cdc_NTXPVista.inf driver will not load in Vista SP1

[Bill_Smith]

O.K. Enough is enough! Now I need some expert help.

I have been trying to install the cdc_NTXPVista.inf driver all morning long and despite all my efforts, Vista refuses to load the driver.

Yes, I am logged in as the Administrator. If you let Vista try to find the driver on its own, it doesn't. When you select the C:\Program Files\PICC\Drivers directory, it finds the inf file, but then exits throwing up a dialog saying that this driver caused an internal error. I am running PCWHD version 4.071 with MPLAB 8.02. Target is a PIC18F2455, debugging via a RealICE.

I have used the cdc_NTXP driver a thousand times before in Windows XP and never ran into a problem loading it. Anyone else been in this situation?

Best Regards,

Bill

[Bill_Smith]

I solved the problem. In case anyone is interested, here is the solution:

The real secret for me was locating the following Microsoft developer thread, which gave me the idea of changing the inf file. Even though this solved my problem, I still feel a bit uneasy because I don't completely understand what my file changes did to correct the problem. Never the less, the driver is now working fine in Vista.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb332198.aspx

1. Copy the cdc_NTXPVista.inf file from the CCS drivers directory to your desktop. Vista won't let you make direct file changes in the Program Files directory.
2. Open up the cdc_NTXPVista.inf file with a text editor and add Include=mdmcpq.inf to the beginning of sections [Reader.NT.Copy], [Reader.NT.AddReg], [Reader.NT.Services], and [Service_Inst]. Then copy this modified file back to your CCS drivers directory.
3. Open up the Device Manager and RIGHT-CLICK on the non-connected CCS USB device listed. Then select UPDATE DRIVER SOFTWARE.
4. Select "Browse My Computer For Driver Software".
5. Select "Let Me Pick From a List of Drivers".
6. Select the HAVE DISK button. Then navigate to the CCS drivers directory and select the cdc_NTXPVista.inf file.
7. After a few seconds you will be presented a list with three items, USB to RS232, USB to UART, and USB to UART. Only the last item, the second USB to UART worked for me. The others generated errors.

You should now receive the "Device driver is installed and working properly" dialog and the device will show up in the PORTS list of the Device Manager. Now you can RIGHT-CLICK the device and set its parameters.

I hope this post helps anyone else with this problem.