VCDS on Mac?

[texadelphia]

Just curious how the Apple folks out there are using VCDS. I don't really want to buy a dedicated Windows computer and I'd rather not run Bootcamp on my Mac because I don't have a lot of hard drive space. Been looking into running it through a virtual Windows machine on my Mac but I'm not sure how well that would work. Basically just trying to figure out the lowest cost way to run VCDS.

[Deckster]

I use VCDS via VM. I use Parallels but you can just download VIrtualBox for free.


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[texadelphia]

I use VCDS via VM. I use Parallels but you can just download VIrtualBox for free.


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For VM solutions do you need to purchase an activation key for Windows? I got a manual through emanualonline and I had to use VirtualBox with WinXP to open it but I didn't have to buy a Windows license. They sent me a file that I opened with VirtualBox which drops me into an XP desktop where I open the manual file.

[Deckster]

Nope. My Windows has not been activated. You just get limited settings, limited customization, etc. I didn’t care about that since all I needed it for is VCDS.


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[Charles.waite]

So Download Virtual Box, its free open source. Download Windows 10 Home from microsoft, its also free to download and can actually be used unregistered with a few features locked out. For a VCDS VM, its perfect though, and it barely nags you at all. THats what I use and it works great. With Virtual box you just need to make sure you passthrough the VCDS Cable USB device.

[KMPRSSD]

Honestly I was worried about that as I use Apple products as well. Our IT manager at my job turned me on to TigerDirect.com I bought a 13" windows laptop with all the requirements Ross-Tech required for $170.00. It was refurbished but I didn't care. Its only going to run VCDS and that's it. I didn't even hook it up to my wi-fi. Plus I didn't want to worry about knocking it around, or getting grease on it etc. Totally worth it.

[texadelphia]

Thanks for the great info guys. I considered a cheap Windows laptop but I have a minimalist slant and don't want to bring any more equipment into my life than I actually need. That's already a difficult line to toe when you're an Audi owner that does most of his own work and every job seems to require a special tool!

[EvolutionArmory]

Can’t you just partition your hard drive enough to just run legit windows and VCDS if you have an intel based Mac?

Or is it just not worth it to lose that much hard drive space to run 1 program and Windows?

[EvolutionArmory]

How about buying a windows based tablet instead of a laptop?

[texadelphia]

Can’t you just partition your hard drive enough to just run legit windows and VCDS if you have an intel based Mac?

Or is it just not worth it to lose that much hard drive space to run 1 program and Windows?

My Macbook Air only has a 128GB hard drive. It's been a while, but from what I remember about partitioning the hard drive for Bootcamp, it would take up a bigger chunk of that space than I'm comfortable with parting with just to run Windows.

[texasboy21]

I wonder if Virtual Box will support Eurodyne softwares..?? I HATE using my windows tablet for anything, especially something as critical as writing the ECU. I also did not know that you could use an unregistered license of Windows.

[Charles.waite]

How about buying a windows based tablet instead of a laptop?

I have an exceedingly cheap and shitty Windows10 tablet, and its a bitch to use, basically the eMMC storage is so minimal and the processor so slow its impossible to use.

And VCDS is really awful to use with an onscreen keyboard and touch input only.

[Charles.waite]

Can’t you just partition your hard drive enough to just run legit windows and VCDS if you have an intel based Mac?

Or is it just not worth it to lose that much hard drive space to run 1 program and Windows?

Yea, it sorta is. And dual booting is a pain thats really unnecessary when a Windows VM can be spun up in 10 seconds and doesn't require a reboot. I've been using VMs for years with VCDS, ETKA, ELSA. etc. Hell even IE's tuning app works in my Windows VM despite them saying quite explicitly not to use it in a VM. Point being its generally quite easy to setup and doesn't require dual booting and partitioning shenanigans. Live-partitioning my boot drive always gives me the heebie-jeebies...

[Charles.waite]

I wonder if Virtual Box will support Eurodyne softwares..?? I HATE using my windows tablet for anything, especially something as critical as writing the ECU. I also did not know that you could use an unregistered license of Windows.

Yea its new with windows 10. I think MS realized it was better to have people using unlicensed windows than having people run activation hacks and likely infect their machines with virulent malware.

