Whistler Scanners and Windows 10

[ka3jjz]

Sorry but a sticky would be a much better idea than a Wiki item.

There needs to be 2 stickies .. one for USB connection issues, ie the data in this thread, and one for the 'waiting for main unit' error including SD card error code information.

That should cover 95% of all issues that people will have with a Whistler scanner.

The wiki is a superior tool for things like this, and the reason is simple - as this thread grows, the original instructions become harder and harder to find (particularly for newcomers). Not everyone uses, or is comfortable with using, the various Search tools in the forums. Eventually it will scroll off the visible messages (though not lost - you just won't be able to see it easily) and 'disappear'.

That's something that the wiki simply doesn't do. The articles will be there, and easy to find, since they're linked to the scanners that pertain to them

If someone were to write up something on the 'Waiting for Main Unit' message and how to fix it, that too can be attached to the scanners that pertain to this error.

Mike

 

[03msc]

The wiki is a superior tool for things like this, and the reason is simple - as this thread grows, the original instructions become harder and harder to find (particularly for newcomers). Not everyone uses, or is comfortable with using, the various Search tools in the forums. Eventually it will scroll off the visible messages (though not lost - you just won't be able to see it easily) and 'disappear'.

That's something that the wiki simply doesn't do. The articles will be there, and easy to find, since they're linked to the scanners that pertain to them

If someone were to write up something on the 'Waiting for Main Unit' message and how to fix it, that too can be attached to the scanners that pertain to this error.

Mike

The instructions are in the first post of this thread. If the thread is "stickied" it will be at the top of the list under Whistler scanners. 99% of the people who come here for the first time don't know the Wiki exists yet will post questions in the forums. I agree that making this a sticky makes the most sense and will have a better chance of getting the attention of those seeking help. It was even titled appropriately instead of vaguely.

Hopefully the mods will sticky it soon.

 

[SCPD]

The instructions are in the first post of this thread. If the thread is "stickied" it will be at the top of the list under Whistler scanners. 99% of the people who come here for the first time don't know the Wiki exists yet will post questions in the forums. I agree that making this a sticky makes the most sense and will have a better chance of getting the attention of those seeking help. It was even titled appropriately instead of vaguely.

Hopefully the mods will sticky it soon.

Exactly .. I have been to the Wiki probably 2x in my 12 years here. A sticky is the answer on this one .. as it keeps coming up again and again.

Besides .. Uniden has of stickies (including things that probably should not be stickies), the Whistler people do need these 2 items, as soon as we know the cause of the 'Waiting for Main Unit' error from Whistler that should be a sticky by itself (including other Whistler error information).

 

[SCPD]

I see this is now a sticky .. thank you moderators.

I am sure that this will help many new Whistler scanner users.

 

[SCPD]

Won't work for me

I've done all the steps down to opening COM/PORTS, where I get nothing, unless I click on "show hidden devices" or words to that effect. Then it shows four empty ports. The computer is not recognizing the connection so I can't proceed on to the steps to re-install the driver. It seems to me that if the laptop does show a connection at the port, there would be no problem in the first place, and since it sees nothing, I don't understand how I can re-install a driver. I guess I'm missing something somewhere, if it works for you.

Whistler WS-1098 connected directly to Windows 10 Laptop USB port via supplied USB cable. Still get the "can't find your scanner" message, so can't update firmware/DSP.

Also mine is very touchy about the way I turn it on and I get error messages regularly. Removing and reinserting the SD card fixes it, but that shouldn't happen with a $519 scanner.

Bob

 

[SCPD]

Update. It works now. Don't know what I did, but now the software recognizes the scanner, as it should.

 

[lorenjay]

Thank you. It Worked

Thank you for your instructions on how to get the RS Pro-668 to upgrade. It worked like a champ.

 

[Kevinbb]

1088 USB Drive Dissapears

Not sure if I should have started a new thread, but it goes along with what has been discussed here. When I plug the USB cable into my computer attached to my 1088 in ezscan with the radio off, the drive comes up with its contents no problem. I updated the library and uploaded my old 1080 file to it with with no issues. However, when I go to do the firmware update and turn the radio on as instructed, the drive disappears each time therefore unable to update the firmware. I plugged my phone into the same USB port and the drive is recognized. I'm using windows 10, with all the updates, and did everything suggested here on 3 different computers. Otherwise, the 1088 is working very well. Better than my old 1080. Thanks in advance for any tips

 

[SCPD]

Not sure if I should have started a new thread, but it goes along with what has been discussed here. When I plug the USB cable into my computer attached to my 1088 in ezscan with the radio off, the drive comes up with its contents no problem. I updated the library and uploaded my old 1080 file to it with with no issues. However, when I go to do the firmware update and turn the radio on as instructed, the drive disappears each time therefore unable to update the firmware. I plugged my phone into the same USB port and the drive is recognized. I'm using windows 10, with all the updates, and did everything suggested here on 3 different computers. Otherwise, the 1088 is working very well. Better than my old 1080. Thanks in advance for any tips

The best way to test if you have proper USB connectivity is to set the time on your scanner (set real time clock to computer time) via the Whistler software. If you can do that .. you can update the firmware.

Btw .. use a SD card reader, or sd card slot in your pc. You will learn to love that much better than connecting to it via USB on these radios.

 

[Kevinbb]

The best way to test if you have proper USB connectivity is to set the time on your scanner (set real time clock to computer time) via the Whistler software. If you can do that .. you can update the firmware.

Btw .. use a SD card reader, or sd card slot in your pc. You will learn to love that much better than connecting to it via USB on these radios.

