I have a VIDA 2013A version, fully loaded on a Dell D630 laptop.
Just plug and play.

So, if you want a ready-to-go laptop, PM me.

You will need to buy a DiCE device like below to be used with the VIDA laptop.
Only this DiCE linked below worked for me (i.e., 4-light DiCE):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-VIDA-...O-VIDA-DICE-2013A-LATEST-VERSION-DIAGNOSTIC-TOOL-OBD2-SCANNER-NEW-/321321583092

PS: laptop allows you to move around, driveway, parking lot. Of course you can use it on a PC but the PC has to be in your garage while you are diagnosing stuff.

 

So... after waiting about a year to get one, I bit the bullet and bought this unit yesterday, from AliExpress:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2012-super-hot-dice-vida-pro-volvo-scanner/511963060.html

Now I'm seeing a lot of folks posting the Ebay link (above), are they the same thing? If the only difference is the version of SW, I don't really care about that. The only difference I see is ~$40.00 in price. I don't need it immediately, so a $40.00 savings is a bonus to me! :thumbup:

If there are other major differences between the 2... should I cancel my AliExpress order?

I have VIDA 2010A (or possibly B) fully installed on a Dell D610 laptop, so that part is done. What a pain. I hope this SW and tool are worth it for all I went through.

Last question, is there any sort of tutorial out there on how to use VIDA/DiCE? I don't want to hook it up to either of my vehicles and end up destroying something... that wouldn't be good. I'll be using this in the coming months when car shopping, hoping to scan potential vehicles that I am interested in buying. I've been told this would be very handy and seeing possibly upcoming issues with the vehicles.

Thanks for any and all input. Sorry for the noob questions.

Take care.

 

...Last question, is there any sort of tutorial out there on how to use VIDA/DiCE? I don't want to hook it up to either of my vehicles and end up destroying something...

I wrote a short cheat sheet...Hope this helps.

-------
VOLVO VIDA DIAGNOSTIC CHEAT SHEET

- Make sure you back up data, and/or image the Hard Drive just in case you need a new HD later.

- Use this laptop for Volvo Diagnostic purposes only. Installing other programs such as Skype can mess it up. Best is to not install any new software program in this laptop!

- Do NOT modify Internet Explorer Version 8.0. This VIDA software does not work with other versions of IE!

- Once you connect this Laptop + DiCE device to your Volvo OBD-II port, turn your ignition key to position II (no need to start engine!).

- Launch VIDA All-In-One icon. It will automatically launch Internet Explorer Version 8.0.

NOTE: if for some reasons IE 8.0 does not work, you can re-install IE 8.0.
- If you have problem with IE 8.0, the alternative is Chrome, type in http://localhost/Vida.

- Username: 2 for North America.

- Then Click DEFINE VEHICLE PROFILE.

- Then Click READ VEHICLE.

- Tip: you need to enter Transmission (in my case "AW50/51 AWD").

- Then go to DIAGNOSTICS, FAULT TRACE. Copy the error codes on a piece of paper and repair the problems listed.

- After you have repaired the problems (such as replacing a sensor), in order to clear the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes):
"Update"
"Delivery" (This is Volvo's funny way of saying: fix the car before delivering to the customer!).
"Clear all codes"

- Then check again to be sure all codes are cleared.

NOTE
- Leave VCC as "Intranet". No need to modify this.
- The Clone is "206751". No need to modify it.

 

The "year" of VIDA indicates the newest supported year. All older cars are always supported. So VIDA2010 supports 2010 and older cars, VIDA 2013 supports 2013 and older cars, etc...

Regarding EBAY vs AliExpress, I've heard of tons of people getting dud DICE units from EBAY, but the AliExpress ones are much more reliable as long as you chose a seller with a good rating.

 

Thanks (yet again) Warped... I'll probably just stick with getting my unit from AliExpress. Folks seem to like those the best. I didn't know how to 'choose a seller', but I went with the link that someone had posted for the unit, on a different thread here on SS.

 

Actually, aliexpress DiCE is hit and miss.
The only way to know is to try it out.

Avoid the "all-blue" DiCE.

The ebay link I posted above works great for me, I learned that from this forum.
The circuit board for the DiCE (4-color DiCE) is very close to Volvo circuit board.

 

Cool. I guess I'll see what I get from Ali and go from there... if it's faulty, back to China it goes! I just read all the reviews on that one, and almost every VIDA thread I checked (about 6 months ago) referred to that unit. The extra 10% off didn't hurt either...

I'll try to post back when I get it with results.

 

BIG TIME 'THANKS' to you cn90! That'll definitely help. I'm rather computer/SW knowledgeable... but when it comes to doing something for the 1st time with a vehicle (one we own or not), I'm a little leery.

I greatly appreciate your efforts. I'll print that out and try it when I get my DiCE unit. It shipped yesterday, so I'm thinking 7-10 days. At least, according to the Ali website. I'm excited!

Take care.

 

Re aliexpress, I hear it is a mix bag.

Try to avoid the "all-blue" DiCE.
The "4-clor" DiCE is the ticket.

 

I have the blue DICE unit..got it from ebay..everything seems to work well, except when I tried to change the service interval on my XC90 from 7500 miles to 5000 miles...I got this message..

