The journey to enhance the performance of a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L engine using HP Tuners and a duplicate PCM hit a roadblock. The culprit? A malfunctioning TIS2000 laptop. The issue stemmed from a faulty hardware key (“HWK”) and a communication breakdown between the dongle and the Tis2000 Software due to a problem with the USB port on the Dell Precision M65 motherboard. This necessitated a deep dive into acquiring and setting up a dedicated TIS2000 system.
Finding the Right Hardware for TIS2000
The search began with finding a reliable replacement laptop. Used Dell Precision M65 workstations proved to be an economical solution, often available on eBay at reasonable prices. A critical requirement for a dedicated TIS2000 machine is a functioning 9-pin DIN serial port (DB9 connector) for bi-directional communication between the Tech 2 handheld scanner’s RS-232 port and the PCM. This allows for both “on-the-bench” and “in-vehicle” programming.
Fortunately, the Dell Precision M65 boasts this crucial feature, unlike many modern laptops. This serial port enables seamless communication regardless of the chosen Windows operating system (Windows 95, 98, XP, or 2000 Professional).
Software and System Preparation for TIS2000
After securing the Dell Precision M65, the next step involved acquiring the necessary software and drivers. Downloading the latest BIOS and system drivers from Dell’s website is crucial for optimal performance. These can be stored on installation diskettes, a USB thumb drive, or a CD/DVD for post-installation updates.
A valid Windows 2000 Professional installation CD with a genuine Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker is essential. This ensures a legitimate installation process and allows for proper activation. When purchasing online, verify the seller provides an image of the COA sticker before committing to the purchase.
Optimizing the Dell Precision M65 for TIS2000
Several upgrades were implemented to enhance the Dell M65’s performance:
- Screen Upgrade: Replacing the low-resolution screen with a higher resolution model significantly improved visibility.
- RAM Upgrade: Upgrading to 4GB of RAM (the maximum addressable by Windows 2000 Professional) boosted system performance.
- Hard Drive Upgrade: Installing a high-speed Western Digital Black 500GB hard drive ensured smooth operation.
Furthermore, Acronis Disk Director 12 was used to partition and format the new hard drive with the NTFS file system. Norton Ghost 2003 facilitated the creation of a backup drive for disaster recovery. The existing battery was tested and found to be in excellent condition, ensuring reliable power during programming sessions. Finally, ClamWin antivirus software confirmed the system was free of viruses and malware.
The final piece of the puzzle was obtaining a TIS2000 software disk set from AliExpress.com. This set included a crucial installation video that provided a more efficient method for installing and cracking the dongle. Additional hardware, including hard drive caddies and a system hard drive cover, were also acquired. This meticulous preparation laid the groundwork for a successful TIS2000 installation.
