My questions about VCDS

[ChrisA]

Firstly I need to be 100% clear here, I know next to nothing about computers let alone VCDS so please excuse my terminology and repeated questions.

This post is for me to ask question and hopefully learn more about the programme and my RS.

So I’ve downloaded VCDS 20.4.0. I turned on the laptop and plugged my cable into the USB and OBD2 ports. I started the programs and was asked to run a test. The test results say that the interface was not found. I hats an interface and how do I get the computer to find it.

I told you I knew nothing about computers.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to this post.

[mikep99]

Is your ignition turned on?
If not, it should be.

Mike

Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk

[ChrisA]

Is your ignition turned on?
If not, it should be.

Mike

Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk

It was turn on Mike. I believe the car was running and then I plugged it in but I could try plugging it in first and then turning the car on. Thanks for the suggestion mate.

[steve2003rs6]

Select the usb option then save then run test.

[ChrisA]

Select the usb option then save then run test.

So I’m told on the computer that I need to select USB, the run test and then save. If I do that I get the above message about the interface.

If I DON’T plug into the car and follow the above procedure I’m told that the interface has been found but that the car is not plugged in.

[HPsauce]

Is it a genuine Ross-Tech cable?

[ChrisA]

Is it a genuine Ross-Tech cable?

No.

[steve2003rs6]

Chris. I have just updated mine to 20:4:2 with my cable.
Had to re select usb then run test then save.
Mine works perfectly but as you know mine is a genuine cable.
If this doesn’t work for you, I think you need a member with a similar cable to yours to provide some help.
Sorry I cannot provide the help you need.

[ChrisA]

Chris. I have just updated mine to 20:4 with my cable.
Had to re select usb then run test then save.
Mine works perfectly but as you know mine is a genuine cable.
If this doesn’t work for you, I think you need a member with a similar cable to yours to provide some help.
Sorry I cannot provide the help you need.

Cheers Steve.

[steve2003rs6]

I presume you haven’t got to any of these screens.

[steve2003rs6]

Also have you tried getting to where the interface has been found. Then plug into car
Sorry if this has already been tried.
Just looking at options buddy.

[Mark-RS]

I will double check mine tomorrow afternoon for you.

Mine runs as the following.

Plug into the Laptop, then into the car, then start the programme. On first run select USB and it should tell you that port status is ok, it should save it from that point onwards. All with ignition on, car does not need to be running.

The connection may also be blocked in windows security settings ? Firewall etc ?

[HPsauce]

Many (most) non-genuine cables promising full functionality are supplied with an "illegally" hacked copy of VCDS.
If you try and use them with a later/genuine version of VCDS they won't work.
You have said that this is NOT a genuine Ross-Tech cable.

There are perfectly valid "commodity" cables available which will work with restricted functionality, often known as VCDS-Lite.

Your options would appear to be:
1. Revert to the "illegally hacked" copy of VCDS supplied with the cable, if indeed it is that sort.
2. Use VCDS-Lite if yours is a cheap commodity cable.
3. Buy a genuine cable, there are different versions with restricted or unlimited VIN use, at different prices.

Your first port of call for working software should be whoever sold you the cable.

[ChrisA]

The connection may also be blocked in windows security settings ? Firewall etc ?

So I’ve done exactly what you’ve said other than check the security setting. How do I go about this?

[Foxmeister]

From my understanding, you have whats considered a 3rd party cable, it cant be used with the full software on RossTech site, you will have to download VCDS Lite or you should have had a software disk sent with the cable that will contain the version of Lite it is set to run on

Ive been looking into these also, but not sure if they are more hassle than they are worth, i also have older Audi's and a newer VW so not sure it can cover all my cars anyway