Can one acquire a VIDA / DICE DVD ? (or is it vadis)

[precopster]

ALL the copies on eBay and elsewhere are bootlegged. The only official source of purchase of these discs is from Volvo or through dealers.

ALL Vadis and Vida bought on eBay have had cracks appied to allow unregistered usage.

The best new info is on VIDA. It is better organised and logical and contains current part numbers.

The older VADIS system was also a means of communicating with your car through the VCA 2000 system cable and device.
The eBay seller above on my link provides a VERY good version of VIDA for around $15

[precopster]

I couldn't get it to work on Win7 64-bit. Apparently it will work on 32.

Did you try extracting the crack to the root directory of 'C' drive, not the program folder? This was how I got my copy working.

[xHeart]

I have run it on 32-bit WinXP SP3 and Win7 machines.

Regent, would you be up for demoing it to some of us who are interested. Web conferencing would be a great way for us to join your presentation.

Would Matt moderate, else, I can open my meeting room if you wish. There is always first time for new things, at least try?
I would also have a free call-in number for voice.

[matthew1]

I'd be up for that, given that we can work out a time that's good for everyone. I won't be much help, I have VIDA now, but have yet to play with it.

I installed VADIS years ago, then promptly took it apart in an effort to reverse-engineer it and make it a big HTML system because I found it painful to use as it exists as a Windows application. What I would have done after that -- beyond my personal use -- I don't know. Hosting it here would have put this site in a bad spot in regard to hosting copyrighted material.

[bigdaddylee82]

I've got the 2005 Edition of VADIS via torrents a few years ago. I have installed it on 32 bit XP as well as 64 bit Win 7. The Win 7 64 bit is a little tricky but not terribly difficult. For Win 7 64 run/install as Administrator in compatibility mode for XP SP3. That will let you install and run the program, but if you've got IE9 or newer installed you won't be able to see any of the diagrams. To get the diagrams to show up you've got to "downgrade" to IE8 or older, but who still uses Internet Explorer these days anyway?

That's all there is to it, works great in Win 7 x64.

- Lee

[electech]

I have a legit VADIS copy, given to me by my brother for Christmas. Not sure where he got it or what he paid, but it came in original Volvo packaging as a sealed disc, with a registration code. My guess is that it is under $100. I am running it on 32-bit Windows XP SP3.

I second the comment above that it is moderately useful but PAINFUL to navigate. It can be used with an interface to perform diagnostics, I just use it standalone. It is designed to be fully standalone, it is not supported in any way by Volvo. That means no updates since the first release of the version you purchase. I don't even look at part numbers, half are wrong and half are outdated.

IMHO, If you want something affordable and useful as a home mechanic, don't bother with VADIS. All of the information on it is also in the ALLDATA network. And unlike VADIS, ALLDATA is updated regularly. You can buy a subscription to ALLDATAdiy for a specific vehicle for $10-$20 a year, or if you watch the specials, $35 for 5 years. If you keep your car 10 years, you are out around $70- which is less than VADIS. Unlike VADIS, you can access ALLDATA on the web on almost any internet-connected device that can display PDF. So rather than a desktop or laptop with a DVD drive to install VADIS, you can use a netbook, tablet, or even some smartphones to pull up ALLDATA at the curb. Or, as I had to do recently, at my friend's house where my car wouldn't start. (darn fuel pump!)

With all that said, ALLDATA is not very easy to navigate either. I have experience with it in a garage, so I am more accustomed to it than I am to VADIS. It appears to have all of the features of VADIS in terms of information. As far as I know, ALLDATAdiy has no interface for diagnostic links, it is strictly informational.

And no, I have no connection with ALLDATA. I just like the service they offer and the reasonable price.

I would be up to joining in the online demo if the time works. I am not sure exactly how, but if I can I would be happy to demo ALLDATA side by side with VADIS.