OPERATORS MANUAL

VCADS Elite Users Manual

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Contents
General .................................................. 1
Welcome to VCADS Elite .................... 1
Specifications .......................................... 4
PC/System Requirements ...................... 4
Tools ........................................................ 6
Special Tools ......................................... 6
Design and Function ............................. 7
PC Setup ................................................ 7
VCADS Elite Installation ................... 12
Initial Start-Up of VCADS Elite ........ 14
User ID and Password ........................ 17

Operations- General Information ........ 32

ECU Designations ............................... 33
Updates .................................................
General ................................................
CD Updates .........................................
Network Updates .................................

44
44
44
45

Troubleshooting .................................... 48
VCADS Elite Troubleshooting ........... 48
Windows, Basics ................................... 50
Windows, Basics .................................... 50

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General

Welcome to VCADS Elite

W0001632

Many functions in todays modern vehicles are controlled by electronic control units (ECUs). ECUs control
components such as the engine, instrumentation and certain vehicle functions.
TM

VCADS Elite is a Windows - based software tool developed to test, calibrate and program parameters on
Volvo ECUs.
VCADS Elite software is installed on a PC. The PC is
connected to the communication connector in the vehicle
via the communication interface (Volvo part number
9998555).
VCADS Elite provides tests and calibrations for Volvo
vehicles that are equipped with the Vehicle Electronics
98 (VECTRO II) or VERSION2 electronic control systems. The application consists of a number of standard
graphical interfaces, such as graphs and continuous displays of parameter values. The operations are organized
in the menu according to function groups. Some ECUs
have changeable parameters that can be used to adjust or
customize certain functions. Volvo ECUs often have two
types of parameters: Customer parameters and Vehicle
parameters.
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General
Customer parameters can be programmed locally using
VCADS Elite. Vehicle parameters generally are used to
configure the vehicle when it is built and alteration of
these parameters requires a connection to VDA (Vehicle
Data Administration) at Volvo. These parameters cannot
be read or programmed with VCADS Elite. These
changes must be performed by a Volvo Truck dealer.
VCADS Elite is based on an application called VCADS
Pro. This is why the name VCADS Pro is seen in
many places throughout the application. VCADS Pro is
used globally by Volvo dealers to support a wide range
of Volvo products. This manual is intended to guide the
user through the set up and installation of VCADS Elite.
Some operations are explained in this manual, however,
for more information refer to the users manual that is
provided in the application. The manual within the application contains information that may or may not apply
to VCADS Elite. To access the manual, see Help Text
page 43.

Keyboard Conventions
This section describes a number of keyboard conventions
that are used in this Service Information.

Keys are shown in bold uppercase letters: ALT.

Combinations of keys appear with a + sign between
the corresponding keys. ALT+F4 means press ALT
first, then F4 and then release both keys.

Text to be entered by the user is shown in bold type.

Numbers in parentheses (1) refer to call-outs in

an adjacent illustration.

Buttons on the screen appear in bold type: OK.

Window names, menus and menu functions appear
in bold type: Open....

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General

Helpdesk
NOTE! Read the Users guide for the PC and this introductory manual before using the VCADS Elite tool.
In the event of problems with the VCADS Elite software,
please contact the Volvo Helpdesk at 8008882039.
Choose the option for Service Functions, then Technical
Service Support. When asked to choose a function group,
press 3. Choose the option for VCADS Pro Questions.

User ID
Each VCADS Elite user has a personal user ID and
password.
The user ID is assigned by Volvo and is included with
the VCADS Elite CD. This user ID cannot be changed.

Workshop ID
A workshop ID is installed in the PC when the application is set-up (each PC will have a unique ID). This
workshop ID is stored in each ECU that is programmed.
This makes it possible to check at a later date which
workshop carried out the most recent reprogramming for
certain parameters.

Connection Information
The telephone line that is used must be a direct external
analog line. The telephone line may be routed through a
switchboard, but this is not recommended. This is to ensure communication between Volvo and VCADS Elite.
If Internet access is already available on the PC that
VCADS Elite is installed on, it is recommended that this
be used for connection to Volvo instead of the telephone
numbers supplied by VCADS Elite. Use of an existing
internet service provider will generally result in better
connections and will reduce the potential for long distance telephone charges. Volvo is NOT responsible for
these charges.

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Specifications

PC/System Requirements
Recommended PCs
Panasonic CF-27
Panasonic CF28
Dell Latitude CPX
Dell Desktop Precision 410
Hewlett Packard OMNIBOOK.
Field-Works 5000 Series II
Hardware Requirements
Pentium 133 MHz or higher. 800 MHz or higher is
recommended.

32 MB of RAM. 256 MB is recommended.

CD-ROM drive.

9600 baud modem. 14400 baud modem or higher is

recommended.

400 MB available hard disk space.

VGA or higher resolution monitor, at least 800x600
resolution is needed.

Available COM port (COM1 or COM2), at least

16550 UART.

Operating System Requirements

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95,

or Microsoft Windows Me (Pan American or European language editions).

Windows 95 Version: Win95B, OSR 2.0 or

higher

Windows 98 Version: Win98 second edition

Windows Me Millennium Edition
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Specifications

Display properties:

Colors: 256 colors

Screen area: 800 by 600 pixels
Font Size: Small Fonts

Power Management
Any type of Power Save functionality should be turned
OFF, including any Hibernation or Sleep function.

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Tools

Special Tools
The following tools are used when working with
VCADS Elite. The tools can be ordered from Volvo by
quoting the specified part number.

