VIDA 2015 - beginning of the end?

[freedomgli]

https://www.volvotechinfo.com/index.cfm ... thisIsVida

WELCOME TO VIDA 2015

Welcome to the new VIDA. Several years of development have been put into this new workshop application. We have incorporated feedback from our users, as well as made changes to accommodate our future vehicles. VIDA 2015 has an extensive HELP section which can be reached at any time simply by hitting the "F1" button on your keyboard.

VIDA 2015 is 100% internet based, which means you will always have the most current information at your fingertips. Changes and corrections can be applied with a much shorter lead time.

Volvo Standard Time (VST) information is integrated into VIDA.
Starting with XC90, fault tracing will be displayed and shown in a ranked order.
Wiring Diagrams will be an integrated part of the repair process.

So install VIDA 2015 and explore the great changes and improvements of this new workshop application.

So with VIDA 2015 being 100% internet based, does this mean the beginning of the end for Chinese knockoff clones with pirated VIDA-All-In-One software?

Will VIDA 2014D be the last version that can be used without an active subscription to Volvo HQ servers?

[matthew1]

"VIDA 2015 is 100% internet based, which means you will always have the most current information at your fingertips."

Should be

"VIDA 2015 is 100% the end of hacks, and might be the end of shadetree Volvo diagnosis, depending on how high we price it."

[freedomgli]

If 2014 will be the last version available for us plebes, is there a significant difference between 2014A and 2014D? Is it worth making the effort to get the latest and greatest or is 2014A going to be good enough?

[Ozark Lee]

I guess in about 2025 I will start to worry about it. I don't buy cars until they are 10 to 15 years old and I can buy them cheap. The VIDA 2014x should continue to work just fine until you need to interrogate a model year 2015 or newer.


...Lee

[freedomgli]

After doing a little bit more research, it looks like 2014DU1 is going to be the best bet for most of us. The latest version of the standalone VIDA-All-In-One has updates that go beyond just the ability to work on the newest model cars. Right now I'm working to setup a virtual machine to beta test 2014A. Once I have a DiCE I will wipe the VM clean and do a fresh install 2014D or 2014DU1.

[freedomgli]

It would appear that software downloads are no longer available for independent operators. Even if you were current with VIDA 2015, Volvo says you must go to a dealer to get software downloads. This would also apply to anyone with older out-of-date versions of VIDA.

http://workshopsupportguide.volvocars.b ... nload.aspx

[deesidemotorcentre]

Hi, Just to let anyone know we are a VOLVO independent Specialist. We have subscribed to the new VIDA 2015 which is web based. It doest seem as stable to put it bluntly but we can still offer software downloads. i.e. key programming and reloads updates.

www.deesidemotorcentre.co.uk

01244 816802

[JRL]

By FEDERAL law, it must be available to independent repair shops

[hcritz]

Hey guys...I purchased the 2014 vida dice ... and upgraded to windows 7 professional and added the patch...I was never able to get it to run.
Is 14 still a valid system? I'm guessing that these are back door usages.

[Ozark Lee]

All of the 2014 versions are valid, as are the older ones. Many of the installation problems arise due to the fact that the sellers usually send the program on a double layer DVD. A standard DVD reader only gets about half of the necessary files.

Assuming that you loaded from a double layer player and got all of the files, and you properly ran the patch file, you need to be a bit patient before you try to launch VIDA. In the service tray there is a V icon that has a status color indicator in it. Depending on the computer and how much other crap Windows is loading on startup it can take several minutes for the V to finally go green. Then and only then will VIDA run.

...Lee