XP USB to serial converter install

I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb, and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.

What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for the task at hand.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

Gary Little wrote:

I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd
party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the
nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb,
and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or
in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the
new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the
machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it
already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.

What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this
because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a
day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes
every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious
solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to
use XP for the task at hand.

Why does he see the hardware wizard? Does the USB chain change in some
way? Do the converters not have serial numbers?


Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

Tim,

We take an FTDI chip set and soldier it onto our board to permit us to run our debugger via a serial port on our hard drives, Nothing new, Seagate does the same thing. The tech that builds this converter is therefore continually plugging in new USB devices every time he builds a new one. Each device does have a serial number, though whether it is unique is not known. It may be that all devices have the same SN, given the behavior we are seeing, I tend to believe the SNs are different, and my be the reason for the wizard running. (Frankly, I haven’t done that much with USB, and tend to slide over USB discussions since it’s not in my area of interest, until now.)

What we see is that given device A, XP, and 4 USB ports, each time A is inserted into one of those USB ports, the hardware wizard runs on each port the first time. A can then be moved from port to port without the wizard running. Now add in device B and again the wizard runs every time B is moved to a USB port until it has been in all 4 and then and B can be moved willy nilly with no wizard intervention. Add C and the same thing happens until it has visited all USB ports. In short, anytime a new device is introduced to any USB port the wizard runs, even though the device is the same, other than serial number. I’ve examined the XP Windows\Inf directory and there is a plethora of OEMXX.inf files in existence with copies of the INF file we use to install.

This behavior is different in Win 7, in that once the wizard runs for device A, it does not run again for B or C in any port.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

On Jan 4, 2012, at 2:08 PM, Tim Roberts wrote:

Gary Little wrote:
> I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd
> party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the
> nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb,
> and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or
> in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the
> new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the
> machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it
> already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.
>
> What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this
> because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a
> day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes
> every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious
> solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to
> use XP for the task at hand.

Why does he see the hardware wizard? Does the USB chain change in some
way? Do the converters not have serial numbers?


Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.


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Sorry but I proof-read this after posting and found some edits that need to be made:

Each device does have a serial number, though whether it is unique is not known. It may be that all devices have the same SN, but given the behavior we are seeing, I tend to believe the SNs are different, and may be the reason for the wizard running.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

On Jan 4, 2012, at 3:22 PM, Gary Little wrote:

Tim,

We take an FTDI chip set and soldier it onto our board to permit us to run our debugger via a serial port on our hard drives, Nothing new, Seagate does the same thing. The tech that builds this converter is therefore continually plugging in new USB devices every time he builds a new one. Each device does have a serial number, though whether it is unique is not known. It may be that all devices have the same SN, given the behavior we are seeing, I tend to believe the SNs are different, and my be the reason for the wizard running. (Frankly, I haven’t done that much with USB, and tend to slide over USB discussions since it’s not in my area of interest, until now.)

What we see is that given device A, XP, and 4 USB ports, each time A is inserted into one of those USB ports, the hardware wizard runs on each port the first time. A can then be moved from port to port without the wizard running. Now add in device B and again the wizard runs every time B is moved to a USB port until it has been in all 4 and then and B can be moved willy nilly with no wizard intervention. Add C and the same thing happens until it has visited all USB ports. In short, anytime a new device is introduced to any USB port the wizard runs, even though the device is the same, other than serial number. I’ve examined the XP Windows\Inf directory and there is a plethora of OEMXX.inf files in existence with copies of the INF file we use to install.

This behavior is different in Win 7, in that once the wizard runs for device A, it does not run again for B or C in any port.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

On Jan 4, 2012, at 2:08 PM, Tim Roberts wrote:

> Gary Little wrote:
>> I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd
>> party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the
>> nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb,
>> and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or
>> in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the
>> new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the
>> machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it
>> already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.
>>
>> What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this
>> because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a
>> day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes
>> every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious
>> solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to
>> use XP for the task at hand.
>
> Why does he see the hardware wizard? Does the USB chain change in some
> way? Do the converters not have serial numbers?
>
> –
> Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
> Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.
>
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer


NTDEV is sponsored by OSR

For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
http://www.osr.com/seminars

To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer

You haven’t mentioned WHQL signing, which is our usual stock answer for silent driver installation. Is the driver WHQL signed?

Tim,


From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
Sent: 04 January 2012 19:37
To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
Subject: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install

I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb, and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.

What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for the task at hand.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.netmailto:xxxxx


NTDEV is sponsored by OSR

For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
http://www.osr.com/seminars

To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer</mailto:xxxxx>

Tim,

I’m going to say yes, but we modify the inf files for our usage. We do not change the binaries nor the SYS signatures since it does install in 64 bit os’s. Again I think that part of the problem.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 4, 2012, at 15:53, Tim Green wrote:

> You haven’t mentioned WHQL signing, which is our usual stock answer for silent driver installation. Is the driver WHQL signed?
>
> Tim,
> ________________________________________
> From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
> Sent: 04 January 2012 19:37
> To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
> Subject: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install
>
> I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb, and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.
>
> What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for the task at hand.
>
> Gary Little
> H (952) 223-1349
> C (952) 454-4629
> xxxxx@comcast.netmailto:xxxxx
>
>
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer</mailto:xxxxx>

Modifying the INF breaks WHQL signing as it is included in the catalog file list of checksums. If you control the system you could go for self signing.

