Author Topic: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips  (Read 4068 times)

Offline n1ist

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FTDI has just released a new driver, pushed by Microsoft in a recent Windows update, that will render counterfeit USB-Serial chips non-functional.
This driver changes the data on the chip to have a product ID of 0 (invalid), so once it has been plugged into a Windows box with the new driver,
it won't work even if you restore the old driver.

This happens with many of the "clone" or "fake" FTDI chips found on the cheap eBay/Alibaba usb-serial, usb-rs485, arduino clones, et al.  So if a device was working and dies after this Windows update, it's the driver that's causing it.

For more info, and some workarounds, look at
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/mike

Offline Gary

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2014, »
How would you know if yours is fake?
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Offline tbone321

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2014, »
When you load the new driver in Windows, you will find out then.  If you are running Linux, then it is not an issue.  It is not the hardware that they are trying to stop, it is other people using their drivers that they are trying to put a stop to and IIRC, the Linux drivers are not owned by them like the Windows version so the Linux drivers have no negative effect.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline Gary

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2014, »
But I hope that if the parts were from Mouser, they wouldn't be counterfeit?
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Offline tbone321

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2014, »
What exactly are you talking about?  If you are talking about a chip, I believe that Mouser may be one of their authorized dealers and the chip should be fine.  If Mouser said that it was a FTDI chip and it bricks, then they owe you a new chip because they didn't sell you what they advertised.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline Gary

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2014, »
Yeah, I suppose Mouser is pretty legit and safe, but I've heard many stories of counterfeit stuff making its way into legitimate retailers. I'll just assume my stuff is okay.
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Offline tbone321

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2014, »
Like I said, I believe that Mouser is one of their authorized distributors and if so, then they get their chips directly from the manufacturer.  Mouser also has a good rep and they have it by making sure that the parts that they sell are what they are claimed to be.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline n1ist

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2014, »
I wouldn't expect problems from Mouser;  fake Arduinos and usb-rs485 adapters from eBay are more at risk...
/mike

Offline TexasStingray

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2014, »
Is there a way to prevent windows from updating this driver?
Scott Wanner
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Offline n1ist

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Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2014, »
Microchip removed that version of the driver from Windows update, so I think you should be OK now.
/mike