Service Information
VAS Tester

Number: VVT-13-02

Subject: VAS 6160/-VPC Diagnostic Tablet - System Recovery
Instructions

Date: Jan. 29, 2013

1.0 – Introduction
Due to their function as diagnostic tools, VAS 6160-VPC and VAS 6160 Diagnostic Tablet devices are
equipped with a proprietary Windows XP® operating system. A partitioned hard drive is utilized and the
system is specially configured to support the installation and licensing requirements of the installed
diagnostic software platforms.
In the event of operating system malfunctions, system recovery must be performed using data stored on
the partitioned hard drive. A separate “Recovery DVD” is not used. The latest version diagnostic
software must also be reinstalled and configured as applicable after successful system recovery.
These instructions were validated using US/CDN market devices and software. The operating manuals
included with the tablet may contain information that is not applicable to the US/CDN market. For system
recovery etc., the instructions provided here take precedent.
If assistance with specific steps is needed, contact VWGoA DTSS at 1-888-896-1298.
ATTENTION!
• DO NOT USE the Panasonic installation CDs supplied with the diagnostic tablet for
operating system recovery! Use of the Panasonic CDs will completely erase all VAS-specific
partition data and install a standard Windows XP® or Windows 7® laptop operating system.
Subsequent installation and function of the diagnostic software is not possible on a standard laptop
installation.
• During the recovery process described here, all data on hard drive C:\ is erased. Only data on hard
drive D:\ is retained. If possible, finalize all stored diagnostic sessions and transmit all saved
diagnostic protocols prior to recovery.

Notes:
• VAS 6160-VPC tablets are part of the VAS-VPC/TSP Testing System Package (along with VAS
6356 Test Instruments Box, VAS 6556A Mobile Trolley and VAS 5051/51D Printer).
• This procedure should be performed by an experienced user or IT professional.
• Please read this entire document before performing system recovery.
• Heed all prerequisite requirements and notes, and follow all instruction steps (including instruction
steps cross-referenced in other documents posted on ServiceNet).
• Perform this procedure in an area that is quiet, clean and without distraction or interruption.
• We recommended a printed copy of these instructions be used during the recovery process.
• Allow approximately 2 hours to complete the recovery and software reinstallation procedure.
• Perform this procedure with the diagnostic tablet power supply adapter cable plugged in.
• During system recovery and subsequent rebooting, the diagnostic laptop must not be connected
to the docking station (port replicator).
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ver1.3

© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.0 – General Information
This document contains step-by-step instructions required to perform Windows XP® operating system
recovery on VAS 6160-VPC and VAS 6160 Diagnostic Tablets ONLY.
This document does not contain the additional, step-by-step setup, software installation and configuration
instructions needed to put the device back into service. These instructions are located in existing Service
Information documents posted on ServiceNet. Use a dealership PC or laptop connected to a printer to
access the Service Information document titles specified in Section 4.0.
If hard drive or other malfunctions prevent access to the system BIOS, or the recovery process fails to start
as described below, contact VWGoA DTSS: 1-888-896-1298.

3.0 – System Recovery
The system recovery process is initiated through the system BIOS. To enter the BIOS Setup, press the F2
key on startup when the Panasonic logo is displayed.
Prerequisites:
 Tablet removed from base station (port replicator).






Wireless operation switch in the OFF position.
Power adapter connected (do not attempt recovery on battery power alone).
Ethernet (network) cable disconnected from tablet.
USB mouse and keyboard connected for easier navigation and inputs.

1. Turn on the diagnostic tablet.
2. When the Panasonic logo is displayed, press the F2 key (on the USB keyboard) to enter the BIOS
Setup.

A BIOS password prompt appears:
3. Enter BIOS password: vas6160
4. Press the Enter key.

Page 2 of 6
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
5. In the BIOS menu, select the Exit tab, then select Repair Your Computer. Press the Enter (on the
USB keyboard) to continue.

After the Enter key is pressed, the system recovery starts. After approximately 2 minutes, the message
“System will be recovered” is displayed.
6. Press the “2” key (on the USB keyboard), then press Enter to continue:

Recovery will take between 15 and 30 minutes. When complete, the system will reboot.
7. After the system reboots, the Windows XP Setup Wizard is displayed. Click Next to continue.
8. Review the Regional and Language options, ensuring that English [United States] (EN] is set as
default in all selections and tabs. Make changes if necessary. Then click Next.
9. Set the Date, Time, Time Zone and Daylight Savings settings as applicable to your location and click
Next. The system saves various settings and then automatically reboots to the Windows desktop.
10. Disconnect the DC cable end of the power adapter from the tablet and connect to the base station (port
replicator).
11. Mount the tablet in the base station (port replicator)
12. Perform the additional setup and diagnostic software installation steps specified in Section 4.0.
Continued …4/

Page 3 of 6
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
4.0 – Additional Setup & Diagnostic Software Installation
The following subsections describe additional setup needed prior to placing the device back into service.
Locate and follow the step-by-step setup, software installation and configuration instruction documents
posted in the Workshop Equipment > VAS Tester or ODIS Service > Service Information sections of
ServiceNet. Use a dealership PC or laptop connected to a printer to access the documents specified in
Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 below.
If a referenced document does not appear under the current calendar year listing, look in the previous
calendar year list or enter the document title in the SEARCH function of ServiceNet.

