So I clearly need to get VIDA running. I have a laptop and am planning on downloading the VM install from volvodiag.com. However, I have no idea what DICE unit to get. I see a ton on Ebay but I've read about people having issues with some of them. Is there a list of recommended options that are known to work?

 

Not sure where you are... but up here in Canada I actually bought one at Walmart (online) !!!!! - for $150 Cdn
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/ANGGREK...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

AND... It actually works !!!

 

Does the Walmart unit above function in a standalone non connected status for diagnostic & repair information. What limitations exist?

Thanks

 

The walmart DICE is just a cheap clone (same or similar as to the others that are sold, You can still purchase a factory Dice unit 9513000- they are probably about $750 now)

A DICE unit only functions as the interface between the OBD port on your car and your CPU running VIDA software

Allegedly a j2534 cable can be substituted for a Dice unit to act as the interface.

Hilton tuning sells one (calls it a vroomflash j2534) and these guys also -

.https://d5t5.com/eshop/detail/180/su...00-replacement

 

Agreed.... it is a cheap unit. It does come with a VIDA 2014 CD that does work after some playing around.
But it has worked for me to troubleshoot network probs on my 2005 XC90.
IF you're asking if you can use VIDA without being connected to a vehicle...... yes... to a certain extent. If you enter the VIN, you can access the Information tab. - Under which you can look at parts lists, Repair procedures, Some fault tracing.
I'm juts a beginner using VIDA..... It's the middle of winter here (-20 degrees daily). I'll be waiting for more comfortable conditions before I go back out to "play" with it more.
Hopefully my comments help a bit....

 

Apologies, not clear.

By "not connected standalone" I was thinking Internet. Yes connected to my xc70.

Worthwhile diagnostic & repair tool?

Thanks

 

My apologies... misunderstood the whole "connected" thing. The VIDA 2014 that comes wit that unit is what we could refer to as the "aftermarket/cracked" version.
It runs standalone, not connecting to the internet. If you want to get online to download diagnostics and s/w for the car, I believe you would want to buy the "real" thing.
I still find it quite handy for Identifying problems with my 2 Volvo's. (2005 XC90 and 2014 XC60). It showed me where I had connection problems between modules, and filing modules themselves.
'Haven't tried the possibility of actually things on and off with it (eg running a window motor, etc..) - Don't know if that's even possible wit this version.

There are probably some senior members on this forum that own the real version... and could provide some guidance.

 

Yes it's a worthwhile diagnostic and repair tool. 2014d is simply a copy of the factory diagnostic software that someone made a "patch" to allow it to run without a subscription. You install Vida then apply the patch to make it work. It does not require an internet connection to run. (internet is needed only to self update, or to download software, and neither of those things can happen on an out of date product)

 

So based on some internet feedback, I ended up getting the VxDiag Nano for Volvo, and the VIDA package running on a VirtualBox VM. I configured the VxDiag for pass-thru, VIDA powers up and recognizes it, but when I'm connected to the car with the ignition on, I get an error that says something to the effect of "Can't read vehicle...its either too old, the ignition is not on or the CEM/(something else...CMD maybe?) is defective.

I doubt the CEM is defective, I'm reasonably certain the shop I had it at recently was able to read it. It's not too old (2008). And the ignition was definitely on. Any ideas? I can confirm I had "VxDiag" selected as the interface device in the VIDA pull-down.

Any ideas?

 

Try manually typing in your VIN (instead of having Vida fill in the blank)

And you can have the engine running (so as not to drain your battery)

 

Ok, just tried that, no luck. The program recognized the VIN and filled out a bunch of stuff, but still couldn't read the vehicle.

I'm slightly suspicious of my USB cable. I got a "voltage low, want to continue anyway" warning when running the VXDiag configuration tool. It looks pretty old. I've ordered a new one. Shot in the dark but we'll see.

 

New USB cable, same sad story. Very frustrating. I know people have had success with this VXDiag device, but not me apparently.

 

So I have seen numerous claims on various forums that folks have got 2014D working with the VxDiag Nano. I did see someone claiming they had to use a different driver than the one provided by the manufacturer, and they pointed to a now-defunct Google Drive page. Others were not saying that, however.

I'm wondering if any of the folks who got this to work were doing so while running VIDA on a VM running Windows 10. That's the installation I got from Volvodiag.com. It recognizes the device just fine so I can't imagine moving to Windows 7 is the fix, but I would be curious to know what configurations have been proven to work.

 

Looks like I solved it! The Visual Box installation of VIDA is now working with the VXDiag Nano now.

The problem turned out to be some sort of license file issue for the device. I reran the device install program and it gave me an error for the license. It did that before as well, but it was supposed to update the license when it updated the firmware. This time I just updated the license (there's a menu item for that) and it worked.