really confused vagcom

[pwheels]

I know this question has been asked hundreds of times but I've been reading through post after post about VCDS-LITE & the $99 registered version & I just need a simple answer.
My question is, I've just bought a VAG cable from GENDAN LIMITED & downloaded the VCDS-LITE software from ross tech. I tested the cable in my polo 9n & its setup ok
& was able to use it. If I was to register with ross tech & pay for the $99 VCDS software, will it work with my cable & will I be able to have full access to all the settings?

[blazeguarder]

The license is contained within the cable. If you have a genuine cable, you just need to download the software from the Ross-Tech website and then it's fully activated by the cable.

You only need to pay $99 for the software if you have a third party cable off ebay or wherever...

[pwheels]

Oh ok, the cable I bought was from a uk supplier of Ross tech but for what I paid for it, I don't think it's genuine.

Thanks for the reply, think I'll register it to get the full software.

Cheers

[RUM4MO]

I'd be very surprised if Gendan are selling dodgy VCDS cables, I always thought they were proper diagnostics equipment re-sellars - are you sure that you bought a cheap cable from them? VCDS-Lite I thought was the replacement for what had become the freeware version (old not supported) VAG-COM.

[pwheels]

I did register the cable or vcds-lite & I now have a fully working vcds. Its much easier having the auto scan function so well worth £65 or ($99)

[RUM4MO]

Eventually, you might find it is even better having the "full blown" VCDS (Christmas is coming) - I'd think that you could upgrade - only guessing though. Just think of the fun (or damage) you could have (or cause). I've never really expanded my knowledge of VCDS but you can look at a lot of useful fields, if you took lots of readings when the car is working well, I'm sure that you could use these readings in the future when things have turned bad. I know VCDS is a bit like a socket set, ie having it does not make you an expert, but investigating its uses will improve your knowledge. I still think that there is a market for a really in depth user guide for VCDS, if only to open our eyes to what can be done or read.

Typically you will find that you know which module you want to look at for possible answers, so I find Autoscan is only handy for doing a quick scan at service time, even then, if I was being clever, I would do as VCDS suggest, and that is to write an Autoscan "group" specifically for "that" car and in doing so save some time.