Getting USB to Serial working

[k7buc]

Just received the 4170. But, the USB/Serial converter would not work on XP or Vista either one. Thanks to Bob's great customer service, he gave me just what was needed to get it working.

The problem with these converters is that when the drivers are installed, Windows, XP or Vista, puts its own driver in there no matter what you do. It ends up with two drivers running at once it appears.
The fix is just to go to the device manager and "update" driver.
Update from the AIM CD is best. This replaces the Microsoft driver with the correct one. It has worked on 3 computers so far, no problem. Surprisingly, the Vista laptop was the easiest to get running.
Of course you MUST reboot after every step. Typical Windows.

This AIM4170 is really impressive. So far, its everything I needed and more. Thanks, Bob! ;D
-Del

[tim]

K7BUC,

Have been in device manager and when I tried to update the USB Serial it said I already had the latest driver. My computer does not see my hardware (4170). I could not find any Communications under Accessories that had HyperTerminal. I thought this might be the problem, but on Vista Home Premium does not seem to have it.

Any suggestions or instructions to help my stupidity would be appreciated.

Tim
N7ky

[k7buc]

Tim,
There is no hyperterminal by default as far as I know.
In hardware manager, you should be able to see the USB->Serial adapter. If not, the driver is wrong.
Once driver is updated, and Vista seems happy, reboot. It should then install the individual com ports.
Does Radio Shack supply a Vista driver? Can you download an updated driver for it?
regards,
Del

[tim]

K7BUC

Thanks for the advice. Got the 4160 running and it seems to like my Toshiba laptop.

My call is N7KY and I'm originally from Arizona, but have been living in Tennessee for last ten years.

Thanks.

Tim