OSX, VMWare programming cable issue redux

VEX V5 Technical Support
1

I used this thread as a starting point https://vexforum.com/t/help-programing-in-osx/29835/1 (I also looked at the threads it referenced)

Robot C = 4.27
OSX = 10.9.5
Fusion = 6.0.2
Windows7

I’m able to use the A-A cable to download to the Cortex.

I have the older programming cables. I loaded the Windows7 drivers for the older cable. It installs, but I get the Error 10, device won’t start. Uninstall and installed the XP drivers, same Error 10, won’t start.

When I plug the USB to programming cable end in, I do get a VMWare prompt on where to use the USB point and I select Windows.

For both drivers RobotC can see the serial port, but it’s marked not active.

Any good ideas for next steps?

2

One of my issues was only one of the USB ports on my laptop will register with the correct serial drivers. I look and see all of the drivers I downloaded. Could just be a bad cable as the old ones are a bit moody sometimes

3

What does the device manager show? Any yellow warning triangles on that com port? Error 10 usually means “unsupported” cable, try the driver I recommend in this thread.
https://vexforum.com/t/prolific-serial-drivers-and-bad-cables/24681/1

4

@jpearman
Yes, it’s the yellow triangle. The post you linked to links back to the VEX content site, and the same set of drivers I downloaded. They have an October 2008 date. Is there a better set to try?

5

The drivers I mark as “works” should work, I have not tested any of this in a long time, best bet is to use a good cable. Check the VMware USB setup under “USB & Bluetooth” and then “advanced settings”, USB compatibility should be on USB 2.0 unless you have a good reason to change it. I almost exclusively use Windows in a VM on a Mac using VMWare (both 6 and 8) and still prefer the prolific cables over the new VEX cables, however, my cables are genuine ($10 short cable from Office Depot). If you have another type of USB/serial cable (FTDI etc.) these can be used with ROBOTC but you need to check the option under preferences that allows third party cables to be used.

6