[M980]

Hello Everyone, very new to coding here and have a question. Sorry if this has been covered before but I cannot find a definitive answer or tutorial on how to do this. I am looking to find out how I can back up my VO and also each of the individual modules before any coding. I will be using the BMW Standard Tools suite. In case I mess something up, I want to back everything up so I can revert back to the way the car is currently should something go wrong. I will need to modify the VO and reset some of the modules as part of the coding. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how I can backup the VO and individual modules? Thanks in advance!

[ctuna]

When you first scan the car with NCSexpert it creates a trace file for the whole
car you want to make a backup of that. You will know that it has happened
because the VO will appear . Look for the trace file in the Work folder.

Next step when you lessen(read the module you are going to change)
It will create another trace file for that module. Make a copy of that it's
the original firmware configuration of the Firmware for that module.
Now you change the extension name of that file to Man do your edits
and write it to the module . This is coding the module not changing the VO
the you write that file to the module . I would make a copy of that file two.
If you ever get and update directly from BMW you will be glad you did that
as they will write over your edits.

I wouldn't do VO changes if unless you have to .
returning the whole car to stock exposes you to more danger
than doing a module at a time or even several modules.

What are you trying to do?
If you are doing the anything critical
like the DME you want to have a backup of that or any
other module you are modifying.

But basically do do them all you would have go through each module
read it and write the trace file to a safe place.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I personally do backups of my coding using the actual modified coding file. Like I'll rename the .MAN file to the module name and keep the notepads in a folder, pretty much like ctuna mentions. I don't think you can backup a custom VO. You can just load pre-determined VOs. So the only thing you can backup is your .MAN files. I know a bit but I'm not an expert so could be wrong. But I do know this backup method works well for me.

Now it can cause issues if let's say, you upgrade the module to a more recent version, usually the coding arguments will be updated and you can't use the same. Like going form FRM1 to FRM3 for example. So can't back up that but again could be wrong but it's the way I understand it.

[M980]

Thank you very much for the explanation. I'm pretty sure I understand how it works.

As for what I am coding, I am seriously debating proceeding with an auto to manual transmission swap, so I will have to modify the VO, default a few of the modules and reset adaptations based on the research I have done. Yes I know all of the reasons against doing a swap, I have read all of the many threads on this topic but think my situation is a bit different.

I have never done any coding before but have been doing a TON of research on how to code and also what has to be coded for this swap. It doesn't seem to bad but I want to be smart about creating backups and such just to be safe.

[ctuna]

I would try some of the small stuff first.
A transmission change seems like a large first time project.

Also become familiar with the diagnostics first.
When you get into trouble it is not the best time to figure
out how to use the diagnostics or if they are working at all.
Inpa and Ista D first .

[M980]

Originally Posted by ctuna

I would try some of the small stuff first.
A transmission change seems like a large first time project.

Also become familiar with the diagnostics first.
When you get into trouble it is not the best time to figure
out how to use the diagnostics or if they are working at all.
Inpa and Ista D first .

Thanks ctuna, I wouldn't disagree with you on that advice. I have owned the car for 10 years and ran diagnostics in the past but never had to code anything so that is definitely new territory for me. The swap is something that I am hoping to do shortly though and will need the car to be coded in order to complete the job. While I am fairly confident in the general coding process based on the research I have done, is there anyone or any business that you would recommended that does remote coding to ensure that the process is done correctly?