[TowerTalk] AIM-4170 driver issues

K8RI K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net
Tue Jul 24 21:36:41 PDT 2012


On 7/24/2012 11:54 PM, Frank wrote:
> Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>
>> This is a long standing problem known to many people but
>> very poorly documented by the AIM-4170 vendor.  What you have to
>> do is get the executable (.exe) driver installation file from the vendor
>> and run the file, which installs the driver.  Attempting to install a
>> driver file (.inf) of any kind from device manager doesn't work.
>> Installing the USB chip vendor's driver doesn't work.
>>
>> You should also buy the "official approved" USB serial dongle they
>> recommended.  I think you have to ask for the executable file, but it
>> may be up on the web site by now.

I had already done both although I don't see that as a dongle.

>>
>> I've run into a fair number of computer accessories that work
>> this way.

As computers are my profession (not PCs) I don't see this happening near 
as often as it used to, but Win 7 depends more on device signing and 
doesn't always like to play nice.

>> If it comes with an .exe on a CD, you want to run
>> that before plugging it in.  The problem with the AIM-4170
>> is that the .exe you need does NOT come with it on a CD, you
>> have to know to ask for it.
>>

I studied it thoroughly and had followed the directions and they are 
very explicit about downloading the software BUT you have to be careful 
with the sequence you do things because you do have to have the 4170 
plugged in AND turned on *Before* you install the program which is the 
opposite you do with the driver USB/Serial converter.  They do tell you 
there is an executaqble version of the driver, but also tell you that 
you most likely will end up with the driver installed as soon as you 
plug in the converter.  With Win 7 both Esata and USB I usually just 
plug things in while the computer is running be it external drives or 
other hardware like a head set. It find it, discoveres what it is and 
installs the drivers, usually in just a few seconds.

I instinctively plug things in first as do most people which is not the 
way to go for older hardware.

>> I only have WinXP.  I don't know about windows 7.  It may
>> be that you are trying to install a 32 bit driver on a 64
>> bit machine.

I did run Win XP Pro 64 on all 5 machines but there were not a lot of 
applications written for the 64 bit version, but it was picky as to 
whether the application had been compiled as a 64 or 32 bit application. 
64 bit Win 7 will usually run 32 bit applications without complaining, 
or at least it has for me.
The driver for the uSB to serial converter is advertized as working with 
either 32 or 64 bit.  If it is written in straight forward, simple code 
it's not terribly difficult to do.

So, I'm headed back out to remove the device and install the driver.  IF 
you have the driver in the right directory it should self install as 
soon as it finds the new device, but...   The directions for the program 
are a bit confusing because you really never install the program for the 
4170 other than unpacking the actual executable in a directory and 
running it from there.  it does not go into the registry near as I can 
tell.  I've "installed" a number of DOS programs like this and they have 
all worked.
Put the executable DOS program in a directory, create a shortcut to the 
exe, move it to the desk top and it'll run just by clicking on the 
shortcut.  You can usually do that with EXEs written for XP, Win 7, or 
even 98.

BTW there's a 22 page tutorial on how set up the USB to serial converter 
executable although a lot of it is just screen shots.




>>
>> I hope this helps.
>>
>> Rick N6RK

I had forgotten about that backward sequence so it probably will.

Thanks,

73

Roger (K8RI)


>>
>>
>> On 7/24/2012 6:15 PM, K8RI wrote:
>>
>>
>>> On 7/17/2012 2:28 PM, K8RI wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> I know we've discussed this before, but I couldn't find the specific
>>>> information.
>>>>
>>>> What are the best antenna analyzers for the Ham market?  I'm referring
>>>> to both portable and computer based.  I have not found the MFJ line to
>>>> be satisfactory. I have used one for some years.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Welll... I have the AIM 4170C hooked up, but the driver in Win 7 (64
>>> bit) will not install for the USB/serial converter.  It knows it's there
>>> and even properly identifies it, but can't find a driver.
>>>
>>> I've also downloaded the driver from the Internet, but it can't find it.
>>> There is also a self installing version of the driver which I've also
>>> tried. No go so far.
>>>
>>> The 858 program works fine in demo mode, but without the device driver
>>> there is nothing to set up or configure.
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Roger (K8RI)
>>>
>>>
>>> Unzip
>>>
>>>
>>>> 73
>>>>
>>>> Roger (K8RI)
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
> Most ham radio software (at least the stuff I use) runs just fine on
> Pentium IIIs and even Pentium IIs.  You can get one of those old boxes
> for next to nothing, load it up with lots of memory if you need the
> capability and use the serial ports the machine came with.
>
> If you also need usb ports, add a card.  Usb add-on cards don't need
> drivers if you use XP.
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