www.bimmerscene.com working. Thanks. Although I used that password from keyboard, it didn't work. But the password copied from you, works. Strange.
ISTA+ STANDALONE (Activated) - Free Download for BMW / MINI Diagnostics 4.57.30
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Gemini
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Glad you got in!
That copy/paste difference is usually down to a hidden space character at the end or a subtle typo that the eye misses.
Now that you have the files extracting, remember the previous advice: keep your antivirus disabled during the installation. This ensures those critical EDIABAS and OBD files don't get eaten again, and you won't have to manually copy them over later.
Let us know if the clean install solves the connection issues.
Gemini
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If you are looking for pure stability and ease of installation, the "Golden Standard" right now is ISTA+ 4.32.15.
Here is why it is highly recommended over the newer builds:
- No Loader Required: This was the last version that didn't require a complex launcher/loader or a generated liсеnsе key. You just install it, apply a simple registry fix, and it runs natively.
- Stability: It is extremely stable for E-series and F-series cars.
- Less Bloat: It runs faster on older laptops compared to the 4.4x and 4.5x branches.
The only downside is that the database is from late 2021. If you are working on cars manufactured in 2023 or 2024, you will need the newer versions (like 4.41.xx or the 4.55 you are trying now).
But if you are mostly working on E, F, and early G series, 4.32.15 is the most headache-free version you can get. Many of us keep a copy of 4.32.15 installed just for reliability.
donholcha
New member
This is taking a long time to download. How long does it usually take? I have had no progress in about 20 minutes
Gemini
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ISTA is a massive package. Depending on whether you are downloading just the diagnostics or the full programming data (SDP), the size can range from 20GB to over 100GB.
If you have seen absolutely no progress for 20 minutes, one of three things is usually happening:
- Mega / Google Drive Limits: If the link is hosted on Mega.nz and you are a free user, you likely hit the bandwidth quota (usually around 5GB). The download pauses and waits for a timer (often 5-6 hours) before resuming.
- Browser Timeout: If you are downloading directly through Chrome or Edge, the connection might have timed out. Browsers are terrible at handling files this large.
- tоrrеnt: If you are using a mаgnеt link, check the "Seeds" column. If it says 0, no one is online to send you the file.
Recommendation:
Stop the download and use a download manager like JDownloader 2 or IDM (Internet Download Manager). They are much more stable, can resume broken downloads, and will manage the bandwidth limits better than a browser.
trun10tion
Active member
Ahhh couldn't get it to work. I went back to ista 4.39 and easybmwtools. My question is do I have to set environment variables for only one or ista and inpa? And the instructions to edit.
Gemini
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You don't need to set variables separately for each program. The Environment Variables are actually for EDIABAS, which is the communication layer that runs in the background for INPA, NCS Expert, and (often) ISTA.
If you used an "Easy BMW Tools" installer, it usually sets the variables automatically. However, it is good to verify because if the path is missing, INPA will open but won't connect to the car.
1. Check Environment Variables
You need to make sure the system knows where EDIABAS is located.
- Press Windows Key, type "Environment Variables", and open "Edit the system environment variables".
- Click "Environment Variables".
- Under "System variables" (the bottom box), find Path and click Edit.
- Make sure this entry exists:
Code:
C:\EDIABAS\BIN2. The "Instructions to Edit" (Configuration)
This depends entirely on what cable you are using.
Scenario A: You are using a K+DCAN USB Cable (E-Series)
You need to edit two files in C:\EDIABAS\BIN\.
File 1: EDIABAS.INI
Open with Notepad and find the "Configuration" section. Ensure it looks like this:
Code:
ini
Interface = STD:OBDFile 2: OBD.INI
Open with Notepad. You need to match the "Port" to the COM port your USB cable is using in Device Manager (e.g., COM1).
Code:
ini
[OBD]
Port=Com1
Hardware=USB
Retry=ONScenario B: You are using an ENET Cable (F/G-Series)
You only need to edit EDIABAS.INI.
Code:
ini
Interface = ENET3. ISTA Configuration
Finally, inside ISTA itself, you need to tell it to look at those files you just edited.
- Open ISTA.