4.1 – Set Computer Name
Refer to VAS Tester – Service Information document title: VAS Diagnostic Device Computer Name
Builder.

4.2 – Network Configuration
For dealership networks using DHCP for Internet access, no configuration is necessary (default setting in
laptop is DHCP). Proceed with Netviewer installation below.
For dealership networks using Static IP configurations for Internet access, the configurations must be
renewed after installation/recovery. Ask your dealership IT professional for details and assistance.
If you are unsure of the type of network configuration used, ask your dealership IT professional, or contact
the VWGoA IT Service Desk at 1-866-892-3375 for assistance.

4.3 – Netviewer Installation
Prerequisite:



Diagnostic tablet is able to connect to internet in order to logon to ServiceNet (DHCP, or static IPs
enabled as per Section 4.2).

1. Connect network/Ethernet cable to tablet.
2. Launch Internet Explorer and logon to ServiceNet.
3. Navigate to the Workshop Equipment > VAS Tester > Software section.
4. Right click / select the link: Netviewer one2one – Telediagnosis Software.
5. Save file to Windows desktop.

4.4 – Reinstall and Configure Diagnostic Software
4.4.1 – VAS 6160-VPC ONLY - Reinstall and Configure VAS-PC Base & VW Brand Software
1. In the Workshop Equipment > VAS Tester > Software section, refer to document title: Current VASPC Software Versions
2. Note the latest current VAS-PC Base and VW Brand software versions and disc ordering numbers
from the software version document.
3. Navigate to the Workshop Equipment > VAS Tester > Service Information section.
Continued …5/
Page 4 of 6
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
4. Refer to the VAS Tester - Service Information document title that covers the installation of the latest
VAS-PC Base software version. Example: VAS-PC Base V19.01.XX Installation Instructions.
5. Retrieve the latest VAS-PC Base and VW Brand version discs noted above from your VAS-PC disc
library, and perform the Base installation and configuration, as well as VW Brand installation steps as
specified in the VAS-PC Base installation instructions.
4.4.2 – VAS 6160-VPC & VAS 6160 - Reinstall ODIS Service Software & Security Certificate
Notes:
• Reinstallation of ODIS Service after system recovery requires reinstallation of the device-specific
license and security certificates that were requested, saved and installed during the initial ODIS
Service installation process.
• When instructed buy the documentation, retrieve and install the saved, device-specific license and
certificate files from either the original or backup USB flash drive.
1. Navigate to the Workshop Equipment > ODIS Service > Service Information section.
2. Refer to ODIS Service – Service Information document titles:
•

ODIS Service Installation Phase 2 – Software Installation & Configuration Instructions

•

ODIS Service Installation Phase 3 – Security Certificate Request & Installation Instructions

3. Retrieve the latest ODIS Service installation DVD version and perform the software installation,
configuration, and security certificate request and installation steps as specified in the above
instructions.

4.5 – Renew VAS 5054A Bluetooth and EDIC Configurations
Refer to VAS Tester - Service Information document title: VAS 5054A Transmitter Head - Bluetooth &
EDIC Configuration.

4.6 – VAS 5054A USB Configuration
Refer to VAS-Tester - Service Information document title: VAS 5054A Transmitter Head - USB
Configuration & Function

4.7 – VAS 6160-VPC ONLY - Import GeKo Certificate
System recovery erases all data on the C:\ drive, including the previously-imported VAS GeKo security
certificate. After system recovery, and prior to performing immobilizer adaptations etc., a replacement
certificate must be imported.
Prerequisites:






Network configuration performed and Netviewer installed as per Section 4.2.
Latest VAS-PC Base & Brand versions installed as per Section 4.4.1.
VAS 5054A Bluetooth & EDIC configurations successfully performed as per Section 4.5.
Tablet powered up to Windows desktop and Ethernet cable connected.

Page 5 of 6
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
1. From the windows desktop, start the VAS-PC application.
2. Select the Administration function.
3. From the Administration header, record the six digit Equipment Number:
Equipment Number:
4. Contact the VWGoA IT Service Desk at 866-892-3375
5. Inform the IT Service Desk consultant that system recovery on a VAS diagnostic device was
performed, and request their assistance with importation of a new GeKo security certificate.
6. Provide the VAS model designation and Equipment Number to the IT Service Desk consultant when
prompted.

4.8 – Reinstall Anti-Virus Software (where applicable)
Reinstall anti-virus software as per your dealership’s IT policy where applicable.

Page 6 of 6
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.