COMAND Settings menu

[amwebby]

Malcolm mentioned at the recent GTG at Prestige that there was a settings menu for COMAND, to change the colours etc.

If anyone knows how to get into this for COMAND 2.5 I'd appreciate it.

[Alfie]

Malcolm mentioned at the recent GTG at Prestige that there was a settings menu for COMAND, to change the colours etc.

If anyone knows how to get into this for COMAND 2.5 I'd appreciate it.

We stumbled across this some time ago and tried it but it doesnt work. I think the info we found was duff.

[amwebby]

Malcolm seemed to think it worked. Malcolm?

You must be able to get into it somehow. I recall Steve at Benz NL modified the startup screen to read MBenzNl instead of Mercedes. I can't seem to get onto their site today though.

[amwebby]

10635

[television]

I will fish out what I have in a bit

[Alfie]

10635

The MBenzNL image on the screen is something that Steve has programmed into the comand. I'd love to know how;)

[DansSlk]

Just modified the startup image surely?

Probably pulled it from one of the update disks edited it and burnt a new disk.

[Alfie]

Just modified the startup image surely?

Probably pulled it from one of the update disks edited it and burnt a new disk.

I guess so. Something to have a play with tonight;)

[Diesel Benz]

Just modified the startup image surely?

Probably pulled it from one of the update disks edited it and burnt a new disk.

I guess that works on the older disks that are not encrypted. At least I cannot make any sense about the content of current disks (I don't mean it would be impossible for others, just quite a lot more challenging).

[columb]

I guess that works on the older disks that are not encrypted. At least I cannot make any sense about the content of current disks (I don't mean it would be impossible for others, just quite a lot more challenging).

If something can be encrypted, it can by decrypted. Key must be within cd/dvd itself :)

As soon as I will buy comand (still thinking, £900 is quite expensive- especially having TT, PDAa and Nokia phones plus BT GPSes...) I will look into data :)

Cheers
Chris

[DansSlk]

I guess that works on the older disks that are not encrypted. At least I cannot make any sense about the content of current disks (I don't mean it would be impossible for others, just quite a lot more challenging).
I was thinking about the software update disks mate not the mapping disks.

[DansSlk]

I guess so. Something to have a play with tonight;)
Cool, good luck

[Diesel Benz]

If something can be encrypted, it can by decrypted. Key must be within cd/dvd itself :)

As soon as I will buy comand (still thinking, £900 is quite expensive- especially having TT, PDAa and Nokia phones plus BT GPSes...) I will look into data :)

Cheers
Chris

Why would they put the key to the disk? It is sufficient that the unit reading the data knows the key. Anything that is encrypted, can be decrypted, but it may not be easy. You might get it cheaper by buying half of the Daimler AG shares...

[columb]

Why would they put the key to the disk? It is sufficient that the unit reading the data knows the key. Anything that is encrypted, can be decrypted, but it may not be easy. You might get it cheaper by buying half of the Daimler AG shares...

We are talking about update SOFTWARE disk. How one can update old version if new is encrypted?

Cheers
Chris

[columb]

Can someone create an image (not iso) of any update disk so I can have a look please?

many thanks!
Chris

[amwebby]

Can someone create an image (not iso) of any update disk so I can have a look please?

many thanks!
Chris

There is an image out there on the web.

http://www.geocities.com/comand12000/

[whitenemesis]

The MBenzNL image on the screen is something that Steve has programmed into the comand. I'd love to know how;)

I guess so. Something to have a play with tonight;)

Good luck :)

I for one would love to have a customised start-up screen :cool: :D

[Bobby Dazzler]

I read on a US forum that some versions of COMAND can be switched to an AMG logo, but sadly not the version I have - or so I was led to believe.

[DansSlk]

I read on a US forum that some versions of COMAND can be switched to an AMG logo, but sadly not the version I have - or so I was led to believe.
I know the COMAND APS does it, not sure about the others mate.

[Diesel Benz]

I read on a US forum that some versions of COMAND can be switched to an AMG logo, but sadly not the version I have - or so I was led to believe.

But this is when changing settings from the hidden menu. Making it show MBenzNL would not work exactly the same way.

[amwebby]

I suppose it is too much to hope for a "Display text at startup" option.

[amwebby]

I've found instructions for the COMAND 2.0 settings menu but none for 2.5. This is driving me nuts, there must be some out there somewhere.

[smiddyboy1]

I've found instructions for the COMAND 2.0 settings menu but none for 2.5. This is driving me nuts, there must be some out there somewhere.

amwebby, Can you send me the link to the 2.0 settings?, PM if you prefer, Thanks

[amwebby]

Can't PM you.

