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Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: n1ist on October 23, 2014, 09:56:04 am

Title: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: n1ist on October 23, 2014, 09:56:04 am

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
http://hackaday.com/2014/10/22/watch-that-windows-update-ftdi-drivers-are-killing-fake-chips/
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ftdi-driver-kills-fake-ftdi-ft232/

/mike

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: Gary on October 31, 2014, 03:52:25 pm

How would you know if yours is fake?

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: tbone321 on October 31, 2014, 08:49:42 pm

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.

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: Gary on November 01, 2014, 01:08:03 am

But I hope that if the parts were from Mouser, they wouldn't be counterfeit?

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: tbone321 on November 01, 2014, 01:18:19 am

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.

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: Gary on November 02, 2014, 04:00:15 pm

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.

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: tbone321 on November 02, 2014, 05:23:59 pm

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.

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: n1ist on November 02, 2014, 07:28:02 pm

I wouldn't expect problems from Mouser;  fake Arduinos and usb-rs485 adapters from eBay are more at risk...
/mike

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: TexasStingray on December 01, 2014, 02:40:46 pm

Is there a way to prevent windows from updating this driver?

Title: Re: Caution - Windows update bricks fake FTDI chips
Post by: n1ist on December 01, 2014, 08:52:38 pm

Microchip removed that version of the driver from Windows update, so I think you should be OK now.
/mike