Tim.


From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
Sent: 04 January 2012 22:08
To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
Subject: Re: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install

Tim,

I’m going to say yes, but we modify the inf files for our usage. We do not change the binaries nor the SYS signatures since it does install in 64 bit os’s. Again I think that part of the problem.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 4, 2012, at 15:53, Tim Green wrote:

> You haven’t mentioned WHQL signing, which is our usual stock answer for silent driver installation. Is the driver WHQL signed?
>
> Tim,
> ________________________________________
> From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
> Sent: 04 January 2012 19:37
> To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
> Subject: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install
>
> I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb, and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.
>
> What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for the task at hand.
>
> Gary Little
> H (952) 223-1349
> C (952) 454-4629
> xxxxx@comcast.netmailto:xxxxx
>
>
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer


NTDEV is sponsored by OSR

For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
http://www.osr.com/seminars

To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer</mailto:xxxxx>

Yeah, I suspect it’s the violation to the WHQL signature that changes the silent install. However, would Win 7 modify that behavior?

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

On Jan 4, 2012, at 4:11 PM, Tim Green wrote:

Modifying the INF breaks WHQL signing as it is included in the catalog file list of checksums. If you control the system you could go for self signing.

Tim.


From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
Sent: 04 January 2012 22:08
To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
Subject: Re: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install

Tim,

I’m going to say yes, but we modify the inf files for our usage. We do not change the binaries nor the SYS signatures since it does install in 64 bit os’s. Again I think that part of the problem.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 4, 2012, at 15:53, Tim Green wrote:
>
>> You haven’t mentioned WHQL signing, which is our usual stock answer for silent driver installation. Is the driver WHQL signed?
>>
>> Tim,
>> ________________________________________
>> From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com [xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary Little [xxxxx@comcast.net]
>> Sent: 04 January 2012 19:37
>> To: Windows System Software Devs Interest List
>> Subject: [ntdev] XP USB to serial converter install
>>
>> I’m looking for a means, if it even exists, to silently install 3rd party USB to serial converter drivers on USB ports on XP. On Win 7 the nag boxes pop one time across the board and the system is fat, dumb, and happy no matter how many times things get plugged or unplugged, or in which existing USB ports. XP, on the other hand, nags you with the new hardware nag boxes if you so much as look cross-eyed at the machine. What I want to do is to have XP to shut up and use what it already has, which is what I’m going to install anyway.
>>
>> What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for the task at hand.
>>
>> Gary Little
>> H (952) 223-1349
>> C (952) 454-4629
>> xxxxx@comcast.netmailto:xxxxx
>>
>>
>>
>> —
>> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>>
>> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
>> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>>
>> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer
>>
>> —
>> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>>
>> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
>> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>>
>> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer
>
> —
> NTDEV is sponsored by OSR
>
> For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
> http://www.osr.com/seminars
>
> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server section of OSR Online at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=ListServer</mailto:xxxxx>

> We take an FTDI chip set and soldier it onto our board to permit us to run our debugger via a

serial port on our hard drives, Nothing new, Seagate does the same thing. The tech that builds this
converter is therefore continually plugging in new USB devices every time he builds a new one.
Each device does have a serial number, though whether it is unique is not known. It may be that
all devices have the same SN, given the behavior we are seeing, I tend to believe the SNs are
different, and my be the reason for the wizard running. (Frankly, I haven’t done that much with
USB, and tend to slide over USB discussions since it’s not in my area of interest, until now.)

Add the following to the registry of the the machine.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags]
“IgnoreHWSerNum”=hex:01
Replace and with the USB VID and PID of your device. Example:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags]
“IgnoreHWSerNum0D9A0048”=hex:01
You need to reboot the machine for it to take effect.
Google ?IgnoreHWSerNum? for further details.

Leo Havm?ller.

Hey Gary…

It sounds to ME like the behavior you’re seeing is working “as designed.”

I like Mr. Havm?ller’s idea of disabling serial number recognition… give that a try. Or, change the device firmware so it doesn’t have a serial number if that’s an option (note that this IS a legal USB option).

Peter
OSR

We’ve done some preliminary testing and it looks like Leo’s suggestion may be the one. We’ll give Tim G’s a try too if need be.

Gary Little
H (952) 223-1349
C (952) 454-4629
xxxxx@comcast.net

On Jan 5, 2012, at 8:35 AM, xxxxx@osr.com wrote:

Hey Gary…

It sounds to ME like the behavior you’re seeing is working “as designed.”

I like Mr. Havm?ller’s idea of disabling serial number recognition… give that a try. Or, change the device firmware so it doesn’t have a serial number if that’s an option (note that this IS a legal USB option).

Peter
OSR


NTDEV is sponsored by OSR

For our schedule of WDF, WDM, debugging and other seminars visit:
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On 1/4/2012 8:37 PM, Gary Little wrote:

What we have is a tech that is complaining to my group about this
because his task causes him to make changes to hardware many times a
day, causing XP to bang him with 4 of those add hardware nag boxes every
time he makes a hardware change. Yeah, i know, the obvious solution is
to move to Win 7, but that is not a solution and he has to use XP for
the task at hand.

http://www.osronline.com/showthread.cfm?link=120681

Nice to hear that from Win7, USB connections are treated “like a cable”.