Cheapest way into VCDS?
- Thread starter Vorsprung durch Technik
- Start date
It's now 2023 - and I have a client who was using bespoke accounts software, until last year, running under Windows 95! They have a turnover of £7.5million. The only reason that they upgraded was because of VAT return submission changes. The computer they used for this was standalone and had never been connected to any network, either internal or external. Similar situation to the XP guy above. If it works in the environment you want to use it, there's absolutely no point in changing it. Certainly no point in 'dissing' it.
L162LZ
Member
I messed around with dodgy versions of VCDS cables with fixed versions of the software for a while before taking the plunge and buying the "real" 10 VIN version of VCDS. We have an A2, A6, Golf and Polo in the house so have used 4 off the VINS but not all tasks need to use a licensed VIN as others have mentioned so have helped a few friends to read their fault codes and reset them. Its a must for resetting Inspections intervals and winding in the rear calipers for Electric handbrakes. If you intend to always have VAG cars Its a must in my opinion.
The problem with Software limited to old Windows OS versions is that there is becoming less and less HW available to run them on, as most modern laptops/CPUs will not support/run on Win XP
The problem with Software limited to old Windows OS versions is that there is becoming less and less HW available to run them on, as most modern laptops/CPUs will not support/run on Win XP
PlasticMac
Member
L162LZ
Member
Unfortunately our other cars are newer than the A2 (A6=2015,Golf=2016 and Polo=2010) so I dont think the Lite version would have been any use for us :-(VCDS Lite runs on Windows XP through to 10, and, probably, 11.
Mac.
PlasticMac
Member
I was responding to your comment ... "... problem with Software limited to old Windows OS versions is that there is becoming less and less HW available to run them on, as most modern laptops/CPUs will not support/run on Win XP"
Not the case with VCDS Lite.
Mac.
2work
Well Known Member
Hi Tom,
I know we should not condone pirated versions of software on the clubs pages but must admit my first setup had very similar origins. It was a 2017 full fat VCDS and worked perfectly for quite some time but eventually gave up and I opted to purchase a 2019 or 2020 (forget now) fake cable which also failed in me.
This method of being enabled with diagnostic software will eventually let you down, and of course precisely when you need it most. My short story is that the 2019/2020 setup I had was being used to assist in a rear brake task on my 2012 A6 C7 Avant.
I fired up the laptop to withdraw the calliper pistons so I could remove the pads, all went well. Once the mechanical task was complete some 30 minutes later I went to wind the calliper pistons back in with VCDS and the fake cable failed on me right there and then. Nothing I could do would allow it to recognise or connect to the vehicle.
Apart from being in a right pickle after conducting some brake maintenance I was also now thinking in need to spend a further £50 on a fake cable when I’d already purchased 2 over the last few years. I came to the conclusion that being £150 in with no real support and being unable to share my scan reports for assistance on the Ross-Tech forum made be rethink my approach.
After this I opened up my wallet to purchase a legitimate copy of VCDS with a genuine Ross-Tech cable. I went for the Hex-Net unlimited VIN in the end but cheaper genuine alternatives are available.
I have never looked back and it’s been just perfect. I can share my scan reports on the Ross-Tech forum to chat with Uwe and the team if there is something I don’t understand. Coughing up for a genuine set up is definitely beneficial.
Kind regards,
Tom
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Howey
Member
No doubt the genuine vcds is the best option and still very cost effective in diagnostic equipment terms, my problem is that it will get very occasional use so it's more of a luxury as I have access to some of the best diagnostic tools on the market, will bosch kts very close to being made available to our workshop a tool I have never used but imagine it has good capabilities
PlasticMac
Member
VCDS is the best supported diagnostic tool for VAG vehicles.
Most users of other tools use Ross-Tech as there main source of reference.
My two cars, FSI and Mk1 TT, are both in the age bracket that Lite supports. My registered copy was, (and still is), fantastic value at around £75, plus an ebay KKL cable. The unlimited number of vehicles I can use it on, means I can help other A2 and Mk1 owners diagnose problems, and that saves money even if you don't fix it yourself.
If I had a much newer car, I'm not sure I'd have the same enthusiasm for understanding how it works and why it, (sometimes), doesn't.
Here's to a Happy New Year in 2024.
Mac.
Most users of other tools use Ross-Tech as there main source of reference.
My two cars, FSI and Mk1 TT, are both in the age bracket that Lite supports. My registered copy was, (and still is), fantastic value at around £75, plus an ebay KKL cable. The unlimited number of vehicles I can use it on, means I can help other A2 and Mk1 owners diagnose problems, and that saves money even if you don't fix it yourself.
If I had a much newer car, I'm not sure I'd have the same enthusiasm for understanding how it works and why it, (sometimes), doesn't.
Here's to a Happy New Year in 2024.
Mac.
Edwrai
Member
bretti_kivi
Member
Every point and reason in the world. Old software deserves to die. Old OSes, too. Anyone using them when they fail deserves what's coming to them, and if that's the failure of their business, then so be it. if they have 7.5m / year, they had the money to upgrade and update and actively decided not to do so, against the interests of their customers.
Pressure needs to be applied to suppliers to update software, to IT to stop supporting this junk, stop crappy development practices ("needs admin rights in prod")... and they say the computer was never connected to anything? How did data get in and out? Via a parallel printer port and data entry? I suspect there was USB involved somewhere...which stops it being an airgapped system. Been spending too much time recently talking with customers about ways around the legitimate limitations that IT place on stuff and how to keep data secure, backed up, and the systems maintained. It's not easy and there are holes everywhere.
