Usb to rs232 serial adapter problem with Vista

[kmacka]

I just recently purchased two of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=120315721198 and I can't seem to get them to install on my Windows Vista machine. I want to use these adapters to remotely control and program my radios. Now they say it's Vista compatible, but it doen't work for me.

I followed their instructions from this site they gave me: http://www.mxmart.com/info/driver.htm but it doesn't seem to be working.

Can anyone give me any hints on to why this is happening or getting them to work. Or show me another product to use that is DEFINATELY Windows Vista compatible.

[cpuerror]

I tried playing around with that brand before, couldn't get it to work for the life of me even with the provided drivers and XP. If you get it to work great, otherwise I would suggest looking into PL2303 based adaptors which are inexpensive and proven to work.

[poltergeisty]

Try a virtual machine and install XP to it. http://www.virtualbox.org/

Do you get a COM port that shows up at all? Or the scanner doesn't communicate?

You tried all of these options here?

The following are some more detailed information you may also want to read. Thanks to dssnovice
There are essentially only three basic steps required to get an USB2Serial adapter to function properly:
1. Once you install the driver(s); Physically plug the USB2Serial adapter into an available USB port
2. Connect the correct cable (null or straight-through) between the adapter and your FTA receiver; in the case of the Coolsat, it is straight-through
3. Synchronize the COM port assignment of the USB2Serial adapter with a COM port supported by the Loader program (they MUST be the same). Then restart the loader.
　

The above three basic steps are relatively simple but a lot of things can go wrong along the way. For example, communications will fail if:
1. You don’t use the correct type of serial cable (null modem or a straight-through) between the adapter and your FTA receiver.
2. The COM port assignment of the USB2Serial adapter and the COM port setting in the loader/software program do not match.
3. You use the wrong loader program or bin file for your particular brand/model of receiver or the bin file was not extracted and is still in zipped or compressed format


For experienced computer users, the above constitutes all the instruction you will probably require. For computer neophytes, here's a simple step by step procedure for troubleshooting your USB2Serial adapter:
1. RIGHT-click on [My Computer] » [Properties] » [Hardware] » [Device Manager]
2. Scroll down the list of devices to [Ports] and click on the [+] sign on the left of [Ports]
3. Locate your USB2Serial device under [Ports] and RIGHT-click on it; select [Properties]
4. Under the [General] tab, the [Device Status] window will indicate whether it is functioning properly. If not, you should uninstall the device, reboot, and let Windows auto-detect the device. If it cannot locate the driver, you will be prompted to insert a driver disc
5. Click on the [Port Settings] tab and the port speed (Bits per second) should be set at 115200. (At 9600 it will take 30+ minutes to load a typical BIN.)
6. If you need to change the COM port assignment of the USB2Serial adapter to match one that your Loader program will support, click on the [Advanced] button (under the [Port Settings] tab) and change the [COM Port] value.
7. Be sure to sync or match the adapter's COM port assignment with one that the Loader program supports.


One final note: Coolsat receivers have an [Auto Detect] feature for locating and synchronizing the Loader program with the PC. You do not have to modify the COM port assignment (step 6) if you have a Coolsat receiver (just click on [Auto Detect].


Keep in mind that if you disconnect the USB2Serial adapter and plug it into a DIFFERENT USB port the next time you go to use it, Windows will automatically assign a different COM port value to the adapter. To eliminate configuration issues, always plug the USB2Serial adapter into the same USB port each time.

This is my solution to non RS232 laptop ports. http://www.radioreference.com/forums...d.php?t=127131 Still experimenting. Might install the scanner and virtual com port software to a RAM drive in the laptop for increasing stability.

[kmacka]

Yeah I have read through those other explanations, but they are more for FTA receivers. And I also those explanations are for using the cable after you have installed it, or thats what it seems to me.

I have installed this adapter on my other computer (Windows XP) and it works fine. But I still want to use it on my Vista machine.

The problem I am having is that I follow the directions to the "T" and it just want to find the drivers and do the install. I point it to the exact location of the drivers but it still says that it cannot find them. I sent a help request (ticket) to the place where I purchased, so I guess I will wait and see. There has to be a way for this to work, or at least another cable that is proven to work with Vista.

[chrismol1]

i dont know if I can help but, I have the same cable for something and I had to use this driver
http://www.yousendit.com/download/TTZsQndNcklveE9
Ga1E9PQ

And I had to make sure that my com port was set to 4 or 5 for the program to work

[poltergeisty]

you can always go to "Device Manager - Ports (COM & LPT)" to manually install the driver.

Have you tried that?

Or, If there is a .inf file in the folder, point to that. Edit! There is an .INF file! Okay, just use the cable driver for the following instructions. Not the Vista installer.

These instructions might help you if you haven't done this before.



1. In Control Panel, double-click to start the Add/Remove Hardware utility.
2. Select Add a new hardware device.
3. Select Yes, I have already connected the hardware. Click Next.
4. Select Add a new device.
5. Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list. Click Next.
6. Select Show All Devices.
7. Select Have Disk button and navigate to the folder that contains the .inf
8. Select Next , Next , Finish.

