2000 V70R - Vida/Dice Purchasing

Post by **scot850** » 18 Oct 2014, 20:03

I scanned the database for this subject, and other than generalities, there is no guidance to purchasing Vida/Dice. Perhaps it is a gray area, but if anyone can advise, then I would like to learn more.

I know there are lots of hacked versions out there, but has anyone bought a product they are happy with and does anyone have a recommended retailer?

I read a thread some time ago, but can't recall where I did.

As I understand it you need:

1) Software (disc) - Various versions out there up to 2014A.
2) Laptop - What Windows version do you need? I see Windows XP SP2 up to Windows 7 Pro.
3) Some OBD2 Volvo scan tool (DICE?). There appears to be various of these for sale on E-Bay for $100 upwards.

Do you need anything else?

Do these work with any OBD2 compatible Volvos or I've read it may have to be 1999 or newer?

I want some diagnostic tool that will diagnose all Volvo systems (e.g. A/C, ignition, fueling, locking system, electrical faults), is there is anything else at a reasonable cost please advise?

I see folks mentioning a 3 day or 1 year membership from Volvo. What is this needed for. Is it just to update software in the Vida system, or is it for updating software versions of car software. I would like to be able to back-date my throttle software that the dealer screwed up by running an un-authorised update, which they can't back date they say. It has made the ETM/throttle very slow and heavy to respond, and I don't even have a Volvo ETM!

Again, I don't want to violate any rules of the forum, so if this subject is too damaging, please don't get the forum into trouble. If possible PM me instead with guidance/info.

I have played with Volvos for 40 years, and I am tired of taking the car to the dealer for stuff I could diagnose myself and fix as a hobby. I like the challenge of learning (retired Engineer!).

Many thanks,

Neil.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 Oct 2014, 22:32

You pretty much have it figured out. The newest versions of VIDA do require Win7 Pro and a bunch of RAM although there is a virtual machine version that will run on "lesser" operating systems. For the virtual machine version see the links in this thread:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 40&t=55027

The DICE units are available from numerous suppliers but there seems to be some variation in quality. Most of the DICE units will come with a version of VIDA in the package. Mike (Precopster) has suggested an AliExpress vendor Shenzen Zeus Technology which is where I bought mine. Once I got past the apprehension of giving a credit card number directly to a company in Mainland China I was quite pleased with the service. The current price is $85.50 US and it can be shipped DHL for an additional $23.92. I think I got mine in about 4 business days and, as I recall, I placed the order on a weekend. Here is a link to the vendor where I bought mine:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-VIDA ... 64458.html

All of the units that are on ebay or through other consumer type websites are not "Official" DICE units and the VIDA packages are cracked pirated versions of the original software. The DICE units are fully functional and are capable of performing software downloads to the car but the bootleg VIDA program packages will not work to buy software downloads, for that you need an official subscription and an officially licensed VIDA program package. The "cracked" versions of VIDA that do ship with the units can do all of the diagnostic functions when used with DICE. Information of about obtaining a subscription for an officially licensed version is available here:

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

See the information pertaining to subscription services for independents under the VIDA tab.

There is also an interactive training website here:

https://www.volvotechinfo.com/vtiShare/ ... /index.htm

Unlike VIDA itself, this site will not run on anything but Internet Explorer 8 and you need to install the LMS Middleware add on, whatever that is, when prompted to do so. The training is pretty rudimentary but it isn't without value. Note that anytime they talk about hooking up a VCT2000 you can mentally substitute DICE. The VCT2000 was a predecessor to DICE and it never really got cloned to the extent that DICE has.

There is a tremendous amount of information in the VIDA, VADIS, DICE forum on this site which is where your original post was moved to.

...Lee

Post by **precopster** » 19 Oct 2014, 02:51

From what I understand the MINIMUM requirement is XP SP3 in 32 bit as Vida is both 32 and 64 bit compatible, regardless of Vida version number. Ram recommended is 2GB however I have my VM Ware image running on 800mb and my XP laptop has only 1.5GB, though I wouldn't call it quick.

Win 7 installations are best run at the 2GB minimum as this OS is more resource hungry.

