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

[Georgek5kg at aol.com]

Hello Al,
 
I will be looking for you from TO5A.  GL.
 
73, George, K5KG
 
George  Wagner, K5KG
Sarasota, FL 
941-400-1960 cell  

 
In a message dated 10/22/2014 6:10:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
f5vhj at orange.fr writes:

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_ (mailto:n6tv at arrl.net) >
To: "Win-Test Reflector" <_support at win-test.com_ 
(mailto: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-ki
lling-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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