EBay CD ROM 'Shop Manual problems - wiring diagrams missing - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

donbryce · #1 11-22-2007, 11:56 AM

I followed the advice of a forum member and forked out extra $ for what was recommended as one of the 'best' CD manuals for my '86 560SL. He had noted that the manual to get was the one with the Mercedes speedometer on the front. Here's the EBay item

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fws%2Fsearch%2FSaleSearch%3Fsofocus%3Dbs%26satitle%3D260170472 579%2509%26sacat%3D-1%2526catref%253DC5%26_trksid%3Dm37%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy%26pfid%3D0%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26 fcl%3D3%26frpp%3D50%26fvi%3D1&item=260170472579

The problems:
1. Wiring diagrams index comes up, and all diagrams with page numbers are displayed for 1/2 second, then about half of the diagrams/pages get overwritten with 'SEE NEXT INDEX'. I tried for an hour, going to different diagrams for other years and models on this CD, and they all do the same thing. I can't find the 'other' indexes.
2. If I click on the button for 'Component Locations', on the same index page, I get an error message "The file/D:/program/86 etmComp1.pdf cannot be found..."

Anyone have this CD, for any model/year series, and had these issues? I complained to the seller, and got a pigdin English response that said, effectively (and predictably) that I'm doing something wrong, he's sold lots (and never got a complaint I assume?), yadda yadda.

I'm running Windows ME and Adobe reader 6, and haven't had problems with my other (cheaper) CD manual for my 380SE. I think this guy is a con artist....

280EZRider · #2 11-22-2007, 02:43 PM

In view of your problem, I hate to parrot the words of your seller, but: I have one of these CDs for a 280E and it truly is great. It does have everything, including all wiring diagrams.

From your post, I have the impression your CD came from England; I wonder if there is a zone issue.

It took me a while to realize that these CDs take most of the information that they give you from the MBZ online library, not from the disc itself. This could possibly indicate a downloading problem as well.

I hope you get this problem solved because this discs are a wealth of information - when they work, of course.

280EZRider · #3 11-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Just another thought: When I upgraded from Windows ME to XP, all my online-compatability problems disappeared.

dakota · #4 11-22-2007, 06:39 PM

I think that if instead of running the manual directly from the CD, you used my Index, you would find it works much better.

You can download the Index here:
http://web.mac.com/dakota/Mercedes/Indexes.html

Once downloaded and unzipped, follow the direction in the ReadMe file and copy the contents of the CD on to your hard drive. Using my Index will result in getting to what you want in the manual much quicker, and simpler.

Let me know if you have any problems.

donbryce · #5 11-22-2007, 07:32 PM

Steve, THANKS VERY VERY MUCH! I can't believe how simple that whole operation was! I can get the complete index for all the wiring diagrams now, and all the component locations. Your software ROCKS!

I'm not at all clear on why this CD version doesn't have the indexes available, or the component location files, when I run it though. The files are obviously there, since they were copied from the CD to my hard drive. Would you say that this is a poorly done CD copy and not my, or my computer's, fault? I'm certainly no guru on any of this.

dakota · #6 11-23-2007, 12:57 AM

Thank you, Don.

As far as why it doesn't work from the CD, it could be a problem with the CD or it could just be one of the vagaries of Winders. I'd put my money on a Winders problem. How people put up with it, I'll never know, but I guess that would be a discussion for another forum.

At least you got it to work with my Index, so that is the important thing.