W3005338

9998555

Communication interface
for connection between
the PC and the vehicles
communication connector.

9812331

Extension cable. Length:

20 m (65.6 ft.).

J-43999 /
9809709

6-pin diagnostic adapter,

for Vehicle Electronics
98 vehicles built before
1999.

J-43939 /
9809708

9-pin diagnostic adapter,

for Vehicle Electronics
98 vehicles built since
January 1999.

9990137

9-pin diagnostic adapter,

for VERSION2 vehicles
(built since November
2002).

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Design and Function

PC Setup
The PC must have the correct settings before VCADS
Elite can be installed.

COM Port
Select Start.
Select Settings.
Click on Control Panel.
Double-click on the System icon.

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Click on Device Manager.

Double-click on Ports (COM & LTP).

Double-click on Communications
Port (COM1).

Make sure that the Device usage / Disable

in this hardware profile box is not
checked.

Click OK.

NOTE! If PC is equipped with an infrared

port, disable infrared port in the BIOS settings, and remove or disable the infrared
port in Windows.
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Design and Function

Dial-Up Networking
In the Control Panel window doubleclick on the Add/Remove Programs
icon.

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Click on Windows Setup.

Select Communications and then
click on Details.

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Design and Function

Make sure Dial-Up Networking is

checked. If it is not, click on the check box
to enable it. Click OK and follow the instructions on the screen.

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10

Design and Function

TCP/IP
In the Control Panel window, double-click
on the Network icon.

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If TCP/IP is installed, there should be an

entry:
TCP/IP > Dial-Up Adapter,
and/or an entry to the network card:
TCP/IP > <installed network card>.
If neither of these entries are present, click
Add.

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Design and Function

11

Click Protocol.
Click Add.

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Click Microsoft.
Click TCP/IP.
Click OK.

TCP/IP will now be installed. You may be

asked to reboot the PC before the installation can be completed.

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Design and Function

VCADS Elite Installation

Before installing VCADS Elite be sure that your PC is
setup correctly, see PC Setup page 7.
Insert the VCADS Elite installation CD in
the CD-ROM drive. The VCADS Elite installation CD has a self-extracting program
that will automatically start the installation.
If the CD does not start automatically:

Click Start.

Click Open.

Click Run.
Click Browse.

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Click on your CD-ROM drive and select the Setup.EXE file.

Click OK.

Read the contents in the Welcome dialog

box and click Next to continue the VCADS
Elite installation.
Enter your Client ID. Click Next.
NOTE! The Client ID is supplied with
the VCADS Elite installation CD and can
be installed on one PC only.

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Design and Function

13

Select the destination for VCADS Elite to

be installed. The default folder is recommended. To select a new folder click
Browse .
Click Next to continue.

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Review the information in the dialog box.

Make sure the client ID has been entered
correctly. Click Install to continue the installation.

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The program will now install VCADS Elite

on your PC.

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To complete the installation, restart the PC

by clicking OK.

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Design and Function

Initial Start-Up of VCADS Elite

This section describes how to setup VCADS Elite. When
VCADS Elite is started for the first time, the VCADS
Elite Setup installation program starts up. This program
adapts the application to your location. Once the installation is complete, the setup program will not start again.

Configure VCADS Elite for your Workshop

The PC uses the installation program for configuration to
communicate with Volvo. Before starting the program
for the first time, connect the PC to a telephone line or
initiate a connection to the internet if you already have
an internet connection configured on the PC.
NOTE! If the PC is moved from one location to another,
contact the Helpdesk to start VCADS Elite again.
See Helpdesk page 3.
The first time that the VCADS Elite icon is double
clicked, the VCADS Elite Setup installation program
starts up automatically.

Double-click the VCADS Elite icon.

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Select the language the program will use

during installation.

Click the relevant flag to indicate the

desired language.

Click Next.

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Design and Function

15

The purchase and license agreement

doesnt apply to North American users.
Press I accept to continue.

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Select Modem.
NOTE! Volvo Dealer Network is for
internal purposes only.
NOTE! If using a TM
high speed connection (Road Runner or DSL Service)
select Network. If selecting Network,
please make sure a connection to the
internet is possible before proceeding.
Skip to the Configuration step if using Network.
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The telephone number selected will only be

used for this connection. Select a telephone
number closest to your location.

Select the telephone number.

Click Next.

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Design and Function

Certain information must be entered for

Volvo to call the correct number. Enter the
country you are calling from and the area
code. Indicate whether a number has to be
dialed for an outside line. Indicate whether
the telephone system uses tone or pulse dialing.

Select the country.

Enter the area code.
If a number(s) must be dialed for an
outside line, this must be indicated for
local and national (long-distance) calls.
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Click Next.

NOTE! If your PC has internet access, the

connection to Volvo can be made using
your existing internet service provider. Initiate a connection to the internet at this point.

Configuration.
The PC will be configured for the workshop where your user ID is registered.

Enter your user ID (supplied with the

VCADS Elite CD).

Call the Helpdesk at 8008882039,

preferably on a separate telephone line
than the one connected to the PC. See
Helpdesk, page 3 for helpdesk contact information. Inform the Helpdesk
that you are setting up your VCADS
Elite application and that you need a
generated password for your initial
connection. You will be asked for your
user ID. When the generated password
is given, immediately enter it into the
generated password space.

Click OK.

T0009578

NOTE! The generated password from the

Helpdesk is valid for one use only and
must be used immediately at the time that
it is given.

