Notes for WINDOWS 8 and 10 and 11 users - also how to use "Compatibility Mode"

Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10  & WINDOWS 11 users..

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WINDOWS 11 USERS
  

1ST JULY 2024. 

It has come to my notice, that certain people are having trouble gaining the COM Port in the Morse key tab. This is due to incompatiblity with "old" PL2303 usb to serial converters. so I put the following question to Google

Is PL2303 compatible with Windows 11?

 

And this is the answer I found.

 

Windows 11 and higher are NOT supported in PL-2303HXA/ TA/TB/HXD/RA/SA/EA (EOL chip version). 

 

Run PL2303 CheckChipVersion tool program in Windows XP/Vista/7 to check chip version. 

 

Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 98 and Windows ME driver technical support are discontinued. 

 

 Prolific recommends to use PL-2303GC chip.5 Jan 2024

 

At this time, the only place I could find to buy a PL-2303GC usb to serial converter, with DB9 socket, is on AliExpress

You might need to uninstall the current driver, and re-install it, when you have the new PL-2303GC cable connected to your computer/laptop, for it to be recognised. 

 

 

New Edit  17 April 2017

Some users have reported problems with the keying using Windows 10, and external key, including Paddle key, using the USB to Serial Converter, or even on the serial port of a Desktop or Tower system.

To resolve this issue, there is a "workaround"... please visit PAGE 7 of this blog,  "Keying with  a mouse adapter" for keying on Windows 10






Using the USB to Serial Converter.

According to the PLUGABLE site... you should have the correct driver downloaded, as soon as you plug in your PROLIFIC PL2303 USB TO SERIAL CONVERTER....

....   however, if you still want to get the driver.... visit this site...  BUT READ ON FURTHER DOWN.... BEFORE DOWNLOADING DRIVER...

 http://plugable.com/drivers/prolific  


IMPORTANT.....

If you are using other manufacturers usb to serial converter, then you need to check with PL2303 CHECKCHIP TOOL....  to make sure that your item has the correct chip inside... otherwise it may not work properly.





NOTE: -
Windows 8,   8.1,   and Windows 10  are NOT supported in the PL2303HXA    AND   PL2303X EOL chip versions. 


The latest chip version that IS supported is PL-2303HXD  (version HX revision D) 


or  PL2303GTA chip.


PL2303 CHECKCHIP TOOL  http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41


 From the Plugable page.... this warning....


Warning Notice:
Please be warned that counterfeit (fake) PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) USB to Serial Controller ICs using Prolific's trademark logo, brandname, and device drivers, were being sold in the China market. Counterfeit IC products show exactly the same outside chip markings but generally are of poor quality and causes Windows driver compatibility issues (Yellow Mark Error Code 10 in Device Manager). We issue this warning to all our customers and consumers to avoid confusion and false purchase.


If you are having problems getting CWCOM to work, then..... use the PL2303 chip check as above... to make sure your chip is the HXD version... not the HXA version....






  COMPATIBILITY MODE



You can also Try "compatibility mode".....  to do this...


START  > type in  CWCOM in the box above Start.... 

 or find the cwcom. exe file in your cwcom folder.

  Right click on the CWCOM icon, and find " Open File Location"... in the drop down menu.

 Left click on that...  Then Right click on the  CWCOM icon again.. 

click on Properties,

. to find "Compatibility" tab...  ..   Then  check the box at "run this program in compatibility mode for....."   

click on the arrow to get the drop down list....
of previous Windows O.S.  and I suggest you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista as compatible modes.... and I hope that works for you....  Good Luck... ).