codes for command

[tin2080]

Hi, does anybody know how to view a dvd on the command system i have recently seen on ebay a person offering a code for £9 to unlock the command so as you can view dvds. Is this possible or is it a con does anyone know the code how do you do it..

cheers
steve

 

[television]

Cant be done on cars before 05 roughly

 

[masqueraid]

Provided their system hasn't been updated.

Activating video on the move is also likely to invalidate your insurance which might not be worth the £9. Knowledge does seem to = money on eBay though.

 

[evdok]

Cant be done on cars before 05 roughly

yes it can!

 

[Alfie]

Hi, does anybody know how to view a dvd on the command system i have recently seen on ebay a person offering a code for £9 to unlock the command so as you can view dvds. Is this possible or is it a con does anyone know the code how do you do it..

cheers
steve

Cant be done at all on your C class I'm afraid. Money wasted.

The early W211's that came out late 2003ish were the first to have DVD playback capability built into the comand system.

Earlier comand 2 cars could only play DVD's if they had a separate DVD player hooked up to either a multimedia interface or a TV tuner.

DVD playback is not possible on A (W169), B (W245), C (W203) or CLK (W"09) cars with comand, at present unless additional hardware is installed.

 

[PXW]

I'm always very sceptical of information for sale on Ebay. Is this code meant to give DVD capability where there isn't any or to crack the upgraded system so that DVDs can be viewed on the move? If the latter, again I wouldn't bother - could be the riskiest £9 ever...

 

[glojo]

I think that wehenever asking a COMAND related question we should always state the age and model that we are talking about otherwise there might be mass confusion. I believe that for systems that can do this, it will be negetated the next time the vehicle is serviced by a main dealer?

If a car owner were to ask this not be done, then if I were a responsible main dealer I would very respectfully decline and carry out all the latest service technical bulletins. I realise folks only want this fitted for their children and they would 'never' watch the screen themselves, just like they never exceed 30mph in a 30mph zone.

John

 

[television]

I think that wehenever asking a COMAND related question we should always state the age and model that we are talking about otherwise there might be mass confusion. I believe that for systems that can do this, it will be negetated the next time the vehicle is serviced by a main dealer?

If a car owner were to ask this not be done, then if I were a responsible main dealer I would very respectfully decline and carry out all the latest service technical bulletins. I realise folks only want this fitted for their children and they would 'never' watch the screen themselves, just like they never exceed 30mph in a 30mph zone.

John

STAR have dropped all means of enabling any form of video on the move as I understand it, I think it was Alfie who said this.


8 years ago when 12v TV were rare, I had one come in, once fixed I thought ,Oh I must try it. Placed the thing on the seat and reversed slowly up the drive waiting to pick up a signal. the first signal received was a loud bang as my rear tyre deflated as a flint stone cut the sidewall.

£130 later I have never tried since, and that was in my driveway

 

[Alfie]

STAR have dropped all means of enabling any form of video on the move as I understand it, I think it was Alfie who said this.

Not sure it was me!

The option was certainly there a few days ago when I last saw it but we were running a slightly older version of DAS at the time.

I know we can enable it but it is company policy and a personal view of each in the firm that we never enable it.

 

[glojo]

STAR have dropped all means of enabling any form of video on the move as I understand it, I think it was Alfie who said this.


8 years ago when 12v TV were rare, I had one come in, once fixed I thought ,Oh I must try it. Placed the thing on the seat and reversed slowly up the drive waiting to pick up a signal. the first signal received was a loud bang as my rear tyre deflated as a flint stone cut the sidewall.

£130 later I have never tried since, and that was in my driveway

The older 211 type COMAND that is fitted in a number of differing models can have this activated, but the latest technical service bulletins reset it and also prevent further activation but I bet it will not take long before some folks find a way around this very sensible step.

John

 

[evdok]

Sorry thought it was an e class, your c lass is a DVD based unit.

 

[ShinyF1]

Knowledge does seem to = money on eBay though.

Unlike this wonderful place....

