Lightning Software Updates using FDRS

[bmwhitetx]

Just bought my first 2-day FDRS license, the license took but when I hit login, 1-2 white boxes open, then close on their own and I'm back to the same FDRS main screen.

Already rebooted and same thing. Searching for answers now.

Does FDRS use local PC browser settings?

EDIT: I'm attempting this before connecting to the vehicle, not sure if I have to first.

Don't have to be connected to vehicle.
When you launch you should get this screen

And when you click add license, you get this screen (but I think on mine it read my license from my PC. This screen was before I bought and was just testing)

Only after you get past these can you click the green "Log In" IIRC.
It will then prompt you to login - use your Ford Account - not the Helm/Motorcraft one.

What do you consider the "Main Screen"?
You can watch this guy's video to see what you should see but skip ahead to like 22 minutes - lots of intro on adapters, etc.

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[digitaldad]

Don't have to be connected to vehicle.
When you launch you should get this screen
What do you consider the "Main Screen"?

Those pics you provided I call the "main screen".

My license is loaded and green. When I hit login, a white dos-like box opens for about 6-7 seconds then closes...I am never prompted to login.

I called FDRS support and the agent was pretty rude/short. I am using Win11 and have read through the posts (and other sites) stating it is hit-and-miss.

I am shrinking my laptop HDD partition to install a blank Win10 image and will dual-boot. Setting up now...hopefully I can re-activate my mongoose without needing to contact them...as well as re-applying the same FDRS license under Win10.

Crossing fingers.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Those pics you provided I call the "main screen".

My license is loaded and green. When I hit login, a white dos-like box opens for about 6-7 seconds then closes...I am never prompted to login.

I called FDRS support and the agent was pretty rude/short. I am using Win11 and have read through the posts (and other sites) stating it is hit-and-miss.

I am shrinking my laptop HDD partition to install a blank Win10 image and will dual-boot. Setting up now...hopefully I can re-activate my mongoose without needing to contact them...as well as re-applying the same license under Win10.

Crossing fingers.

Think the Mongoose will be fine. I borrowed one and it just worked. I did install the drivers. For grins I clicked activate and it said it was already activated.

I think the FDRS license is stored on the laptop. Thought I read you had to unlicense that PC to use on another machine. Maybe click the (now) green License tab on that main screen.

EDIT: Yeah log In takes you to a Ford Account login page like we are used to seeing. I found I was only asked to log in once per day.

 

[digitaldad]

Good call, will check that out shortly, thanks @bmwhitetx !

Edit - This worked.

 

[digitaldad]

Hmm, getting a bit irritated.

Installed Windows 10 Pro as advised, so dual-boot is now working. This is a base OS install, installing only drivers for laptop, mongoose drivers, FDRS and IDS.

Now, when installing the latest FDRS, the white log in box I mentioned auto-closing earlier (on Windows 11), now only produces an error box that states - "Browser cannot be initialized"

Read a post where someone had similar login issues and advised to install an older version of FDRS, then upgrade.

I installed version 38.5.7.0 and was finally able to get to the Ford log in page. However, after username/password and I get to the 2FA code prompt, enter the code and nothing happens.

So I then upgraded (again) to latest FDRS....and get the browser cannot be initialized error box again.

I also connected to a secondary network I have at my disposal and all same results.

 

[Mike G]

Hmm, getting a bit irritated.

Installed Windows 10 Pro as advised, so dual-boot is now working. This is a base OS install, installing only drivers for laptop, mongoose drivers, FDRS and IDS.

Now, when installing the latest FDRS, the white log in box I mentioned auto-closing earlier (on Windows 11), now only produces an error box that states - "Browser cannot be initialized"

Read a post where someone had similar login issues and advised to install an older version of FDRS, then upgrade.

I installed version 38.5.7.0 and was finally able to get to the Ford log in page. However, after username/password and I get to the 2FA code prompt, enter the code and nothing happens.

So I then upgraded (again) to latest FDRS....and get the browser cannot be initialized error box again.

I also connected to a secondary network I have at my disposal and all same results.

