W211 2007 E320 NTG2.5 Troubleshooting

[dopsonj92]

Continuining to update as I suspect others like me will find this useful.

Further reading indicated that engineering mode is also accessible via "HANG UP" + "#" + "1" on older firmware units, which then allowed me access to the engineering menu, showing that I had version 08/08 (One of the first I believe).

I'm now going to proceed to update to 09/29 and then wait for the new HDD to arrive before installing the latest 2019 maps.

 

[Larkone]

Keep us updated please

 

[Alfie]

From my experience of 10+ years in the Mac industry, I had a feeling the boot looping could possibly be down to the HDD having died, it had a common tell tell sign of the sound of power being removed from a drive suddenly which indicated to me the drive was playing some part. So I removed the drive and wouldn't you know, the unit booted. Full functionality (bar Navi access) with Bluetooth, Telephone, CD Changer and Radio all being functional

Dont you mean ‘from the email I received from ComandOnline where they suggested I remove the HDD as the unit will boot but without NAV’?

Firmware is in flash not on the HDD.

Good luck with the HDD replacement.

 

[dopsonj92]

Dont you mean ‘from the email I received from ComandOnline where they suggested I remove the HDD as the unit will boot but without NAV’?

Firmware is in flash not on the HDD.

Good luck with the HDD replacement.

I think we can both agree from my email, that my plan of action had been to remove the HDD and test without regardless, you simply confirmed - but thank you. That said, still unsure why you decided to respond to my email on here, rather than email.

The hard drive is pretty much identical and some of the prices people are charging online are beyond reason given the age of the device.

The firmware can be found online and can be done via a CD, same with the Maps which can be imaged onto a drive. I'm sure you're well aware of this.

It is at the end of a day, a 10+ year old car and device, to spend possibly hundreds when there are forums like this to troubleshoot makes little to no sense. Thanks all for your advice so far!

 

[mioba]

Interesting post, just scrolled through.

The PO has clearly replaced Audio 20 with NTG2.5
Some NTG2.5 have a multi CD player in the slot (its either one CD or the optional 6 disc multplayer)
NTG2.5 was bluetooth ready so not sure you will need the BT adaptor.
There are videos on YT ro replacing the HD, fiddly but as you appear competent - seems no issue, but I would be weary of cheap chinese items IMHO.
The last maps update is v16 (2019), you need to ensure your unit has the latest firmware update to run this 09/29.

Time and cost wise would be more effecient to go to Alfi and get it sorted, It seems if anything it needs a loom making up from A20 to NTG2.5, but its clear you like the hands on approach.

Good luck and keep us updated as to the progress.

 

[dopsonj92]

Interesting post, just scrolled through.

The PO has clearly replaced Audio 20 with NTG2.5
Some NTG2.5 have a multi CD player in the slot (its either one CD or the optional 6 disc multplayer)
NTG2.5 was bluetooth ready so not sure you will need the BT adaptor.
There are videos on YT ro replacing the HD, fiddly but as you appear competent - seems no issue, but I would be weary of cheap chinese items IMHO.
The last maps update is v16 (2019), you need to ensure your unit has the latest firmware update to run this 09/29.

Time and cost wise would be more effecient to go to Alfi and get it sorted, It seems if anything it needs a loom making up from A20 to NTG2.5, but its clear you like the hands on approach.

Good luck and keep us updated as to the progress.

The NTG2.5 has the 6 changer built in, which I've established is fully working.
BT is enabled, but doesn't support A2DP - I.e Audio Streaming - It only supports calling hands free, so as it stands, not 100% useful.
HD removal and replacement isn't too challenging, as mentioned spent 10+ years in the Mac field, dealt with worse.

Chinese Hard Drives - Yup, I'm sure it may have it's pitfalls, again, dealt with the Chinese and their quality of parts for some time, but for £18.00 it's worth a punt on a 40GB IDE drive that no-one should be charging hundreds for, case in point, Command charge £399:

Genuine Replacement Hard Disk for COMAND NTG2.5 (Europe Version)

A genuine replacement hard disk for your NTG2.5 COMAND System (Europe Version)

www.commandonline.co.uk

Updating to 09/29 is possible over CD, you've just got to look hard enough online to find the correct one for your hardware version, same with updating the maps.

