I'm currently using an older Fantom Dyno Facts Machine. The dyno worked perfectly on my desktop computer but I will not run properly on my laptop. I was told the dyno needs to be sent in for an update because it is unable to work properly with the laptop. The gentleman who helped me seemed very trustworthy but I never heard of anything like this before. Anyone else every have this type of problem with their dyno?

you aptop depending on age, may not be able to support the program... i had this issue with mine.. i had to get the laptop re done to hold the program..

I never had a Fantom, but my Robi dyno quit working on my Mircon Laptop, Reason was the Serial port the Robi plugged into on the back of the laptop went bad.

So I bought a USB to Serial port converter. This way I could now plug the robi into the USB port. Only bad thing is DOS does not recognize USB ports cause they were not available back then so I needed to upgrade to the Windows version Robi software.
All was fixed. Not that this will solve your problem but it could be something like this causing it with your setup.

Where do I send my Fantom Dyno for authorized repair?
Wizard Electronics has always been the service center for the Fantom Dyno. Al may be reached at (616) 621-4315 or via e-mail at wizard@wizard-electronics.com to make arrangements to have your dyno serviced.

Call or email Al @ above # he'll tell you what is up................

I think someone's pulling your b**e, I've run mine on anything from a 386 desktop to a super gig speed laptop, it's probably a hardware conflict.. I've had mine for years, I did have problems trying to get it to go on a 286 laptop though, I doubt that's your problem, I'm still using the dos program also.

Oh yeah, if you get a hold of Dave Clary, he can certainly point you in the right direction. Try this: http://www.deccosoftware.com/
You can e-mail him also from there

I'm mostly a Mac guy but isn't there a MS-Dos window that you can bring up within Windows? I seem to remember using that with XP.

I think you probably need to check the serial port connection or try another computer if you have one.

What kind of computer are you trying to use. Some of the older Compac's would not work with the DOS program. Toshiba, Sony, IBM usually always worked from the old school 286 to the 400+MHZ speeds.

we had ours hooked up to a toshiba 286 for years worked great was a little slow. :thumbsup:

hi i sent my Dyno out for repair a couple weeks ago. Al emailed me and told me it was fixed and to send a check for 98 bucks to him so he can send it back to me. so i did. the check was cashed last tuesday and i have yet to hear back from him with a tracking number and so far no dyno. im not saying anything is a problem yet except he should of responded to my emails asking to get a tracking number. what im wondering though is how long does ups take to get from Michigan to PA? would it take this long? or is the holidays messing with it? im kinda worried!

joe

joe, i've had mine back to al a couple of times over the years i have owned it. he's horrible on communicating, but the unit always eventually came back fixed. it'll show up, trust me.

I sent two dyno's out to Al before and had great luck with shipping and service. Have trust, this guy is awesome to deal with, he will have your dyno fixed and back to you no problem, just give it a couple more days due to the holiday. I know the mail around here is all messed up so I can imagine what it's like everywhere else!

Mario

Yeah I admit Al isnt the best on comunication, but he has always returned my emails within a couple of days.I also have a dyno on its way back from him.....hope to see it soon.But no real reason to worry, never done me wrong befor.Jeff Carapellatti

I'd try it on a totally different computer. I got a dyno, loaded the software into a Laptop and tried it. It would shutoff about 4 or 5 seconds into a pull. Sent the dyno out to have it "Fixed". Got it back $110 later, still did the same thing. So for the hell of it, I decided to load everything into the main PC I'm currently typing on. The dyno worked fine eversince........ :rolleyes:

hey thanks guys! yeah i get worried when i ship things and gettin them back worries me. lol guess im just that kind of guy. id hate to lose anything. im sure it will be here anyday now. :)

joe ivo

hey thanks guys! yeah i get worried when i ship things and gettin them back worries me. lol guess im just that kind of guy. id hate to lose anything. im sure it will be here anyday now. :)

joe ivo

Well i am kind of worried i lent my camber gauge out to "someone" and that someone was trying to sell it right in front of me and did't even know it!! LOL

Brandon

lol dude lost and found more like it. lol maybe ill give you one for your b/day?

Joe i was j/k you can keep it do what ever you want with it!! I use the conklin boys!! Talk to you latter.


Brandon

good it will be sold!

Well guy's, Al has alway's been the best to deal with.I run the Facts2 machine with the new windows software from decoware and perfer it way ahaead of the old dos software. one thing however is that if you install the software on a different you need a new code from Al everytime. I know this from experience, because I upgraded to a more powerful laptop just a month after I had gotten my dyno, and had to email Al for a new registration code. He looked right after me, and I will never say anything bad about him or his products. Now if we could only get "Competition Electronics" to join the modern era with windows XP compatible software we would have it made. I just hope that I don't have to win the lottery first.

yeah the windows software looks nice. ill have to try it . im not at all tryin to say anything bad about Al. just wish he would get back to me with a tracking number. lol that would be the kicker! :)

joe ivo

Porksalot4l. You must remember it is the holiday season, meaning that he might not be in the shop

good point. tis the season

Yeah I admit Al isnt the best on comunication, but he has always returned my emails within a couple of days.I also have a dyno on its way back from him.....hope to see it soon.But no real reason to worry, never done me wrong befor.Jeff Carapellatti
I got my dyno back Wed. Al never did send a tracking number it just showed up and is working fine...My 2 worthless cents!

Porksalot4l. You must remember it is the holiday season, meaning that he might not be in the shop

You were right. Al just emailed me saying he wasnt there for a week and i should have my dyno by monday. thanks!

i am new to a fantom, got one about a month ago. i run reedy spec 19 and we have to use a 3.03 gear in our cars. what numbers should i tune with. ive been mostly working on the max pwr number and the runup. is there any other things i should look at?

thanks
john

What laptop os are you trying to run the dos version in. if it is windows xp you have to tweak the settings some to get it to run right. I run mine on a compaq with a p3 and running win 98 and have never had any problems with mine. if you are trying to load on xp pm me and i can try and describe the changes that need done to run it.