lsoftware licence for VCDS how does it work?

[bk.bas99]

As it appears you can load a copy of VCDS software direct from ross-tech how does the licence key work. Do you a get a key with a genuine dongle, is it programmed into the dongle or will it only work with the dongle? Reason for asking is that a friend has offered to sell me his VCDS lead (genuine from Gendan originally) as he no longer has a VW, and says I will just need to load the software (whichh I have checked seems true) but he knows nothing about any additional software key!. Is he being cagey or is it the case that once you have the correct dongle you just load the software. Any help before I flash out £100

[martin1810]

There is no additional software key. The dongle registers itself as it contains its own key. So a genuine dongle will self activate when it is used.

[bearthebruce]

He is not being cagey. The unit will work if it is a genuine Ross-Tech unit and Gendan is one of our distributors.

However, you will not be entitled to tech support or to upgrade programs or any ongoing support from Ross-Tech or Gendan. The registration of the license is not transferable from one party to another without incurring a $99 fee payable to Ross-Tech. Effectively to be recognized as a registered user of the product, you must register with us for $99. Please see this registration page for more information: http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/m...uct_Code=VUDOT

To be clear, you will be denied all support if you are not a registered user. Even if you email us with a question, you will be rejected because you are not the registered user of the unit.

[bk.bas99]

understood, bit harsh as licence is sold with the unit not the user, but understand the commercial aspect of where you are coming from

[bearthebruce]

understood, bit harsh as license is sold with the unit .........

The license is sold to the user and we state that no license is transferable. While the physical license is in the unit, we do not accept that we will support all users who want to pass the unit from one buddy to the next. Support costs money. So, our support programs are designed for the user who spends their money with us.

When you buy the unit second hand, you should not pay for the license. You should get the unit for at least $100USD off the retail price because that license was not transferable and the original purchaser should know this.

If you paid close to the retail price for the used unit, you paid too much! Ask the original owner for tech support, upgrades and so on.

[bk.bas99]

haven't bought one yet, and will probably buy new fully licenced version, just my nature to research everything to the nth degree!