Time/Cost wise, it wouldn't really have been more efficient to go to Alfi based on the price for a drive, or the cost of other parts (a MOST loop for £39 for example)... I'm sure they're brilliant, and clearly a niche in their market place, but their prices are excessive. To justify a 10+ year old drive for £400 for a drive (okay with maps) is obscene.

End of the day, it's a cheap, 10+ year old dog wagon that doesn't want money thrown at it for the sake of it, we're at an age where almost all info you could want is online and a DIY approach is more than suitable. I'm posting here with detail and information to save others in their search hundreds of pounds in costs. Everything is obtainable if you know how to use Google...

 

[Chrishazle]

One thing not mentioned - I believe the 2019 maps for NTG2.5 (which I have on my 08 SLK) is the last update MB will issue for this system. Only saving grace is that, like the NTG4 system in my 08 S204, the DVD's are re-useable, so you can buy a "second user" set from the forum or Ebay (as I did) then sell them on (again, as I did) after installing the update!

 

[Alfie]

I think we can both agree from my email, that my plan of action had been to remove the HDD and test without regardless, you simply confirmed - but thank you. That said, still unsure why you decided to respond to my email on here, rather than email.

The hard drive is pretty much identical and some of the prices people are charging online are beyond reason given the age of the device.

The firmware can be found online and can be done via a CD, same with the Maps which can be imaged onto a drive. I'm sure you're well aware of this.

It is at the end of a day, a 10+ year old car and device, to spend possibly hundreds when there are forums like this to troubleshoot makes little to no sense. Thanks all for your advice so far!

I replied both here and via email. It was us who suggested the disk removal as you stated you didnt think the unit would boot without it. You didn't even understand the wiring between NTG 1 and NTG 2.5 was different and had to ask if you remove the adapter would it fry the unit. If you look at the looms you would see the power feed is on different pins. Given your 10 yrs Mac experience Id have though you would spot that. Stop trying to take credit where its not yours to take.

Tried to help you but you clearly do not like paying for expert advice. Thats fine. I think my 30 years in IT and fifteen years fixing Comand units probably trumps your 10 years Mac experience but hey, you seem to know better.

The replacement GENUINE hard drive comes with latest maps which when bought officially are £199 on their own. Plus you get a drive that plugs in and works. Good luck with your replacement.

As a company and a forum sponsor we always try to help people but there comes a point where we have to say, if you want to go further then we need to start to make a charge. After all we have spent many many years working on these and fixing them. We are not about to start giving over all our techniques and practices for free. Some people want everything for free or pennies.

 

[dopsonj92]

I replied both here and via email. It was us who suggested the disk removal as you stated you didnt think the unit would boot without it. You didn't even understand the wiring between NTG 1 and NTG 2.5 was different and had to ask if you remove the adapter would it fry the unit. If you look at the looms you would see the power feed is on different pins. Given your 10 yrs Mac experience Id have though you would spot that. Stop trying to take credit where its not yours to take.

Tried to help you but you clearly do not like paying for expert advice. Thats fine. I think my 30 years in IT and fifteen years fixing Comand units probably trumps your 10 years Mac experience but hey, you seem to know better.

The replacement GENUINE hard drive comes with latest maps which when bought officially are £199 on their own. Plus you get a drive that plugs in and works. Good luck with your replacement.

As a company and a forum sponsor we always try to help people but there comes a point where we have to say, if you want to go further then we need to start to make a charge. After all we have spent many many years working on these and fixing them. We are not about to start giving over all our techniques and practices for free. Some people want everything for free or pennies.

I think we'll agree to disagree here Mark, nor do I want to dive into a back and forth with you over specifics. Advice isn't free, I appreciate that, but your tone and approach seemed a little off.

Regardless, I'll make sure to continue to post to follow through this thread, for those who don't want to hand out a small fortune.