Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Parallax ftdi installation secrets — Parallax Forums

Parallax ftdi installation secrets

Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
edited 2010-05-27 04:03 in General Discussion
I am unable to find it, but somewhere Jeff, or someone from parallax, explained how they are doing their preinstallation of FTDI drivers. I see that somehow their installation creates a specific com port that follows that particular chip, rather the usb port. Could anyone help me out on how to do this?

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2010-05-26 22:36
    Erik,

    There's no magic. The FT232R chips have a unique ID in them, so when the PC registers the COM Port it remembers that ID associated with that COM Port. All we're doing within the BASIC Stamp Editor and Propeller Tools is launching FTDI's installer, so nothing special as far as that goes. FTDI does have a setup exe on their website for download. I hope this helps. Take care.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    ·
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2010-05-26 22:49
    Yes, I found one, but there is no link anywhere. It is the cdm20600.exe - Have you renamed it? Or where do you find it on FTDI website? I would like to use this tool and include it with my install.

    One thing I did figure out with this, if there is no serial number specified, there is a new com port created for each usb port. Otherwise the number stays the same.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2010-05-26 23:07
    The filename you listed looks like the most recent WHQL certified drivers.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    ·
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2010-05-26 23:17
    Did you have to get permission to include it with the propeller installer?
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2010-05-26 23:37
    No, and I don't believe you would need to do so either since you're not altering the code in any way. You're merely including it without charging with your software. I imagine if your software cost money there might be an issue with packaging the drivers. But then, they allow for end-users to change the drivers for their specific application and have those modified files certified by Microsoft so...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    ·
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2010-05-27 02:19
    Thanks Chris. We are charging for the software. I'll have to check this out further.
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2010-05-27 04:03
    Working from memory :

    I'm pretty sure if you are selling a product that contains the ftdi chip you are ok to include their driver installer as part of your installation process.

    Commentary :

    They'd be fools otherwise.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?"
Sign In or Register to comment.