idiots guide for HPTuner??
EDIT to original post For anyone getting ready to use their HPTuner, here is what I have learned.
First, download the the two programs you will be using: VCM REader and VCM Scanner. I believe you will be able to access the different tabs to get acquainted with the program. I didn't and found myself on the steep end of the learning curve. Go find the basic intro videos and click along with them.
Second, if you don't have a laptop, get one. You just need a basic one HPTuners gives the minimum specs. I paid $200 for a 3 yr old dell. If you are buying a laptop for this, remember you will have to do the internet password/chrome/whatever downloads you like have. Give yourself some time. I basically hate laptops, so I loaded the programs on my desktop also but you will need a USB adapter to mate the hptuner thing to your desktop, at least I did. I can't stand that fingerboard thing on laptops so I added a mouse to it. Much nicer IMHO. I am having to save files to thumb drive back and forth but it is worth it to me. Do what makes you feel good here.
So, Now you are ready to buy the HPTuner equipment and LICENSES-yes, more than one license is required. My vehicle is a 2012 Chevy Caprice and when I purchased the HPTuner equipment I paid the TWO required credits that were listed. BUUUTTTTTTT there is more. Those two credits ONLY allowed me to READ my car's information and make changes to the program. If you dig through all the verbiage on their website, somewhere you will find that you need ONE more credit to flash your vehicle. And one more thing, when you purchase a credit AFTER the initial install you MUST RESYNC your program. i.e. go to help tab and select 'resync' Nope, they don't mention that on the pop-up that keeps telling you to buy a credit or when you buy the credit........geejus.
I am now where I could have been TWO days ago. Just completed my first flash. BIG NOTE: DO READ AND SAVE YOUR ORIGINAL DATA AND WRITE PROTECT IT just in case. I made sure to do that.
Car is idling better.
I hope this helps someone save some time and frustration getting up and running. Once you are at this point, there is a BUNCH of info out there. Go slow, think it out. All I have done so far is disable DOD-oh yeah, have to go to ADVANCE setting, then ENGINE, then FUEL and then find Fuel savings. You might think they would have simply made a tab for DOD disable....... raised idle and airflow. I can't wait for the ride home.
thanks all!
original post follows, and thank you again to everyone who assisted.
I am not an idiot but,
is there a super beginner's guide?
What to download, what to do?
I'm ready to learn but I'm not sure where to begin.
2012 Caprice 6.0. Small Callies Cam (.520 lift, 108 LSA , -2 degrees overlap)
Starting with a new laptop, so ;what needs to be loaded on that? did what I could find but I don't see where the interface is.