FTDI win 7 64 bit issues

DigitalBob

Win7 would not recognize the Usb . The techs at Parallax where helpful but no cigar. So I called FTDI the tech suggested that I download the exactable on the right side of the older driver 2.10 save it then right click and run as administrator .He also suggested that I run the CDM uninstalled . I'll try it and let you know. He also said that a lot of people are having trouble with the win 7 64 bit .

Propability

Same here. Spent a lot of time trying (uninstalled then reinstalled a few times) all to no avail.

Although my usb arduinos work fine a ftdi based usb to serial adapter for a pro mini had the same issues.

I'll keep a look out here to see if the issue gets resolved.

P.S. I was about to post the same as you but thought why has this not been brought up before so I didn't.

Genetix

DigitalBob,

Are these Parallax products that you are having trouble with?

I have Windows 7 64-Bit and I have never had a problem using the Parallax Serial Adapter, Propeller QuickStart, Propeller Activity Board, or Propeller Demo Board which all use FTDI chips.

I have seen USB connectors and cables go bad so try another USB cable, try all the USB ports, and try another computer.

Do you have the latest BIOS, drivers, and software updates?

Publison

Using Windows 7.0 on two machines, Windows 8.1 on two and Windows 10 on one machine. All 64 bit. No problems with FTDI drivers.

Problems have always been bad cable. You need to try at least three cables. I have thrown out at least a half a dozen.

DigitalBob

I think I have found part of the problem. I'm using prop plugs I built myself. They work perfect on my XP laptop but not on any win7. So I'm trying to weed out the hardware or component issue etc. I followed the schematic from parallax prop plug. The FTDI engineer ask me to send him my pin out schematic . So he must know something about the wiring for Win7 USB . You would think if it works on any XP machine it should work on win7 and I'm not using the blue 3.0 USB either.
Anyway thanks for everyone's input. There are some very intelligent members on this forum some of you guys should be working at MIT, NASA etc.

DigitalBob

I just wanted to add that the prop plugs made by parallax work without flaws on both Xp and Win7 . And I have a pro prop board from Parallax I dropped a couple of times that caused the FTDI chip to come loose and not function. I hit it with the heat gun and it work again so I'm thinking the qfn solder came loose

Genetix

DigitalBob,

Does your homemade Prop Plug work on other Win 7 computers?
As a sanity check I would look at all the solder connections and make sure all the parts match the schematic.
If it still doesn't work then ask Parallax Tech Support to verify that Prop Plugs are built using the published schematic.

I also find it odd that dropping a board would cause the FTDI chip to come loose.
I would have expected a connector to break first.
In the future I would call Parallax first before attempting to repair it since this could have been a defect.

Rayman

I haven't had any Win7 64-bit issues with FTDI for years...

I think you must have something wrong with your board.
But, it is hard to imagine why it would work on old windows and not new windows... Very strange...

DigitalBob

The mystery continues. I spoke to the tech again at Parallax and she suggested the the FTDI 232rl that I bought from digikey was not flashed from FTDI for Win7 but only up to XP. Sounds like a good answer. So I ran that by the engineer at FTDI and he says not so I will work for either. Again it works flawless on any XP PC or laptop. Plug it into win 7 PC and nothing (I tried three different win 7 PC both 32 bit and 64 bit). If I use a parallax prop it works on either.

Rayman

I get my FTDI chips from Digikey and use them as is with Win7...

DigitalBob

And when I run it only XP I'm running continuous serial in my application led's flashing like strobe light no interrupts in the data stream etc. perfect. Prop software works identifies, loads ram etc.

DigitalBob

I found the problem it was the connections from my mini B connector to the FTDI chip. I had a FTDI 232 on a schmart board from when I was prototyping. So I wired up a mini B connector and like magic it worked on Win 7 , XP etc. I appreciate everyone's input on the problem. Anyway it was a good exercise in FTDI troubleshooting both hardware and driver for me.

Thanks again

jmg

DigitalBob wrote: »

I found the problem it was the connections from my mini B connector to the FTDI chip. I had a FTDI 232 on a schmart board from when I was prototyping. So I wired up a mini B connector and like magic it worked on Win 7 , XP etc.

What was the actual PCB change that fixed it ?

DigitalBob

It was a bonehead mistake on my part. I had 150R resistors inline on USB pin 2 and 3 going to the chip (like the ones going to the prop chip). For some reason it worked on XP USB's and not Win 7. I'm baffled why it worked at all.

jmg

DigitalBob wrote: »

.. For some reason it worked on XP USB's and not Win 7. I'm baffled why it worked at all.

Sounds more like a Chipset/Hardware issue & you just fluked a 'good' (extremely tolerant) chipset on the Laptop.

DigitalBob

Now I have a new build procedure . First I solder the FT 232RL to the board (all necessary pins are routed via traces such as grounds power etc. ) then solder the USB mini B connector to the board. Next the .1uf cap for the vicio and the 3v3 out. And then the 4.7 uf cap. across the USB 5 volt pin 1and 5. Next plug in the USB to the PC and like magic it shows up in the windows device manager under com ports and it says USB serial port (com xx) . Now I know the communications is tested before I even install the prop chip and the associated transistor,resistors etc.