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

[Albert Crespo]

Bob,
Glad you are always a source of help.
If you turn on a radio this weekend, try to find me at TO5A and say 
hello.
73, Al

------ Original Message ------
From: "Bob Wilson, N6TV" <n6tv at arrl.net>
To: "Win-Test Reflector" <support at win-test.com>
Sent: 22/10/2014 21:41:50
Subject: [WT-support] Caution: latest Windows Update breaks fake "FTDI" 
USB-to-Serial adapters

>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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