A6 RNS-E EU->US upgrade question.

Pretty good and correct summary. However, the automatic update will only work if the RNS-E got flashed to the same region as the next new update is. Let's say you have a Euro C unit with SW 0100 and follow the steps mentioned elsewhere to get the US software loaded, you end up with a SOFIDX of 0340 and the US sw running but your RNS-E may still think it's running the Euro software. What you should do is to go in Engineering Mode and check the sw version. Navi and Audio version are 222xxxx then you have you RNS-E running in US mode, if the versions are 220 or 221 than it the Euro mode (even though you are actually running the US software).

So in order to make the next let's say US update automatic (and get rid of the X---) under software, the SOFIDX must be lower than the SOFIDX on the new DVD, the region for both the audio version and the navi version must be A222xxxx/V222xxxx, and the actual version xxxx on the DVD must be greater than what is installed on your unit.

Re:

AudiA4B6US said:

Pretty good and correct summary. However, the automatic update will only work if the RNS-E got flashed to the same region as the next new update is. Let's say you have a Euro C unit with SW 0100 and follow the steps mentiones elsewhere to get the US software loaded, you end up with a SOFIDX of 0340 and the US sw running but your RNS-E may still think it's running the Euro software. What you should do is to go in Engineering Mode and check the sw version. Navi and Audio version are 222xxxx then you have you RNS-E running in US mode, if the versions are 220 or 221 than it the Euro mode (even though you are actually running the US software).

So in order to make the next let's say US update automatic (and get rid of the X---) under software, the SOFIDX must be lower than the SOFIDX on the new DVD, the region for both the audio version and the navi version must be A222xxxx/V222xxxx, and the actual version xxxx on the DVD must be greater than what is installed on your unit.

Click to expand...

So the SW version and SOFIDX are two different things then? What is the SOFIDX value of a real US unit updated to SW version 110? If it is not 340, is there a better method to update a EU unit running SW version 100 to US 110 and have the SOFIDX match that of a real US unit running 110 or is the EU SW version 100 SOFIDX already > then a real US unit running 110? If the audio and nav version are not X222xxxx, is it possible to make them X222xxxx? Is the SOFIDX value the xxxx part of the Audio and NAV version info?

I guess where I'm trying to go with all this is: Is there a way to upgrade an EU unit to a US unit where all future US updates don't require the making of a custom update CD and only require popping in the latest and greatest NavTeq DVD? If so, what do I have to look for in a RNS-E unit and what is the update process to follow?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any information to help shed some light on this for me.

The software version and the SOFIDX are normally the same. If you press the CAR button and check the software version, you will see the sw version as well as the SOFIDX. Now, on units flashed between the regions this will only show X--- but the last used SOFIDX is still the one which matters. The SOFIDX seems to be critical to initiate an update in the first place but I have also seen the that Navi version (starting with a V) is important as well. Both values must be greater than what is currently installed to make the RNS-E take accept an update. Same for the Audio version (starting with an A).

If you get a Euro RNS-E with sw 0080 or older and if you have the US 1A and 2A DVDs you could do the following (no warranties or guaranties whatsoever that this will not make you unit unusable):
- take the US DVD 1A and get the 5 software update files off the DVD
- modify INDEX.TXT and set the SOFIDX to 0090 and NAVVER to V220033E
- modify LOADING.KWI, replace the first two occurrences of V222 with V220 and replace 017B with 033E
- leave all other files untouched

The software update CD you get this way should allow you to flash a Euro 0080 unit to US 0020, SOFIDX 0090, NAVVER V2220017B, AUDVER A2220109. Before you proceed make sure that these versions are shown in Engineering mode. The software version will show up as X--- but NAVVER and AUDVER should be as mentioned above.

Now, the US 2A DVD is SOFIDX 0110, NAVVER V222023F and AUDVER A2220132. The RNS-E will see this as an update and since you are not messing with the regions (V222 vs. V220/V221) the correct Software version will show up under CAR/Version. From now on any future US update should be taken without modifications.

There is no way known so far to reset the SOFIDX, you can only increase it in steps of 10. So those who have flashed a D unit, which was already SOFIDX 0360, by using a SOFIDX of 0370 will need to wait until there is a US SOFIDX of 0380 on an original DVD, or until 0390 if they need to fix the regions first, before the automatic update will work.

I have a C unit which was at SOFIDX 0470 when I tried to load the US 0110 software. The unit appeared to be fine but it wouldn't accept the US map anymore (neither would it accept the Euro 2004 or 2005_2 DVD as map). Flashing it back to US 0040 made it accept the US map (1A or 2A) though. That's how I use it right now and it works fine.

Again, no warranties, no guaranties, just some ideas...

Re:

AudiA4B6US said:

The software version and the SOFIDX are normally the same. If you press the CAR button and check the software version, you will see the sw version as well as the SOFIDX. Now, on units flashed between the regions this will only show X--- but the last used SOFIDX is still the one which matters. The SOFIDX seems to be critical to initiate an update in the first place but I have also seen the that Navi version (starting with a V) is important as well. Both values must be greater than what is currently installed to make the RNS-E take accept an update. Same for the Audio version (starting with an A).

