Custom Tune Handling

[Quick]

That's what MikeL said above answering my question. The implication is that any tune exported from the Predator is the delta from your Original Backup.

By the way, my
Original Backup = 55KB
RDP Tune = 47 KB
Earlier I had a 91CAIoct tune I adjusted (fuel and timing) then sent to Johan who tweaked a table and sent back as a custom tune = 48KB

All files that I've exported from the Predator have been 6KB (with the exception of the Original Backup).

On the PC the only thing the predator ever asks for (can't remember the circumstances) is the location of your Original Backup file. So the implications are
1) When you export/get your Original Backup from the Predator it's a full tune file.
2) Other files (last tune written) exported from the Predator to the PC are files containing the delta from your Original Backup.
3) Files produced with CMR are full tune files (naturally that's what they use to produce the canned tunes and everything else).

Most often when someone works on your tune or looks at it they want you to send the exported file and your Original Backup. (I think Johan is sooo familiar with all the base tunes that he doesn't need it). Maybe that's for the calid or id stuff.

In any event I think you're safe. Steve keeps a full file for each and every customer he does a tune for. Saves all versions of tunes, what the settings were, correspondence, logs, everything. no worries mate!

[Quick]

Come to think of it, I haven't exported my RDP tune to the PC yet. I only went from PC to Pedator to car, then adjusted the fans, then to the car again. Maybe it would be a K or 2 larger than 6K if I exported it?

Makes sense to me to only keep one complete tune file on the device and then only deal with diffs from that. My guess is that's all done in the DSDownloader on the PC. When you send a tune from the PC to the Predator the DSDownloader would diff it with your Original Backup and send only the diff to the Predator. More efficient use of resources on the Predator, you can do all sorts of sanity checks on the PC, ties in well with their "copyright" scheme, etc.

[NetNathan]

Ok...so how do I save my "Last Tune Written" as a "Custom Tune" in the Predator?

[Quick]

hook to PC
Get Last Tune Written
Save on PC with file name of your choice (leave the preceeding "05030232af_" -- maybe "05030232af_RDP.drg" or whatever you like. You could even use the default name.)
Go to Advanced Tuning tab in DSDownloader
Check the Advanced Mode check box
Add tune to list -- you'll get a browse option
Highlight/select the tune
Change display name and/or description (maybe "RDP" for the display name)
Send Tune To Predator

Go to car, see if you have a Custom Tune menu selection. Select it and you should see "RDP" as a tune in the list. It's been a while since I've done that so there could be a couple of extra prompts or whatever in there.

Oh, yea. I believe that when you Send Tune To Predator it *replaces* the tunes in the Custom Tune Menu list instead of adding to it. So if you want multiple tunes in your Custom Tune list you need to add them all to the list in the Advanced Tuning tab in the DSDownloader before you do the Send Tune To Predator. I think that's why they provided that feature in the DSDownloader to save the list on the PC.

[NetNathan]

As soon as i get back to my car, I will verify. Getting Hotchkis sways installed today.

[Quick]

As soon as i get back to my car, I will verify. Getting Hotchkis sways installed today.

Oooh, you'll LIKE those.

[Quick]

Don't forget. If you've made any Modify Parameter changes those will become part of the exported tune. Next time you download it to the predator and then to the car those changes will be included as part of the "base" tune.

For example if you added 5% fuel, wrote it to the car, exported last tune written to the PC, downloaded it back to the Predator it will have that 5% added fuel in it already (like if you reset all parameters to default the 5% would still be there since it's now part of the "base" tune). So if you didn't reset parameters and still had the 5% plus it would be additive and you'd end up with ((base + 5%) + 5%). did I say that ok?

[NetNathan]

Don't forget. If you've made any Modify Parameter changes those will become part of the exported tune. Next time you download it to the predator and then to the car those changes will be included as part of the "base" tune.