Tried setting the clocks time, Still says scanner not connected. It shows as a drive when I have the radio off with the cable plugged in my computer though. The issue isn't with the card per say, because I do use my computers card reader with ezscan, its when I plug in the USB cable to update the firmware, it says that the scanners is not connected. The Whistler is in my device manager, but it can't find the scanner each time I plug the USB in and turn the radio on to do the firmware update. Thank you

 

[SCPD]

Tried setting the clocks time, Still says scanner not connected.

Unless you can successfully set the clock .. you will not be able to do the firmware update. Re the card reader, that has nothing to do with this problem .. it is just more reliable and faster.

 

[Kevinbb]

Unless you can successfully set the clock .. you will not be able to do the firmware update. Re the card reader, that has nothing to do with this problem .. it is just more reliable and faster.

Data transfer not a problem with the scanner off. I just can't set the clock so I'm stuck not being able to update the firmware because when I go to update,and turn the scanner on, it can't find the scanner. I remember back in 2011 in windows 7 when I had my 1080 there was a similar problem and I was able to get it to work. I think it had something to do with transferring 2 INF files, but I'll be damned if I can find it. If all else fails, I'll reach out to whistler. Thanks again

 

[SCPD]

I do not own a 1088 but in device manager under ports you should see something like "Whistler WS1088 Serial Device (Com X)"

If you do not see that (or very similar) .. will not work. The instructions above should be correct for your scanner, as it has been tested with the 1080 scanner (a friends scanner that works fine in Windows 10) .. same as your model to the computer.

 

[Kevinbb]

I do not own a 1088 but in device manager under ports you should see something like "Whistler WS1088 Serial Device (Com X)"

If you do not see that (or very similar) .. will not work. The instructions above should be correct for your scanner, as it has been tested with the 1080 scanner (a friends scanner that works fine in Windows 10) .. same as your model to the computer.

Got my 1088 do do the latest firmware update finally. Not sure why, but it now communicates with my win 10 laptop computer and everything has updated. Thanks

 

[seth21w]

Although there is a debate as whether this is even required .. here are instructions on how to install the USB Driver for your Whistler WS-1080 and WS-1095 scanners should you have problems in Windows 10. Many of the steps are similar to the procedure in Windows 8.

NOTE ... this has NO impact re the EZScan software working under Windows 10. There are no problems there. The software has been seen to work fine under Windows 10.

This is only for USB driver installation if you have problems "connecting to your scanner" while using the USB cable.

You can test if this is needed by trying to update the time on the scanner by selecting "Set Real Time Clock to Computer Time" under the Scanner SD Card menu in the EZScan software. If it does not work .. this should fix that problem.

This has been tested in the Windows 10 Public Release of July 29/2015.

1. Go to Start Menu
2. Hold down Shift key and press Restart under Power menu item.
3. Under Choose an Option .. select 'Troubleshoot'
4. Select 'Advanced Options'
5. Select 'Startup Settings'
Press Restart
Press 7 for Unsigned Drivers.

Once restarted .. login as normal.

6. Go To Device Manager in Control Panel
7. Select Ports (Com + LPT)
8. You should see .. "USB Serial Device (ComX)" when your Whistler scanner is connected.

You can now install the USB driver.

9. Right click on 'Update Driver Software' under that Com Port above.
10. Select Browse My Computer for Driver Software.

At the bottom, select "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"
11. Highlight Whistler WS-1080 or WS-1095 Serial Device as applicable.
12. Click Next
13. You will see "Windows cannot verify the publisher of this driver software'
14. Select "Install this driver software anyways"
15. Click Close

The driver will now be installed as "Whistler WS-1080 or WS-1095 Serial Device (ComX) as applicable"

You can now use your scanner for USB communications that require it .. programming / firmware updates and time updates for example. I personally recommend using a SD card reader where applicable as it is so much faster than USB.

Thank you for this but please correct your procedure, instead of saying press 7 say press F7 i just spent 3 hours of mysery on my new pro668 and windows 10 computer. Thanks!

 

[SCPD]

Thank you for this but please correct your procedure, instead of saying press 7 say press F7 i just spent 3 hours of mysery on my new pro668 and windows 10 computer. Thanks!

Sorry .. but the issue is that after like 1 hour I cannot alter it. In my defense .. it does state on that screen what to press. :wink::wink:

 

[SCPD]

Thank you for this but please correct your procedure, instead of saying press 7 say press F7 i just spent 3 hours of mysery on my new pro668 and windows 10 computer. Thanks!

The moderators have now corrected the error. :wink:

 

[jpolich7]

Whistler's role in all this?

Would it be fair to ask why Whistler did not anticipate and resolve this string of issues? These scanners were in development for years and occasional updates to the Windows operating system are never a surprise. Yet last month a WS1098 refused to be recognized by my thoroughly up to date Windows 10 Dell Workstation that easily and immediately connects to two Radio Shack Pro 197, two Uniden BC780XLT, and a Uniden BCD996XT (as well as their handheld versions). The various fixes suggested in this thread did not enable the WS1098 to connect.

 

[SCPD]

The reason .. cause this is not at all a Whistler issue. It is a Microsoft Windows 8 onward issue.

Unless Whistler totally reinvents the wheel and develops customized software that does what Windows already does.

So .. in all reality, that would just be stupid. It is a one time fix that takes all of 5 min to complete, so it is hardly a difficult thing to do.

 

[Ed6698]

I just wanted to post a update, just did a clean install of Windows 10 x64. I do this every so often, I only have the OS on my boot drive, all my programs are on another drive. After all the Windows updates it was time to do the workaround for the 1080 and 1095. Had both up and running in under 5 minutes following the instructions in this sticky. These procedures are 100% verified to work on my system.