2014-01-13 VCDS is the new version of VAG-COM after 8.51. If you plan to use adaptation or more fancy things with the software, you have to get the original OBDII from ROSS-TECH, if you just want to have a device to reset warning lights or to see what fails in the car electronically, you can get the cheaper version hardware that only uses the limited software version. Newer cars use CAN bus (lower power 3.V instead of 12V) must have OBDII that supports CAN. When buying the cheap model, make sure they have good reviews.
I’ve been using the 6 year old serial OBDII for our 98 & 96 Audis reliably to reset all lights for our cars, it’s time to look for a newer OBDII which supports our 08 Q7, which is CAN bus system (at least that’s what they say). After searching for a while, I found an USB on the internet for less than $30 with free shipping, I took a chance and ordered it. I bought a serial to usb converter and it didn’t work at all due to the software and the baud rate don’t match. This one works wonderfully with the old VDS805.1 version (included in the cd they sent)
So, now I can load the program onto my laptop, my little netbook, with windowsxp, windows 7, windows vista, they all work very nicely. For windows XP, by default, the software would install straight forward without any special setting, with windows 7, we need to execute the installation in xp compatibility mode. Click the image below for windows 7 installation.
Windows 7 installation
Windows XP installation, vds805.1. Click the image to see the sequence of installation.
When the software installation is done, it will install the usb driver, let it finish installing the usb driver then PLUG IN the usb OBDII connector (we don’t need to plug it in the car for now), this time is just for setting up the program and the OBDII connector and save the usb configuration. As soon as we plugged in the usb port, the windows will recognize the usb OBDII and ask to install the driver for it, click yes and let it does its work. Click the picture to see the sequence of events.
When the driver finished with the install, execute the shortcut icon on the desktop to configure the usb OBDII for the first time. The warning: VDCS:software is out of date because the new one is 9xx.x already. As long as this one works, we will leave it at that until we try and make sure everything works.
Click the image to see the sequence of events.
When everything is done, it’s ready to be taken to the car and tried out. I tried it on the 98 A8 and it worked fine which showed the software and obd2 are compatible with older cars and with the can bus, it will also work with my 08 Q7. Since the Q7 is still under warranty, I don’t want to try it out yet, but one of these days, I will.