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USB-Serial for Win7 64bit — Parallax Forums

USB-Serial for Win7 64bit

Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
edited 2010-12-21 18:05 in General Discussion
I now have a new Dell laptop, serial port delete, which means I haven't been able to play with my BS2.

Does anyone use the Parallax USB-Serial adapter for a Windows 7 64-bit machine? Were there any problems with getting it running? Is there anything I need to consider or find out concerning hardware / communication hardware inside my computer?

I hope to get the Parallax adapter with the cable here: http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/CablesConverters/tabid/166/CategoryID/40/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/379/Default.aspx

It looks like there are some drivers for it here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm which states Windows 7 64-bit.


The reason I ask is a buddy bought two different adapters, one from Radio Shack and one is a Parallax unit. He's STILL unable to get it to work. He mentioned something about an Intel USB chipset??? I don't know much about that, but maybe someone can inform me so I don't waste $20.


Thank you!

Comments

  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2010-12-09 08:37
    The Parallax part works with windows 7 64bit.
  • Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
    edited 2010-12-09 08:43
    Thank you, I hoped it would work with Win7 64bit since there's a driver available. Are there any hardware concerns?? or are my buddy's troubles unfounded?

    Maybe this should be a direct email to Parallax support.......
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,190
    edited 2010-12-20 19:03
    Spiral_72 wrote: »
    Thank you, I hoped it would work with Win7 64bit since there's a driver available. Are there any hardware concerns?? or are my buddy's troubles unfounded?

    Maybe this should be a direct email to Parallax support.......

    Hello!
    Are we talking about the native FTDIChip drivers http://www.ftdichip.com ? Since I use the device for everything else besides the Stamps, I went ahead and grabbed the appropriate drivers for it. No problems whatsoever.

    What specie of laptop are we talking about here? This is a year old Inspiron 1545, and is basically like the one you have. I say "basically" because that's the one thing I need to know. Your friend's also would also be a big help.
  • Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
    edited 2010-12-21 10:19
    I have the Dell Precision M4500. I ordered the Parallax converter and pulled it out of the mailbox this morning!!! :) I hope to find out tonight if she'll work. HA! You can't beat $0.79 three day shipping to my front door :)

    I'm almost certain my buddy's laptop is an HP, although I don't know the details. I'll find out.

    Parallax customer service stated, (not verbatim) that they were unaware of any specific hardware compatibilities with the converter....... so hopefully by buddy's problems were caused by an incorrect driver / install.


    ..... oh and rest assured I'm going to plan out the driver install and proceed with caution.
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,190
    edited 2010-12-21 13:40
    Spiral_72 wrote: »
    I have the Dell Precision M4500. I ordered the Parallax converter and pulled it out of the mailbox this morning!!! :) I hope to find out tonight if she'll work. HA! You can't beat $0.79 three day shipping to my front door :)

    I'm almost certain my buddy's laptop is an HP, although I don't know the details. I'll find out.

    Parallax customer service stated, (not verbatim) that they were unaware of any specific hardware compatibilities with the converter....... so hopefully by buddy's problems were caused by an incorrect driver / install.


    ..... oh and rest assured I'm going to plan out the driver install and proceed with caution.

    Hello!
    Ideally they are indeed correct. I also used that same converter on an even older Dell Dimension to make sure everything worked straight out of the box. Only problem was that it didn't want to believe it was there, but that's normal around here.

    For HP systems, hmmm, make sure your friend is up to date with everything. That means both Microsoft, and for HP items.

    And be careful. Install the drivers first, then after it insists you're done, then the device. Do not let the OS bug Microsoft Update for it, that service has no clue for it, the OS then will check the pre-arranged folders for it.
  • Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
    edited 2010-12-21 17:37
    Alright. here we go:
    From the page on Parallax website:
    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/CablesConverters/tabid/166/CategoryID/40/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/379/Default.aspx
    Which led me to:
    http://www.parallax.com/ProductInfo/Accessories/FTDIUSBDrivers/tabid/530/Default.aspx
    I downloaded the setup EXE
    Executed the setup file and it blinked a black DOS-like window. I have no idea what it said, however I saw the word "Installing"
    The next step, plug in the device. It opened a Windows update box which resulted in "Your device is ready to use" and "USB Serial converter - Ready to use" and "USB Serial Port (COM3) - Ready to use"
    Your COM may be different, I dunno, but at this point I'm looking at a green LED on the converter device.
    So far so good. Now hook up the BASIC Stamp and power supply:
  • Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
    edited 2010-12-21 18:05
    It works! Awesome :) I did an "Identify" check in the BS editor and it recognized the Stamp.

    I run the last program and circuit I had loaded / made... It looks like communications are good (The echo to console works) and all is good.

    Sweet. Somehow I expected less. The driver and device seems to work perfectly with no headache.
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