As far as running Eurodyne, possible could work, it depends on how their software and cable interface with the USB subsystem. With IE's tuner, the software would configure the cable into a special mode to update its firmware which caused Virtual Box to drop it and not automatically recognize it until I figured out what was happening and whitelisted the alternate mode's device ID. Once I did that it worked flawlessly for flashing my Q5 and my buddy's B8 Allroad. Assuming Maestro does something similar it should work but it might take some finagling.

[OliNix]

I too like minimalism and not having loads of devices for single jobs. I use Mac, unfortunately another device for this is the easiest way. I did not buy a PC or install VCDS to Bootcamp or parallels, even though I have both those solutions.

I went down the OBDEleven and cheap android phone route, works a treat. Nice and small, lives in the centre armrest for when it’s needed.


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[texadelphia]

I too like minimalism and not having loads of devices for single jobs. I use Mac, unfortunately another device for this is the easiest way. I did not buy a PC or install VCDS to Bootcamp or parallels, even though I have both those solutions.

I went down the OBDEleven and cheap android phone route, works a treat. Nice and small, lives in the centre armrest for when it’s needed.


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I also have OBDEleven and bought it for that very reason. The issue I"m coming up against is that sometimes I can't figure out how to do something in OBDEleven that is well documented on VCDS so I've been considering switching. For instance I'm going to need to reset my transmission adaptation values and can't find any direction on how to do this with OBDEleven.

[OliNix]

I also have OBDEleven and bought it for that very reason. The issue I"m coming up against is that sometimes I can't figure out how to do something in OBDEleven that is well documented on VCDS so I've been considering switching. For instance I'm going to need to reset my transmission adaptation values and can't find any direction on how to do this with OBDEleven.

Funny you say this. I needed to do the same. Fell into the too hard without VCDS pile....

If you are pretty computer savvy take a look at WindowsToGo USBs. You can basically boot from the USB to run windows. It’s how I run windows on my Mac. Keeps drives separate and doesn’t use any of my internal drive space for the devil spawn that is windows!

[texadelphia]

Funny you say this. I needed to do the same. Fell into the too hard without VCDS pile....

If you are pretty computer savvy take a look at WindowsToGo USBs. You can basically boot from the USB to run windows. It’s how I run windows on my Mac. Keeps drives separate and doesn’t use any of my internal drive space for the devil spawn that is windows!

I did some research and Windows To Go looks like it might just be what I'm looking for. I found a tutorial and I'm going to see if I can get it to work without paying for a Windows activation key. Thanks for the guidance!

[texadelphia]

Well it appears that Microsoft has removed Windows To Go from the latest version of Windows 10 and I can't find the ISO files for older versions. Ugh. Was Windows To Go an option on Windows 8?

[OliNix]

Well it appears that Microsoft has removed Windows To Go from the latest version of Windows 10 and I can't find the ISO files for older versions. Ugh. Was Windows To Go an option on Windows 8?

I think it was introduced on Win 8, not certain though. There should be nothing stopping you installing windows on an external drive and just plugging it in when you want to run it, not as easy as a USB stick, but will work. As you are likely only using it with 1 machine, you don’t actually need Windows To Go, this allows you to carry a usb drive and hot swap between hardware.


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[Charles.waite]

If space is that much of a concern (128gb?! My iPhone has twice that!) then an external would make sense. I’d still opt for a virtual machine and just keep the VHD file on an external there’s no reason it needs to my on the internal drive.

[studiobmx]

Honestly I was worried about that as I use Apple products as well. Our IT manager at my job turned me on to TigerDirect.com I bought a 13" windows laptop with all the requirements Ross-Tech required for $170.00. It was refurbished but I didn't care. Its only going to run VCDS and that's it. I didn't even hook it up to my wi-fi. Plus I didn't want to worry about knocking it around, or getting grease on it etc. Totally worth it.

I did the same thing. Junky $140 little guy, cleaned it up and it lives in the shop for VCDS. Totally worth it. 🤙🏼


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[OliNix]

If space is that much of a concern (128gb?! My iPhone has twice that!) then an external would make sense. I’d still opt for a virtual machine and just keep the VHD file on an external there’s no reason it needs to my on the internal drive.

You can tell parallels to use a boot camp drive, then you have both VM and native options

[texadelphia]

I think I'm going to make a bootable windows 10 flash drive and plug it in and run from that when I want to use vcds. I found a video which details the process for an SSD so hopefully it works for a flash drive as well.

