Which Lexia to purchase?

SiriusHardware wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 7:17 pm Hi Arfur - surprised you say that, about there being no need to code the wiper / stalk box on the 107 and also implying the same about the C3, I was pretty sure the 'stalk box' around the steering wheel column was one of various ECUs dotted around the C3.

There are basically only 2 reasons you why need to "code in" an ECU. 1) for "security" (I use the term loosely) and 2) add it to a "closed system".
There are 2 forms of security. One reduces the likely hood of your car being stolen/rebirthed. The other secures the wealth of the car manufacturer.
Manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes (and some others) require every ECU to be coded into the system...because they can. It's to protect their "intellectual property" (read: no DIY or third party).
The COMs unit (switching stalks) is not secure and is already a part of the permanent (closed) network. That is; the network is expecting one to be there. However something like an optional extra (like a CD stacker or sat nav) needs to be coded in because it's not "normally" part of the network.
On that year model, PSA does not require the COMs to be "coded". On future models however, watch this space, to protect their "patch", one day, they may change their mind!

Ozvtr wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:59 pm On that year model, PSA does not require the COMs to be "coded". On future models however, watch this space, to protect their "patch", one day, they may change their mind!

Yes, I went looking after I posted that and found a good YT video where someone replaced the lighting stalk in the 107, doesn't look too bad to do and the stalks themselves seem to be around the 20 GBP mark, although that's for third party ones of course, not Peugeot originals. So at least that's one less job that I need Lexia for. I was expecting to have to replace the whole stalk COM box and either code it to the car myself or have someone else do it.

Manufacturers do take this digital lockdown stuff to some stupid lengths, parallel to this I have a Corsa which has a couple of segments out on the radio / clock display on the centre console - removing the display module and fitting another (cost about 20 GBP from a breaker) is a piece of cake, a 10 minute job, but I have just found that the display module units are 'keyed' to the radio head units there so it is financially unviable to replace just the display and have it coded to the original head unit, it actually costs less to buy an already matched pair of head unit and display module from a breaker.

I'd still appreciate a personal recommendation for an (Ideally UK) Lexia seller from someone who has bought from them and had no problems with it. I think the older V7.xx Diagbox will probably do for our 2009 C3, and I have XP portables to install and run that on. The problem is deciding which current seller to buy it from.

SiriusHardware wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:59 pm I'd still appreciate a personal recommendation for an (Ideally UK) Lexia seller from someone who has bought from them and had no problems with it. I think the older V7.xx Diagbox will probably do for our 2009 C3, and I have XP portables to install and run that on. The problem is deciding which current seller to buy it from.

I can't recommend any particular seller, however I would recommend a local seller who may be able to offer help for installation or, if all else fails, will offer a full refund if you can't get it working. Stress that to the seller when you buy it. It's not really up to the seller if it works or not. They are all Chinese knock-offs and the quality varies dramatically. Although, they all look the same from the out side! So if it doesn't work you want to be able to return it.
There are a number of versions available. I would go for the most modern version that you can justify purchasing. For a 2009 car any of the version should work. Beyond 2010 I would recommend the "full chip" or newer versions.
The operating system you use will depend on the version of LEXIA you finally purchase. I recommend buying an old laptop. Nuc it and put the relevant version of windows on it. It's better than mucking around with partitions or virtual machines and you can get some very cheap laptops. However they may be very slow and that's why I would recommend dedicating the laptop just for your diagbox software and nothing else! I run an old IBM thinkpad that I got for about 40 pound with XP preinstalled. But it's up to you. There is always a better way.

Hi,
I will add small information. If you choose an old laptop be careful and pick up one that does have HDD (not SSD). Diagbox (Lexia and Peugeot Planet) have some weird issues with SSD. Some controller is missing and Diagbox is not working at all.
Also Windows system should be 32 bits.
With Aliexpress knockoff I received two Diagbox versions - older v07.02 which works well on Windows XP virtual machine. This VM is on very slow Windows tablet (Intel Atom Z3735D 4x1,33GHz). It works fine. Not super fast, but is very reliable.
And second much newer Diagbox v09.91 as VMware Virtual Machine. This is much easier to use, so for not tech person I would go with this one. It is already installed, almost Plug&Play, you need to install VMware Player and you can go to your car and use Diagbox.
Best regards and have fun with your car

Lexia does run on an 2.5 SATA USB. That is a very good way to run it. Particularly if you run SEDRE on the same laptop. The speed improvement is noticeable and is much more suitable for a diagnostics tool that can take knocks. If you can get windows installed on the SSD, lexia/diagbox can too.

You can run Lexia and Diagbox on 64 bit W7, we have the information how to use windows7 64 bit for lexia here.

Hello,
I will check this approach, thanks for the tip.
I didn't try it before, because I was worried about accidentally plugging off the drive from laptop. This isn't fixed connection, it's only USB.
My tablet has some kind of eMMC memory which is not compatible with DiagBox software.
Best regards!