Uninstall IDS. (not needed on newer vehicles).

Return the license.

Reinstall FDRS and then add the license code back in.

Login as Independent Operator.

Use the email address and password for the account you created when you paid for the license.

 

[Mike G]

Got to Internet Options and set these as trusted sites.

 

[Mike G]

Should look like this when logging in.

 

[digitaldad]

@Mike G, thanks...I have a fresh set of eyes this morning.

I thought I read when at license account, its "username" and not email address.

https://www2.helminc.com/ngsm/login.asp?u=&src=motorcraft (does show my license)

When I logged into Ford account (to sign up for IDS/Motorcraft), I used my original Ford info...was I supposed to create a new/second Ford account separate from my own?

 

[Mike G]

@Mike G, thanks...I have a fresh set of eyes this morning.

I thought I read when at license account, its "username" and not email address.

https://www2.helminc.com/ngsm/login.asp?u=&src=motorcraft (does show my license)

When I logged into Ford account (to sign up for IDS/Motorcraft), I used my original Ford info...was I supposed to create a new/second Ford account separate from my own?

No, it can be the same login account you use for your Ford owner account. I've been doing that for two years now.

They changed the login about a year and half ago from a "username" and password to using the email address and password associated with the account your license is attached to.

Motorcraft/Helm/Bosch act like they really want your money, but they don't want to help you install or use the product you're paying all that money for.

The help desk are arrogant and simply send you a list of tier 1 scripted boilerplate canned fixes that when you read them, make it sound like you're the dumb*** who can't follow simple instructions...when they're the ones who failed to provide the simple instructions in the first place.

 

[mattskr]

@Mike G, thanks...I have a fresh set of eyes this morning.

I thought I read when at license account, its "username" and not email address.

https://www2.helminc.com/ngsm/login.asp?u=&src=motorcraft (does show my license)

When I logged into Ford account (to sign up for IDS/Motorcraft), I used my original Ford info...was I supposed to create a new/second Ford account separate from my own?

This was like 1.5 years ago so my memory on why is not clear but I know I could not use my main Ford account (the one tied to my truck) I had to create a second Motorcraft account. I don't think the account used to log into FDRS actually matters as the license is separate.

 

[digitaldad]

OK...

So uninstalled everything and re-installed the latest FDRS. I do now get the login screen and login prompts. I added the trusted sites as well, in internet options.

So if I'm reading you correctly, I should be using the email address from motorcraft where I bought the license and that password, right?

Even though the FDRS login prompt looks exactly like the Ford OEM signin.

When I use the motorcraft email and password, I get "Do not recognize that email and password".

 

[Mike G]

I have not gotten around to doing this yet...but eventually we are all going to have to update to Windows 11 since Windows 10 will lose support in October.

There are folks on this forum who have successfully installed and run FDRS on Windows 11 (for like two years now). But I've just been sticking with what works.

It is my understanding that one of the issues with running FDRS on Win 11, or rather one of the things to fix when trying to do that, is turning off Edge Secure Net in the settings for MS Edge. One of the forum members who was having trouble using FDRS on Win 11 said that he had to turn that off because the servers thought he was using a VPN.

So I've turned that off on my machine as well, just as a precaution.

 

[digitaldad]

Oh my gosh, I got in....

But I had to sign in with my Ford OEM credentials and not the Motorcraft ones. The 2FA prompt actually went though this time and FDRS showed updating software...I am now at user settings and I can see the Measurement Toolbox in back.

What the?

 

[Mike G]

OK...

So uninstalled everything and re-installed the latest FDRS. I do now get the login screen and login prompts. I added the trusted sites as well, in internet options.

So if I'm reading you correctly, I should be using the email address from motorcraft where I bought the license and that password, right?

Even though the FDRS login prompt looks exactly like the Ford OEM signin.

When I use the motorcraft email and password, I get "Do not recognize that email and password".

When you purchased the license they sent you an email right? It's that email address with whatever your password is that is the one they want.

If all else fails, Software Licensing Helpline at 1-800-768-8632

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