MB SD Connect C5 Star Xentry Diagnosis Hardware, Software, Guide, Install, Upgrade

Well, after buying lots of Xentry Connect and working with them, I realized, man they are slow as shit, from booting up the interface, to appearing in xentry control, to opening up xentry, lots of time, this is because it is not like china clones, or SDConnect (C4), or VCI (C6) which are normal interfaces not a whole computer like Connect, so I managed to completely disassemble the interface and see if it is possible to do something about it.

So, this interface or minicomputer has the following:
OS: Windows 7 32bit Embedded
MB: HM65 Chipset
CPU: Intel Celeron B810 2 cores 2 threads 1,6Ghz 35w, 2mb L3 cache, PGA989 (2nd gen) this is the biggest issue, cheap shit processor
GPU: Integrated obviously
RAM: 4Gb Samsung DDR3 1333Mhz, can’t put 8gb because windows is 32bit so limited to 3,5Gb
SSD: Xmore quality 256GB
WiFi: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 2,4Ghz and 5Ghz 300mbps PCIe Half MiniCard not wow but decent

it has a USB dongle into the board, it is 4Gb, no idea what this is

This device is in testing/development at least since 14/07/2011, first versions appeared in at least 2012

I encountered 2 versions of this ssd, 1 with 238GB found on XC older than 2014, 1 with 223GB found on XC newer than 2015

Upgrade: change that celeron cpu to something better, I personally changed it to i7 2640m 2 cores 4 threads 2,8Ghz 3,5Ghz 4Mb cache 35w

From starting xentry program until Data status 2020/06 appeared

Celeron: 57 Seconds
I7 2640m: 25 Seconds

From Sleep mode to No car connected

Celeron: 47 Seconds
I7 2640m: 37 Seconds

MUCH FASTER in Xentry program!!!
The reason why I choose the i7 2640m is because it is the most powerful 2nd gen processor of 35W (VERY IMPORTANT), more watts mean more heat, and the interface only has 1 small radiator and 2 small ventilators (like a laptop), i wouldn’t risk for right now putting a better processor as i’m afraid it will not cool as it should, it will overheat

Tried a 2670qm (4 cores 8 threads) and the interface shuts down, not temperature problem but watt consumption problem, motherboard can’t deliver enough power and shuts down even ventilators completely, so maximum i recommend 2 cores 4 threads

Also, it is possible to install 3rd gen processors but motherboard doesn’t support 3rd gen processors even doe it is the same socket PGA-989

Check attachment regarding Compatible processors for 2nd gen

INSTALL:
1. Take out battery
2. Take out shield from Backside of Xentry Connect, it has double side addesive
3. Unscrew the 6 screws from radiator
4. Take out radiator
5. Turn the small black protection
6. Change cpu with NEW thermal paste
7. Put all back and that’s it

SSD: You could try putting a better ssd, space is enough actually more than needed for only Xentry, it’s ok for Vediamo, WIS/EPC, Monaco etc.
Couldn’t find any data or performance stats for this ssd, never heard about this company, you can clone this ssd with another one and try

Ram: 4Gbs is max for 32bit, even more, no reason to put more than 4Gb ram, only if you somehow manage to install windows 7 embedded on 64bit

WiFi: Looked for the Intel AC-7260 but it is said it is buggy as hell, also you need to change drivers for the wifi card, which is kinda complicated, you can install driver booster on the interface’s windows (through remote desktop connection) and install driver from the wifi card you install

It supports USB 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1

SOFTWARE:
1.1 Xentry Tab (Part of Xentry Kit 2)
This is the software that you will have on your laptop

1.2 Options:
1)Download separately Xentry Tab from attachment you have there Setup, open and install
2)Skip to 2.1 and install from Xentry Kit 2 folder, you have there Setup, open and install

2.1 Xentry Connect (Part of Xentry Kit 2)
I highly recommend to update interface to latest Xentry, which is 2020.06 also there will not be a newer Xentry for this interface, need to buy kit 3 or 4
1. Link is in the attachment, download KIT2 06-2020 Final Edition
2. Extract with 7zip and copy the folder and put it on a minimum 32Gb USB Stick or External SSD/HDD

3. Installing the release update on the XENTRY Connect
Please note: The XENTRY Connect must be in standby mode to install the release update. You can shut down the XENTRY
Connect directly on the device via the menu (gearwheels button) or from the XENTRY Control session.

4. Connect the power supply unit to the XENTRY Connect and insert the USB data storage medium into a free USB port of the XENTRY Connect.

5. Now start the update mode of the XENTRY Connect by simultaneously pressing the two “red cross” and “green tick”buttons.

6. Once “Start update” appears on the display, confirm this with the green tick. The update procedure starts. This will be indicated as follows on the XENTRY Connect display:

The USB update takes about 100 minutes. The XENTRY Connect indicates when the update is finished on the display.

7. You can complete the process by pressing the “gearwheels” button. Or, wait until the XENTRY Connect automatically shuts down (approx. 10 minutes after the picture appears on the display).

2.2 Configuration from Xentry Control
1. Start the interface
2. Connect LAN cable to interface and laptop
3. Open Xentry Control and in the top section open configuration
4. Go step by step with lan and wifi and others bla bla

2.3 Xentry License/StartKey
In case your Xentry Connect has expired license, 99% chance because dealership started to use kit 3 from 2018/06, can check by opening StartKey Center or Xentry (No Acces authorization code), then you need to activate license
For this, i’m not publishing for free solution, contact me if needed, activation is 100 Euros

Problems/Issues/Errors:
In case you have Device is booting/Update (when not updating) for looong time, more than 3 minutes

1. Make NORMAL not embedded Windows 7 32bit NOT 64bit USB bootable drive, minimum 4Gbs

In case you have new laptop with USB 3.0 and you have no mouse in Windows 7 install setup, you need to integrate USB 3.0 Drivers into Windows 7 ISO with NTLite, check youtube

2. Take out SSD from Xentry Connect
3. Connect to laptop, or if you have older laptop install in laptop
4. Connect USB Stick with Windows Embedded 7 32bit
5. Select Language, Repair my computer
6. Select Startup Repair, let it do it’s thing
7. Insert SSD back to Xentry Connect and done

VERY IMPORTANT, PUT AT LEAST 1 SCREW to hold SSD to not move, if it moves you will corrupt BCD again (not booting, update/device is booting for long time, jump to 2)

If you have update error, doesn’t matter what error:
1. Open Support Tool
2. Go to Reset
3. Check I have spoken to the Diagnosis UHD and would like to reset the Xentry Connect
4. Click Setting up USB data media
5. Select USB stick (file that will be on USB stick is 1.6KB so insanely small)
6. Insert USB stick into XC
7. Press Tick (Green) and X (Red) at the same time (while in Sleep mode)
8. Let it to it’s Reset (x/15)
9. Perform Update with 2020/06

Only the display is lighting up but no text can be from multiple causes, internal defect, missing hardware display files, bios chip fucked etc.

If you don’t want to change cpu which would be a stupid decision, at least take off the back cover, A LOT of dust accumulated over the years can be there and it is blocking cooling very badly (see picture attached)

OPTIONALLY

DAS Standalone
Vediamo 05.01.01
WIS 2020.04 (after 2020.04 xentry connect no longer supported), i tried copying missing files from 2020.04 to 2020.10 but it doesn’t work and it’s not that simple)
DTS Monaco 8.16