Vag-Com running Vista

**Tavli** · 28-04-2009,10:46 AM

Hi all

This is just a quick guide for those of you who want to use the free (shareware) version of Vag-Com but only have windows Vista on your laptop. I tried for days to find a fix and eventually sorted it.
Quick bit of background info - I bought a cable from Gendan for just under £20 inc postage, and found that the Vag-com softaware is only compatible with Vista if you purchase the licence for $99, so I thought I would just use my Vista laptop and dual boot it with XP, however this was not to be due to driver issues with the brand of laptop (Compaq CQ70 serires) and was unable to install XP on it. After trying and failing to find a suitable diagnostic software to use with Vista and the Gendan cable I had to go back to the drawing board.

This is the work around I used.

Install a program called VMWare Workstation v6 or similar but not Microsoft Virtual pc as this does not have USB support (this creates a virtual drive on your Vista system enabling you to install XP)
Once you have installed VMWare and installed XP on your virtual drive you can then install Vag-Com and the usb drivers for the Gendan Cable and run the program as if you were actually using XP.

I hope this is of help to other members, I managed to get all of the software I needed for free but that is a different matter.

**hongkongstuey** · 28-04-2009,12:33 PM

easiest fix of them all, right click desktop vagcom icon, click on run as administrator

thats what i did, using non ross tech cable and full 409.1

**Sam** · 28-04-2009,12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tavli

I hope this is of help to other members, I managed to get all of the software I needed for free but that is a different matter.

The shareware version of VAG-COM is free, no one should be paying for it.

**bearthebruce** · 28-04-2009,01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Tavli

Hi all

..... and found that the Vag-com softaware is only compatible with Vista if you purchase the licence for $99,

The older versions of VAG-COM that are compatible with these wires to which you refer are not Vista compatible whether or not you buy the $99 license. The license simply unlocks the program from it's free shareware form and gives you the full features of the 5 year old program.

For true Vista compatibility, you must purchase a dongle style genuine Ross-Tech interface and you must run software that was created after Vista was released. All versions of VAG-COM that are 704 or higher have been Vista compatible.

311 and 409, released in 2003 and 2004 respectively, are not and will not ever be Vista compatible. We are not going back to old versions of the program to make them compatible with an operating system released 3 years after they were released.

As to some charging for the shareware version, point me to that person and we'll send our legal beagles after them. Shareware is free. Full licensed version costs $99 from Ross-Tech, the only source for the English license.

**onzarob** · 28-04-2009,01:57 PM

Originally Posted by bearthebruce

As to some charging for the shareware version, point me to that person and we'll send our legal beagles after them. Shareware is free. Full licensed version costs $99 from Ross-Tech, the only source for the English license.

I don't think thats the issue, VM-Workstation isnt free... VMware server is but doesn't work under Vista.

I think this is a useless guide in not paying for a decent software products at what is a fantastic price. VW original Scan tool is £1000's of pounds.

**stuart** · 28-04-2009,08:00 PM

This site has a VERY STRICT policy of copyright.....

**a8 tech** · 28-04-2009,08:08 PM

i run vcds 805.3 on vista home premium sp 1 and it runs like a dream

**onzarob** · 28-04-2009,09:33 PM

Originally Posted by a8 tech

i run vcds 805.3 on vista home premium sp 1 and it runs like a dream

I think the issues with the 3rd party cables for 409.1 they don't have Vista compatible drivers. I have 409.1 running on Vista with no issues. But thats luck I think.

I also have a MicroCan Cable which works perfectly and the help from Ross-tech has been excellent.

Best £200 I've spent on the car...better than a set of spangly wheels thats for sure