Service Information
Diagnostic Device Hardware & Windows®

Number: AHW-16-01

Subject: VAS Diagnostic Laptops - Windows 7 System Recovery
Instructions

Date: Jan. 21, 2016

Supersedes AHW-15-04 due to revised and new information.

Table of Contents
Section
1.0

Page
Introduction - MUST READ!

2

1.1

General Information

2

1.2

Process Overview

2

2.0

Additional Documentation

3

3.0

Preparation Checklist

3

4.0

Recovery

4

5.0

Post-Recovery Setup

6

5.1

Windows 7 Startup & Initial Setup

6

5.2

Windows Update Settings

13

5.3

Network Setup

14

5.4

Reinstall & Configure Offboard Diagnostic Information System
Service (ODIS Service) Diagnostic Software

15

5.5

Configure VAS 5054A Diagnostic Interface

15

5.6

Supplementary Setup & Function

16

5.7

Windows 7 Update Management & Internet Explorer Version

17

Notes:
• Please read these instructions carefully and in their entirety before performing any
procedures. If you do not understand these instructions, arrange to have a qualified person
perform these procedures.
• Heed all prerequisite requirements and notes, and follow all instruction steps in the Section
order given.
• Discard all printed copies of this document after use. Revised versions may be issued at any
time. Always check ServiceNet for the latest version.

Page 1 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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
1.0 – Introduction
1.1 – General Information
This document contains step-by-step instructions required to perform Windows 7 operating system
recovery on VAS 6150 A through D diagnostic laptop devices ONLY.
Due to their function as diagnostic tools, VAS diagnostic laptops are equipped with a proprietary
Windows 7 operating system. Unlike their commercially-available Panasonic equivalents, VAS laptops
utilize a partitioned hard drive.
The Windows 7 recovery instructions provided here supersede any information contained in
Panasonic manuals that may be included with the laptop.

1.2 – Process Overview
Recovery
Windows 7 recovery files are located on the device’s hard drive partition. The Windows recovery
procedure is initiated to overwrite the existing (corrupt or malfunctioning) Windows 7 boot files with a copy
from the hard drive partition.
All data on hard drive C:\ is erased and replaced. The Windows 7 recovery data resident on the hard
drive partition is retained if recovery is required in future.
Post-Recovery Setup
The post-recovery setup steps described here are specific to the device’s function as a diagnostic tester
with installed ODIS Service diagnostic software.
Various Windows settings and configurations are necessary to ensure optimum function of the diagnostic
software in the dealership workshop environment.
Diagnostic Software and Security Certificate Reinstallation
The Windows 7 recovery process deletes the previously-installed ODIS Service license and certificate
files. As a result, the license and security certificate files that were originally obtained and saved as
instructed in the Installation Phase 1 instructions document must be on hand for reinstallation. A text
document containing the device’s hardware key should also be on hand.
If the license file was not saved, a replacement license must be requested from eShop prior to reinstalling
ODIS Service. If the security certificate was not saved, a replacement must be requested from eCRMs and
imported to ODIS Service prior to placing the device back into service.
IMPORTANT!
If the Windows - Panasonic CDs originally included with the device when new were retained,
please LOCATE and DISCARD THESE DISCS NOW! Inadvertent use of the Panasonic CDs for
recovery will completely erase the device-specific data and partitioned image, and install a
standard, non-partitioned Windows XP or Windows 7 operating system.

Page 2 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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 – Additional Documentation
These instructions include references to the following Service Information (SI) documents that contain
additional instruction steps needed before returning the laptop to service. Locate and print as necessary.
SI Document

Document Titles

Category
ODIS Service

Installation Phase 2 - Software Installation & Configuration Instructions

Diagnostic
Device
Hardware &
Windows

VAS Diagnostic Device Computer Name Builder
VAS 5054A Diagnostic Interface - Bluetooth & EDIC Configuration
VAS 5054A Diagnostic Interface - USB Configuration

Additional Documentation steps completed. Proceed to Section 3.0 – below.