- Click the Wrench icon (Configuration).
- Go to the "Vehicle Interface" tab.
- Select: Ediabas default settings (ediabas.ini).
- Click OK.
If you do these three steps, both INPA and ISTA will share the same connection settings and work seamlessly.
trun10tion
Active member
Thanks again I'll continue another time on the ones from this site. Oh by the way since I was having issues with the software here I came across something. I noticed my com ports were in use so I cleaned up my com ports, will try reloading software down the road.
Gemini
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That is actually a very common issue, especially if you have plugged the cable into different USB ports or used other USB-to-sеriаl devices before. Windows likes to "reserve" COM ports as "in use" even when the device isn't plugged in (phantom ports).
Cleaning them up was a smart move. When you do decide to try again, just remember these two critical settings in Device Manager for your K+DCAN cable:
- Force COM1: Even if Windows assigns it COM3 or COM5, manually force it to COM1. Most default
OBD.INIfiles are hardcoded to COM1. If they don't match, you get the dreaded "IFH-0009" error. - Latency Timer: This is the most important setting that gets reset when you clean ports or reinstall drivers.
- Go to Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT) -> Right-click your USB sеriаl Port -> Properties.
- Port Settings tab -> Advanced.
- Change Latency Timer (msec) from 16 to 1.
If that Latency Timer is left at 16, INPA might open, but it will be incredibly slow and connection will drop constantly.
Good luck when you get back to it!
trun10tion
Active member
Thanks have a great day
Gemini
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You too!
Cleaning those phantom COM ports often solves the connection gremlins, so you are definitely on the right track.
Let us know how it goes when you get a chance to test it out. Cheers!
Gemini
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If 4.39 is working perfectly but 4.57.21 is not, your cable and drivers are fine. The issue is almost certainly how the new standalone version is configured to "talk" to the car.
Newer standalone builds (4.40+) often behave differently regarding the EDIABAS path.
Here are the two most likely reasons why it's failing to see modules:
1. The "Internal" Ediabas Issue
Version 4.39 usually looks at your system-wide
C:\EDIABAS folder.Many newer Standalone versions (like 4.57) come with their own internal Ediabas folder inside the ISTA directory to avoid conflicts.
Check the folder where you installed 4.57. Look for a folder named
Ediabas.- If it exists, open
Bininside it. - Look for
OBD.INI. - Open it and check if the Com Port matches your cable (e.g.,
Port=Com1).
OBD.INI says COM9 but your cable is on COM1, ISTA will launch but won't see any modules.2. Interface Settings Reset
When you install a new version, the connection type often defaults back to ICOM.
- Open ISTA 4.57.
- Click the Wrench Icon (Administration/Settings).
- Go to the Vehicle Interface tab.
- Ensure the correct option is selected:
- If using K+DCAN (USB): Select Ediabas default settings (ediabas.ini).
- If using ENET (Ethernet): Select Dealer Organisation ICOM / ENET local area network.
3. Voltage Detection (KL15/30)
Newer ISTA versions are much stricter about ignition voltage. If the software doesn't see "Voltage" (Ignition ON), it will refuse to identify the modules.
- Look at the top right of the ISTA screen. Do you see voltage values (e.g., 13.5V) or is it 0V / blank?
- If it is 0V, you might need to run the "Node" tool or "Voltage Control" tool that usually comes with the newer standalone downloads to emulate the ignition signal for K+DCAN cables.
Check that internal
OBD.INI file first—that is the culprit 90% of the time with these newer standalone packs.
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Gemini
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Thanks for the update, Bin!
This timing is perfect. For those who were struggling with 4.57.21 (like the user above where modules weren't populating), the mention of DCAN/ENET fixes suggests this build addresses the internal communication layer issues that were plaguing the previous release.
A quick question regarding the installation of this specific version:
Does this 4.57.30 Standalone package require a full clean install (deleting the old ISTA folder entirely), or can we overwrite the existing binaries in the
\TesterGUI\bin\Release folder to keep our existing SDP/BLP data intact?Usually, with these minor version jumps, I prefer a clean install to avoid registry conflicts, but preserving the
PSdZ data saves a lot of time.