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[Jayz691]

I also have OBDEleven and bought it for that very reason. The issue I"m coming up against is that sometimes I can't figure out how to do something in OBDEleven that is well documented on VCDS so I've been considering switching. For instance I'm going to need to reset my transmission adaptation values and can't find any direction on how to do this with OBDEleven.

Is it just a reset? If so, its in trans module, block 00. Haven't done it, cuz wasn't sure, but its a reset. Would love some info on this. Most things are the same or similar on Obdeleven as vcds, so can use ross-tech site for lots of stuff, most.

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[OliNix]

I think I'm going to make a bootable windows 10 flash drive and plug it in and run from that when I want to use vcds. I found a video which details the process for an SSD so hopefully it works for a flash drive as well.

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This does not work, removable media has a different bios signature to a HDD or SSD. Windows refuses to install on a flash drive. Or at least it used to

[Charles.waite]

Macs use EFI, not BIOS, not sure if that matters in that case.

That could also be something that is governed by Secure Boot or TPM stuff which may or may not be present on non-OEM machines.

[OliNix]

Macs use EFI, not BIOS, not sure if that matters in that case.

Windows knows it’s a flash drive and refuses to install. EFI, BIOS, they are just different generations of the same thing.


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[Deckster]

Like a lot of people have said, easiest way would be just to spin up a VM and call it a day.


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[Charles.waite]

Windows knows it’s a flash drive and refuses to install. EFI, BIOS, they are just different generations of the same thing.


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Ok. I sorta figured you meant BIOS as “pre-boot environment” not bios exclusively but wasn’t sure. Either way I’m far more versed in Macs (only have a Windows box to game in the living room) so the vagaries of external booting is something I know little about so I’ll absolutely defer to you on that.

But yea in general boot camp or a VM are the simplest, VM gets my vote because it’s super easy to spin up without having to reboot which makes it far more handy for quick “let me just check this one thing” and not having to re-open browser tabs or whatever when you reboot to windows.

A cheap laptop on clearance is a solid option as well, it’s just not free.

[texadelphia]

Is it just a reset? If so, its in trans module, block 00. Haven't done it, cuz wasn't sure, but its a reset. Would love some info on this. Most things are the same or similar on Obdeleven as vcds, so can use ross-tech site for lots of stuff, most.

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I went down this path and it says something like "Perform factory reset". I wasn't sure if that was the same as setting the adaptations to zero and didn't look similar to the factory process I found. In all fairness I couldn't find a Ross-Tech method for the 09L either.

[texadelphia]

Ok. I sorta figured you meant BIOS as “pre-boot environment” not bios exclusively but wasn’t sure. Either way I’m far more versed in Macs (only have a Windows box to game in the living room) so the vagaries of external booting is something I know little about so I’ll absolutely defer to you on that.

But yea in general boot camp or a VM are the simplest, VM gets my vote because it’s super easy to spin up without having to reboot which makes it far more handy for quick “let me just check this one thing” and not having to re-open browser tabs or whatever when you reboot to windows.

A cheap laptop on clearance is a solid option as well, it’s just not free.

It's less about spending the money and more about having another single use gadget laying about. I guess I gotta do what I gotta do though. Sounds like there might be a way with OBDEleven though so I guess I need to run that down a little more. There's just not a lot of support for OBDEleven. I can use Ross-Tech as a guide but often the menu options aren't quite the same or the wording is different and I don't like that, "well this seems like what I want" feeling.

VM sounds like a solid option, just wasn't sure if firmware updates would go well for the Ross-Tech cable and Ross-Tech specifically says not to use a VM and to use a "robust" Windows install. haha.

[abbottcostello]

Awesome thread, been sitting firmly on the fence here for almost a year now! This is not a pressing need, so that is probably partly reason it's taking me so long, but I think mainly I just keep going back and forth. I have plenty of hard disk space & feel like I should just partition off some of my 2nd hard drive & go the bootcamp route, but reading about the VM solutions has got me thinking about that now. Interesting that you can download Windows 10 & use on a limited basis, also did not know this.
All in all though, the thought of using my MacBook to run VCDS while working on my car is probably my biggest worry and why right now I'm leaning towards the "beater laptop" to run VCDS

As far as which cable to buy, any suggestions or things I should consider? Do they offer a wireless solution? Best place to buy (Europa has free shipping, any advantage to buy direct from Ross-Tech)?

