K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

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K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

George Winship, NC5G
Ok, Guys and Gals, I am wanting to explore some new adventures in ham radio and at least try to get into the 20th century. I just built the RS232 cable for the K2/100 and received a USB to serial adapter from Saelig. It has the FDTI chipset. Have not hooked any of this together yet.

It is my understanding that Windows 7 already has the drivers installed. A sticker on the cable says to go to the FDTI web site and download drivers before plugging the cable in. Is this something that I need to do?

What is the proper sequence that I need to follow in order to get the K2, computer, and HRD to work together?

FYI, I have never had a computer hooked to a radio, never used a computer logging program, or operated in any digital modes other than morse code and I am relearning that!

Probably be tonight or tomorrow before I get a chance to play with this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

73,
George, NC5G
K2/100  2217

   
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Re: K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

Bill K9YEQ
George,

You can plug in the adapter in most instances and then have WIN7 search for
the updates on line.  If that doesn't work, then go to the support link of
the Company that made the device and you should be able to get the drivers.
The serial adapters I use, including a very nice one from Elecraft is
automatic.  If you go cheapo route like many of us do at times, that route
may be necessary.  I like the Elecraft adapter as it is well designed and
hasn't failed.  I have used one good brand and one off brand that have
failed, probably due to RFI (I run 1.5 KW) and grounding failures.  

Win7 drivers work well.  I also use 64 bit and the Professional version vs
Home.  I only do PRO, NEVER Home versions.  There are differences which you
can determine through an on-line search.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ


-----Original Message-----

Ok, Guys and Gals, I am wanting to explore some new adventures in ham radio
and at least try to get into the 20th century. I just built the RS232 cable
for the K2/100 and received a USB to serial adapter from Saelig. It has the
FDTI chipset. Have not hooked any of this together yet.

It is my understanding that Windows 7 already has the drivers installed. A
sticker on the cable says to go to the FDTI web site and download drivers
before plugging the cable in. Is this something that I need to do?

What is the proper sequence that I need to follow in order to get the K2,
computer, and HRD to work together?

FYI, I have never had a computer hooked to a radio, never used a computer
logging program, or operated in any digital modes other than morse code and
I am relearning that!

Probably be tonight or tomorrow before I get a chance to play with this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

73,
George, NC5G
K2/100  2217

   

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Re: K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

ac0h
In reply to this post by George Winship, NC5G
The chances of your Win 7 install having the newest up to date drivers
for your USB to Serial adapter are slim to none. Win 7 is over a year
old now and the built in driver update "feature" almost never works.

Likewise, if the device came with a CD with drivers on it they're more
than likely woefully out of date. No telling how long the device has
been sitting on the shelf.

When dealing with windows of all flavors it is best to ALWAYS install
the drivers before plugging the USB device in for the first time.

The only exception to that rule are cards which get plugged into
the computer motherboard.


 
> It is my understanding that Windows 7 already has the drivers
> installed. A sticker on the cable says to go to the FDTI web site and
> download drivers before plugging the cable in. Is this something that
> I need to do?




--
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
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Re: K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

Fred Townsend
Kevin I disagree with almost everything you state. My WIN7 has always found
the correct driver, even when the hardware was pretty old. Yes previous to
XP it was necessary to install the drivers before the hardware but that
hasn't been true in a long time. You also seem to feel the drivers obsolesce
quickly. I have seldom seen them updated but occasional they need a second
try. BTW cards that plug into the motherboard with the exception of special
video, don't need drivers but usually have specific application software.
Drivers are very different from applications.

73
de Fred, AE6QL

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of R. Kevin Stover
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2011 1:29 PM
To: George Winship, NC5G
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged
op/?

The chances of your Win 7 install having the newest up to date drivers for
your USB to Serial adapter are slim to none. Win 7 is over a year old now
and the built in driver update "feature" almost never works.

Likewise, if the device came with a CD with drivers on it they're more than
likely woefully out of date. No telling how long the device has been sitting
on the shelf.

When dealing with windows of all flavors it is best to ALWAYS install the
drivers before plugging the USB device in for the first time.

The only exception to that rule are cards which get plugged into the
computer motherboard.


 
> It is my understanding that Windows 7 already has the drivers
> installed. A sticker on the cable says to go to the FDTI web site and
> download drivers before plugging the cable in. Is this something that
> I need to do?




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Re: K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

ac0h
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 14:07:10 -0700
"Fred Townsend" <[hidden email]> wrote:

 My WIN7 has always found the correct driver, even when the hardware was pretty old.

Yes, I would expect it to....because the hardware is older. Add to that
the fact that Win 7 only searches for Microsoft certified drivers. The
latest bug fix from your video or sound card manufacturer more than
likely hasn't been certified.

> previous to XP it was necessary to install the drivers before the
> hardware but that hasn't been true in a long time.

Was true for XP and still true for Win 7, at least for HP USB
printers, Blackberry's, Verizon USB cards, USB sound cards, my Winkey
USB, my SingnaLink USB, etc....

We're in the process of switching 15K remote laptop users over to Win
7 from XP. IF the printer is old enough to have drivers included with
windows and IF the driver doesn't require admin rights to install, the
users have a chance for plug and pray to work, otherwise.......

<You also seem to feel the drivers obsolesce quickly.

Of course they do, that's how manufacturers push bug fixes and
new features out to users. FTDI has updated it's USB to Serial adapter
chipset drivers several times since the K3 came out.

IMHO it's a mistake to put the OS in charge of updating drivers.




--
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
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Re: K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

Matthew Pitts
Actually, you don&#39;t have to use the Microsoft Certified drivers from Windows Update, or from the suggested download link if using the auto-detect feature; I&#39;m currently using a WinXP driver for my DSL modem (don&#39;t ask why, it&#39;s complicated to explain) and another USB peripheral has a newer driver than the one Win7 recommends.

Matthew D. Pitts
N8OHU


________________________________
From: R. Kevin Stover &lt;[hidden email]&gt;
To: Fred Townsend &lt;[hidden email]&gt;
Cc: [hidden email]; &quot;&#39;George Winship, NC5G&#39;&quot; &lt;[hidden email]&gt;
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2011 6:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/100/KAT100/Windows7-64/HRDv5/Computer challenged op/?

On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 14:07:10 -0700
&quot;Fred Townsend&quot; &lt;[hidden email]&gt; wrote:

My WIN7 has always found the correct driver, even when the hardware was pretty old.

Yes, I would expect it to....because the hardware is older. Add to that
the fact that Win 7 only searches for Microsoft certified drivers. The
latest bug fix from your video or sound card manufacturer more than
likely hasn&#39;t been certified.

&gt; previous to XP it was necessary to install the drivers before the
&gt; hardware but that hasn&#39;t been true in a long time.

Was true for XP and still true for Win 7, at least for HP USB
printers, Blackberry&#39;s, Verizon USB cards, USB sound cards, my Winkey
USB, my SingnaLink USB, etc....

We&#39;re in the process of switching 15K remote laptop users over to Win
7 from XP. IF the printer is old enough to have drivers included with
windows and IF the driver doesn&#39;t require admin rights to install, the
users have a chance for plug and pray to work, otherwise.......

&lt;You also seem to feel the drivers obsolesce quickly.

Of course they do, that&#39;s how manufacturers push bug fixes and
new features out to users. FTDI has updated it&#39;s USB to Serial adapter
chipset drivers several times since the K3 came out.

IMHO it&#39;s a mistake to put the OS in charge of updating drivers.




--
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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