Keeping your Mercedes-Benz diagnostic tools up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance and access to the latest vehicle systems. If you’re using the Xentry Connect C5 with the 2018 software version, this guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to update your system to ensure you have the most current diagnostics capabilities. This tutorial is specifically designed for users of the DoIP Xentry Connect C5, distinguishing it from the SD Connect C5.
Important Considerations Before You Begin:
Before proceeding with the update, please take note of the following:
- Compatibility: This update guide is intended EXCLUSIVELY for DoIP Xentry Connect C5 devices. It is not applicable to SD Connect C5 (also known as SD C4 in a C5 casing). Ensure you have the correct device before attempting this procedure.
- Software Version Recommendations:
- Upgrade from Older Versions: If you are currently running XENTRY 2018.3 or 2017.9 and experiencing issues, updating to the 2018.7 version is highly recommended to resolve potential problems and improve performance.
- 2018.5 Users: If your XENTRY 2018.5 is functioning smoothly, updating to 2018.7 is not strictly necessary, but it will ensure you have the latest features and updates.
- Professional Assistance: If you find the firmware update process complex or are uncomfortable performing it yourself, we offer an upgrade service. You can send both your DoIP C5 HDD and Dell HDD to our experts for a professional upgrade.
This guide is divided into key parts to simplify the update process. Let’s begin with preparing your Xentry Connect C5 for the software update.
Step-by-Step Guide to Update Xentry Connect C5 Software
To successfully update your Xentry Connect C5, you will need to gather the following tools and resources:
- Software Image: Xentry_Kit_09_2017.iso (Copy this ISO file to the “_ISO” folder on your IODD 2541 external hard drive).
- Bootable USB Drive: A USB drive with a Windows environment (Bigbaicai WinCE is recommended for its compatibility).
- External Hard Drive: IODD 2541 External Encrypted Hard Drive (or a similar device capable of booting ISO images).
- Power Adapter: Panasonic power adapter for consistent power supply to the Xentry C5.
- Xentry Connect C5 Multiplexer: Your Mercedes diagnostic interface device.
Preparation tools including IODD 2541, USB drive, and software ISO for Xentry Connect C5 update.
Panasonic power adapter required to supply stable power to the Xentry Connect C5 during the update process.
Initiating the Update Process on Xentry Connect C5:
- Standby Mode: Ensure your Xentry C5 multiplexer is in standby mode.
Xentry Connect C5 device shown in standby mode, ready for the update initiation sequence.
- Power Connection: Connect the Panasonic power adapter to your Xentry C5 device to ensure uninterrupted power throughout the update.
- Connect IODD 2541: Insert the IODD 2541 external hard drive into the USB port on the Xentry C5.
IODD 2541 external hard drive being connected to the USB port of the Xentry Connect C5 for software update.
Close-up view of IODD 2541 being inserted into the Xentry C5, preparing for the software installation boot.
- Start Update Prompt: Simultaneously press and hold the “X” and “√” buttons on the Xentry C5 in standby mode. This should prompt the message “Start Update?” on the screen.
- Troubleshooting: If “Start XENTRY Connect?” appears instead, wait for the prompt to disappear. Shortly after, “Start Update?” should be displayed.
“Start Update?” prompt displayed on the Xentry Connect C5 screen, indicating readiness to begin the software update process.
- Initiate Update Mode: Once “Start Update?” is visible, press the “√” button. The Xentry C5 will now enter update mode, and the IODD 2541 should light up, indicating activity.
Xentry Connect C5 in update mode, with IODD 2541 hard drive actively engaged in the software installation.
- Select ISO Image: Immediately press the button “5” on the IODD 2541. The cross “X” on the Xentry C5 screen should change to a circle “O”.
Pressing button “5” on IODD 2541 to select the appropriate ISO image for the Xentry C5 software update.
Monitoring the Update Process:
The following images illustrate the progression of the update as displayed on the Xentry C5 screen:
Initial update screen display on Xentry C5, showing the start of the software installation process.
Intermediate update screen on Xentry C5, indicating ongoing progress of the software installation.
Further update progress shown on the Xentry C5 display, nearing completion of the software update process.
The entire software upgrade process will typically take between 50 to 55 minutes. Allow the process to complete without interruption.
Post-Update System Restart and Configuration:
- System Restart: After the installation is complete, the system will automatically restart.
Xentry Connect C5 restarting after the software update has been successfully installed.
- Troubleshooting Startup Issues: If your system fails to start after the update, power off the C5 multiplexer and then restart it again.
- Prepare for User Account Setup: Once the C5 has restarted, remove the hard disk from the Xentry C5 and install it into a laptop (a Dell 55220 is used in this example, but other Windows-based laptops will work). Ensure you have already prepared a bootable Windows USB drive.
