BCD996XT and Windows 8

[ordnance1]

Anyone found a cable that will allow you to connect the scanner to a USB port on a Windows 8 machine?

[Bucko]

The USB-1 works for me. Windows 8 does not play well though with some drivers. To get Win 8 to work with the USB-1 I had to install the old Prolific Vista driver then go to the Device manager and update it from the Device Manager by browsing to the new driver that I downloaded.

[ofd8001]

Yes and thankfully so. I ordered a Plugable USB Serial Converter cable from Amazon. It was like $13 plus shipping.

It has the USB connector on one end and the DB9 connector on the other.

There was a CD that came with the package with the drivers and I installed them according to directions, before plugging in the cable.

I had to round up the original programming cable that came with my scanners to make the connection.

It's working - I can read my 396XT using my ARC XT software. Since the ARC XT does both the 396XT and the 996XT, I would imagine if it works for my 396, it would work for your 996.

This is actually a blessing. I've got two older scanners (780 and 796D) that require the DB9 connector. So I'm hoping this cable will help me to program 6 different scanners.

[N2PYS]

Am i to believe the 500 $ i blew on a windows 8 machine so that i could use my Butel ARC PRO XT to program my BCD 996XT & BCD 396XT will now Actually WORK???

Every other computer device in my house is Apple and i buy this freakin laptop just to program my radios and nothing wants to work with it! i have other radio's to program with it also and some light bars but thats stuff most people would not understand ;

thanks

Peace

[mdulrich]

I am using a Belkin FSU409 USB-Serial adapter that I used with Vista that works great in Windows 8. USB-to-Serial Portable Adapter | USB Cables | Cables | Macbook & PC | Products | Belkin USA Site http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-SERIAL-.../dp/B00009L7MI

Mike

[ofd8001]

As noted above, I got the Plugable serial converter at Amazon. Using it with the original programming cable that came with my scanner, I was able to re-program my 396XT with Windows 8 using ARCXT. So I found something that works.

Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset): Computers & Accessories

[Helitac]

Equipment: BCD996XT-Trunktracker IV with Butel ARC XT Pro 1.9, Build 2 Full Version.

After upgrade to Windows 8 Pro on my laptop, I updated XT Pro, and noted communications between computer and scanner were no longer functioning. Proflic USB Cable was working prior to upgrade/update.

I cannot address the cable issue but you may find some useful information in what I have to do to restore communications between scanner and XT Pro. I'm still looking for permanent solution.

Under Scanner tab, opened Communication Setup and attempted to Auto Detect scanner. Received error code 10. Opened Device Manager and clicked on Ports to check on Prolific USB to Serial Port. Right click on Properties and opened Driver Tab to see driver used was 3.4.36.247.

Suspecting a driver error, I attempted to roll back to previous device. Because it was grayed out, I uninstalled driver and restarted computer. Repeated above sequence to open Driver Tab and then clicked on Roll Back to previous driver. This loaded driver 3.4.25.218. Auto Detect scanner worked and communications were restored.
Following shut down the driver reverts to 3.4.36.247 forcing me through the above process time after time when computer is shut down.

Message from Gommert supports my suspicions on it being a driver issue rather than an issue with the USB cable.

Easy fix, but not realistic, would be "Don't turn the computer off!" Looking for a solution to the problem and suggestions that will alleviate the continued need to roll back the driver every time I start ARC XT Pro.

Helitac

[zzdiesel]

I bought this one to use on Win 8 computers on my Uniden's. $12.95

Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset): Computers & Accessories

[jwlehman]

Highly recommend a utility call USBDeview. It will show you all of your USB/Com port connections and let you disconnect all devices. I am using Windows 8 and a generic USB cable. What I found is that Windows 8 is not very good at giving up the com ports after each use of the ARC XT Pro software, so it sometimes reports that you can't connect.

I use this utility once in a while just to clean up the connections, and it works everytime afterwards (I have no connection with this software or the developer):

View any installed/connected USB device on your system

[chrose3]

Thank you SO much! This windows 8 thing had about driven me crazy. I'll try your fix. Perhaps Uniden will eventually come up with a compatible cable. Goes to prove that newer is not always better, huh?

[chrose3]

Originally Posted by ofd8001

Yes and thankfully so. I ordered a Plugable USB Serial Converter cable from Amazon. It was like $13 plus shipping.

It has the USB connector on one end and the DB9 connector on the other.

There was a CD that came with the package with the drivers and I installed them according to directions, before plugging in the cable.

I had to round up the original programming cable that came with my scanners to make the connection.

It's working - I can read my 396XT using my ARC XT software. Since the ARC XT does both the 396XT and the 996XT, I would imagine if it works for my 396, it would work for your 996.

This is actually a blessing. I've got two older scanners (780 and 796D) that require the DB9 connector. So I'm hoping this cable will help me to program 6 different scanners.

Ordered and received the plugale cable you suggested. Works perfectly! Thank you for saving my programming AND my sanity! PLEASE make ertain that this post appears as it may help someone else.

Again, thank you so much!


Hank Rose

[ofd8001]

Glad to be of assistance!

Helping one another is what this forum be all about - I've gotten more than I've given.

[marshall58]

You can also put in a pci to serial card. It worked great on Window 8 from the start.