[smiddyboy1]

Can't PM you.
why??

[amwebby]

I get this when I try:


smiddyboy1 has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.

[television]

These are not for the 2 or 2.5 they are off air tonight


http://209.85.135.104/custom?q=cache:cAZFD1kUo9QJ:tech.bentleypublishers .com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/86-29351-285660-4462/MERCEDES_COMAND_UNLOCK_CODES_k_.pdf+comand+secret+ menu&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&client=pub-0353273663172086

With this one go down to bentley publishers

http://www.everythingbenz.com/mercedes?cx=001645267250350079525%3Ae43c174tea8&cof=FORID%3A11&q=comand+secret+menu&filter=0#1676

[smiddyboy1]

I get this when I try:
mmmm, thats strange, I've recieved PM's on here before but cant find how to change the settings.
Thanks anyway.

Edit,
Can you try again as I've found the setting - hopefully it works now

[television]

mmmm, thats strange, I've recieved PM's on here before but cant find how to change the settings.
Thanks anyway.

Edit,
Can you try again as I've found the setting - hopefully it works now

The merc uppgrades site is not working to night

[amwebby]

These are not for the 2 or 2.5 they are off air tonight


You mean you have links for 2.5 where the website is down? Please share.

[television]

You mean you have links for 2.5 where the website is down? Please share.

I do have links and I am doing my best to find them, there are over 750 MB links on my computer and some end up in places where they should not be.

[amwebby]

I have found some interesting links.

This one shows the start up screen changed, via altering the files on the software upgrade CD.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://forum.geo24.de/thread.php%3Fthreadid%3D1076696%26threadview%3D0%2 6hilight%3D%26hilightuser%3D0%26sid%3D37ae44b779d0 a073f70e2b33f9533536%26page%3D1&prev=/language_tools

It is translated from the German via Google.

This page has links to some sites that promise to show how to change the colour to blue amongst other things:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hehlhans.de%2Fmultime dia1.htm%23b7&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

This one has the link to do that but you must be a member, however I can't find a link to register.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercedes-v-club.de%2F&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=de&tl=en

Go to V-Technik/Interior

[Diesel Benz]

This page has links to some sites that promise to show how to change the colour to blue amongst other things:


I thought it was the same as the blue screen on a PC, not that difficult to get one. :) But it seems real, updating the update CD to load a custom start screen.

[amwebby]

It seems that only on COMAND APS do you get the choice of Mercedes or AMG start up screens.

[Diesel Benz]

Deleted.

[DansSlk]

It seems that only on COMAND APS do you get the choice of Mercedes or AMG start up screens.
It's not just a different startup screen on the CMD APS, the AMG version is a totally different program running on the unit.

99% of the appis identical but the MB logo version is pre-selected because the AMG version has problems with features like AM radio.

[amwebby]

I do have links and I am doing my best to find them, there are over 750 MB links on my computer and some end up in places where they should not be.

Any luck Malcolm? I've scoured the web and can find nothing.

[Alfie]

Found it!

At last, I've been digging around on my laptop for ages for this and have got it at last.

Now, when I found sometime ago we tried it on a 2004 SL55 and it did nothing so be prepared for it not to work:(

According to the original article, this is how to change a Comand 2 unit;

Turn the key to position 1 or 2
Turn on Comand
Turn on Radio
Press 5 (continue holding and wait 1 second)
Press 3 (continue to hold, along with the 5 key and wait 1 second)
Press 7 and hold until the menu appears

Now you change the look of the comand screen(s).

Please let us know if anyone gets this to work.

[glojo]

All I will say is don't forget the link I posted that documented the Service Bulletin from Mercedes-Benz regarding this front screen.

Alfie, Dan and others might know what they are doing, but for the rest of us, this can be an expensive button pushing exercise.

It will be no good trying to say, "I started it up and it just went funny!"

Leave those buttons alone unless YOU KNOW what your doing!

Regards
John the killjoy

[evdok]

I changed mine to AMG logo then changed it back the following day. All works ok..left it at that. Too expensive to mess with!

[amwebby]

This is for COMAND APS isn't it? I've I tried it on 2.5 and it didn't work anyway.

[evdok]

This is for COMAND APS isn't it? I've I tried it on 2.5 and it didn't work anyway.

Yup!

[Alfie]

What I posted was for comand 2 and Comand 2.5 alledgedly.

[evdok]

What I posted was for comand 2 and Comand 2.5 alledgedly.

:o oops!

[amwebby]

What I posted was for comand 2 and Comand 2.5 allegedly.

Oh well, thanks anyway.

