It has been discovered that the manufacturer of the serial port adapter chips (FTDI) had implemented a "kill" function to their latest chip driver update. The result is that any counterfeit chip that receives the normal updated driver will be reprogrammed to NOT work correctly and then Windows fails to load the required drivers. This started about two weeks ago. The problematic driver has been removed from the Microsoft Windows Update site as of a few days ago, but FTDI intends to reinstate some kind of method to not allow the chips to work. It is almost impossible to tell whether you have the counterfeit chip or not since both the Chinese-made fakes and the really legit ones are both made in China.

If you have experienced problems with either the OBD1 or OBD2 adapters in the last week or two, it may be due to this update. Unfortunately at this time, there is no easy fix; but attempts are being made to find some. There are some workarounds however, so stay tuned here.

For users that have NOT yet installed the cables, do this: Download and install driver version 24 or 28 from my web site file storage area that has the OBD1 and OBD2 apps. Switch off network access (unplug network cable or turn off wifi). Plug in the adapter cable and let the driver install to version 24 or 28. Then turn off automatic driver updates (check back here for the procedure or see the last entry in the first post about the "..under $20 cables")
http://www.firebirdn...714#entry888714


Fixes: