Home > drivers, vista > RadioShack USB-to-Serial cable fix

RadioShack USB-to-Serial cable fix

March 2, 2007 Dave Mast

I’ve got a USB-to-Serial cable that I bought from Radio Shack that allows me to use my notebook’s USB port to cable in to devices like our managed switches and our phone system.  I was afraid that I might have to replace the cable when I realized that it doesn’t have Vista drivers for it.

However, if you go here, you’ll find a forum post with a fix for this.  I downloaded the fix and attempted driver installation, and things are working just fine now.

Just thought I would throw this out in case anyone else is using one of these cables.

Categories: drivers, vista
  1. Ken
    June 6, 2007 at 9:47 am | #1

    Thank you for listing the solution as had the same problem with Vista. Much appreciated

  2. T Carlson
    September 2, 2007 at 10:07 pm | #2

    OMG I have been in need of this help!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Thank you

  3. Omar
    November 14, 2007 at 7:35 pm | #3

    Can someone help me i already used that fix of that forum, first time work fine i could download the file to my satellite box but when got to used again it doesnt work and also it make my computer to crash and also try to use the cable with another laptop with XP and nothing happens. Could any one tell???

  4. November 16, 2007 at 12:42 am | #4

    Omar,

    It sounds like one of two things may have happened here:

    1.) Your USB/Serial cable is no longer working, or your drivers have been corrupted.
    2.) The “satellite box” that you’re referring to might have been bricked as a result of whatever file you downloaded it to.

    Since this is a blog and not a support site, I really can’t offer much help. But those are my initial guesses.

  5. Omar
    November 20, 2007 at 5:33 am | #5

    Dave Maist, thanks

    I have used the serial cable fine with my Xp laptop, Still some times that when i try to used with my Vista Laptop that makes crash windows but last night worked fine with the vista laptop, really don’t know whats going on.

  6. Muka Dea
    January 3, 2008 at 12:15 am | #6

    SATELLITE BOX + RS USB2SERIAL CABLE + VISTA:

    IMPORTANT STEPS:
    —————-

    STEP 1: Be sure to install the drivers properly as shown by Dave Mast. (you can also run the setup from the provided CD in compatibility mode with WIN XP SP2 and will also work [Browse CD drive > right click Driver Setup exe > go to properties” > go to “Compatibility” tab > make sure to mark the box that says “Run this program in compatibility mode for: WIN XP SP2 and hit “Apply” button.)

    STEP 2: Loaders in Vista must be run as an administrator in order to work. (Right click > Run as administrator.)

    Everything else is the same as with Win XP.

  7. January 5, 2008 at 9:23 am | #7

    Dave, thanks so much. We use the usb to serial cable for our ski timing software and equipment and this post saved us. cheers,
    Luis
    Woodstock, Vermont

  8. Hector
    January 8, 2008 at 10:34 pm | #8

    Thanks Muka Dea this reaally works

  9. January 9, 2008 at 1:48 pm | #9

    Luis: Not a problem. I’m glad I could be of help. :-)

  10. Keith
    January 19, 2008 at 11:33 pm | #10

    thanks for the fix too bad RS can not be bothered to supply it..

  11. February 13, 2008 at 11:26 am | #11

    Thanks so much for doing RadioShack’s job for them! I guess we know why RS is declining and their stock isn’t worth the paper printed on any more. KUDO’s to you!

  12. Cragi
    December 20, 2008 at 8:07 pm | #12

    THANKS SO MUCH for posting this fix…

    here it is SP1 of Vista and it still can’t find this driver on its own.

    IMHO everyone associated with Vista at M$ should be flogged what a POS operating system… and you can’t even get XP on new laptops anymore

  13. Alan
    December 25, 2008 at 3:10 pm | #13

    Where is the down load patch?? I have Vista 64 bit and a 32 bit.
    Thanks

  14. Greg
    January 3, 2009 at 8:38 pm | #14

    This does not work for Vista 64-bit, SP1. The downloaded file seesm to only list drivers for W2K and 98/ME. I We all may be hosed (by Microsoft)….

    intermod

  15. nagesh
    February 2, 2009 at 10:03 pm | #16

    test

  16. Marty
    April 16, 2009 at 8:17 pm | #17

    Had problems with Vista 32 Bit and Radio Shack cable. Had to do a restore after PC refused to start. Now got request to update Vista from windows automatic update routine to include “Radio Shack Bus Controller and Ports – Radio Shack USB to serial cable”. I asume this is on the Microsoft site. Does any body know the origin of this update? Should I go ahead and install it or try the fix above?

    Thanks for your input. Please reply to e-mail address.

  17. Viktor
    April 30, 2009 at 8:31 pm | #18

    thanks alot, i was going to be really pissed if this didn’t work

  18. July 10, 2009 at 12:32 pm | #19

    gracias

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