If you get a Euro RNS-E with sw 0080 or older and if you have the US 1A and 2A DVDs you could do the following (no warranties or guaranties whatsoever that this will not make you unit unusable):
- take the US DVD 1A and get the 5 software update files off the DVD
- modify INDEX.TXT and set the SOFIDX to 0090 and NAVVER to V220033E
- modify LOADING.KWI, replace the first two occurrences of V222 with V220 and replace 017B with 033E
- leave all other files untouched

The software update CD you get this way should allow you to flash a Euro 0080 unit to US 0020, SOFIDX 0090, NAVVER V2220017B, AUDVER A2220109. Before you proceed make sure that these versions are shown in Engineering mode. The software version will show up as X--- but NAVVER and AUDVER should be as mentioned above.

Now, the US 2A DVD is SOFIDX 0110, NAVVER V222023F and AUDVER A2220132. The RNS-E will see this as an update and since you are not messing with the regions (V222 vs. V220/V221) the correct Software version will show up under CAR/Version. From now on any future US update should be taken without modifications.

There is no way known so far to reset the SOFIDX, you can only increase it in steps of 10. So those who have flashed a D unit, which was already SOFIDX 0360, by using a SOFIDX of 0370 will need to wait until there is a US SOFIDX of 0380 on an original DVD, or until 0390 if they need to fix the regions first, before the automatic update will work.

I have a C unit which was at SOFIDX 0470 when I tried to load the US 0110 software. The unit appeared to be fine but it wouldn't accept the US map anymore (neither would it accept the Euro 2004 or 2005_2 DVD as map). Flashing it back to US 0040 made it accept the US map (1A or 2A) though. That's how I use it right now and it works fine.

Again, no warranties, no guaranties, just some ideas...

Click to expand...

Thanks, this information has been very helpful. So in summary it sounds like in order to fully convert an EU RNS-E unit to a US unit there is a 2 step process.

Step 1: The initial EU to US conversion which more or less gets you a fully working US unit except your Software version is: X---. This requires a custom update disk created as you describe using the US 1A DVD and starting from an EU 080 or older unit.

Step 2: If Nav and Audio versions are correct, pop in the US 2A DVD and the RNS-E will update to US 110 and fix the X--- thus completing the transformation.


Now it seems that most new EU units come pre-loaded with SW 100 (I could be wrong and maybe finding an EU unit that is 080 or less are easy to find.) so in theory could the same 2 step process be used on these units like so?

Step 1: Create a custom update disk using the US 2A DVD as you described except making any needed tweaks to the SOFIDX and / or SW version, etc.. I'm assuming that a EU unit running SW 100 has a NAV / Audio value < V222023F / A2220132. If this is not the case then I guess this will not work or would have to wait for a new US DVD that would have a > value after the US 110 update to use in Step 2.

Step 2: The new 3A US DVD comes out so we just pop it into the RNS-E, it updates and now we have a fully transformed EU to US unit.

Thanks again for all the information.

New here. Have been searching dilligently through the Quick Links and FAQ trying to determine the most efficient way to convert my RNS-E to US.

Summary: purchased a supposedly US RNS-E on eBay. Seller listed item location as Maryland. Two days later a big DHL box from a Baltic country arrived with an RNS-E and wiring harnesses.

I installed the unit in my 2005 B6 A4 (previously Symphony II w/ Bose) and waited 60 minutes to enter the security code. All seemed well, but when the $199 navigation DVD arrived from NavTeq, the RNS-E said no Nav DVD was inserted. When I open the screen to access the drive, the screen (now in a horizontal position) says there is an update disc inserted. No updates occur.

After reading through this site, it seems both possible and practical to convert what I now know to be an EU RNS-E to US-like spec.

I made some sreen shots in Engineering mode and transferred them to my PC. The results are:

"System SW index: 0460

HW index: H56

HU/Navi SW version V220066F

Boot version V220100D

Audio SW version A2210134-280705"

In non-Engineering mode, the "Version" page displays "SW: 0460"

I mounted the GPS antenna behind the glove compartment under the dash. The Lat/Lon results I saw in Engineering mode were acceptable, so I think that placement works.

I talked to the resident RNS-E expert at a local Audi dealership, and he said that a software update could be performed that would restore normal US functionality. After playing with the actual unit, he seemed less sure and asked me to schedule a subsequent service appointment.

I am going to be using the car for a long-distance road trip in approximately one week, so I am under some pressure to get the system working ASAP.

From what I understand, I can make a CDR of with modified versions of:

00.VNS
A2220134.MOT
INDEX.TXT
LDM.BIN
LOADING.KWI

And, using a VAG-COM, force my RNS-E to reset its SOFIDX to a lower number. After which, I should be able to insert my 2007 US Nav DVD and have it flash up to current US firmware and maps. Is this correct?

If I am on the right track, in what way do I need to modify the files listed above. I have read conflicting reports as to the appropriate way to modify said files. I have already copied them to my PC, and have downloaded Groovy Hex Editor per the recommendations of other users on this forum.

I have never edited in Hexadecimal before, but believe I can do it if I can find out which entries need to be modified, and what the new values should be.

If anyone is willing to give me some help or advice with this, please respond! I am in over my head with this project.

I have not yet purchased a VAG-COM from Ross-Tech. If responses to my post appear and it looks as though I will be able to successfully modify my RNS-E, I plan on purchasing:

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VCHUC&Category_Code=VAGCOM

Please let me know if this is not the appropriate VAG-COM for a B6 A4.