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Design and Function

17

The installation program will configure the

PC for the workshop where your user ID is
registered. The PC will then connect to
Volvos central system.

T0009054

The installation is complete. The tool is

ready for use.

Click OK.

Contact the helpdesk if problems are experienced with the installation, see
Helpdesk page 3.

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Starting VCADS Elite

To start VCADS Elite:

Double click the VCADS Pro icon.

T0008689

User ID and Password

Each VCADS Elite user has an individual user ID and
password. The user ID is determined by Volvo and supplied with the VCADS Elite CD. The user ID cannot be
changed.
VCADS Elite is initially installed with Volvo as the
default password. (See the user instruction supplied with
the CD for the correct password.)

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18

Design and Function

Entering User ID and Password

Enter the user ID (1).
Enter the password (2).
NOTE! For the first log on, the password VOLVO must be entered in the
password dialog box. A prompt window will then appear informing you
that the password has expired and
must be changed. Choose a password
and enter it into the New password dialog box. Enter your password again
into the verify new password dialog
box. See Changing Password page
19. Choose a password that will be
easy to remember since the password
must be entered correctly in order to
access the application.

W0002117

Click OK (3).

VCADS Elite will start if the correct password has been entered.

The dialog box can be terminated by

clicking Cancel (4).

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Design and Function

19

Changing Password
The user ID and current password must be
entered before the password can be
changed.

Click Change password (5). A new

dialog box will appear with additional
fields.

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Enter the new password (6).

Re-enter the new password (7).
Click OK (3).
Cancel by clicking Cancel (4), and the
password will not be changed.

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20

Design and Function

Safety Precautions
When the application is started, a window
will appear to inform about precautions that

must be observed when working with

VCADS Elite:

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Read the information and click the Yes button to indicate that you have read and
understand the information. Click the No
button to exit the application. The Yes button must be clicked in order to proceed.
Various operations within the application

will also display relevant safety precautions

when they are opened from the menu.
These prompts operate in the same manner
as the prompt shown at start-up of the application.

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Design and Function

21

VCADS Elite Menu

All operations and administrative functions
are opened from the menu screen that appears when the application is started. Note:
The vehicle identification/connection dialog

window may appear over the menu screen

when the application is started. Press the
cancel button on this window to access
menu items on the menu screen.

T0010331

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22

Design and Function

Pos

Name

Description

Menu Bar

Contains the following menus:

File

The following options are available from the File menu:

Identify- Identify and connect to a vehicle.
Print- Prints the current screen.
Printer set up- Selects the printer to be used.
Lock/Log on- Locks the application. User ID and password
must be entered to continue use, or another user may log on.
Exit- Exits VCADS Elite.

View

The following options are available from the View menu:

Operation view- Displays the available operations.
Job card view- Displays job cards for the vehicles that operations have been performed with.
Tests1- Displays or hides test operations on the menu.
Calibrations1- Displays or hides calibration operations on the
menu.
Programming1- Displays or hides programming operations
on the menu.
Information text1- Displays or hides the information text and
image fields within the operations.

These items are active only after vehicle identification has been carried out.

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Design and Function

23

Pos

Name

Description

Menu Bar

Contains the following menus:

Operation

The following options are available from the Operation menu:

Open1- Opens the selected operation in simulator mode.
Open as simulated1- Opens the selected operation.
Start1- Starts the operation (the SPACEBAR can also be used
for this).
Pause1- Pauses the operation. Restart the operation by clicking the Start button.
Stop1- Stops the operation (the SPACEBAR or ESC key can
also be used for this).
Start replay1- Starts the replay of a completed operation.
Pause replay1- Pauses the replay of a completed operation.
Stop replay1- Stops the replay of a completed operation.
Notes1- Adds a note to the operation as it is saved to the job
card. The note can later be read from the job card or the
saved operation during replay.
Default information1- Displays the general information for
an open operation.
Prerequisites1- Displays the prerequisites, or conditions, that
must be met before the open operation can be started (if applicable).
Close1- Closes the open operation to return to the menu. (The
ESC key can also be used for this.)

Job card

The following options are available from the Job card menu:
Open- Opens a selected job card.
Delete- Deletes a selected job card.
Import- Imports job cards.
Export- Exports selected job cards to a disk for storage or to
import to another VCADS Elite PC.
Close- Closes the open job card.

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24

Design and Function

Pos

Name

Description

Menu Bar

Contains the following menus:

Tools

The following options are available from the Tools menu:

Simulator- Activates or deactivates the simulator mode. See
Simulator page 42 for more information about the simulator
mode.
Update VCADS Pro- initiates a network/dial-up update of
the VCADS Elite application. See Network Updates page
45 for details.
Options- Various aspects of the application can be customized
such as language, measurement units and background images.

Help

The following options are available from the Help menu:

Help text- Opens a users manual for the application. See
Help Text page 43 for details.
Update information- Opens a list of VCADS Elite versions
and some of their main features.
Parameter information- Opens a list of the parameters that
may be found in the ECUs of the selected vehicle.
Last logged error- Displays the latest error message to appear during use of the application.
About VCADS Pro- Opens a window to display the current
application version.

Pos

Name

Description

Toolbar

Contains the following function buttons:

Identify/connect to vehicle- Opens the dialog window to
identify and connect to a vehicle.
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Print1- Prints the current screen.

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Operation view- Displays the operation view, used for

working with test, calibration and programming operations.
T0010342

Job card view- Displays the job card view, used for accessing job card records and saved operations.
T0009477

Tests1- Displays or hides the test operations in the menu.