Many of the vendors are listing Win 7 as a minimum as Win XPs support officially end this year.

Windows 7 Pro (not Home) is of course also compatible with the correct IE version installed.

As yet I haven't run into anyone who's been able to roll back the IE version that comes with Win 8 or Win 8.1 so they can try Vida on this platform.

As Ozark mentioned you can always run a VM Ware image on almost any platorm. The image file links are here on MVS.

Post by **scot850** » 19 Oct 2014, 20:42

Thanks guys! Really appreciate all the info. Just need to do some more research and decide which way to go and on what to use.

I have an old notepad running XP SP3, and like you say precopster, the support stopped this year. I have read several threads saying the newer versions (2013/2014 versions) NEED Windows 7 PRO.

Ultimate does not run VIDA.

My desktop runs PRO, but don't plan to drag it out to the garage. May look into buying a used laptop running 7 PRO or buy the legit software for around $100 or so, and install on the netbook. It is slow though! I will let you know how I get on when I have the funds and stuff here.

I have backdated IE on both my Windows 7 PRO and XP SP3 machines in the past to IE 8 that VIDA needs.
I don't have Windows 8 (will never buy that crap, will maybe look at 10 when it is available). Unless you can partition 8 PRO to emulate 7 or backdate it to 7, I'm not sure it can run VIDA. I'm sure though someone out there who is actually a techie (un-like me!!) will say it can be done.

Thanks again!

Neil.

Post by **cn90** » 20 Oct 2014, 07:44

I have a Dell D630 laptop with the software already installed, ready to go, i.e., just plug and play.
(You still need the DICE device, about $110 on ebay).
PM me if you are interested.

On the other hand, if you want to go through all the pain of software installation (which I don't recommend), then I can send you detail DIY, it is a pain! The VIDA DICE software installation is very tricky. It took forever to do it.
IIRC, it took me close to 6h from start to finish (Rebuilding the laptop from scratch, XP Pro with SP3): it is something I don't enjoy doing!

Post by **rmmagow** » 12 Nov 2014, 08:40

One clarification question, is this setup of any use on a 98 V70 w/Motronic 4.4?

Post by **precopster** » 12 Nov 2014, 14:01

rmmagow wrote:One clarification question, is this setup of any use on a 98 V70 w/Motronic 4.4?

No use as a connecting device apart from the parts list and repair resources

Post by **cn90** » 16 Nov 2014, 08:23

It took me 3 months to figure out all the DiCE and VIDA thingy!!!

The bottom line is:

1. DiCE: I got lucky, there are so many sellers selling DiCE, I bought from a person in California based on good review, it costs a little more ($150) than the seller from China ($110). But if you buy it from this seller (2013A version) it is warranted to work!
The inside circuit board of the DiCE sold by this seller is very close to Volvo SETEK AB circuit board.
If you buy an older DiCE version from 2011, you will almost certainly run into issues with 2013A VIDA laptop, unless you mess around with firmware update (another nightmare).
Been there done that!

2. The VIDA laptop: it was a nightmare to set it up. Hours and hours and hours.
I finally bought one that is "Plug and Play".

So, if you buy the DiCE from that particular seller and get the "Plug and Play" laptop, I can assure you with 100% certainty that it would work.

No fuss, no time wasted.

So if you don't want any headache, PM me for detail.

Post by **scot850** » 20 Jan 2015, 16:12

So now working on installing various stuff onto my 'new-to-me' Dell laptop. Laptop has Windows 7 Pro and is currently running 48/192 updates!

I tried to load VMware from their website but have had no luck. Have it no problem on the PC getting it loaded. The download on the laptop goes ok (or appears to) but when I try to install it opens the installer cube that is totally blank and then sits in the 'running' state. While I try to figure a way around it, do you have to have VMware to run the software, even if I buy a VIDA DICE kit from the source suggested? Can it be run on the laptop without it? Don't want to spring for the kit unless the disk can run without VMware, or I can find a way to get it loaded.

I have loaded Windows XP mode viewer and it seems to run ok.

Thanks again,

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 21 Jan 2015, 14:18

Went to a third party site and downloaded VMware player. Now on to try to download the VIDA link software.

Neil.