For example if you added 5% fuel, wrote it to the car, exported last tune written to the PC, downloaded it back to the Predator it will have that 5% added fuel in it already (like if you reset all parameters to default the 5% would still be there since it's now part of the "base" tune). So if you didn't reset parameters and still had the 5% plus it would be additive and you'd end up with ((base + 5%) + 5%). did I say that ok?

I understand. I had read a thread on the forums where you discussed this issue.

[RFischer]

When Steve did my CMR, he told me he locked the file so it could not be downloaded to the PC. He did this because he did not his work being copied and emailed etc. I'm not sure these comments makes sense since changes would need to be emailed back and forth. He will always have a copy of your CMR tune by the user name you gave him at the time of tune creation. I would contact Steve directly to ask these questions since it's the tune you don't want to lose.

[NetNathan]

I am also talking to Steve from RDP Motorsports.

[Mike_Levy]

Andy at Modern HP did the same thing. Its okay, I just emailed Johan the tune Andy sent me.

[Quick]

Nathan, I just did a bunch of experimentation.

1) restore original backup - this will reset the tool and that WILL erase your custom tunes on the Predator.
2) You cannot export Steve's tunes to the PC. He has them locked. You will have to have him email you your tune.
3) I upgraded to 9r07 (no particular reason) and the RDP tune that was done on 9r04 loads on the Predator and then loads on the car just fine (no surprise there since custom tune files are independent of the CROM).

- if you are in the advanced tuning tab and you have added 1 or more tunes to the list there is a button to "save list to disk". This will give you a file with a ".frg" extension. If you subsequently select that it will put the .frg file in the list with a branch under it with the .drg file. Probably just gui ugliness? I didn't try sending the list to the Predator after that but it explains how I ended up with a .frg file.

- if you check the advanced mode in the advanced tuning tab you get non functional dialog boxes in the window. If you resize the window at all they will pop into shape and become functional. more gui ugliness.

- when you first run the DSDownloader the button to update the CROM is off the bottom of the window and there is no scroll bar. You have to resize the window taller to see/access the update CROM button. more gui ugliness

[NetNathan]

Nathan, I just did a bunch of experimentation.

1) restore original backup - this will reset the tool and that WILL erase your custom tunes on the Predator.
2) You cannot export Steve's tunes to the PC. He has them locked. You will have to have him email you your tune.
3) I upgraded to 9r07 (no particular reason) and the RDP tune that was done on 9r04 loads on the Predator and then loads on the car just fine (no surprise there since custom tune files are independent of the CROM).

- if you are in the advanced tuning tab and you have added 1 or more tunes to the list there is a button to "save list to disk". This will give you a file with a ".frg" extension. If you subsequently select that it will put the .frg file in the list with a branch under it with the .drg file. Probably just gui ugliness? I didn't try sending the list to the Predator after that but it explains how I ended up with a .frg file.

- if you check the advanced mode in the advanced tuning tab you get non functional dialog boxes in the window. If you resize the window at all they will pop into shape and become functional. more gui ugliness.

- when you first run the DSDownloader the button to update the CROM is off the bottom of the window and there is no scroll bar. You have to resize the window taller to see/access the update CROM button. more gui ugliness

Well that resolves that, I will just get my CMR tuen sent form Steve.
So I can go ahead and even upgrade to 9r07, while I am waiting for this tune.
I can't seem to recreate the same GUI problems you have with yours. Did you get the new DSDownloader ver. 1.9.9.6?

[Quick]

Yes, 1..9.9.6 Maybe the screen resolution I'm using (1920 x 1200) and they didn't program for it.

[NetNathan]

Yes, 1..9.9.6 Maybe the screen resolution I'm using (1920 x 1200) and they didn't program for it.

I am running 1680x1050 on duel video cards (SLI). I used to run 1920x1200, So I know what you mean about funky resolution with some programs,
I tested 1920x1200 and you right.... but only if you select full screen mode. It works fine in the default window that opens.