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Design and Function

Pos

Name

Description

Toolbar

Contains the following function buttons:

25

Calibrations1- Displays or hides the calibration operations in

the menu.
T0009476

Programming1- Displays or hides the programming operations in the menu.

T0009478

Information text1- Displays or hides the information text and

image fields within the operations.
T0007924

Close1- Closes the open operation to return to the menu (the

ESC key can also be used for this).
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Start1- Starts the operation (the SPACEBAR can also be used

for this).
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Pause1- Pauses the currently running operation. Restart the

operation by clicking the Start button.
T0007922

Stop1- Stops the currently running operation (the SPACEBAR or ESC key can also be used for this).
T0008344

Notes1- Inserts a note to be saved in the job card for the current operation.
T0010338

Default information1- Displays the general information for

an open operation.
T0010340

T0010339

Prerequisites1- Displays the prerequisites, or conditions, that

must be met before the open operation can be started (if applicable). Also displays the status of prerequisites that are
automatically read from the vehicle.
Start replay1- Starts the replay of a completed operation.

T0008758

Pause replay1- Pauses the replay of a completed operation.

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Design and Function

Pos

Name

Description

Toolbar

Contains the following function buttons:

Stop replay1- Stops the replay of a completed operation.
T0008759

T0008761

Replay slider bar1- Use to manually control the replay of a

completed operation. Drag the slider or click on the slider bar
and use the arrow keys to control the replay of the operation.

Pos

Name

Description

Status Bar

Displays status
Left-hand side: Displays the model and chassis ID of the
connected vehicle.
Right-hand side: Displays the status of communication between the PC and the connected vehicle, and between the PC
and Volvo when performing updates. When communication
has been established with Volvo, a connection icon is displayed. When in simulator mode, the word Simulator will be
displayed in a yellow block.

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Design and Function

27

Connecting to a Vehicle
Connect the Volvo communication interface
9998555 to the PCs serial port and to the
vehicles diagnostic connector using the ap-

propriate diagnostic adapter (refer to

Special Tools, page 6). Place the vehicles
ignition switch in the ON position.

Identification
Click the Identify button in the toolbar. A
vehicle identification dialog window will
appear:

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Check that the selected vehicle type is

Truck.
Choose the electrical system of the vehicle
that is being connected. Select Vehicle
electronics 98 for vehicles built from 1998
through November 2002. Select VERSION2 for vehicles built after November
2002. Select the model of the vehicle.
Note: It is important that the correct model

is chosen because the menu will be configured with operations that are applicable for
the chosen model. If the incorrect model is
chosen, some relevant operations may be
missing from the menu or existing operations may not be configured properly. Press
the OK button to continue or the Cancel
button to return to the main menu screen.

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Design and Function

Configure Job Card

Before carrying out operations on a vehicle,
the job card must be configured for saving
information about the activity. A new job
card must be created, or an existing unfin-

ished job card can be opened if one already

exists for the vehicle. For more information
about the job card function, see Job Card
page 42.

T0010703

Create a new job card (1)

Enter the repair order number (3). If

there is no repair order number for the
job, enter some other type of identifier,
or a random number.

Optional: Enter the vehicles license

number (4).

Optional: Enter the reason for the

work with the vehicle, or any other
notes about the job or vehicle (5).
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Design and Function

29

Click OK.

Open an existing job card (2)

1

Click the option to open an existing

job card.

Select an existing, unfinished job card

from the list. Only job cards created
for the selected vehicle model that
have not been finalized are included in

the list. If there are no suitable job

cards, the list will be blank and this
option will not be selectable. It is also
possible to search for job cards using
the Search button.
3

Click OK.

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30

Design and Function

Select an Operation

T0010420

Check that the communication interface is

connected to the vehicle and the PC and
that the vehicles ignition switch is in the
ON position.
1

Highlight the appropriate function

group in the left section of the screen
(1). The operations grouped within
that function group will be displayed
in the right section of the screen (2).
Symbols in front of each operation title indicate the type of operation it is.

These symbols match the buttons for

Tests, Calibrations and Programming
in the tool bar.
2

Select the desired operation from the

right section of the screen by doubleclicking it or by highlighting it and
pressing the Enter key. Note: It is
possible to open an operation in simulator mode by right clicking on it and
selecting Open as simulated.

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Design and Function

31

Select the Vehicle Variant

In many cases, there is more than one version of a particular operation suited to a
certain vehicle model. This is due to the
fact that vehicles with the same model designation may be configured differently.
Therefore, when certain operations are

opened, a variant selection dialog box will

appear with selections such as engine
version, transmission type or axle configuration. Select the variant from the list that
matches the configuration of the connected
vehicle and press OK.

Communication with the Vehicle

The program will communicate with ECUs
on the vehicle before the first selected oper-

ation is opened. This may take a few

minutes.

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32

Design and Function

Operations- General Information

In general, the operations in VCADS Elite
share a similar configuration. The following

example shows elements of a typical operation:

T0010343

Pos

Name

Description

Function group
field

Shows the function group that the operation belongs to.

Title field

Shows the operation title

Information text

Displays text information about the operation or a selected

sub-operation. The text field can be enlarged by clicking on
the magnifying glass icon in the lower left corner of the text
window.

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Design and Function

33

Pos

Name

Description

Image field

Displays an image corresponding to the information text that

is displayed. The image can be enlarged by clicking on the
magnifying glass icon in the lower left corner of the image
window.

Sub-operation

Operations consist of one or more standardized suboperations. In some cases, these sub-operations can be
controlled individually.

