Prolific USB-Serial


  1. Posts : 239
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    Prolific USB-Serial


    I've previously had this working on my system but, for whatever reason, it's no longer being recognised by my mapping software when I attempt to transfer routes to my GPS.

    As you can see the driver is installed but with an exclamation mark to indicate a problem.

    Searching automatically for an update does not work & when I manually select the driver that I have, it comes with the comment that the correct driver is installed - but still not working.

    Prolific USB-Serial-prolific.jpg

    Any suggestions or comment appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #2

    Hello Wightwalker,

    You need to roll back to an earlier driver. The newer drivers have a built in check that detects when older devices do not have the correct chips. If rollback fails you need to reinstall the original driver that came with your USB-Serial port attachment.

    The problem relates to China imports which are fake chips and were used in many devices sold in recent years. See the warning on the Prolific page and also do a Google search.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 239
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks.

    Have now got things working in a rather 'round-about' way.

    I have 2 USB - Serial Interface cables.


    1. The older which used to previously work on Windows 10 still works OK on a Windows XP Laptop proving that the interface is still functional.
    2. The newer interface cables when connected to Windows 10 automatically installs the drivers & works on Windows 10, but will not work on Windows XP (I don't have a driver disk for this cable but it is CH340 v3.4.2014.8)
    3. If I uninstall all relevant drivers, then install my original Vista Driver v3.2.0. & plug in the interface cable, Windows 10 will then update drivers BUT with Code 10 error. If I now update drivers back to v3.2.0.0 it works & I have a singe interface cable that works on both Windows 10 & Windows XP

      Prolific USB-Serial-updatedriver.jpg

      However, when I unplug the cable & re-insert, Windows 10 will automatically update the drivers to the NON-Working ones & I have to then re-select the v3.2.0.0 ones every time.

      Is there a way to stop Windows 10 from updating these drivers every time the cable is inserted?
      I've tried changes the System settings for updates but without success.

    Prolific USB-Serial-settings.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #4

    Yes there is a tool that will hide certain driver updates and you select which ones. Here is the link:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 239
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    philc43 said:
    Yes there is a tool that will hide certain driver updates and you select which ones. Here is the link:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8...dows-10-a.html
    Thanks, but if I understand how this works, it only allows you to select & prevent updates that are due to be installed.

    When I plug the USB cable in, the driver is updated from within Windows itself & without the need to download anything at all.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #6

    Have you tried uninstalling the updates first so that they are not available on your system?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 239
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    philc43 said:
    Have you tried uninstalling the updates first so that they are not available on your system?
    Yes.

    I uninstalled the prolific drivers, then installed v3.2.0.0.

    As soon as I plugged the USB cable into the port, Windows immediately changed these v3.6.81.357 & v 3.8.1.3 which don't work.

    Changing these back to v3.2.0.0 works but as previously mentioned as soon as I remove the cable/switch the PC off & re-insert the cable, Windows does a repeat & replaces these with v3.6.81.357 & v 3.8.1.3.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #8

    Try deleting the driver files from the system folder as well so that windows doesn't find them again.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 4,779
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #9

    With the cable plugged in, using the latest drive, go to the Device Manager and Right click the Prolific device and Uninstall it, it should ask if you want to Delete the driver files as well. Do so, then restart.
    If that doesn't happen, right click the device, choose Properties/Driver/Driver Details. This will show you the location of the driver files, and you can manually delete them.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,779
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #10

    With the cable plugged in, using the latest drive, go to the Device Manager and Right click the Prolific device and Uninstall it, it should ask if you want to Delete the driver files as well. Do so, then restart. If that doesn't happen, right click the device, choose Properties/Driver/Driver Details.This will show you the location of the driver files, and you can manually delete them.
      My Computer


 

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