** Reply to message from Druppy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:34:29 -0700
> The entire car is run off of this system so replacing > the underlying OS would likely cause huge issues with other > modules that would need replaced as well. I have a difficult time believing all kinds of hardware would have to be replaced because the OS was replaces. All the nodes are probably devices on a CAN bus and since they were bringing many other models online with the new OS, it's a tough one to buy that it would require much if any hardware replacements. On the other hand, Microsoft is well known for tieing down partners with offers of vast financial incentives to use the Microsoft products. They're just not likely to accept backing out in the contracts until the life of the contract has expired. There would surely be costs associated with an upgrade but they were already moving the other models to the new system. And upgrade would have unique costs but there is also the cost of the loss of customer satisfaction. And on such a pricy vehicle, it surprised me they were nuts enough to do Windows on it from the start. There's not as much to lose if you piss off a bunch of 300 series owners but testing at the mid to high range of the product line was quite daring. > I have been trying to get the 750-style software on my 745 > and no one even knows what modules need replaced -- you > would think it's just software but no such luck. > I did a simple hack of my PV solar inverter and was having a tough time until I was able to get docs from one of the companies engineers which spec'ed the protocols. And what you are trying to do is vastly more complex in how all the ECU's and modules communicate. So if BMW is not doing a sanctioned upgrade, without an internal engineer helping you out with some of the details, I would expect it to be quite difficult. > Anyway my point is I think this is more of a technical feasibility > issue than a contract one. That is a possibility and one I would accept if any other company but Microsoft were involved in the initial development and contract. They add so much more in the contract and marketing side of the process. But I'd love to see what your I-Drive does and what you're been doing do/with it. Do you attend meetings? Doug -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