Scroll bar

Available when the size of the operation is larger than the

space available on the screen. Use the scroll bar up or down
to view the entire operation. Note: In many cases, it is possible to fit the entire operation within the screen area by hiding
the information text. After viewing the information in the text
and image fields, press the Information text button in the tool
bar to hide or show the text and image fields.

ECU Designations
In many places throughout the application,
ECUs are referred to by a Message Identification Description (MID) designation. This
designation is based on a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard
(J1587/1708 information data link). The
following is a list of ECUs that may be
installed on Volvo vehicles, and their corresponding MID designation.
MID 128
MID 136
MID 140
MID 142
MID 144

Engine control unit

Brake control unit
Instrument cluster (VERSION2)
Volvo Link
Vehicle ECU

MID
MID
MID
MID

146
150
206
216

MID 231
MID 232
MID 234

MID 249
MID 250

Climate unit
Air suspension
Radio
External lighting control
unit
Mobile communication
unit
Airbag, control unit
Instrument cluster left
module (Vehicle Electronics 98)
Body builder module
Steering Wheel Module

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Design and Function

Tests/Calibrations
Test and calibration operations can be made
up of a combination of sub-operations with
different information display types. These
display types include status indicators, digi-

tal values, charts and graphs. This example

shows some of the common elements
shared by many sub-operations:

T0008336

Start/stop buttons (1): Some suboperations can be started and stopped

individually.

Information button (2): When clicked,

information related to the
sub-operation is displayed in the information and image fields.

Graphic element (3): Presents the test

or calibration data.

Evaluation (4): When the operation is

complete, the results of the suboperation can be evaluated. The user

can indicate whether or not the results

were OK by checking the corresponding check box. The evaluation is
stored in the job card.
5

Status box (5): Indicates if the suboperation is running, paused or

stopped. The symbols representing
each condition are the same as those
on the toolbar buttons. Also, if the
sub-operation does not get a reading
from the ECU that it is attempting to
communicate with, a red X will be
displayed.

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35

Programming Operations
Programming operations in VCADS Elite
consist of Parameter Programming and
MID 140 Odometer Programming.

Parameter Programming
Customer parameters can be read and modified for the Volvo ECUs that are installed
on the connected vehicle. When the parameters are read from the vehicle, there will
be a delay while the parameter information
is read from each ECU. The delay time
will depend on factors such as the number
of ECUs installed on the connected vehicle
and the speed of the PC being used.
Group View: Organizes parameters into
groups according to their general function,
such as Cruise Control, PTO, Speed, etc.
When this view is active, select a parameter
group from the list to view the parameters
in that particular group. This view is used
unless MID view is selected.

MID View: Organizes parameters

according to the ECU they are actually programmed into. When this view is active,
the Volvo ECUs on the connected vehicle
will be listed. Select an ECU from the list
to view its parameter settings.

Views
When the parameter information has been
read, it will be displayed in a chart. The information can be organized in two ways:
Group view or MID view. Group view is
the default, but the view can be changed by
pressing the appropriate button:

T0007777

T0007778

T0009561

Fig. 1: Parameter List

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Design and Function

NOTE! The parameter list can be sorted by

clicking the column headings.
Column Heading

Description

ID

The ID of the parameter. Each parameter has an individual parameter ID that is the same regardless of the language setting.

Name

A brief description of the parameter. Additional information

for an individual parameter is displayed in the information
field when that parameter is highlighted in the list.

Min

The minimum value that can be programmed for the parameter.

Value

The current value of the parameter.

Max

The maximum value that can be programmed for the parameter.

Unit

The unit used for expression of the parameter value.

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Design and Function

37

Changing a Parameter Value

After reading the parameter information from the vehicle, find the desired
parameter in the list and double-click it
or highlight it and press the Enter key.

Press the Enter key.

Change the parameter value.

When all desired parameter changes

have been made, click Continue to
proceed.

Numerical parameter: Enter the new value.

Repeat the steps above for each parameter to be changed.

Multiple choice parameter: Select the desired choice from the list.

T0009568

When a parameter value has been modified,

the programming dialog appears to review
and confirm the parameter changes that are
to be carried out.
1

Click Program (1) to make the indicated parameter change(s).

Click Cancel (2) to cancel the

parameter change and return to the pa-

rameter list. It will then be possible to

make further modifications to parameter values, set the previously changed
parameters back to their original
values, or close the parameter programming operation without making
any parameter changes.

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Design and Function

Printing Parameter Information

Print parameter information by pressing the
Print button in the toolbar or by selecting
Print from the File menu. The information
printed depends on which program view is
active.
1

Group view: The parameter list for the

selected parameter group will be
printed.

MID view: The parameter list for the

selected ECU will be printed.

T0007775

When printing parameters, select whether

to print the selected group/ECU or all
groups/ECUs.

T0009061

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39

Odometer Programming
The Odometer Programming operation in
VCADS Elite makes it possible to restore
the correct mileage in the odometer of an
instrument cluster that has been replaced.
There are three options for programming
the odometer reading into an instrument
cluster:
1

Read the mileage from the instrument

cluster that is being replaced. This
option can be used if the instrument
cluster that is being replaced can still
be powered up in the vehicle and will
still communicate with the VCADS
Elite application.
Read the mileage from the engine
ECU. The engine ECU also stores the
vehicle mileage information and this
reading can be used to restore the
odometer reading in a replacement instrument cluster.
Enter the correct odometer reading
manually. If it is not possible to read
the correct mileage from the old instrument cluster or the engine ECU,
the odometer reading can be entered
by the user.

