[WT-support] Caution: latest Windows Update breaks fake "FTDI" USB-to-Serial adapters

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

I have not experienced this myself.  I don't know anyone personally who has
seen this yet.

Reports indicate that the latest Windows Update will permanently damage a
USB-to-Serial adapter if it is found to be using a "fake" or "cloned" FTDI
chip instead of a genuine FTDI chip.

This applies to Windows 7 and later.  You can read more about it there:

http://hackaday.com/2014/10/22/watch-that-windows-update-ftdi-drivers-are-killing-fake-chips/
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ftdi-driver-kills-fake-ftdi-ft232/


Recommendation:  if you use a USB-to-Serial adapter based on the FTDI
chipset, avoid any Windows Updates until after contest season, or use
Windows XP instead of Windows 7 or 8.

If you use an adapter based on Prolific, you may have other problems.  I
believe there are far more fake Prolific adapters than fake FTDI adapters.
These fake Prolific adapters often cause a random "Blue Screen of Death,"
or they work for a little while then mysteriously stop working.

How do you know if you have a genuine USB-to-Serial adapter or a fake one?
There apparently is no easy way to tell (yet).  Post something here if you
discover a utility that can help.

In the mean time, buy name brand (such as GearMo) from reputable dealers
(such as Amazon.com), and you should be OK.

73,
Bob, N6TV
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