[abbottcostello]

Awesome thread, been sitting firmly on the fence here for almost a year now! This is not a pressing need, so that is probably partly reason it's taking me so long, but I think mainly I just keep going back and forth. I have plenty of hard disk space & feel like I should just partition off some of my 2nd hard drive & go the bootcamp route, but reading about the VM solutions has got me thinking about that now. Interesting that you can download Windows 10 & use on a limited basis, also did not know this.
All in all though, the thought of using my MacBook to run VCDS while working on my car is probably my biggest worry and why right now I'm leaning towards the "beater laptop" to run VCDS

As far as which cable to buy, any suggestions or things I should consider? Do they offer a wireless solution? Best place to buy (Europa has free shipping, any advantage to buy direct from Ross-Tech)?

[Charles.waite]

It's less about spending the money and more about having another single use gadget laying about. I guess I gotta do what I gotta do though. Sounds like there might be a way with OBDEleven though so I guess I need to run that down a little more. There's just not a lot of support for OBDEleven. I can use Ross-Tech as a guide but often the menu options aren't quite the same or the wording is different and I don't like that, "well this seems like what I want" feeling.

VM sounds like a solid option, just wasn't sure if firmware updates would go well for the Ross-Tech cable and Ross-Tech specifically says not to use a VM and to use a "robust" Windows install. haha.

I’ve always used a VM on my macs, since I bought my first VCDS cable in 2010. Never once had an issue with firmware updates.

There was a period of time where the cable was really flaky due to a VM issue or possibly a Windows XP issue, but I haven’t had problems like that for 3-4 years now. It’s been dead reliable.

[Charles.waite]

Awesome thread, been sitting firmly on the fence here for almost a year now! This is not a pressing need, so that is probably partly reason it's taking me so long, but I think mainly I just keep going back and forth. I have plenty of hard disk space & feel like I should just partition off some of my 2nd hard drive & go the bootcamp route, but reading about the VM solutions has got me thinking about that now. Interesting that you can download Windows 10 & use on a limited basis, also did not know this.
All in all though, the thought of using my MacBook to run VCDS while working on my car is probably my biggest worry and why right now I'm leaning towards the "beater laptop" to run VCDS

As far as which cable to buy, any suggestions or things I should consider? Do they offer a wireless solution? Best place to buy (Europa has free shipping, any advantage to buy direct from Ross-Tech)?

Yea it’s possible that your laptop might take some knocks while in the garage so in those cases having a beater laptop is a good idea.

As far as cables, I have a Hex-NET right now and it’s great. I can connect wirelessly from my iPhone in a pinch and do some logging and stuff, or connect wirelessly from my laptop and get full VCDS functionality without needing a cable. The WiFi link works really reliably, though it’s a bit of a hassle to setup initially.

If you want a corded solution, the Hex-CAN v2 is solid and cheaper.

[KMPRSSD]

Yeah I have two cars that benefit form having VCDS, and soon to be a third. I really like having a dedicated device just for it. It lives in my toolbox cabinet, and is always ready. I guess I’m not that computer savvy and for that reason I didn’t want or know how to figure out formatting a Mac, or not have the half functioning platform of OBD11.
I understand not wanting to have a bunch of different devices, but my Mac cost me a bunch of money and I would never forgive myself if I tripped over the cord and pulled it off the table and shattered the screen.


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[texadelphia]

Yeah I have two cars that benefit form having VCDS, and soon to be a third. I really like having a dedicated device just for it. It lives in my toolbox cabinet, and is always ready. I guess I’m not that computer savvy and for that reason I didn’t want or know how to figure out formatting a Mac, or not have the half functioning platform of OBD11.
I understand not wanting to have a bunch of different devices, but my Mac cost me a bunch of money and I would never forgive myself if I tripped over the cord and pulled it off the table and shattered the screen.


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This is a good point. If I get a grease stain or something on our household MacBook my wife will destroy me. Lol.

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[KingKostas]

buy a 1 tb hard drive, transfer ur data, run bootcamp or another app, profit

Can also find a to use for free


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[texadelphia]

After some significant messing around trying to free up some space on my hard drive I was able to get a dual boot of win 10 to run off a USB flash drive. Followed this process and it worked great!

https://youtu.be/sfcNR2l7ios

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