NOTE! Your state may have regulations

concerning the disclosure of changes made
to the odometer reading. It is important that
you are familiar with those requirements

and do not use this tool to circumvent any

applicable rules and regulations.
The odometer programming operation is
applicable to VERSION2 vehicles and VN
and VHD vehicles with the Vehicle Electronics 98 electrical system and the
instrument cluster referred to as the 99 instrument cluster. See 99 Instrument
Cluster - Identification.

If the instrument cluster is being replaced and the old one is still capable
of being powered up, leave it installed
in the vehicle. If the old instrument
cluster is completely dead, install the
replacement unit.

Select MID 140 Odometer Programming from the menu.

If working with a vehicle with the Vehicle Electronics 98 electrical system,

confirm that the vehicle has a 99 instrument cluster.

Start the operation. The application

will read information from the vehicle.
This may take a few minutes.

A window will appear for the mileage

information to be selected or entered
as described above.

W0001850

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Design and Function

If the old instrument cluster (the one
being replaced) is still installed in the
vehicle, select to use the mileage from
the existing instrument. If the replacement instrument cluster is already
installed, this reading will be 0 and the
reading from the engine should be
selected or Manual input should be selected. If selecting Manual input, click
on the space for the mileage and enter
the mileage that is to be programmed
into the instrument cluster.

instrument cluster is installed, turn the

vehicles ignition switch OFF and remove the old instrument cluster.
Connect the new, replacement instrument cluster, turn the vehicles
ignition switch ON and click OK. If
the replacement instrument cluster is
already installed, click OK.

The odometer programming will be

performed. Check the odometer to
confirm that the correct odometer
reading is displayed.

Click OK.
A prompt will appear asking the
power to be switched OFF. If the old

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Design and Function

41

99 Instrument Cluster- Identification

The 99 instrument cluster is found in VN
and VHD vehicles built between March
1999 and November 2002 (see below).

W3005014

The 99 instrument cluster is similar in appearance to the earlier 96 and 96B

instrument clusters with the following exceptions:

The left section has PREHEAT, INFO

and STOP telltales instead of ENGINE
FLUIDS, CAUTION and STOP.

The graphic display (1) and odometer

windows have orange illumination instead of green.

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Design and Function

Job Card
Job cards are used to save information
about work carried out with VCADS Elite.
Results from completed operations and information about parameter changes are
stored in the job card on the PC.
NOTE! Job cards are normally linked to a
specific repair order number when specified
during connection to the vehicle (see
Configure Job Card page 28). When the
job card is associated with a specific repair
order, that job card should be finalized
when the work on that repair order is complete. When exiting the connection to a

vehicle, a prompt will ask if the job card

for that vehicle should be finalized. If it
should be possible to save information
about additional operations to that job card
in the future, the checkbox for finalizing
the job card should be unchecked. It is not
possible to save information to a job card
that has been finalized.
For more details on job card functions, refer to the users manual accessed from the
Help menu of the application (see Help
Text page 43).

Simulator
VCADS Elite has a simulator function to
allow operations to be opened and performed in simulator mode without the need
to connect the PC to a vehicle. This can be
useful for training or getting acquainted
with the application.
The simulator mode can be activated and
deactivated from the menu screen by selecting Tools in the menu bar and clicking
Simulator. When the application is in simulator mode, the Simulator menu selection
will have a checkmark beside of it and the
word "Simulator" will appear in the lower
right of the screen (in the status bar) in a
yellow block. The simulator mode can also

be activated and deactivated by pressing

CTRL+S.
Each operation can be opened individually
in simulator mode even if the application is
not in simulator mode. To open an operation in simulator mode, right click the
operation title in the menu and select Open
as Simulated. When in simulator mode,
operations will run with simulated data that
is random and illogical. The simulated data
is used to show how the operation performs
in general terms and is not intended to
show how the results should look when the
operation is performed on an actual vehicle.

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43

Help Text
A users manual is included in the Help
menu. This manual contains more information about the functions and operations in

VCADS Elite. To view the manual, click

Help in the menu bar and select Help text.
The manual will open in Acrobat Reader.

Exiting VCADS Elite

There are several ways to exit the VCADS
Elite application:

Click File and select Exit.

Press ALT+F4.

Double-click the Window icon, see

Window page 52.

Press Esc.
Click the Close button at the top right
corner of the window, see Close
page 54.

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44

Updates

General
There will be periodic updates to the VCADS Elite
application. These updates must be made in order to upgrade functionality and to ensure communication with
newer vehicles. Updates will be made with a VCADS
Elite update CD or through a connection to Volvo (network updates).

CD Updates
When an update CD is received from Volvo, update
VCADS Elite by inserting the CD into the CD-ROM
drive. The update CD has a self-extracting program that
will automatically start the installation of the update.
If the CD does not start automatically:
Click Start.
Click Run.
Click on your CD-ROM drive and select the Setup.EXE file.
Click Open.
Click OK.
The update files will be transferred to the PC with a status bar showing the progress of the update. When the
file transfer is complete, the application will be restarted
or you will be asked to restart the PC. In either case,
when the application is started again for the first time, a
delay may occur while a checklist of file updates takes
place. The application will then start with a window
showing information about the update.

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45

Network Updates
Network updates are performed from the Tools menu in
the menu bar of VCADS Elite. Click on Tools in the
menu bar and then Update VCADS Pro. When the update function is selected, a dialog box will ask for a
generated password.

