VAG-COM - Ross-Tech is CONFUSING!!

Thanks Shark I think i've got it now. from what i hear Vag-com seems like a great system and i can see from this forum that everyone seems to agree thats it is worth the money, but in fairness to the original poster I am a novice to all this and i too think the Ross site is confusing to someone who doesnt fully understand what they need.

when i tried the freeware software it would crash when i started a scan so although i am considering purchasing the real thing I dont know what i am doing wrong comm ports, drivers etc were all set correctly.

So although a licence isnt expensive if you have full confidence in the system, a novice or incomptetant person such as me would think twice about spending $99 or more on a full system.

That said I appreciate that it was probably user error on my part

I can see where you're coming from but you have to remember that VCDS is an advanced dealer-level diagnostic tool aimed at technicians, mechanics auto electricians etc. If it were too "dumbed down" as it were then it would detract from the point of the software and perhaps make it less useable for a professional who works with it all day every day.

Enough said Shark I will have to stick to diagnosing faults the old fashioned way.:beerchug:

The crashing problem is either a drive install problem or a failure in the aftermarket cable. Until those issues are resolved we would tell you not to spend the $99 for a license. It will not help at all. You need to find the problem on your computer with your interface. It's not the software's problem. You see the drivers come from your vendor most likely. If he didn't supply any and you are trying to use ours, it probably will never work. We don't their hardware configuration.

Now, once you achieve a stable functional install, then you can decide if the full version is what you need to work on your car.

Sorry for being scarcastic earlier. Perhaps if you sat and read all the postings that abound about the problems with 3rd party wires, you would come to understand the frustration. We put the free copy out there with the intention of helping people and helping us. If you used and it was good enough to help, the thought was that you would see value in having the full deal. But what is happening now is that the 3rd party interfaces and their fly by night vendors leave you the customer hanging because they simply have no idea how to get the stuff running.

One of our UK distribs does sell an inexpensive version and does support their users. May I suggest that Gendan is an alternative to the fleabay cables. Ross-Tech chooses not to make these wires any longer. We stopped about 5 years ago. We have our reasons that I don't wish to discuss in an open forum. We might make a lot of sales if brought them back but we do not plan to do so at this time.