USB Driver does not work for my Axon

[waylon531]

I have two Ubuntu computers and a Vista. Both of my Ubuntu computers would not detect the Axon at all after I plugged it in, even after I had installed the drivers using Wine. On the Vista, it detected the Axon, but it said it was an unknown device, and the driver didn't change that. I was wondering if there is a solution to my problem, or if I have to get a new computer.

[Admin]

You've probably already double checked, but just in case, are you absolutely sure you downloaded/installed the proper drivers, and even tried a restart?

[waylon531]

Yes. I tried redownloading the software two times, but it still didn't work.

[Admin]

64 bit or 32 bit Vista?

[Admin]

Also, browse through these and see if any are helpful.

One person got it working, and another just bought an ISP programmer.

[Admin]

One more thought . . . give it a try on an XP machine and see if it works fine.

[waylon531]

I am running 32-bit Vista

[waylon531]

I tried it on XP, but it did not work. Also, it thinks windows manufactured it and didn't let me install the correct drivers.

[Admin]

I tried it on XP, but it did not work. Also, it thinks windows manufactured it and didn't let me install the correct drivers.

hmmmmm well, it won't work until the drivers get installed . . .

Go into Device Manager, then plug in the Axon USB. See what pops up. Right click it, then uninstall whatever driver it has. Then install the Silabs driver.

[waylon531]

The problem is, my computer thinks it doesn't need a driver and won't let me install a new driver for it. Whenever I try to update the drivers from the Silabs folder, it thinks the driver is already up to date and won't install the Silabs driver.

[Admin]

What happens when you click the uninstall button?

[waylon531]

If I click uninstall, the "Unknown Device" doesn't show up on my computer in the hardware manager and I have to unplug it and plug it in to my computer.

[Admin]

If I click uninstall, the "Unknown Device" doesn't show up on my computer in the hardware manager and I have to unplug it and plug it in to my computer.

You must uninstall whatever driver Windows is using for it, then install the Silabs USB driver for the Axon.

[waylon531]

How do I install the Silabs driver to it once I uninstall the windows driver?

[Razor Concepts]

http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/pages/usbtouartbridgevcpdrivers.aspx

[waylon531]

I already installed that to my computer. Am I supposed to install it in a specific directory?

[Admin]

waylon531, I suspect the problems you are having are from not properly following the instructions.

Your PC, for some reason, has a USB driver that wants to use the Axon. But you said it fails to work, and that you were unable to install the Silabs driver.

So, you uninstall the driver already there so your PC will want to use the Silabs driver instead.

To install, you simply run the executable:
http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/Software/CP210x_VCP_Win_XP_S2K3_Vista_7.exe

Then you plug in your Axon, and Vista will do an auto-detect and run an installation wizard for you.

[waylon531]

I tried that twice and it still didn't work

[Admin]

I tried that twice and it still didn't work

What error(s) did it give you?

[waylon531]

It doesn't show any errors, it just doesn't work. Once i am actually installing the driver though, it says it is already installed.

[waylon531]

If I got a Bluetooth UART, would that work or would I still have to have the driver?

[rbtying]

It doesn't show any errors, it just doesn't work. Once i am actually installing the driver though, it says it is already installed.

Sounds like some sort of configuration error.

If I got a Bluetooth UART, would that work or would I still have to have the driver?

As far as I know, you can't program through the Bluetooth USARTs, because flow control doesn't match up.  You may want to try xBee: others have had success with that.

[waylon531]

As far as I know, you can't program through the Bluetooth USARTs, because flow control doesn't match up.  You may want to try xBee: others have had success with that.

Would http://www.robotshop.com/technological-arts-xbee-usb-board.html work?

[Admin]

I am still unclear on your problem . . . I need to know more details on what you are doing, and the errors you are getting, for me to help you. Tell me exactly and in detail what happens when you follow these steps.

follow these steps:
1) use Vista 32 bit, NOT in Wine
2) plug your Axon into USB
3) go into device manager and uninstall the driver for your Axon
4) unplug your Axon from USB
5) install the Silabs driver
6) plug your Axon into USB
7) a wizard should appear asking you to install something - read the instructions carefully
open up Device Manager, and tell me what you see in the Ports section

[waylon531]

My problem is: I followed all of those steps, but a wizard never appeared asking me about the device. It just shows up as Unknown Device in hardware manager.

[Admin]

It honestly sounds like something is wrong with your computer, and/or a driver incompatibility. It's outside of my ability to help you . . .

Go here:
http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/usb/Pages/default.aspx

At the top is a button that says 'Support'. You'll see several options to get further help on the CP2102 USB adapter.

sorry!

[waylon531]

Can I send in my Axon for a different one? I have tried it on 5 different computers and it always showed up as "Unknown Device"

[Admin]

Just one more thought . . . I once had the USB cable actually fail on me, so if you can find another try swapping it out and see what happens.

Beyond that, I'll send you an email.

[waylon531]

I tried that and it didn't work.