Dean,

It has been my recent and unfortunate experience to find out that the VADIS CDs require WinNT 4.0 w/Service Pack #3...ONLY. Bear in mind that I haven't tried them all, but the several I have info on 󞩿 & 2000 sets/revs] have this requirement. Having attempted installs on NT boxes w/SPs #4 & #6, XP-NTFS, and 2K-NTFS, the likely conclusion [after receiving the pop-up alert PLEASE UPGRADE TO NT SERVICE PACK #3 on each attempt] would be that VADIS is not backward compatible and thus you would most likely need a dedicated box. A dedicated box is counter-productive to me, and as such, I managed to find a home for them soon thereafter. To answer your question [will you be able to get service manual info from the CDs], as far as wiring diags, can't say, as I was unable to complete the install. I did click-thru the many directories in order to find some readable info/diags; but most if not all of these types of files had files extensions I have never seen before suggestive of some proprietary "viewer" installation required. I have seen this before with many e-manuals... encrypting the info so that you are pretty much forced to purchase factory software to view.

Having to currently work with both types of information in my current line-of-work and outside interests [paper manuals containing handscribed sidebars for older equipment and e-manuals that I use due to cleanroom protocol], I have to agree with Ed ["paper manuals are better..." for the most part... I would probably say "faster and more portable" instead of "better" as both types of media offer their own pros & cons... Not having seen any Volvo elec e-schems, I can't speak of the quality; however, it has been my experience to note that there are more BAD quality scans [non-pixel correcting during zooms/pans, poor contrast, bad focus, etc etc ] of elec schems out there currently than there are those that warrant any exclusive use over their paper counterpart.

Sorry for the long read... just finished my 2nd cup.

- Alan