VAG-COM Frequently Asked Questions -- Page 3

Q: Do I need an Interface Adapter?
A: Yes.  The ISO9141 port in your car is not directly compatible with any standard PC port.  The ISO9141 port in your car is somewhat RS-232 like, but you can't just wire up a cable -- you must put electronics in between to allow a PC to communicate with the car.   we offer a complete package consisting of an  Interface Adapter, Software Registration/Activation, free updates and unlimited tech support for $199.  

Q: Can I use an Interface adapter that came with another software package?
Yes.   Any interface adapter works with VWTool or VDS-PRO should work.  In addition, the ISO-only interface adapter that Alex Peper ships with his Vehicle Explorer OBD-II software package will work.   Alex's "combination" adapters will not work with VAG-COM.  Most other "OBD-II" adapters will not work.   Lastly,  the interface adapters supplied with the German Posicon software that many VW and Audi OTS's have access to will work. The VAS-6103 cable that should now be available at every VW/Audi dealership works with most control modules in most cars, but won't work with some ECUs.   If you have some other adapter, simply try it, you can't hurt anything.

Q: Can I buy an Interface adapter somewhere else?
Yes.  You may find vendors that are willing to sell compatible interface adapters without any software license.   We have no problem with that, once you're up and running, you can register your VAG-COM software with us for $99, but please don't expect start-up support from us if you can't get it working.   On the other hand, if you buy our complete kit for $199, we will provide start-up support, because we know the adapter we shipped to you works because we tested it before we shipped it.

Q: Can I build my own Interface Adapter?
Yes.  There are a number of websites with plans and schematics.   However, we will not provide links to them, nor do we sell connectors or parts.   We do not have the time or inclination to help people debug their home-built interface adapters via e-mail or over the telephone.   If you choose to build your own adapter,  that's fine -- we have no problem with that.  Just don't expect any assistance from us until you have VAG-COM talking to your car in shareware mode.   Once you've got it working, you can register the software for $99 and get full support for the software as well as free updates.   If you're looking for OBD-II connectors, you can buy them from Multiplex Engineering or Pioneer/Packard. 

Q: Why does VAG-COM require Activation?
Because it's not that hard to make a suitable interface adapter that we can't count on it acting as a dongle.   In fact, we have distributors in various parts of the world that make their own interfaces -- with our blessings!  Given the fluctuations in exchange rates, shipping costs, and duties and taxes, it doesn't make economic sense for us to ship interfaces overseas in bulk.   The reality is that there many people in this world that just won't pay for software unless they have to.   We've invested a large amount of time and expense into reverse-engineering the VAG protocols, and we're trying to make a living with this product.  Further more, we're trying to sell it at a price that makes it affordable to everyone.   

Q: What if I need to run VAG-COM on more than one PC?
We will allow registered users to activate VAG-COM on a reasonable number of PC's simultaneously.   What's reasonable?  It really depends on individual circumstances.  If you have a need to run VAG-COM on more than one PC, please e-mail us and explain.   If your need is temporary, we can also generate temporary activation codes, where the activation will expire after some number of days.   Again, please e-mail us and we will attempt to accommodate your needs.   The activation scheme is intended to ensure that we get paid by every user, not to make life difficult for registered customers.

Q: How do I permanently move VAG-COM from one PC to another?

1. Install the latest version on your new machine.

2. Test it to make sure it works properly on that machine. Contact us
   for support if you have any difficulties.

3. Send the serial number from the About screen to us and we'll send
   you a new Activation Code, subject to the following caveat: 

• Depending factors too numerous to list (and frankly,
  some of them are subjective judgments) we may or may 
  not insist that a user send us a De-Activation code 
  from a prior installation. 

• To generate a De-Activation Code, you need version 
  0.76 or newer on the old, previously activated
  machine. In other words, if you've got an older
  version on that machine, you may have to update it.

• The best way to send the De-Activation code is to
  grab the DE-ACT.TXT file that is generated in the
  VAG-COM folder when you use the De-Activate button.

Additional notes:

• Please send all correspondence having to do with 
  Activation Requests or De-Activation codes to: 
  Activation@Ross-Tech.com

• The "Transfer" stuff (using a floppy disk) remains
  unimplemented as of this writing.

Q: What's the De-Activate button for?  Why would I want to do that?
Two reasons:  

• To move your activated copy of VAG-COM permanently from one PC to another.  See the previous question.

• Some things you might want to do to your PC will kill the Activation.  If you're going to re-install Windows or update to different version of Windows, re-format or re-partition, or replace your hard drive, then you're going to loose your Activation anyway, and you'll need to ask us for a new activation code when you're done.   Sometimes we can tell from the Serial Number that you're requesting a new activation for the same PC.  Sometimes we can't.  It depends on exactly what you've changed.   Now you can always get a new Activation with no questions asked IF you supply proof of de-activation from a previous installation.   So if you're about to undertake surgery on your PC, please use the De-Activate function first.  

To De-Activate, simply go to the About Screen and press the Register/Activate/Transfer button. Next you will see a button labeled as "De-Activate". Press the De-Activate Button. Doing so will generate a "Proof of De-Activation" code which you can copy and paste and send to us along with your new Serial Number.   The "Proof of De-Activation" code is also written to a file called DE-ACT.TXT which you can easily put on a floppy disk for safe keeping.

Note:  A De-Activation code cannot be used to activate a new installation of VAG-COM!   You must e-mail your De-Activation code (along with the serial number shown on the About Screen of your new VAG-COM installation) to Activation@Ross-Tech.com in order to receive a new Activation Code.   Don't forget to include your full name in the e-mail.

Q: Why has VAG-COM become De-Activated on its own?
There are a few conditions that can cause previously-registered installations of VAG-COM to become De-Activated:

• Performing major systems maintenance like upgrading your operating system, swapping hardware or reformatting your hard drive will "kill" an activation.   If you're going to do maintenance of this type, manually de-activate first -- see the previous question.

• A problem with your system clock such as a dead CMOS battery, or manually setting the system clock backwards in an attempt to defeat the time limit on other shareware products.  VAG-COM's Serial Number may change if it perceives that is has gone "back in time".    A PC without a properly functioning system clock is considered defective. 

• The use of some "System Cleaning" utilities that root around in the Windows Registry can kill the activation. 

• "Machine Gun Clicking".   We have not been able to reproduce this here, but have enough reports from users to believe that it happens:  If the user is impatient and "machine-gun" clicks on the VAG-COM icon and causes a second instance of  VAG-COM to begin loading before the first instance has finished loading, it can "kill" the activation.    This appears to be most common on older, slower PC's, and PC's which have a marginal amount of RAM for the version of Windows that is installed.   Current release versions (208.X and newer) contain code to prevent multiple instances of VAG-COM from loading.   If you're still running any older version, we'd like to suggest you download an update. 

If your previously activated copy of VAG-COM becomes de-activated for some reason, don't panic.  First establish that your Serial Number is stable (make note of the last 4 digits of the Serial Number, and close and restart VAG-COM and restart Windows a few times to ensure that the Serial Number remains constant). Then e-mail your new serial number along with your full name and a brief explanation to  Activation@Ross-Tech.com in order to receive a new Activation Code.   Note:  Your old activation code won't work! 

Q: Can I sell my VAG-COM System to someone else?
You can sell the interface, but the software license is not transferable.   If the purchaser wants the full-function version, he will have to register as a new user for $99.