T0009578

At this time, connect the PC to an appropriate telephone

line, or if the PC has another Internet connection, initiate
a connection to the Internet.
NOTE! If the PC has Internet access, the connection to
Volvo should be made using your existing Internet service provider. This option is recommended in most cases
since performance is generally better and the potential
for a long-distance telephone call is reduced.
Call the Helpdesk at 800-888-2039, preferably on a separate telephone line than the one connected to the PC
(see "Helpdesk", page 3 for Helpdesk contact information). Inform the Helpdesk that you are performing an
update to your VCADS Elite application and that you
need a generated password for your connection to Volvo.
You will be asked for your user ID. When the generated
password is given, immediately enter it into the generated password space and click OK.
NOTE! The generated password from the Helpdesk is
valid for one use only and must be used immediately at
the time that it is given.
After the generated password has been entered, a connection to Volvo will be established and the software is
checked to see if an update is necessary. If an update is
not required, a prompt will appear to inform that the application is updated. In an update is available, a window
will appear with information about the size of the update
and a countdown timer will begin. Choose to proceed
with the update by pressing Yes or cancel by pressing
No. If no action is taken before the countdown timer
gets to zero, the update will proceed.
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Updates
The update files will be downloaded, with a status bar
showing the progress of the download. When the update
file has been downloaded, the system will check to see if
other updates are available. If so, a window will appear
with information and a countdown timer similar to the
one that appeared earlier.

T0010722

Press Yes to continue with the update or press No stop

the download of the next update and load only the previously downloaded update file.
When all available updates have been downloaded, a
window will appear to inform that no more updates are
available.

T0010723

Click OK to install the update(s). The downloaded files

will be installed to the application and a status bar will
show the progress of the update. When the update is
complete, the application will be restarted or you will be
asked to restart the PC. In either case, when the application is started again for the first time, a delay may occur
while a checklist of file updates takes place. The
application will then start with a window showing information about the update.

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47

Update Reminder
If more than 14 days pass without a VCADS Elite update being performed, a prompt will appear when the
application is started. The prompt asks whether or not
the application is to be updated at that time.

T0009076

If the Yes button is selected, the update will be carried

out as described above. If the No button is selected, the
application will start normally without an update being
carried out. In this case, the prompt will appear each time
the application is started until an update is performed.

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Troubleshooting

VCADS Elite Troubleshooting

Symptom

Cause

Correction

The PCs battery is discharged.

Charge the battery or connect the PC

to a power supply.

Hardware fault or operating system

(W95,W98 or Me)

Refer to your PC and /or operating system

manual.

Corruption of software files

Reinstall the last CD version of VCADS Elite

you received.

Conflict between different programs installed on the PC.

Exit the programs and restart the PC. If the

error persists, contact the Helpdesk.

Hardware error in the PC or the peripheral equipment.

Refer to PC manual.

Computer is still processing information.

Wait for a short time period.

VCADS Elite has stopped working.

Exit other programs. Restart the PC and repeat the procedure. Contact the Helpdesk if
the fault persists.

Windows has stopped working.

Restart the PC.

Infrared Port enabled

Disable infrared port in BIOS, and then remove hardware profile in Windows. If you
cannot remove profile for the port then disable it.

The ECUs on the vehicle have low or

no voltage.

Check the battery voltage and check that the

vehicles ignition switch is in the ON position.

Break in the cable between the PC and

the vehicle.

Check the cable and the connection.

tempts to communicate with the

vehicle before a more comprehen-

Hardware fault in the PC.

Refer to your PC manual.

Hardware fault in the communication

interface unit.

Replace the communication interface unit.

Datalink problem in vehicle.

Try to connect to another vehicle. If successful, fault trace the datalink problem.

The PC stops working

VCADS Elite will not

start

VCADS Elite locks up or

stops (while in use)

Connection to vehicle
failed
NOTE! Always make several at-

sive fault tracing is started.

Please: check the connection to the
PC (Serial Port). Slightly move the
connection, then attempt to make a
connection.

No Volvo ECUs installed.

Vehicle does not have the proper electrical system.

The application will not establish communication with non-Volvo vehicles.

VCADS Elite communicates with Volvo vehicles with Vehicle Electronics 98 or
VERSION2 electrical systems only.

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Troubleshooting

49

Symptom

Cause

Correction

The identification window displays "No Models" during the

vehicle connection dialog.

The wrong vehicle type is selected.

Make sure "Truck" is selected as the vehicle

type in the upper section of the identification
window.

The wrong connection type is selected.

Click Tools in the menu bar and select Options. Click the Connection tab and check
that the connection type selected is Modem if
using a dial-up connection.

The PC seems to try and dial out

when using a LAN connection Cable Modem, DSL or T1-T3
high-speed connection.

The wrong connection type is selected.

Click Tools in the menu bar and select Options. Click the Connection tab and check
that the connection type selected is Network
if using an Ethernet connection.

Unable to view all buttons in

VCADS Elite Window

Incorrect screen area selected. Optimize viewing area by changing the

screen size to 800 x 600 or larger.

Right click on the Desktop and select "Properties". Select the "Settings" tab. At the
bottom of the window, select the appropriate
size in the "Screen Area" section.

The PC will not initiate a dial-up

connection when attempting to
connect to Volvo (no connection
sounds are heard).

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Windows, Basics

Windows, Basics
Desktop

W0001974

VCADS Elite works in the Windows operating environment. This section describes some of the basic functions
and components in the operating system.
Pos

Name

Description

Desktop

The Desktop is the work area that is displayed when

the computer and the operating system are started.
The various applications installed in the computer are
started from here.

