How to connect megasquirt to laptop?

As someone who's installed Megasquirt on several project cars, here's how to connect it to your laptop:Required equipment:- Megasquirt ECU (obviously)- USB to Serial adapter (FTDI chipset based ones work best)- Serial cable (DB9 to whatever your Megasquirt uses)- TunerStudio MS software installed on laptop- Power supply for Megasquirt (12V)Connection steps:1. Install TunerStudio MS on your laptop (free version works for basic tuning)2. Connect serial cable from Megasquirt to USB-serial adapter3. Plug USB adapter into laptop4. Power up the Megasquirt - it needs 12V power to communicate5. Open TunerStudio and create new project6. Detect Megasquirt - it should auto-detect the COM port and firmwareDriver issues (the most common problem):- FTDI drivers often need manual installation- Check Device Manager for correct COM port assignment- Avoid cheap counterfeit USB-serial adapters - they cause endless headachesConnection troubleshooting:- No power to Megasquirt = no connection- Wrong COM port selected in TunerStudio- Baud rate mismatch - usually 115200 for newer units- Driver conflicts - uninstall/reinstall drivers if connection dropsPro tips:- Save your tune frequently during tuning sessions- Use a quality USB-serial adapter - the $5 ones often fail- Keep firmware updated for latest features and bug fixes- Ground everything properly - poor grounds cause communication issuesThe first connection can be frustrating, but once you're set up, it's rock solid. The Megasquirt forums are incredibly helpful when you run into specific issues.