XSeries-forum

Hello,

The HDD in my CIC unit on my 2012 X5 has failed, its frozen on the menu screen. Ive tried rebooting many times but it looks like the HDD has broke.
I dont think any info can be retrieved off it, so cloning may not be possible.
I can buy a new TOSHIBA HDD 80GB MK8050GAC from amazon for £29 but obviously it not formatted to work.
So the question is, is there anyone or company that can format the new HDD to allow it to work with an E70? Code it too if i give the VIN?
My knowledge of modern electronics is very poor, I struggled to even search for specialists.
Any pointers greatly appreciated

Many thanks

Alan

If the drive has failed so that it cannot be read then the majority of the basecode will need to be downloaded from BMWs servers in Munich. The operating system is based on a version of Unix like OS called QNX which doesn’t work with a windows environment making cloning more challenging as the drive is not formatted in a Windows readable way . The software contains licence keys connected to the VIN. You need a decrypter to create the right keys. Each car gets its own ‘build’ based on a standard code drop with the functions enabled by these keys relevant to your specific fitted options.

A BMW dealer, or even Becker (OEM for the CIC drive) may be able to help although I suspect a remanufactured CIC computer may be your only option.

You could also pose the questions on BMWcoders dot com. It’s a coding forum.

Jesus X5Sport, your answer makes my old e53 problems seem insignificant.

Anything to do with computers, components and operating systems can be an absolute nightmare - especially with vehicles! Just be grateful they don’t use Windows in aircraft flight control systems. Blue Screen of Death at 37,000 feet anyone......

Seems like anything to make life harder for Owners is the norm these days. We don’t really need fibre optic data buses in cars but my E71 has at least two. Complete waste of tech in my view.