Hi All, I have just noticed on my netbook that there are old versions of VCDS stored on there, so when you upgrade to a new version does it still use the old files or do you get a complete new install, and if I delete the old files will I lose my scan data as well ? so whats the best way of backing up my scan data before deleting files. cheers - Stuart

From memory, the Ross-Tech uninstaller will only delete files that it put there itself, so your Logs directory should survive. If you want to be sure, then keep a backup of AutoScan.txt (I always edit mine to remove airbag modules from auto-scans, so there's no risk of it going off in my/someone else's face due to the airbag controller bug) and the Logs subdirectory.

As for old versions, when you install the latest one it will uninstall the old one first and then extract the new one in its place. However I don't think it removes the older versions from the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel, it sounds like you could be looking in there?

From memory, the Ross-Tech uninstaller will only delete files that it put there itself, so your Logs directory should survive. If you want to be sure, then keep a backup of AutoScan.txt (I always edit mine to remove airbag modules from auto-scans, so there's no risk of it going off in my/someone else's face due to the airbag controller bug) and the Logs subdirectory.

As for old versions, when you install the latest one it will uninstall the old one first and then extract the new one in its place. However I don't think it removes the older versions from the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel, it sounds like you could be looking in there?

Hi 'gac' yes I was looking in add/delete programs and it was listing all of the versions,whats the bug with the airbags ? I have at one time downloaded the main program and also the beta versions and they are both on the start page on the netbook and I was just going to clean up the desktop. cheers - Stuart

There's a bug in certain revisions of airbag controller from VW that can cause them to go off in certain circumstances. I can't remember the specifics from memory but it's something like if you try and connect once and it fails, and then the connection is re-established without "power cycling" the airbag controller (ignition off 30 seconds then back on) then the airbags can be deployed. Obviously I don't ever want that to happen and while VCDS does offer some built-in instructions (if the connection fails it'll actually tell you to turn the ignition off) I occasionally lend my laptop to people and the last thing I want is for their airbags going off if they somehow misunderstand the message.

So for absolute safety, I remove module 15 from all the lines in AutoScan.txt (as well as setting up a custom line for my own car which makes scanning that quicker as it doesn't try and connect to modules my Fabia doesn't have). Generally if there's an airbag fault the light will come on, and in that case you can just go into the airbag module as a single module and clear it that way. But for auto-scans, there's a danger that someone will just click the OK button without reading the message properly and if they have a buggy revision airbag controller then it could blow the bags up in their face.

The warning about scanning certain airbag controllers is in the link below. There is also a note that all part numbers of airbag controllers should work fine with current versions of VCDS when used with current Ross-Tech interfaces. That said, I understand the reasoning above for disabling auto scanning of Module 15 when lending VCDS to others.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/vw_issues.html#Airbags

Normally VCDS should overwrite the older version but you can simply delete the folders manually as VCDS itself does not create any entries in the Windows Registry. The only entries are created by the installer/uninstaller (required by Microsoft/Windows), so the best way to get rid of each version is by running the relating uninstaller through Windows > Control Panal > "Software"/"Add and Remove Programs". Depending on the version of the uninstaller not all of them will ask if you want to keep your logs/debugs - so if you want to be certain make a copy of the following directories/files.

/VCDS/Debugs/*.TXT

/VCDS/Logs/*.TXT

/VCDS/AutoScan.TXT (only if you modified it manually)

Regarding your airbag question: Current versions do not skip address 15, since we implemented a workaround (I believe that was in Release 409) VCDS should not trigger that issue anymore. As described in the link, this is due to a bug in the airbag control module firmware but it will NOT deploy the airbags when this issue is triggered. Essentially all that happens is that the module stores a 65535 (Control Module faulty) which cannot be erased and has to be solved by replacing that control module.