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How does one get the manuals and wiring diagrams and parts diagrams?

Buyer2021

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So, it seems that these manuals want to see an environment with an old browser like IE Explorer which runs with old-school plugins like Shockwave and Acrobat ???? Of course those are obsolete things not supported in the current world of Windows. :mad:
I found a 'workaround', of sorts ....

On a totally separate old Dell laptop (this one a Dell E6540 with smaller screen than my 'daily driver' E6530) running current WIN 10:
  1. Set Internet Explorer as the default browser and configure MS Edge to NEVER allow 'Explorer Mode'
  2. Install SVG Viewer 3.03, Acrobat Reader 5.0.5 as the default PDF handler, and Shockwave 8.00.205 (all available free from oldversion.com)
  3. Install the Helm disk from physical CD ROM
  4. Make an ISO image and mount as a virtual drive on the internal SSD with the same drive letter as the physical CD Drive used in Step 3.
This yields a fully functioning / fully interactive installation of the Helm DVD manuals, both Workshop and Wiring Diagrams, on a WIN 10 Pro PC (and it runs blazing fast). (y)

Screenshots:

Ford F-150 How does one get the manuals and wiring diagrams and parts diagrams? screenshot 01


Ford F-150 How does one get the manuals and wiring diagrams and parts diagrams? screenshot 02


BUT, I don't think this can be setup on a WIN 10 machine running Edge or another current browser as the default, or a machine with a current version of Acrobat (Reader or 'Full' version), even under a different user account. IMO it'd require a totally separate instance of Windows, as on a dual-boot machine.

As much as I love the comprehensive content and superb user interface, I can't recommend the Ford / Helm CD service manuals as a practical resource for users of PC's running currently supported Windows OS or browsers.

One person's experience and opinion, FWIW.. Caveat emptor and Have Fun! ;)
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GEN14OWNER

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Someone who knows DOS should be able to "hack" into Oasis...
 

Iceman2022

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I just got my helm DVD for my '22 the other day and was quickly hit with the reality of the outdated software. I thought I would end up running it on an XP or Windows 7, but I got it running on my W11 HP envy after I installed the 2K version of SG viewer (3.0). It doesn't print and shows I'm missing the software @Buyer2021 mentions. I was able to get it running without the DVD off an SD card. I copied the content of the DVD to the SD and ran setup from the SD. It asked me to put the disc in. I put the disc in and ran again from the SD and after installation it worked without the DVD.
 

nall

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For sites like factory-manuals.com where the manual is "delivered using your car VIN" does that mean if I have an XLT without some as-built feature (e.g., ambient lighting) the PDF I receive would not have references to ambient lighting?

I don't quite understand the implications of what that VIN statement means (hoping someone can explain).

Part of why I'd want to purchase this is to understand how to add new features to the truck.

Thanks!
 
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personalt

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For sites like factory-manuals.com where the manual is "delivered using your car VIN" does that mean if I have an XLT without some as-built feature (e.g., ambient lighting) the PDF I receive would not have references to ambient lighting?

I don't quite understand the implications of what that VIN statement means (hoping someone can explain).

Part of why I'd want to purchase this is to understand how to add new features to the truck.

Thanks!
I think you have the right idea. They are going to the motorcraft/ford site and entering the vin and then grabbing all the relevant sections. The reality is likely more that they have common blocks saved and they are seeing what sections are relvant for for you vin and putting them together.

Like seeing that you have the 2.7 etc and grabbing that section from a file they already downloaded. I am looking at these manuals with the understanding that sometimes I will need to do the two day rental to grab something they missed. There is someone on etsy with a $50 DVD. I have one coming to me in next few days. I will provide some feedback to see how complete it is(not vin specific). I asked her how many pages it was and her response was 'A lottttt - lol' so I am not super confident.
 

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Old Bear

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Bringing this thread back from the dead, Helm now shows the shop manual as shipping on USB. I wonder if they updated the software at the same time, or just go with the PDF manual from Factory-Manuals ...:unsure:
 

fordtruckman2003

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That's one expensive USB stick.
 

Buyer2021

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Bringing this thread back from the dead, Helm now shows the shop manual as shipping on USB. I wonder if they updated the software at the same time, or just go with the PDF manual from Factory-Manuals ...:unsure:
My bet would be that the interactive software and interface is exactly the same as the CD-ROM version from Helm, the USB media being only a concession to the common lack of a CD-ROM drive in current PCs.

Just my guess.
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