I got way too little sleep in the last few days, but Alpha 0.81 is now
available! It contains the following:

* Support for 7-digit PINs (a.k.a. Secret Key Codes). Anyplace a
7-digit PIN might be needed, you will now see a button that says "Use
7-Digit PIN/SKC". If you click this button, a diaglog pops up that
allows you to enter the 7-Digit PIN, the WSC and Importer number from
the dealer that the 7-Digit PIN was generated for, and to select the
date that the 7-Digit All of these items MUST be correct in order for
the 7-Digit PIN to work. Dealerships that enter a WSC and Importer
Number on the OPTIONS screen won't have to enter them again on this
dialog.

* On the Options Screen, the ability to set a VZ/Importer number. This
is essentially a "region code" extension to the Work Shop Code. It is
of interest mainly to dealerships who can set it for compatibility with
the VAS-5051/5052. Individuals and Independent Garages should leave
it (and the WSC) set to 0 to keep VAG-COM in "Stealth Mode".

* Fixed missing display of VIN/Immo-ID on Immo-3 ECU's.

* A fix for the incompatibility between some Toshiba laptops and certain
interface adapters (including our own MAX-COM and FAST-COM). ISO-COM
interfaces were not affected.

* The ability to ReCode older Control Modules that use 7-bit coding,
such as 1Z TDI ECU's (this was another long-standing omission).

* Additional compatibility with some non-US Control Modules such as
certain Polo instrument clusters.

* Improved compatibility with KWP-2000 TCU's and Seat-Memory controllers
(it is no longer necessary to fiddle with TST_ADDR for these).

* Shows Readiness-Code on DTC printouts

* Shows VIN/Immo-ID and "Slave Controllers" on DTC printouts

* This version also includes a new CODES.DAT file, now with over 3900
codes!

* Lastly, it contains a bunch of new Label Files.

Anyone working with 2001 and newer cars and/or needing 7-Digit PIN
support should try this version.

Here's the download:
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/alpha/alpha81.exe
(~420kB, Self-Extracting ZIP, let it unzip itself into your VAG-COM
folder)

As usual with Alphas, I am looking for feedback -- in this case
especially with the 7-Digit PINs. I've tested stuff to the best of my
ability under "lab" conditions, but since 7-Digit PINs haven't been
introduced in the US yet, I haven't tested it "for real".

Best,

-Uwe-