 

[Stratman]

While the ebayer may indeed flog you the 'code' for nine quid, I bet he hasn't mentioned that the only way of actually getting the code into COMAND is via a Star programmer. That means a trip to a Stealer, who would probably refuse to do it on safety and subsequent liabilty grounds, or through an independent with a Star programmer. Someone like Alfie, who as he has already said will not do it for the same reasons that a dealer won't.

 

[DansSlk]

While the ebayer may indeed flog you the 'code' for nine quid, I bet he hasn't mentioned that the only way of actually getting the code into COMAND is via a Star programmer. That means a trip to a Stealer, who would probably refuse to do it on safety and subsequent liabilty grounds, or through an independent with a Star programmer. Someone like Alfie, who as he has already said will not do it for the same reasons that a dealer won't.

With a compatible unit its just a case of punching the codes into the headunit, no star needed.

I know this is totally disabled on the Compact3's the option does not exist and the machine actively checks for compliance with Merc's factory settings.

The Basic can still do it with some handy keywork and possibly older software but i agree with the others its a bit of a risky thing to do really, not that it would work on the C to start with of course.

On compatible cars with the correct software release you have access to the Engineering Menu that in itself is harmless because the options to enable DVD in motion are in a totally different hidden menu with another code to release it again.

The Engineering Menu code is Mute - Phone Down - Serv, this will NOT give anybody with a compatible car TV/DVD In Motion but will let you view things such as the battery voltage and the headunit temperature

 

[Diesel Benz]

Not sure it was me!

The option was certainly there a few days ago when I last saw it but we were running a slightly older version of DAS at the time.

I know we can enable it but it is company policy and a personal view of each in the firm that we never enable it.

Which version of DAS are you using? I did not find the option from a very new SDS from an MB shop a while ago.

 

[steve.link]

It can be done with "codes" if the Head Unit is running software 9.390 Build 17/04 or earlier. This roughly equates to cars manufactured mid to late 2005

I don't reccomend it as others have stated but this is what needs to be done - your risk!

http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/towerpark/HiddenMenusv2.pdf

Once you update the HU software there is no going back to an earlier version.

 

[steve.link]

Forgot to mention its these "codes" that sell on "e" bay - so now you have them for free!

 

[glojo]

Am I right in suggesting that once your vehicle has the latest technical service bulletin's installed you no longer have access to this menu?

I am aware of car owners requesting this not to be done but once again, if I were the main dealer I would need to be convinced about not carrying out these required upgrades?

REgards
John

 

[DansSlk]

I don't think the COMAND upgrade has a TSB John, i know for some dealers is standard practice to update all the cars software during any workshop visit others only do it when the vehicle is in for scheduled service and the rest don't bother.

I would think 90% of dealers are the middle option.

I know when we work on cars if an owner says to us don't do XYZ then it would be left well alone i think a dealer saying thats not your choice would be on very thin ice because when the owner signs the consent form it applies only to the work in question and if we where to do anything else without first obtaining permission we would put ourselves in a difficult position simply because we are not the owners of the vehicle.

Over in BMW land the owners of the new M5&6 have been giving BMW a very hard time over a software update that "allegedly" reduces engine performance to increase gearbox life to the point that BMW has made downgrades to older software possible and thats serious stuff so they are clearly taking the threat of legal action seriously and it would be foolish for Mercedes to behave in any other way.

You are totally correct about the new software removing the menu by the way, once the COMAND is updated its gone but any setting changes made in the menu before the new update is applied will still be active.

 

[glojo]

I don't think the COMAND upgrade has a TSB John,

Hi Dan
I bow to you on this but I thought there has been a number of technical service bulletins regarding the 211 series type COMAND. I used to have access to all these and thought I had read several.

On a personal note and only speaking from my experiences, the dealership Mercedes-Benz Exeter has been instructed to carry out quality control checks on ALL E-class 211 vehicles that come in for servicing. This will include checking every update has been installed, but it does NOT include the unofficial ETA upgrade for the COMAND.

REgards
John