3.0 – Preparation Checklist
Complete the Preparation Checklist below. Additional checkboxes are provided throughout this
document to note the fulfillment of prerequisites, completion of sections etc..



Preparation Checklist
Print the additional documentation from ServiceNet as specified in Section 2.0.
Note the device type and model number.
Connect the A/C power adapter directly to the laptop.
If the device is capable of booting to Windows and starting ODIS Service: Finalize all saved
diagnostic sessions and transmit logs where applicable.
Disconnect the Ethernet (network) cable where applicable.
Switch the Wireless Operation Switch to the OFF position as illustrated -arrows-:

VAS 6150A
Front panel behind handle

VAS 6150B/C/D
Middle right side behind WIRELESS door

All Preparation steps completed. Proceed to Section 4.0 – Page 4.

Page 3 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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 – Recovery
Prerequisites:




All devices removed from their base station (port replicator) where applicable.
Confirm: Ethernet cable DISCONNECTED & wireless operation switch in the OFF POSITION!

ATTENTION!
The A/C power adapter must be connected directly to the device during recovery. DO NOT
recover on battery power alone!
1. Turn on the diagnostic device.
2. When the Panasonic logo is displayed, quickly press the F2 key on the keyboard to enter the setup.

A password prompt appears.
3. Note the device-specific password from the table below:
Model

Password

VAS 6150A

vas6150

VAS 6150B

vas6150b

VAS 6150C

vas6150c

VAS 6150D

vas6150d

4. Enter the password exactly as noted above (lower case, no spaces):
5. Press the keyboard (or onscreen keyboard) Enter key:

(cont.)
Page 4 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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
6. Use the right and left arrow keys to select the Exit tab:
7. Using the up and down arrow keys, select either:
Repair Your Computer OR

Recovery Partition

as applicable. Press the Enter key to continue:

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

……
• Allow 30 – 90 minutes for device recovery (device-dependent).
• The progress window may appear to stall at 99% - 100%. Please be patient!
• When complete, the system will automatically reboot and display a series of automatic setup,
registry and service screens followed by the initial Windows setup screen.

Recovery steps completed. Proceed to Section 5.0 - Page 6.

Page 5 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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
5.0 – Post-Recovery Setup
5.1 – Windows 7 Startup & Initial Setup
Note:
The initial language selection made in Step 1 below cannot be changed after the device is placed in
service. Avoid having to repeat the recovery process by selecting the language carefully!
1. If the following Windows setup screen appears, carefully scroll down and select My language is
English and select Next: …otherwise, skip to Step 2.

2. Confirm the regional settings, time/currency and keyboard layout as illustrated, and then select Next:

(cont.)
Page 6 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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
3. If the license terms and conditions are displayed, accept by checking the appropriate boxes and
click Next: …otherwise skip to Step 4.

4. Set the Time Zone, Daylight Saving Time, Date and Time as applicable to your location. Click Next:

• Various settings are saved and the device automatically reboots to the Windows desktop.
• For convenience, the device can now be returned to its base station if desired (not mandatory).
• In all cases the A/C power adapter must remain connected for the following procedures. The
USB mouse and keyboard should also remain connected where applicable.

Page 7 of 19
© 2016 Audi 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 Audi 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
5.1.1 – Delete Non-Applicable Information
The Windows 7 desktop may include documents that are not applicable to the -US/CDN- market. If
present as described below, please delete these documents as follows:
1.

From the Windows desktop: Locate two document shortcut icons entitled:
HowTo Guide_ODIS Service Set-Up_EN and HowTo Guide_ODIS Service Set-Up_DE:

2. Right-click a shortcut icon, and then select Delete from the dropdown.
3. When prompted to confirm file delete, click Yes. Repeat for the remaining icon.
4. From the Windows desktop: Open the Manuals folder:

5. Right-click the OffboardDiagService folder, and then select Delete from the dropdown:

5.1.2 – Confirm Keyboard Language
1. Go to: Windows (Start)