Software Installation Guide

CDR Software Installation Instructions

Starting with CDR version 3.6, CDR software will be wish to do more than simply view CDR files from their
available for download and installation directly from computer screens. All CDR software subscribers will
the Bosch Diagnostics website and will no longer be receive an Activation Certificate in their email which
distributed on CD-ROM. This installation guide provides must be used to fully activate all capabilities in the CDR
instructions on how to download, install and activate software.
CDR software.
If you are not a current subscriber and wish to purchase a
Computer System Requirements CDR software subscription, contact an authorized Bosch
CDR software will install and operate on PCs capable CDR tool re-seller/distributor for further information.
of running the operating systems listed below as long
as those computers meet the minimum requirements Download and Install CDR Software
specified by Microsoft®. The following operating systems Follow the steps below to download and install CDR
are supported: software:

–– Windows XP® (32 & 64 bit, Home and Pro for PCs)
1. Visit the Bosch CDR website at: http://www.
–– Windows Vista® (32 & 64 bit)
boschdiagnostics.com/software/pages/CDR_
–– Windows 7 and 8® (32 & 64 bit) software.aspx

2. Click on the link to the most recent CDR software

The PC must be equipped with a RS232 serial
listed on the website
communications or USB port if the CDR tool will be used
to retrieve EDR records from ECUs.
3. When prompted, save the file to your desktop or to
a folder on your computer
Required CDR Hardware
Retrieving EDR record data from supported ECUs 4. Unzip the saved file, run the CDRX.X_setup.exe
requires CDR tool hardware. CDR hardware is available program and follow the installation instruction
for purchase from an authorized Bosch CDR Tool re- prompts on the screen (note that X.X is a place
seller or distributor. holder for the CDR software version number which
changes every new software release).

CDR Software Subscription

Once the CDR software is installed on your computer,
The CDR software is available to anyone who is able
you will have the ability to open a CDR file and view
to access the Bosch Diagnostics CDR website (http://
it on your computer screen. If you are a current CDR
www.boschdiagnostics.com/testequipment/cdr/Pages/
software subscriber and you were emailed an Activation
CDRHome.aspx). A software subscription is not required
Certificate, follow the Activation instructions in the next
to download and install the CDR software and view CDR
section to enable all CDR software capabilities which
files. However, a subscription is required for users who
are available to subscribers.
 Software Installation Guide

Uninstalling 3.0 or Earlier Software Versions

If you are updating CDR software from version 3.0 or earlier,
the installation program will prompt you to uninstall these
CTF
versions of software before installing the new version.
Follow the prompts on the screen when asked to do so. If
you do not uninstall versions 3.0 or earlier, you will not be
able to install this new version. If you already have version
3.1 or later installed on your computer, the installation
program will run without uninstalling previous versions.

Activate Your CDR Software (subscribers only)

If you are a current CDR software subscriber and you have Example Activation Certificate filename for CDR version 3.6

an Activation Certificate which was emailed to you from

Once your CDR software is activated, the Activation
[email protected], follow the instructions below
toolbar button will no longer be visible and you now have
to activate your CDR software:
access to all CDR functions available to subscribers. Refer
to the Getting Started section of the CDR help for further
1. Save the Activation Certificate you received by email to
software setup instructions and operation of the CDR tool.
your desktop or to a folder on your computer.

USB to Serial Adapter Software

2. Start the CDR software program.
Use the USB to Serial Adapter which was provided in your
CDR hardware kit if you have a PC equipped with a USB
3. Click on the Activate button located on the CDR
port and not an RS232 serial communications port. These
application toolbar.
ports are needed only if you plan to image EDR records from
vehicle ECUs.
4. From the browser window that opens after clicking the
Activate button, browse to the location of the Activation
To utilize the USB to Serial Adapter, you must first install
Certificate.
the adapter software if you have not done so already. The
adapter software can be installed from the CD-ROM which
5. Select the Activation Certificate for the version of
was provided with the adapter or can be downloaded and
CDR software you are currently running and follow the
installed from the internet. For Windows Vista, 7 and 8
prompts on the screen.
PCs, Bosch recommends that you download and install the
software from the internet.
IMPORTANT: Activation Certificates are created for each
new version of CDR software; therefore, when activating
Installing USB to Serial Adapter software from the CD-
your CDR software, you will need to choose the Activation
ROM provided with the adapter
Certificate for the version of software you are activating.
The filename of the certificate includes the version number
1. Make sure your USB to Serial Adapter is NOT plugged
it was created to activate (see example filename).
into your computer.
2. Insert the CD-ROM into your computer’s disk drive and
follow the prompts on the screen once the installation
program launches automatically.
If program does not launch automatically, run the setup.
exe program from the CD-ROM and follow the prompts
on the screen.

3. Plug your USB to Serial Adapter into a USB port and

verify the adapter was recognized by your PC as a
“Prolific” USB device.

© 2010 - 2014 Robert Bosch LLC. All rights reserved. BOSCH and CDR are registered trademark of Robert Bosch GmbH.
 Software Installation Guide

Downloading and Installing the USB to Serial Adapter

software from the internet
If you need to obtain the USB to Serial Adapter software
from the internet, refer to the section of the CDR help file
named Installing USB to Serial Adapter Software located in
the Technical and Sales Support topic heading.

Software Compatibility with the CDR Interface Module

This software version is compatible only with the blue and
green metal CDR interface module marked with a CAN
plus logo on its label. Other versions of the CDR module
(black plastic or blue units without the CAN plus logo) are
not supported and can cause the software not to function
as intended. To purchase a current CDR Interface Module,
please contact an authorized Bosch CDR Tool re-seller/
distributor.

Bosch Technical Support

Telephone: +1 (855) 267-2483
Fax: +1 (800) 955-8329
Email: [email protected]

Crash Data Group

Telephone: +1 (800) 280-7940 (US and Canada)
Website: www.CDR-system.com

© 2010 - 2014 Robert Bosch LLC. All rights reserved. BOSCH and CDR are registered trademark of Robert Bosch GmbH.