I've been updating the most recent software levels of our master every month or so. Re-formatting the CF card as I go to make room for the latest versions. Meanwhile saving the older versions to my desktop just incase. Now I know one should never assume however what I thought was common sense is that the updates would give me the latest greatest version of the current software level. This does not seem to be the case as I have been loosing functions that I know we've had before. After a call to tech support I was informed that the updates are to fix specific issues and need to be run in conjunction with the older versions. Well this seems to be a little crazy. I certainly don’t have the space on the CF card.
Does this sound correct or have I been mis-informed? How is one supposed to know what software level has the most functions? Are we supposed to constantly add & remove software levels to diag different platforms? Do I make sense to anyone?
There are instances where functions may unintentionally be altered when the new updates are created. I believe it's how the software is written, that they are re-writing each new version as opposed to adding on.
An example was when the Master was first released, there was a change in the ability to connect to European cars that were equipped with dual-DLC's (one OBDII, and one proprietary under hood). A solution was to download OLDER versions (ex: V36.00 BMW) so techs could connect using the BMW-20 pin. For the most part, you should only maintain older versions (1-2 is fine) for the manufacturer's you work on that have additional DLC's to the OBDII-16 port. Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes Benz are examples of vehicles of this type, some as new as 2002.
I would bug the company for more insight also, you should report this to support@launchtechusa.com. We send them this kind of stuff on the daily. The best help you can get is if you send them the VIN of the car in question (even if there may be more than one instance/vehicle), software versions & connectors used, the menu's you selected, and the error code you received/the function that's lacking/etc. I've seen times where a new release comes out as fast as a days-week later.
