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This page has all Product Notices applying to Bugblat products.

PN0408.1 X34 and 64-bit Vista Drivers

The 64-bit version of Windows Vista does not permit installation of the X34 drivers.

Symptoms

Windows refuses to install the X34 drivers because they are unsigned.

This only applies to users running the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, also known as the AMD64 version. It does not apply to 32-bit Windows Vista or to Windows XP.

Background

Every USB device is identified by a Vendor ID (VID) and a Product ID (PID). The X34 uses FTDI USB chips, and it uses the FTDI VID, which is 0403. Standard FTDI chips have a PID of 6001; we reprogram the chips to our own PID, which is F919. Since the FTDI chips are widely used in a variety of products, having our own non-standard PID helps to avoid driver conflicts.

We use standard FTDI binary drivers. However, the standard FTDI driver package is digitally signed to the 6001 PID, which does not match our F919 PID. Under Windows XP and Windows Vista 32, the effect of the non-match is a simple warning message when the drivers are installed.

Windows Vista 64 will not install a driver if the PID does not match the driver digital signature.

Rectification

Change the PID back to the FTDI standard value of 6001. The driver digital signature will then match the PID and the driver will install. Here is the procedure:

1. Plug the X34 into a Windows XP system.
2. Download and install the FTDI MPROG program: MProg3.0_Setup.exe. This program will reflash the PID.
3. Download and unzip the latest FTDI drivers: here.
4. Download the 6001 template for MPROG: bb6001.ept. (Note: You may also wish to download the template for reverting the X34 to an F919 PID: bbf919.ept.)
5. Run MPROG. Use File|Open to load the template, then Device|Program to reflash the X34.
6. Exit MPROG. Unplug and replug the X34 to switch to the new PID.

The X34 will now report a standard FTDI VID/PID pair and the FTDI drivers will install on Vista 64.

 

Opening up an X34

Unplug the USB cable and the probe set. It is best to do this before opening the case. Unplugging the probe set when the case is open can subject the unsupported electronics to excessive mechanical strain unless great care is taken.

One side of the case has an integral hinge, the other side has a latch. Use a small flat screwdriver to unlatch the case. Unscrew the two cross-head mounting screws.

Reassembling an X34

One half of the plastic case has two mounting posts, the other half has four mounting posts. Place the X34 with the USB connector face down in the plastic half which has four mounting posts, center the X34 horizontally, attach with the cross-head screws, and close the case.

Check that the probe connector is correctly located at the front of the case. You should be able to slide it from side to side by a very small but detectable amount.