Different types of ECU READ operations: Virtual Read or Actual Read

Created by Anthony Cardinale, Modified on Wed, 6 Mar, 2019 at 8:50 PM by Anthony Cardinale

The steps to know which read method your OFT used is simple. After you've completed a READ operation at your vehicle:

  1. Successfully install OpenFlash Manager on your Windows based PC.
  2. Ensure you have an active internet/wifi connection.
  3. Launch the OpenFlash Manager software.
  4. Connect your OFT to your PC using the supplied MiniUSB to USB cable.
    • At this time your OpenFlash Manager may apply several updates to your OFT, or itself. This can take several minutes; give the process some time to complete.
  5. Navigate to the UPLOAD DATA tab on the left.
    • Once the software has read some data from the OFT either of the following will occur next


  • You may be immediately greeted by a message that says "Only ECU data have been read. The original file must be loaded manually." 
    •  This indicates a Virtual ECU Read took place.


  • You may NOT receive any message like what is above
    • This indicates an Actual ECU Read took place.
    • After OpenFlash Manager reads the data from the OFT, notice that the space next to "Original File" says "PRESENT"


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