MDI Clones and Techline

[Tazzi]

From my experience, most modules are safe to program as their internal boot code will prevent a permanent brick until a completed OS/Cals is performed.
ALTHOUGH, some modules cause much better headaches then others. Perfect example is the 2013-ish to 2019 GMC/Chev instrument clusters, some variants that require an operating system update, will then have the screen will go completely black and no longer operate. This is due to requiring a USB update, which, I am sure some techs have found out the hard way, does not always get detected after the OS update.

As for MDI SN, I am pretty sure they are scanning the logs that get uploaded to their server after the app loads in. These logs do not appear to disappear afterwards, so I believe they scan them every single time.
I had a local workshop have their account flagged due to using a clone MDI, so they created a fresh account and bought a genuine MDI2 straight from Bosch, but their account flagged still after their first session.
The email they got from support suggested to clean install Techline and wipe away old traces before using it again.

Im guessing the above.. is what causes some people to get caught out?

[x_Celestia]

Had to do some programming today and used SPS2, totally forgetting to use my real MDI1 as opposed to my clone. I went to do some MCVM updating and when I started the car (as instructed) windows no longer recognized the device and the clone was flashing erratically between the red error LED and green power LED. Smelled heavily of magic smoke too . I noticed the banner on ACDelcoTDS is no longer present about banning accounts using clones as I assume it was ruled somewhere to be illegal to prevent use of clones (if they're J2534 compliant tools, right?).

Fwiw, I powercycled the clone and it boots up as normal. Took it apart quickly and nothing looks cooked but all of the components got quite warm, clearly.

Just curious on others' experiences regarding GM's stance on the clones now.

[ironduke]

That was probably the Clone acting up, you might find out you lost partial communication. I had one get hot and smell and I ended up losing low speed lan pin 1 communication..

afaik they are still banning accounts left and right for using clones and vpn connection.. You wouldn't see anything on your account until you try to log in again..

[antus]

if you smelt the smoke surely there is physical damage to the mdi. probably not related to techline. clones are made by anyone and everyone and quality is not consistant. consistant good hardware quality is what you pay for in the genuine item.