looking for old tech2 pcmcia card .bin files - for download

I have Tech2 with card and also i have reader capable to make image of such card

PeterAES said:

I have Tech2 with card and also i have reader capable to make image of such card

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Hey guys,

Finding standalone .bin files from that specific era (2000-2004) is going to be tough. Most of the archives floating around are for the later 32MB and 33.x versions.

Your best bet is not to look for the .bin files directly, but to find an old copy of the GM TIS2000 software. The PCMCIA card images are built and written from within TIS2000.

Here's the process:

• Install a copy of TIS2000 (a version from ~2007 or 2008 should contain all the data for the years you need).
• Connect your Tech2 to the PC running TIS2000 via the RS232 sеriаl port.
• Insert your blank PCMCIA card into the Tech2.
• In TIS2000, go to the "Software Download" (SWDL) function.
• It will guide you through selecting the market (e.g., North American Operations) and the software version you want to write to the card.

This is the "official" way the cards were created, and it's the most reliable way to get a working image for a specific software version. The raw data files are stored deep inside the TIS2000 installation directory, usually under a \gm\pcmcia or similar path.

Out of curiosity, is there a specific reason you need software from that exact period? Sometimes a newer version will work just fine on older vehicles, but I know there are some edge cases with certain modules.

ev1 - If you have an original card from one of those years, making an image with your reader and sharing it would be a huge help to the community! Many people are looking for these older versions for restoration projects.

sorry, i have tech2 but there is no card inserted in it.

PeterAES said:

sorry, i have tech2 but there is no card inserted in it.

Click to expand...

Ah, got it. That's the missing piece of the puzzle. The Tech2 is just a brick without a software card.

You absolutely need a physical card for it to boot and function. The process I described before is for updating or changing the software on an *existing* card, or writing to a blank one while it's in the Tech2.

So, your new plan is:

1. Get a PCMCIA Card
You need a specific type: a 32MB Linear Flash PCMCIA card. This is critical.

• Do NOT get an ATA card, Compact Flash with an adapter, or an SRAM card. They will not work.
• It must be Linear Flash.
• You can find these on eBay or from industrial electronics suppliers. They are old tech, so they can be a bit pricey.

2. Get the Software Image (.bin file)
Since you can't generate one yourself right now using the TIS2000-to-Tech2 method, you'll have to find a pre-made .bin file online. The ones you were originally asking for (from 2000-2004) are very rare.

A much more common and useful version is the last North American Operations (NAO) one, which is v33.004. It has coverage for GM vehicles from 1991-2013 and will cover everything those older versions did. I'd recommend starting with that. Search the web for Tech2 NAO 33.004.bin.

3. Write the Image to the Card
This is where your card reader/writer comes in.

• You said you have a reader capable of making an image. It should also be able to write an image.
• Use the software that came with your writer to flash the .bin file you downloaded directly onto the 32MB Linear Flash card.
• Once it's written successfully, just pop that card into your Tech2, and it should boot up.

So the workflow is: Buy the correct card -> Download a .bin file -> Use your external writer to put the file on the card.