Driver changes fake FTDI chip settings, renders it unusable
A recent Windows Update is causing trouble for people working with Arduino microcontrollers and other similar projects, by making some hardware inoperable. A driver update for FTDI chips as part of the Windows Update is apparently damaging the software on some USB-to-serial components, with counterfeit chips suddenly becoming inoperable.
Due to the prevalence of FTDI serial chips in hobbyist electronics, there are now many fake chips on the market claiming to be from FTDI, and function using previous official drivers. Hack A Day warns that the new drivers do not merely prevent the counterfeit chips from working with Windows Systems, as they change the code on the chips so that the Product ID (PID) is 0000, making them effectively unusable on any other platform
Though damaging, the issue can still be reversed, as FTDI does offer a configuration tool which can be used to change the PID. Even so, it will change back to 0000 again if it comes into contact with the newer drivers.
Ars Technica notes that the EULA for the drivers includes some new terms, advising the use of the driver with "a component that is not a Genuine FTDI Component, including without limitation counterfeit components, may irretrievably damage that component." It is unclear if the drivers are acting in a malicious way or not, as it is possible the counterfeit chips are misinterpreting commands and causing the issues, rather than it being an attempt by the company to damage the fake components.
FTDI has yet to comment about the issue. When questioned, Microsoft refused to comment and referred Ars Technica to FTDI over the matter.
Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/14/10/23/driver.changes.fake.ftdi.chip.settings.renders.it.unusable/#ixzz3GzXUtkxF
No comments:
Post a Comment