Genuine Actia XS not found

[Psa_Dave]

Good evening, I have a slightly addictive interest in diagnostic tooling for various brands and my latest investment is a Genuine Actia XS and Diagbox software direct from the service box portal. The Actual XS is from a very reputable distributor of diagnostic equipment so no doubts there.
I have installed the software 9.75 and 3 incremental updates today, yet the interface isn't seen by Diagbox?
If I look in device manager in windows it shows the interface and driver when plugged in and also lists the USB port it's connected to.

There is a banner on top of diagbox that says I must configure the interface before use.
When I open the config utility it says there is a connection issue with the interface.

With this seemingly not getting me anywhere I decided to just click through onto a brand and selected automatic ID, at this point the green icon at the top right lit up and Diagbox informed me it was updating the interface. No VIN was found as I just have a obd port for power and earth on the bench for setup reasons.
Since this 'update' the tool is still not found in the configuration menu.

Do I need to do anything else or just try it on a vehicle?

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read this far.

[GiveMeABreak]

I can't be certain that you have a genuine VCI as 99.9% sold are clones of the originals. The dealerships only lease their equipment.

I suspect that Diagbox has updated the firmware on the VCI. Generally you shouldn't allow internet access to Diagbox for general diagnostics in case it detects a clone and may attempt to blacklist it. You can certainly try it on a vehicle - there is no harm in that.

[cit-rotti]

How to recognise a genuine original VCI:
The originals are recognisable at first glance - it is not necessary to open them.
1. there is a white 6-digit marking on the black round plug. Example "SD1505" - each VCI has a different number.
2. the 15-pin USB connector is black - sometimes black, most often blue for the clone.
3. the small 2-pin connector next to the USB connector is rectangular on the clone and rectangular with grille and programmed on the original.
4. there are 3 different originals - all have only a front sticker and a silver nameplate on the back - nothing else - otherwise it is a clone.
And if this silver nameplate says "Made in France" after ..XS EVOLUTION, then it is a clone.
The other data is even clearer on the silver type plate on the back.
If you see 921815B or 921815C / 40W07 / 0005451 there, it is a clone.
On the original VCI, we always find (for Citroën) 921815C or 922173A and then unique numbers for each interface.
Actia PSA XS EVOLUTION or XS EVOLUTION R - each original has its own number according to 921815C or 922173A for the R -VCI.
The clones all have the same number: 921815B or 921815C / 40W07 / 0005451 and from XS Evolution always "Made in France".
5. the original connection cable is also longer and has a white 6-digit marking on the black round plug - example SD0803.
6. the original front sticker of the A.1281 Z only has the Peugeot symbol (bold black lettering) and Citroën (bold red lettering) and the clone still has the DS Spirit symbol - the text below the surface is also different.
7. the screws for opening the housing halves are "cross recessed" on the replica - the originals have different screws.

Normally the firmware is automatically corrected according to the installed software and can then be used.
Either something is wrong with the activation of the software or the VCI is faulty.
Sometimes it helps with 9.xx versions not to connect the VCI when starting the DIAGBOX, but only when prompted to do so, or to remove the VCI from the laptop's USB port - wait a little and then plug it back into the USB port.

See article on original VCI:
viewtopic.php?t=80879

Greetings Wolfgang

[CitroJim]

Most interesting and informative Wolfgang Thanks!

I find my clone VCI is much happier if it's plugged in and connected to the VM after Diagbox has started and is actively asking or the VCI to be connected.

[cit-rotti]

Most interesting and informative Wolfgang Thanks!

I find my clone VCI is much happier if it's plugged in and connected to the VM after Diagbox has started and is actively asking or the VCI to be connected.

Yes, this is probably the case with some VM versions. This phenomenon can also be observed with the native version 9.150 from Robert.
can be observed. I don't know the reason - it must be related to some software changes for unauthorised activation.

This is not the case with the original DIAGBOX - the VCI is always connected to the laptop - either via USB or wirelessly.

Even with the VM 9.68 version, nothing needs to be disconnected. And the paid native versions of MrRORRY and JTR work like the original - the VCI never has to be disconnected or can already be connected when the laptop is started.

Greetings Wolfgang

[Psa_Dave]

Good evening all, thank you for the extensive response regards genuine vci's I will look tomorrow for the signs.
So, today I connected to a DS3, purchased tokens (have 25 tokens to save me keep buying them) connected to the car, started Diagbox and all seemed ok, the vci green lock in Diagbox illuminated whilst communicating, it read all control units and then displayed a screen with 4 large round icons, pre delivery, repair and 2 others I can't recall. Anyway, noatter which icon I pressed nothing happened, the vci lock remained unilluminated and nothing moved on.
Restarted Diagbox, tried again, same, read all control units, does the vci compatibility check (all passed) and screen with 4 large round icons.
Non of them move the program on.

So, I have now reinstalled windows, downloaded 9.46 from service box and reinstalled will try on another vehicle tomorrow after I have checked if a clone or not, please bear in mind the price I paid a 4 digit £ I really don't expect it to be a clone!

Does the problem I am having sound familiar to any of you?

Again thank you for the responses so far

[cit-rotti]

As far as I understand from your last post, you are not working with a patched (offline) Diagbox version, but with the original online version.
However, using the authorisations for a purchased period (token) requires that you have paid access to the service hotline for activation.

The activation code for the Diagbox is also displayed via this access - and the online Diagbox software must first be updated to the current version (free of charge) - this should be around 9.180 or higher. Offline DB software is not suitable for this,

Authorisations (tokens) can then be purchased via this portal and the DB is then activated depending on the size/price of your purchased package. The package is often booked for a VIN for 7 days. But there are also other packages.

As Marc has already written, you can only clarify the problem with the provider of the software/hardware.
Original VCIs are not actually a commercial product and are only sold to PSA workshops or can be purchased directly from Actia - only used originals are always offered at lower prices.

If you have paid access to the PSA hotline, you can basically do everything that a PSA workshop can do, provided you have the appropriate equipment. It is often reported that Citroen prescribes an original VCI but does not really check this and that good clones should work. It seems to me that something is going wrong with your tokens - or that the chargeable access has defects.

Actually, communication with the control units only takes place after you have selected one of these symbols - e.g. repair - and the current DB has 5 options, not just four. Since this does not happen, the hotline does not activate the connection. The procedure up to these symbols is not yet subject to a charge.

In the online version, you can also select directly via the VIN - the patched version (offline) can only be selected via the vehicle selection. And most tokens can only be unlocked for one VIN.

Greetings Wolfgang

[wheeler]

please bear in mind the price I paid a 4 digit £ I really don't expect it to be a clone!

Not sure where you bought it but legit ones from dealers were no where near 4 digits when they were new

In this topic i have pictures of my genuine one & a fake one side by side for comparison, should help confirm if it's legit or not.

See here > viewtopic.php?p=702918&hilit=fake+interface#p702918