How to get FORScan up and running with an Apple M2 max MBP running Windows 11 through parallels.

umeuph97 · Post by **umeuph97** » Tue Mar 28, 2023 5:22 pm

Hey everyone, I apologize in advance if I have missed something - but I have the "no adapter found" error.

I'm running an Apple M2 max with Windows 11 through parallels. My OBDLink Ex has worked in the past with a different computer (another apple MBP with parallels). I have tried installing and reinstalling adapters multiple times, I've also tried doing the factory reset link on my adapter with no success. During my earlier attempts my OBDL would appear in the Windows device list under settings, but with the message "driver is unavailable" despite the orange light on the adapter. Now the OBDLink does not show up in the device list.

I'm at a loss, any ideas? Thanks for the help in advance...

umeuph97 · Post by **umeuph97** » Tue Mar 28, 2023 5:59 pm

It will open and run after changing the emulation settings for the program. Do you think the emulation settings for Forscan are causing the problem with the device not being visible?

umeuph97 · Post by **umeuph97** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:17 pm

I thought I'd give everyone an update on my quest to get forscan up and running with an Apple M2 max MBP running Windows 11 through parallels. I have successfully gotten my OBDLink Ex to communicate with my F150! A brief outline of my steps are as follows:

1. Navigate to the "properties" screen of Forscan in Windows and select "Compatibility"

2. In the "Windows on ARM" menu click "Change emulation settings"

3. In the first available dropdown menu select "very strict execution"

4. Then you must download the OBDLink EX ARM drivers which can be found here: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/

IMPORTANT: make sure you're downloading the ARM architecture. As of this writing it is 2.12.36.4A. Direct Link: https://ftdichip.com/wp-content/uploads ... utable.zip

5. Unzip the file

6. Now for the part that really eluded me: you must move the decompressed file to the C drive OF PARALLELS. I used file explorer within Windows to move the entire unzipped folder to the C drive inside Parallels. Then install the drivers manually using device manager (find the OBDLink in device manager, right click, select "Browse my computer for drivers" and navigate to the unzipped folder). Credit goes to the user in this forum: https://forum.parallels.com/threads/ftd ... ns.357162/

Before this step I tried and tried to manually install the files and it would not work. As soon as I moved the files to the C drive in parallels it worked right away.

After the drivers were installed I confirmed communication with the truck.

I hope this write up helps someone else. If anyone needs any clarification post here and I'll try to help.

honey_badger_303 · Post by **honey_badger_303** » Thu Nov 30, 2023 1:28 am

I wanted to stop by and say thank you a ton for this write up. I attempted to use my old 2011 MBP to update the TPMS Threshold and it took 20 minutes just for FORSCan to load. I ran to Best Buy quick to get a USB-C to USB adapter and with the provided instructions, was setup and done in 10 minutes. That included downloading FORScan, updating my license to the new copy, performing the operation. Very much appreciated!

One thing I will note, when I first downloaded the driver package, it didnt unpack with the top and subfolders, it was just two subfolders. So I used the link to the write up and downloaded straight from there.

PlattyPlat · Post by **PlattyPlat** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 1:38 am

Just wanted to stop in and say thanks! I was close to getting it running on my M1 Pro MBP w/ Parallels and Windows 11 Pro but couldn't get past the emulation issue. Got it up and running.

spmcadams · Post by **spmcadams** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 6:31 pm

i have OBDwiz running on Win 11 in parallels on Mac pro M3. Diag runs fine. I have ForScan running. BUT the OBDLinkEX isn't found by FORScan. What did I miss?

f-wolf · Post by **f-wolf** » Sat Apr 27, 2024 3:11 am

Did you have a look here ?

https://www.obdlink.com/support/ex/

georgegillams · Post by **georgegillams** » Tue Jul 23, 2024 9:39 pm

I'm in the same position as spmcadams. I can connect via OBDWiz fine and see diagnostics, and I can start FORscan in very strict compatibility mode as described above.
However, FORscan can't connect to the vehicle — says no adapter found.

Is the OBDLink firmware update necessary? The STN Firmware Updater doesn't work for me. As soon as I click "Search for device" it just crashes.

Appreciate you taking the time to help

rh71bna · Post by **rh71bna** » Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:56 pm

Is there any realistic hope of getting “FORScan up and running with an Apple M2 max MBP running Windows 11 through parallels” via the MX+ (Bluetooth) adapter?
These instructions seem valid for the EX adapter but I have an MX+ adapter.
The Mx+ works fine on an old 2018 laptop but is slow and I’m looking to retire the laptop and just use my m2 MacBook Pro (which already has parallels).

I’m stuck on the driver installation, which seems to be exclusively for he ex.

oldtinfords · Post by **oldtinfords** » Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:38 am

rh71bna wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:56 pm Is there any realistic hope of getting “FORScan up and running with an Apple M2 max MBP running Windows 11 through parallels” via the MX+ (Bluetooth) adapter?
These instructions seem valid for the EX adapter but I have an MX+ adapter.
The Mx+ works fine on an old 2018 laptop but is slow and I’m looking to retire the laptop and just use my m2 MacBook Pro (which already has parallels).

I’m stuck on the driver installation, which seems to be exclusively for he ex.

MX+ is Bluetooth. Try connecting to your laptop using Bluetooth like you would any other laptop.

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