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are used to start an application or a file

quickly. Shortcuts are shown as icons on the desktop.

Taskbar

The taskbar is normally at the bottom of the screen.

To the left in the Task bar is the Start button and on
the right is a field for presentation of various parameters, such as current time.
All windows currently open are also shown in the
taskbar. Switch between the different windows by
clicking the relevant button in the taskbar.

Start

The Start button is used to start applications and shut

down the computer.

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Windows, Basics

51

Definitions
Point

Place the mouse pointer on the desired

object.

Click

Press the left mouse button and then

release it.

Double-click

Rapidly press and release the left

mouse button twice.

Drag

Point to the desired object. Press the

left mouse button and move the mouse
pointer and the marked object to the
desired position. Release the left
mouse button.

Select

Click the intended object. The background of the object will change color.

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Windows, Basics

Window

W0001968

Pos

Name

Description

Title bar

The title of the window is displayed here.

Window buttons

The window buttons can be used to simply change the size of

the window or close the window.

Window icon

Click the window icon in order to open a menu. The size of

the window can be changed and the window can be closed
from the menu. Double click the window icon to close the
window.

Menu bar

In the menu bar, there are a number of menus that contain a

number of functions.
Drop down a menu by clicking it, or alternatively press ALT+
the letter that is underlined in the menu that is to be selected.
Activate the menu function by clicking it. Alternatively, select
the function with the UP/DOWN arrows and press ENTER.

Toolbar

In the toolbar, there are a number of function buttons.

Activate the button by clicking it. When the function button
has been activated, the function linked to the button is carried
out.
If you point to a function button a small text box is shown.
The text box contains a button description and is located adjacent to the relevant function button.

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Windows, Basics

53

Pos

Name

Description

Function group

This shows which function group is selected.

Selected function

This displays the selected function within a function group.

Function group
box

The relevant function groups are shown in this field. When a

function group is marked, the associated tests are shown in
the right-hand box.

Functions box

The functions available in the function group selected in the

function group box are listed here.

10

Status bar

The model, Chassis ID and vehicle description for the

selected vehicle are displayed here. The status of the communication between the PC and the vehicle is displayed on the
far right. A red cross is displayed in the icon if communication has not been established.

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Windows, Basics

Window Control Buttons

Minimize
Click this button to minimize the window.
A minimized window appears as a button
on the Taskbar.
T0007764

Restore
A minimized window appears as a button
on the Taskbar.
Click this button on the Taskbar to restore
the window.

T0007908

Maximize
Click the maximize button to restore the
window or double-click the title bar.
T0007765

Restore
Click this button to restore the window to
its original size or double-click the title bar.
T0007766

Close
Click this button to close the window.

T0007767

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Windows, Basics

55

Move
Drag the title bar to the desired position.

W0001934

Size
The size of most windows can be changed.
1

Move the mouse pointer to a side or

corner of the window. The mouse
pointer will then change appearance.

W0001933

Drag the edge or corner to the desired

position.

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Windows, Basics

Dialog Box Help

This function provides an easy way of obtaining information about an object in a
dialog box.
1

Click the Help button. The mouse

pointer changes appearance.

Click the desired object. Information

about the selected object is displayed.

Click anywhere on the screen to exit

the function.

T0007768

Buttons
A button can take three different states.
Highlighted: The button text is black and
there is a black frame around the button.
Alternatively there is a dashed frame
around the button text.

T0007904

Selectable: The button text is black.

T0007905

Not selectable: The button text is gray.

T0007906

Check Boxes
Check boxes (1) are used to activate/deactivate the available options or
preferences. In some cases several check
boxes may be filled in at the same time.

T0008390

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57

Option Buttons
The option buttons are used to activate one
of several possible alternatives. Only one
alternative can be active at a time.

T0009061

Function Groups in the Tree Structure

The tree structure provides an easy and
logical method of finding the desired application or function. Groups of functions and
applications can be adapted so that only the
group name is visible. The group can also
be opened so that its contents are visible.

W0001959

Starting an Application
There are a number of ways to start an application. Two ways are described here:

Click the Start button. A menu will

be displayed. By pointing at Programs a sub menu will be revealed,
which contains all the programs which
are installed on the PC. Click on the
program you wish to start.

Alternatively use the application icon

on the desk top. Double-click the desired application icon.

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Windows, Basics

Mouse and Keyboard Commands

In most situations commands can be carried
out using either the mouse or the keyboard.
Below is a description of how to use the
mouse and keyboard for some typical
operations.
Function

Keyboard

Mouse

Switching between objects

in a dialog box.

Press TAB, shift back using

SHIFT+TAB.

Activate a button.

Press ENTER when the relevant button is highlighted.

Click the relevant button.

Drop down a menu.

Press ALT+ the underlined

letter in the menu to be selected.

Click the desired menu.

Select a menu function.

Select the function using the

UP/DOWN arrows and
press ENTER.

Click the desired function.

Open a directory.

Highlight the desired directory using the UP/DOWN

arrows. Open the directory
using the RIGHT arrow.

Double-click the desired directory.

Close a directory.

Highlight the desired directory using the UP/DOWN

arrows. Close the directory
using the LEFT arrow.

Double-click the desired directory.

Change the active option

button.

Use the arrow keys to activate the desired option

button.

Click the desired option button.

Check or uncheck a check

box.

Press the SPACEBAR.

Click the check box to be

checked or unchecked.

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