Hey guys,

I just recently bought a vagcom cable with software for like $14 on ebay. ( i hope it's legit)
and I was just wondering if there needs to be any particular specs on the laptop end to effectively run the software i.e would a simple 1 or 2 gb laptop ( like those new mini ones you see for like $250 at wallmart ) be sufficient? thats all.

Thanks.

 

Those Laptops will work. Hope your cable does.

 

If you don't already have an old computer to use, just go on craigslist and pick up an old PIII laptop for 50.00.

Vag-com, the old versions (311 & 409) which work with the generic cables will work on pretty much anything.

 

Is your cable USB or serial (RS232)? Most newer laptops do not have serial. I have read of some having problems with USB-RS232 converters. I am not sure of the low end USB cables.

$50 laptop is just fine... (Win 98 or better) even better if it has a good battery!

 

I haven't gotten the cable yet so i guess we'll wait and see. thanks for the help though.

 

You don't have to have a laptop (unless "convenience" is something you really treasure) since you can reach from a desktop with a long cable.
However, no matter what you'll use, you'll still have to either employ the method graciously and unselfishly described by nm3210 h e r e, or shed $ 99 to get a license from Rosss-Tech- otherwise the VagCom is useless.

 

I have a serial Vag cable with an adaptor to USB for my laptop and have no problem except for remembering which port it is connected to.

And YES the adaptor has to be high speed (almost all new ones are) to work correctly.

 

It should work unless you had an issue like mine which only read the engine codes when the car was turned on then off. Don't ask me why.