I see zero reason to use XP now or in the future; 7 supported XP transition modes (and I believe 10 does, too) - we have customers pushing for 11 within the next year. Move forward now or be left even further behind shortly, particularly when that device decides to stop working one day randomly.
And yes, XP as a VM works well if you absolutely must do that, but I'd expect an in-place upgrade to 7 would work, as would the in-place to 10. Both should be virtually free (though you can't use a key for 7 any more as the servers are turned off, been there, done that about 2 years ago).
In the mean time, on the subject of VCDS, I'm massively turned off from AutoDia cables and the Carport software. Pretty much every time I use the software, it forgets that I have x licence, end up needing to buy it again.. and the AutoDia cable won't connect with VCDS Lite on any of the laptops in the house. Removed errors last time with a no-name BT dongle and Torque pro on a phone without issues. Will probably retry with one of the Surface Laptop Gos, but I have minimal hope.
PlasticMac
Member
What's "AutoDia" and "Carport" and what's the connection with VCDS?
I use an old, but conveniently small, HP Netbook for VCDS Lite. It runs XP, because the hardware is not upto later versions of Windows. VCDS Lite has an extremely low hardware demand, so the setup is ideal. It was upgraded, long ago, with an SSD, in place of the hard drive, to extend the battery life. It doesn't connect to any network, and file transfer is by USB drive.
For my Audis, Lite has no limitations. Why should I spend a significant sum on an current Windows laptop, that would not do the job better?
I use a my Pixel phone, and a Chromebook for almost everything I do. And a Windows 10 laptop, (not compatible with Windows 11), for the odd job, that requires a Windows machine, such as creating, (along with Andrew and Seb), the FSI lable file.
Should I replace that too?
The Windows machines are tools which do the job perfectly, as do some items in my toolbox, which are decades older than the laptops.
Mac
I use an old, but conveniently small, HP Netbook for VCDS Lite. It runs XP, because the hardware is not upto later versions of Windows. VCDS Lite has an extremely low hardware demand, so the setup is ideal. It was upgraded, long ago, with an SSD, in place of the hard drive, to extend the battery life. It doesn't connect to any network, and file transfer is by USB drive.
For my Audis, Lite has no limitations. Why should I spend a significant sum on an current Windows laptop, that would not do the job better?
I use a my Pixel phone, and a Chromebook for almost everything I do. And a Windows 10 laptop, (not compatible with Windows 11), for the odd job, that requires a Windows machine, such as creating, (along with Andrew and Seb), the FSI lable file.
Should I replace that too?
The Windows machines are tools which do the job perfectly, as do some items in my toolbox, which are decades older than the laptops.
Mac
3wheeler
Member
I have just retired my PC that has been running for 15 years on XP Pro. It still worked, but was isolated from the internet, and when connected was too old to do anything. However, its advange is that it ran graphics software worth over £11000 when purchased, and there was no need to 'upgrade' when that software was genuine and performed as well as the newer issues. There was no built-in obsolecsence and I could perform every function required in my day job just as well as newer issues of software, but without the annual subscrition of over £12000.... I paid for a licence on a disc, and so as it worked, why should I pay for the 'latest and greatest' when I have something that works. Its like owning an Audi A2 instead of renting a new car every year....
bretti_kivi
Member
AutoDia make OBD2 cables and scanners, like this or this. Carport is another OBD 11 clone, running on Windows.
On the subject of old OSes: Yes, the Windows 10 machine really ought to be replaced when the security patches stop. Same for the phone and the Chromebook. And if that's not long enough, then the manufacturer needs shouting at. It's about your data.
The other thing about updates: you / i generally don't know what was in there. Maybe it was just a performance improvement, maybe it was just a "fix" for a "problem" that doesn't really exist. Maybe there's a major hole in the software which is super-easy to exploit and turns the machine into a bot or one that sits and waits for instructions. I work for a software company and we don't support the older versions of the software well, if at all, and at some point, that license will run out and we won't update it. I understand the desire to run things well past their original intended lifespan, but when it comes to computers, it's not necessarily as smart as in other areas. Agreed, Microsoft's decision to not support anything older than an 8th gen CPU is annoying but in terms of the number of exceptions they need to cover, I understand it completely from a business perspective. Which is the other reason I'd really like to see a working Linux version of VCDS and I haven't found one yet and I don't know why it doesn't exist.
Oldboy_2i
Member
Okay, I’ve purchased KKL 409.1 cable from eBay. It came with a disc and i was able to install the vcds-lite using the disc onto a windows 7 laptop. The LED on the cable lights up but now I’m stuck as the everyone time i press test to check the connection for the first time I get the following error: Port does not exist, Interface: Not Found! Any ideas what it could be? It’s done my head in!! I’ve spent all Sunday trying to make it work!!! It could be my laptop as it is old
Howey
Member
It's about to explode!!!
Only kidding just needs connecting to a car and com port confirming
Oldboy_2i
Member
LOL! I think I’m about to explode.
Thanks, Will give it a go in the morning now. I feel like I’m 12 again trying ‘tape to tape‘ an old Spectrum game!!!!
Howey
Member
Ditto!!
blooming hate computers but the satisfaction when I achieve anything with them is immense lol
Did this last week on my old laptop but one I have hardly used so much show the battery is U/S so need to replace that next. Got it working but can I ummers get YouTube to work on it even after updating to Windows 10