Xentry C5 hard disk being installed into a laptop to proceed with user account creation and post-update configurations.
- Boot from USB: Power on the laptop and press F12 repeatedly when you see the “F12 Boot Options” prompt. This will take you to the boot menu.
Laptop display showing “F12 Boot Options” prompt, indicating the step to access the boot menu.
- Select USB Storage: In the boot menu, select “USB Storage Device” and press “Enter” to boot from your prepared USB drive.
Boot menu showing “USB Storage Device” selected as the boot option to initiate the Windows PE environment.
- Choose WIN2003 PE: From the interface that appears, select “[03] WIN2003 PE Classical” to enter the Windows PE environment.
Windows PE selection screen with “[03] WIN2003 PE Classical” highlighted as the chosen environment.
- Create User Account: Once in the PE system, you need to create a user account for the updated Xentry system.
Windows PE environment interface, ready for creating a new user account for the Xentry Connect C5 system.
Close-up of the user account creation tool within the Windows PE environment.
Dialog box for creating a new administrator account, prompting for username and password details.
- Specify Windows Drive: Ensure that Windows is located on disk D:.
Verifying that the Windows installation is correctly located on the D: drive for proper system configuration.
- Create Admin Account: Right-click on “Create a new admin account” on the left side of the interface.
- Username and Password: Enter the desired username (e.g., C5) and password (e.g., abc12345678). You can choose any username and password you prefer.
Entering username “C5” and password “abc12345678” for the new administrator account creation.
- Complete and Reinstall: Click “Ok” to create the account, then close the application and power off the laptop. Remove the hard disk from the laptop and reinstall it back into the Xentry C5 multiplexer.
Reinstalling the hard disk back into the Xentry Connect C5 multiplexer after completing the user account setup.
Congratulations! Your Xentry Connect C5 software update is now complete.
Next Steps: Activation and Further Software Installation
After updating the software, you will need to activate your Xentry Connect C5.
- Activation Guide: For a step-by-step activation procedure, refer to the TeamViewer file provided: https://mega.nz/#!Gp8lzLLK!-B3Ytw1j-YoC9tWM_atYxgvmer5mbOMNxfH4BYz4D0E
- Required Activation Files:
Installing EPC WIS Software:
To install EPC WIS software, you can follow these video guides:
Connecting Xentry C5 SD Connect with Xentry Tab/Laptop:
Here’s how to connect your Xentry C5 with a Xentry tablet or a laptop like Dell D630 or Lenovo:
- Standby Status: The C5 is in standby status when not connected to a vehicle.
Xentry Connect C5 device shown in standby status, indicating it is ready for connection.
Close-up view of Xentry C5 connectors including USB ports and power connector on the left side.
- Connect Cables: The C5 has 2 USB connectors and a round power connector on the left side. Connect the LAN cable and power cable to the C5.
Connecting LAN cable and Panasonic power adapter to the Xentry Connect C5 device.
Detailed view of the LAN and power cable connections to the Xentry C5 ports.
Xentry Connect C5 with LAN cable and power adapter properly connected, ready for tablet or laptop connection.
- Power On Tablet: Press the Power button for 3 seconds to turn on your Xentry Tab.
Xentry Tab being powered on by pressing the power button, preparing to connect with Xentry C5.
- Connect OBD and LAN Cables: Connect the Xentry C5 OBD cable and LAN cable.
Connecting the OBD cable and LAN cable to the Xentry Connect C5 for vehicle diagnostics setup.
- No Car Connected (Initial Screen): Initially, it will show “No car connected” as it’s not yet connected to a vehicle.
Xentry Tab displaying “No car connected” status, indicating no vehicle is currently linked to the diagnostic system.
User interface of the Xentry Tab showing the “No car connected” message in detail.
- Xentry Tab Main Menu: The Xentry Tab main menu will be displayed.
Main menu interface of the Xentry Tab, providing access to various diagnostic functions and settings.
- Open Xentry Control: Open Xentry Control from the main menu.
Selecting and opening “Xentry Control” application from the Xentry Tab main menu.
- Communication Interface: Wait for the communication interface to appear.
Communication interface screen on Xentry Tab, indicating the system is establishing a connection.
- Xentry Connected with SD C5: Xentry will now be connected with SD C5.
Status screen showing Xentry is successfully connected with the SD C5 diagnostic interface.
- Launch Xentry Software: Click on the green icon to launch the Xentry software.
Clicking the green icon to launch the full Xentry diagnostic software application.
- Run Diagnostics: Launch the MB Star diagnostic software and begin diagnosing your Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Xentry diagnostic software interface running, ready to start diagnosing Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Visit www.obdii365.com for more automotive diagnostic tools and resources.