This might not work in Vista.


You do have admin privileges?

[kmacka]

Ok that didn't work. I do have admin privileges. Do you think this problem has anything to do with x86 bit system? I never had a vista machine, so I don't much about the differences.

[poltergeisty]

Originally Posted by kmacka

Ok that didn't work. I do have admin privileges. Do you think this problem has anything to do with x86 bit system? I never had a vista machine, so I don't much about the differences.

Short answer- no. x86 refers to the processor, not the operating system. Or are you running 64 bit Vista? That, might be a concern.

So does the adapter not show up at all in device manger? Or you can't communicate with the scanner using that cable after the driver is installed?

If the driver did install, then you might have to adjust com port speeds, both in the scanner and the com port in device manger. They would both need to be the same speed.

[zzdiesel]

I have one these adapters that works on my Vista x64, but I had to find a 64 bit driver.

[kmacka]

My Vista is a 64 bit system. Hey if you could give me the url where you found that driver, I would appreciate it.

[kmacka]

Ok, well that adapter isn't going to work for me. So I did a little research and found out that I need to purchase an adapter with a FTDI Chip set. These type adapters work with Vista x64. Just for anyone else that may encounter this problem here is a site where I was advised to get the cables.

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Serial.html

Just make sure you read the descriptions and get the ones that say they work with Vista x64.

[kb0nly]

I second that, get one with an FTDI chipset, they are plug and play with Vista, no driver file or disc required. I bought one off ebay a while back that has two serial ports..

Item # 300239844087

Put that item number in the search box and have a look, yeah they aren't as cheap as some other options at $24 but man do they work! XP, Vista, works great on both. I got a new computer earlier this year and of course they don't have serial ports anymore, i tried a few of the usb to serial adapter cables, sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't. Read that FTDI is supported by Vista without having to install drivers so i went hunting on eBay and found that dual serial port model and gave it a shot, works great. I have my 785D on one port, and a Rascal (computer/radio interface for PSK, SSTV, etc.) on the other port and they both work flawlessly. Also neat that they have the RXD and TXD leds so you can watch the data flow.

[zzdiesel]

The part number you posted to search for doesn't work.

[poltergeisty]

..If that was my laptop, I'd install a small 20 GB virtual machine with XP as the operating system. It should work because XP in the virtual machine will recognize the USB connection and install the driver from that OS. But this might be cumbersome to average computer users, so that's understandable. I just hate to see a cable go to waste when there's a possible solution. Not the best, but should work. The only caveat is that you need a XP install CD. If you don't have that then of course it wouldn't be worth the effort to create a virtual machine.

Sorry to hear that it doesn't work kmacka. Was hoping it would.

[ScannerDude244]

Originally Posted by kb0nly

I second that, get one with an FTDI chipset, they are plug and play with Vista, no driver file or disc required. I bought one off ebay a while back that has two serial ports..

Item # 300239844087

Put that item number in the search box and have a look, yeah they aren't as cheap as some other options at $24 but man do they work! XP, Vista, works great on both. I got a new computer earlier this year and of course they don't have serial ports anymore, i tried a few of the usb to serial adapter cables, sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't. Read that FTDI is supported by Vista without having to install drivers so i went hunting on eBay and found that dual serial port model and gave it a shot, works great. I have my 785D on one port, and a Rascal (computer/radio interface for PSK, SSTV, etc.) on the other port and they both work flawlessly. Also neat that they have the RXD and TXD leds so you can watch the data flow.

Is your PC vista 64?

[kmacka]

Originally Posted by poltergeisty

..If that was my laptop, I'd install a small 20 GB virtual machine with XP as the operating system. It should work because XP in the virtual machine will recognize the USB connection and install the driver from that OS. But this might be cumbersome to average computer users, so that's understandable. I just hate to see a cable go to waste when there's a possible solution. Not the best, but should work. The only caveat is that you need a XP install CD. If you don't have that then of course it wouldn't be worth the effort to create a virtual machine.

Sorry to hear that it doesn't work kmacka. Was hoping it would.

No I very much appreciate your help. Thanks very much.

[kb0nly]

Originally Posted by ScannerDude244

Is your PC vista 64?

Nope, but i can test it on one that is 64 bit if you want, might take a day or two to get over to a friends place and try plugging it in. Don't see why it wouldn't work, FTDI is listed on the hardware compatibility lists from Microsoft.

[kb0nly]

Originally Posted by zzdiesel

The part number you posted to search for doesn't work.

Did you mean the eBay item number i posted? I just went to ebay and put it in the search box and it works.

[zzdiesel]

Originally Posted by kb0nly

Did you mean the eBay item number i posted? I just went to ebay and put it in the search box and it works.

I'm sorry, but I thought you were talking about one of the other links posted above. I found it Ok on eBay.

[ScannerDude244]

Originally Posted by kb0nly

Nope, but i can test it on one that is 64 bit if you want, might take a day or two to get over to a friends place and try plugging it in. Don't see why it wouldn't work, FTDI is listed on the hardware compatibility lists from Microsoft.

That would be great if you can I hate switching OS to program a my radio!