"To enable programming of distance conditions, time conditions or engine hour conditions, the service interval for Driver information modual (DIM) must be reset to User Defined. This only needs to be done once and takes place with a software download."

Is this something that anyone else has experienced? Is it due to me having the "blue" DICE or something else?

 

Got it cn90.

According to the AliExpress link I posted above, I "shouldn't" be getting the blue DiCE unit. If I do, back it goes and I'll order elsewhere. I'm unsure what a '4-color' DiCE (or how to tell if it is), but I'll see how the one does that I get. Hopefully it's all-good.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Unless for some reason I must use VIDA/DICE in an enclosed garage, I do always start my engine when hooking it up.

 

Don't know how long the link will be up but the '4-color' DICE unit looks like this:

 

Thanks. I believe (and hope) this is what I will be receiving...

 

So, I received my DiCE unit from Aliexpress about 2 days ago... and it is the silver, 4-color version (not the blue one). So far, so good.

I was having a starting issue the past couple days with my 98' S70 (won't go into detail here), but I hooked everything up this morning (kind of excited) and got nothing but errors. I followed cn90s guide/write-up... but I couldn't login using '2' for NA, I had to use '1'. Once I was in, and setup my cars profile including the transmission... I got an error saying it couldn't read the car, something about it being older than a 1999. I thought these DiCE units with VIDA worked on all MY Volvos. What the H??? I tried different sequences, and even tried the 'test the communication tool' icon, next to 'Read Vehicle'... got an error.

Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to install the 2014A SW I got with it? I would think the 2010B version I have loaded on the laptop would be fine. If I do need to load it, with it load 'over' the 2010B?

I don't have my phone near me for specifics, but does anyone have suggestions? I'll try reading our '06 XC90 when the wife gets home.

Thanks much.

Gregg

 

As far as I know Vida/Dice only work on 99 and later model cars. I think before 99 they used something called Vadis instead.

 

Thanks beatles... I think you might be right. I'm going to hook it up to our XC90 right now. I'll check back in the morning.

Thanks!

 

Well... disaster avoided. As mentioned last night, I went out to the garage quick and hooked up the VIDA/DiCE setup to the XC90 and viola! It worked! YAY.

I didn't mess with it too much, but wow... looks like you can do some cool schtuff in there. I guess it won't work with the S70, but at least I'll have it for my (upcoming) S80 when we buy one of those.

Now, general question here... since I have VIDA 2010B installed (and working) and I likely won't be buying anything 'newer' than a 2010 S80, is there any reason why I should load VIDA 2014A that I received with my DiCE unit over the 2010B? I'm guessing the answer is 'no'.

I'm sure I'll have other questions, and will search for answers before posting.

Thanks to all for the input on this thread. It helped a lot. The only thing I had to do different is login with a '1' instead of a '2'.

Take care.

 

Well... disaster avoided. As mentioned last night, I went out to the garage quick and hooked up the VIDA/DiCE setup to the XC90 and viola! It worked! YAY.

I didn't mess with it too much, but wow... looks like you can do some cool schtuff in there. I guess it won't work with the S70, but at least I'll have it for my (upcoming) S80 when we buy one of those.

Now, general question here... since I have VIDA 2010B installed (and working) and I likely won't be buying anything 'newer' than a 2010 S80, is there any reason why I should load VIDA 2014A that I received with my DiCE unit over the 2010B? I'm guessing the answer is 'no'.

I'm sure I'll have other questions, and will search for answers before posting.

Thanks to all for the input on this thread. It helped a lot. The only thing I had to do different is login with a '1' instead of a '2'.

Take care.

I've got my unit/SW on order for a 2014D version/Dice but I would think that with the latest software you also get the latest TSB and any updates on procedures, parts, etc. I'd suggest you go with the latest and greatest SW if it is easy to install (best as a VM).

 

Thanks c320. I'll back-up my image first, then try loading the 2014A I received with my DiCE unit. I forgot the SW has updated TSBs, procedures, etc.

Quick question, does anyone know where I can buy the (2) rubber protector ends that come with some of the DiCE units? I got the ugly... I mean, awesome, leather case with mine (which doesn't allow you to see what the LEDs are doing)... so if anyone has some they want to part with or want to trade for the leather case, just PM me.

Thanks!

 

Is it possible to reprogram new key transponders with the Vida? Heck it would make it worth buying one

 

As noted above, only if you own a DICE unit, purchase a temporary subscription to the VIDA software downloads https://www.volvotechinfo.com/index.cfm?event=info.subscriptions.vidaPricing then purchase the software download(s) themselves (key transponder in this case is approx. $28).

 

I installed Vida/Dice 2014A on a laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Having all of the windows update installed, I have internet Explorer 11. I found out that you dont have to uninstall IE 11 to make Vida work. There is a developer tool for IE 11 to be backward compatible. Open up IE 11 and hit F12. Click on Emulation tab. From there you can set to what ever version you want i.e. Internet Explore 8.

I also have an SSD drive. Comparing to a regular drive, the small icon on the taskbar will take forever to load. The SSD takes about 30 seconds and Vida starts running.

 

VIDA has update to 2014A , here is the free sw:http://down.diyobd2.fr/vida-2014a-torrent.zip