The new Race Studio 2.30.06 can be downloaded here.
Also available are three new documents for new or improved features in Race Studio 2.
All are available on the same software download page.
]]>Please download MyChron4 firmware version 35.57.07 here. ]]>
Scott writes...
A built in feature of Windows Vista 64-bit operating systems is to automatically disable the installations of all device drivers that are not digitally signed. Unlike Windows XP, there is no way to disable this ban from within the OS. This has posed a problem for us attempting to install the AiM USB drivers.
The typical error message that will tip you off to this situation is that Windows has found the correct driver, however, it is not digitally signed, and therefore will not be installed. (Note: I’ve personally run into this issue many times, but not once has the customer read back to me the error message verbatim, therefore, I went down many incorrect paths attempting to install the driver...all of which failed miserably.)
After searching the internet for a possible workaround, it appears that many owners of Win Vista 64 were extremely upset with this “protection”. The results were a myriad of hacks to disable the Digitally signed device driver ban. I was slightly apprehensive about hacking into the customer’s registry unless I knew what the ramifications were. The last thing I wanted to do was create more problems after getting our driver installed.
As it turns out, Microsoft actually listened to their customers and made for a “one time per use” disable option in the Boot Menu. This selection can be accessed by repeatedly typing “F8” while the computer is booting up. (I found that hitting it about once a second was enough to access the Safe Boot menu.)
Once the safe boot menu appears, you will find a selection that temporarily disables the Digitally Signed driver protection. (The next time the PC is booted, the protection will be enabled again automatically.) Select this and then continue with the boot. Once fully booted, now continue with the driver installation as normal.
Note: The following issue proceeded once I had disabled the protection. I’m not sure if it was due to my many unsuccessful prior attempts to install the driver or if it is standard procedure. Once I attempted to install the driver, everything proceeded as normal until an error message popped up stating that Windows could not find “AIM_USBdrv10_01.sys”. The destination for this file is C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers. So, I copied this file into this location and reattempted the driver installation. This time the driver installed 100% without a hitch and continued to work flawlessly throughout the remainder of the week while I was there.
]]>It is recommended that all MyChron4 be updated to this most current firmware, even if GPS and GPS lap timing is not used. The firmware can be downloaded here. You can grab the most recent version of Race Studio 2 at that same link as well.
]]>The new Race Studio 2.30.04 can be downloaded here.
]]>You can download the new MXL firmware, and revision notes here.
]]>The Caparo T1, developed by the engineers that delivered the McLaren F1. The Caparo T1 does 0-60 in only 2.5 seconds, and is able to sustain g-loads in excess of 3g's in every direction.
CAR Magazine writes "...a power-to-weight ratio double the Bugati Veyron's. And so much downforce, you will be able to drive it upside down in a tunnel at 150 MPH."
This Caparo T1 track-day and road car two-seater features a MyChron3 dash and data logger standard.
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All of us at AiM Sports would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. In honor of our countries birthday we will close our offices to spend time with friends and families while we celebrate our freedom and the many wonderful opportunities we all enjoy living in America.
MyChron Mike
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[This article is an update to the one originally published in March of 2007]
An increasingly common tech support and pre-sales question is "Does your software run on a Mac?" The short answer is Yes, on Intel based Macs. I use it every day, both on my iMac and my MacBook Pro. The long answer is…
]]> ...there are a couple ways to run Race Studio 2 on your Intel Mac, both require you to buy a full version of Windows (XP recommended). Buying a full version of Windows XP can be a bummer for your wallet with a retail price of $299 for XP Pro ($269.99 at Amazon
). However, I learned a tip before my second XP Pro purchase. That is, buy the Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2C 32-bit for System Builders
, which retails for $144.99 at Amazon, that's nearly half the price! The catch is that the licenses are different. The System Builders version is designed for someone building a PC from scratch and the license cannot legally be later transferred to another PC — works for me.
What about Vista? Well, with articles like 'Man gets Windows Vista to work with printer' published just last week, I can't with good conscious, recommend Windows Vista at this time. Though Race Studio 2 is now Vista compatible, all installations are not without some hiccups. I suggest getting a copy of Windows XP before Microsoft yanks it off store shelves.
Once you have a license for Windows, there's two possible ways to install it, and a third option that uses both. The first method is made possible by Apple with a piece of software called Boot Camp. Boot Camp was a free beta download with Mac OS X Tiger (10.4), but it's now included in Leopard (10.5). In Leopard you'll find the Boot Camp Assistant in your Applications:Utilities folder. Apple's Boot Camp allows you to partition your hard drive and install Windows XP (or Vista). Boot Camp allows you to then boot in either Mac OS X or Windows. When you boot in Windows, you are using a "real" PC with your Apple hardware, no strings attached.
The second installation method takes advantage of a technology called virtualization made possible by Apple's switch to Intel processors. This method requires a additional virtualization software. There are now two players in this space; Parallels Desktop
Amazon can save you money on either (both currently $39.99 through promotions):
now from Amazon. now from Amazon.
Have Your Cake and Eat it Too
The third installation method, uses both Boot Camp AND Parallels or Fusion. You'd install Windows under Boot Camp first, then install either Fusion or Parallels - which will allow you to boot from your Boot Camp Windows partition will in Mac OS X. Using both like this is has the greatest benefit. Allowing you to either boot as a "real" PC when needed, and allowing you to boot under virtualization but still access the same Windows installation. This is how I will do any future installations, because the only issue I have ever had under virtualization is with firmware updates. For these rare cases, I will boot under Boot Camp - otherwise I will always use virtualization.
Whatever solution you go with will run Race Studio 2 just fine, and having Windows can be handy for those little apps that will just never make it to our beloved Mac platform. That and those damned web sites, the few that remain, that only work with Internet Explorer (I'm looking at you ADP). It's a no-brainer for web developers testing in different web browsers and OS's.
If you need any help, please call me.
Michael Jaynes
AiM Sports, LLC
(800) 718-9090
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Download the new firmware, and well as the MyChron4 GPS lap time manual.
MyChron Mike
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Friday's seminar is a Level 1 and is targeted at racers and mechanics who "have a new system or are considering buying one, this session will be very useful to get started properly and quickly. Comprehensive orientation of the new Race Studio 2 software (setup and analysis) will assist long-time AIM users." This course runs from 12:00 PM on Friday until 7:00 PM.
Saturday's Level 2 course is "intended for existing AiM system data users looking to become advanced users, the techniques and tricks presented are applicable to other data analysis systems as well." This course begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday and finishes up at 4:00 PM.
Both courses are hands-on, racers and crew members are encouraged to bring their laptops.
All the details are here in the PAR Seminar at Perfect Power June 2008 PDF.
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Register now at the Cal Club site www.calclub.com
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Click here to download this update. Data key required for firmware upgrade.
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Our very own Trey Shannon has written a tutorial on using the horsepower and torque curve analysis tool, named RPM Analysis, in Race Studio 2. View the PDF here (right-click to download).]]>