[Mr E]

Just tried it on my COMAND - comes up with the menu, etc, but nothings seems to change.

I assume it's like the rest of COMAND - scroll up and down the list and then press "OK", and the press the "Back" softkey to exit.

Unless the change is very, very subtle.....

[amwebby]

Which COMAND do you have? What menu do you get? Pics please.

[evdok]

Which COMAND do you have? What menu do you get? Pics please.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53718

[amwebby]

Yes, that's APS isn't it?

[glojo]

Here is a brief extract of what I posted. Finding this infornation is much easier in the US so you will see references to MBUSA. This is however a Service Bulletin from Mercedes-Benz that is circulkated World-Wide






Be advised that changing the settings on the COMAND head unit or any other component can only
occur when a user deliberately and manually enters a certain number sequence or combination on the head unit and proceeds to alter specified settings for each model vehicle.
• There are many sources of information that provide such unapproved methods to change parameters in the system. These sources are not affiliated nor supported in any method by MBUSA or any of its affiliates.
• Please be aware that if the instructions below did not succeed to recover correct functionality and operation of the head unit, then the head unit MUST BE replaced.
• Cost of work and replacement of the head unit will be charged to the customer.

[Mr E]

Just tried it on my COMAND - comes up with the menu, etc, but nothings seems to change.

I assume it's like the rest of COMAND - scroll up and down the list and then press "OK", and the press the "Back" softkey to exit.

Unless the change is very, very subtle.....

A-ha..... when I went out later, it had changed!

As to which COMAND - I don't know, I just ticked the box...

[adm1945]

Hi Glojo, sorry to address you like this but I have read all your information about the command module, starting way back when. I am having a problem with mine, SLK 171, that MB deny is a problem saying they have updated it with the latest disk, it reads V 8 maps without a problem, but still allows access to the engineering menu, no ETA on screen nor does it show traffic jams on the correct side of the road, but it does play MP3 disks. In the engineering section it states, Tuesday Nov 23 – 48/2004. Any ideas?

[amwebby]

. In the engineering section it states, Tuesday Nov 23 – 48/2004. Any ideas?

You are the victim of a time warp.

[glojo]

Hi Glojo, sorry to address you like this but I have read all your information about the command module, starting way back when. I am having a problem with mine, SLK 171, that MB deny is a problem saying they have updated it with the latest disk, it reads V 8 maps without a problem, but still allows access to the engineering menu, no ETA on screen nor does it show traffic jams on the correct side of the road, but it does play MP3 disks. In the engineering section it states, Tuesday Nov 23 – 48/2004. Any ideas?when in danger or in doubt, I always tend to 'opt out!'

Alfie and Richard have forgotten more than I will ever know.

I'm not very 'with-it' at the moment but I doubt very much your car actually has the latest COMAND updates??

Sorry to be so negative

Regards
John

[adm1945]

With regard to my last post - if Alfie and Richard see this and have any ideas I will be gratefull, I will contact MB about the 'time warp' and ask why it is showing that date, but my impression is that they will not know, from one of the USA sites I got the impression that all the updates were not on all the disks and they all had to be entered, so they may well have used the latest to get the V8 working but it did not have all the upgrades/bug fixes. Any ideas on this?

[Diesel Benz]

With regard to my last post - if Alfie and Richard see this and have any ideas I will be gratefull, I will contact MB about the 'time warp' and ask why it is showing that date, but my impression is that they will not know, from one of the USA sites I got the impression that all the updates were not on all the disks and they all had to be entered, so they may well have used the latest to get the V8 working but it did not have all the upgrades/bug fixes. Any ideas on this?

glojo would know this from experience (I don't have Comand on the w211) but ETA should follow an update to the Comand unit while the navi processor update is sometimes needed to make the unit accept new maps (I thought this was included to one of the latest W211 maps, could well have been this V8, meaning you would still need the Comand update like glojo too assumed).

[glojo]

The ETA upgrade is not a service item and as such some, or most dealers will charge for this upgrade.

What I find baffling is the dealer claims the car has all the required upgrades, BUT the owner can still access the Engineers Menu? As far as I was aware and my comments are only in relation to the 211 type COMAND..... The latest service upgrades block access to this menu.

It is possible that someone has tampered with the COMAND and re-activated this option??

Regards
John

[Alfie]

Hi Glojo, sorry to address you like this but I have read all your information about the command module, starting way back when. I am having a problem with mine, SLK 171, that MB deny is a problem saying they have updated it with the latest disk, it reads V 8 maps without a problem, but still allows access to the engineering menu, no ETA on screen nor does it show traffic jams on the correct side of the road, but it does play MP3 disks. In the engineering section it states, Tuesday Nov 23 – 48/2004. Any ideas?

