that they have access to internet either in the building or with a hot spot.

 

But here is something I've tried and I can't say for sure whether this actually worked or not since I was afraid of opening the Accesstuner and it auto updating on me. So I had left my laptop in airplane mode, Accesstuner would not fully open because there was no internet access. But, the Accessport software which is separate would open up. Once that was opened it gave me a prompt to check for updates for the Accessport software. With this in mind I figured that the Accessport software had a function that allowed it to connect to Cobbs host for updates and that they would be similar enough but different in its functionality that I could share files between the Accessport and Accesstuner software. When I opened up the Accessport folder and looked over the files I found 2 .dll files that shared a common name with a variation in the numbers. I.E. (msvcp120.dll) and (msvcr120.dll) in the Accessport folder and (msvcp71.dll) and (msvcr71.dll) in the Accesstuner folder. Since these are both application extension files, I figure with my very limited understanding of software these files add a predetermined function to the software to perform an action. So I copied the Accessport .dll files and swapped them into the Accesstuner folder.

 

I then turned my internet back on and opened Acesstuner. The program loaded, and I was asked if I wanted to perform an update and I chose no. The software fully opened and I was able to access everything normally. In the bottom right hand corner of the software it states that it is offline.

 

So this could be a normal function of Accesstuner, and swapping those files could have done nothing/cause a problem I am unaware of right now. With that said Accesstuner did not update and I can still access the functions that were removed from the software that does come with the update.

[HeyYou]

Once the software is up and running, can you drive around without it getting upset that it's connection went away?

 

If the software actually gives you a CHOICE on whether or not to update, "just Say No." takes on a whole new meaning. :D

 

I assume your car is 96 or newer? (OBDII) and thus, flash programmable?