id like some additional info along with figgy. my next question was where do i get the software? ebay or ross tech?

This is what I did.. all cars 2001 and earlier are Non CAN based you can use this method.. If your car is 2002 and later then this will not work for you..

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158766

Cable Description:
KKL 409.1 VAG-COM VW/AUDI OBD INTERFACE USB Cable

Ebay Seller: SZHID (Expected Price including shipping: $20 or less)
http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/szhid/

USB driver for the cable:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Installing the Cable:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158766

VAG-Com Software Download (Version 409.1):
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/archives.html

Also Download the VAG-Com 805 (latest version):
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/
Install it and copy the "Labels" folder from the 805 install,
Delete the "Labels" folder from the 409 install
Paste the "Labels" folder from 805 in its place

Fix for "Too many communication errors" while communicating to some Modules:
http://forums.audiworld.com/vag/msgs/16474.phtml

* http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158766

Here's how to 'trick' the Vagcom into thinking it's the full version:

The way an older version of the program recognizes that you have the full version is that you have to have three files within the Vag-Com directory. When the program sees these files when you do not have a registered version, it deletes them. A simple remedy for this is to constantly replace the deleted files. *Please Note: sometimes it takes many times of restarting the program and script for it to get the timing correct, so if it doesn't work the first time, just try again!* (it takes me upwards of 5-10 times in my Virtual XP to get it to work, which is frustrating, but what do ya do)

I have set up a script that does this for you. The script simply checks whether or not the files are in the correct location and if they aren't, it replaces them from a certain directory. Here is a link to a zip file with the following files/directories:

• \c - directory where the script copies files from
• \Labels -an updated list of labels for the program (fills out more codes/forms)
• d1.bin - first required file to trick into full version
• d2.bin - second required file
• d3.bin - third required file
• sleep.vbs - wait period of 1 second
• vag.bat - primary script, run this to start script and Vag-Com
• a shortcut that runs the script

The easiest way of doing this is to install Vag-Com 409.1 (from ross-tech.com) and then copy all of the files in the zip to the VagCom directory in Program Files (or where ever you installed it). Again, the link is: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/57832/Audi/vagcom.zip for the zip. And remember to use Vag-Com 409.1, the newer versions don't work with this method.

Good luck, let me know if you have any questions, or if something doesn't work right. Furthermore, I can't get this to work well in Windows 7 x86 (i could get the program to run, just not my script) and the older versions of the Ross-Tech software don't work at all in an x64 environment (at least in my other Windows 7 x64), SO if you're running either, then you may be out of luck (Virtual XP works fine though).

The primary purpose that I use this for is to re-adjust my headlights because my back sensor has been on the fritz for about a year now. You can't get into the settings to do this unless you have the registered full version. Another plus of having this is that the Scope works well like it should. Enjoy! If this post is removed, I'll have to go back to just communicating via PM, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Where can I buy a cable to connect my laptop to the car? 2001 A6 1.9Tdi

thanks in advance

I am new and dont understand what CAN is? Should I buy CAN or Non CAN cable?

Your car should be non CAN.. look 2 posts above.. buy from ebay seller szhid.. see up there..

I abandoned the USB over Cat5 idea for right now. An USB over Cat5 adapter runs from $ 59 upwards.
By the time I get done with it may turn a scanner would have been much cheaper. Plus, a J1962M connector ready to be mounted it gets close to $20.
So I decided to get from CableWholesale.com an USB 15 ft. extension cable - $ 3.14, an active 16 ft. repeater cable - $ 14.03 (shipping was USPS Priority Mail - $ 9.46), and of course an USB-to-OBDII cable off E-Bay, exactly from the guy Dmaini pointed out to - $ 13.75 shipped.
I already purchased previously the 2x2 adapter off Ebay some months back for about $ 8 (it maybe was $ 7 and change - shipped!)

I'll end up with 15 + 16 + 3 (Ebay cable) + 1 (2x2 adapter) = 35 FT . From the computer to the edge of the porch I have about 19 ft.

Me thinks problem solved for $ 48 - of course if the cable works..

Whoohoo...........
I got the VagCom going on the computer about 25 feet away!

While I still need to figure out the "registration hack", here's the scan results:

Dmaini and nm, thanks for sharing these instructions.

My questions are:
1) Although you replace the "Labels" folder with the one in 805 version, you still need to use the 409.1 version when scanning the car, is that assumption correct?
2) Does this replacement solely enable the software to be perceived as "full-registration", hence allowing you to access all of the features?
Tks

In case anyone else gets the same 00549 code:

Yes you should use the 409 version only as the 805 version is locked down... and u need a h/W dongle for it to work