Okay.

The headunit update is separate from the navigation drive update.

To go from some early versions of the navigation S/W to newer versions (up to V7) the navigation processor update was most likely required just to have the drive read the disk. With version 8 the necessary update was included on the disk so simply pop it in and it accepts it with it running a small update first.

To gain ETA and correct the traffic on the wrong side of the road issue, you need the headunit update. This will remove the engineering menu aswell.

The 48/2004 shows the week that your headunit was manufactured. November 23rd was a Tuesday in 2004 and is remarkably close to week 48 of 2004. You have a very early comand head unit.

Hope this helps,

[glojo]

Okay.

The headunit update is separate from the navigation drive update.

To go from some early versions of the navigation S/W to newer versions (up to V7) the navigation processor update was most likely required just to have the drive read the disk. With version 8 the necessary update was included on the disk so simply pop it in and it accepts it with it running a small update first.

To gain ETA and correct the traffic on the wrong side of the road issue, you need the headunit update. This will remove the engineering menu aswell.

The 48/2004 shows the week that your headunit was manufactured. November 23rd was a Tuesday in 2004 and is remarkably close to week 48 of 2004. You have a very early comand head unit.

Hope this helps,Hi Alfie,
Glad to see you have posted your usual very helpful posts.

Can you please explain how the owner can still access the Engineer's Menu if they have had all the required service upgrades. I do accept the ETA Upgrade is an optional and chargeable improvement.

regards
John

[richard]

Hi Glojo, sorry to address you like this but I have read all your information about the command module, starting way back when. I am having a problem with mine, SLK 171, that MB deny is a problem saying they have updated it with the latest disk, it reads V 8 maps without a problem, but still allows access to the engineering menu, no ETA on screen nor does it show traffic jams on the correct side of the road, but it does play MP3 disks. In the engineering section it states, Tuesday Nov 23 – 48/2004. Any ideas?

Adam,i'm 90% sure thats just the head unit version.

They have not done the head unit update with the latest disk. Otherwise you would be able to turn on ETA by selecting the map, pressing the softkeys, look in display and one of the options allows you to select "none / position / eta" - if your menu there just shows the none and the position options, they havent done it.

V8 will have updated the NAV processor, but the head unit update is different. They probably just dont know about the MY2007 head unit update as you have to find it in WIS.

Where are you ? [edit, do you come from Bristol to the Ascot or Woking areas ?]

Richard

[ckember]

The MBenzNL image on the screen is something that Steve has programmed into the comand. I'd love to know how;)

My first Comand unit in my old c270 came from Steve, when I applied the my2001 update the modified splash screen he had put on it was replaced with the normal MB one.

[Alfie]

Hi Alfie,
Glad to see you have posted your usual very helpful posts.

Can you please explain how the owner can still access the Engineer's Menu if they have had all the required service upgrades. I do accept the ETA Upgrade is an optional and chargeable improvement.

regards
John

John,

As far as I know, you cannot access the Engineering menu (other than with STAR) once the updates are applied. Was there something you wanted looked at then? I'm sure it can be addressed around the 13th July ;)

[Alfie]

My first Comand unit in my old c270 came from Steve, when I applied the my2001 update the modified splash screen he had put on it was replaced with the normal MB one.

Yep. I figured out how it was done. Its a 'special' version of the MY01 update disk. The image is edited and a new disk 'created'.:rolleyes:

[adm1945]

Hi, Alan here, thanks to all for your help, putting all the info together I purchased a disk for £10 from Inchcape that set the headunit - engineering now gone, still reads all reagions and the DVD goes of at any speed above walking pace - it now shows ETA and distance - jams on the correct side of the road and also red triangles and 'no go' signs that it did not before - great. Unfortunatly no matter how convincing MB workshops present themselves, had to do it myself with a lot of advice from you lot out there. Thanks to you all, 'specialy Alfie and Glojo.

[evdok]

Is there a way of finding out what all the symbols mean on the comand display?

[whitenemesis]

Look in the handbook?

[evdok]

Look in the handbook?

Ever since i bought V7 I'm getting symbols I've never seen before ie different triangles...some dark some light!

[whitenemesis]

Severity of the hold-up.

[evdok]

Severity of the hold-up.
I thought the yellow cars did that.

[whitenemesis]

Think that's the length of the hold-up / jam?

[ckember]

I thought the yellow cars did that.

I get yellow cars for mild delays and red cars for severe delays. Also get warning triangles and stop signs for roads closed this is on my W211 aps command V7