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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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17 years ago

Couldn't install usb blaster driver on HP dv4-1020us notebook (64bit Vista)

Hello,

I have installed the Quartus-II 8.0 SP1 on HP dv4-1020us notebook (64bit Windows Vista), the software is runing fine. When I plug in the usb blaster cable which connects to a Terasic DE3 board, the computer successfully found the device and serached for the driver. I pointed the driver location to "Altera\80\quartus\drivers\usb-blaster" and it failed being installed. Wondering if this is related to Vista 64bit since I can install the driver onto a 32bit Vista without any problem. Any one has an input on this problem?

Thanks!

45 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Thanks for the reply!

    Yes, I tried many times by browsing different directories. If I specified the directory \x64, then it showed the error message "Windows could not find dirver software for your device". If I pointed to the directory above (i.e., \usb-blaster), then it displayed the message saying "Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it". But it didn't indicate what type of error is. At one time, I noticed the Windows says "the driver's digital signature is not certified and this version of Windows requires the certified signature to install the dirver". Wondering if this is the cause for the problem.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    I looked at the file "usbblstr.inf" under the driver directory "usb-blaster" and found that the 64 bit driver files are all tied to the name "amd64" or "NTamd64", but my notebook's cpu is intel's Core 2 Duo. Don't know if this is the reason the Windows couldn't load the 64bit driver files.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    At one time, I noticed the Windows says "the driver's digital signature is not certified and this version of Windows requires the certified signature to install the dirver". Wondering if this is the cause for the problem.

    --- Quote End ---

    No, atleast this is certainly not the problem as it is only a warning. Altera recommends "Install Anyway" when you encounter this warning.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    I looked at the file "usbblstr.inf" under the driver directory "usb-blaster" and found that the 64 bit driver files are all tied to the name "amd64" or "NTamd64", but my notebook's cpu is intel's Core 2 Duo. Don't know if this is the reason the Windows couldn't load the 64bit driver files.

    --- Quote End ---

    Appears to me this is a potential cause of the problem. Core 2 Duo is 64-bit processor and the corresponding driver should be in the directory named x64. Is there any other software installed on your system which is using USB-blaster drivers. For example, check this thread: http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2015
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    A workaround that helped in some cases was to install an old 32-Bit USB-Blaster driver instead.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Appears to me this is a potential cause of the problem. Core 2 Duo is 64-bit processor and the corresponding driver should be in the directory named x64. Is there any other software installed on your system which is using USB-blaster drivers. For example, check this thread: http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2015

    --- Quote End ---

    There is no other FTDI based USB device installed on the computer. USB-blaster is the only one to be installed.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    A workaround that helped in some cases was to install an old 32-Bit USB-Blaster driver instead.

    --- Quote End ---

    You meant the 32-bit driver in directory \x32? I also tried to point to this directory during installation, but it failed too.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Someone used a x32 driver from V7.2, but I guess it's identical to the one shipped with with V8.0, cause it hasn't changed since many Quartus versions.

    I'm not familiar with Vista yet and don't intend to use it in any professional enviroment now. But the the quoted error message

    --- Quote Start ---

    this version of Windows requires the certified signature to install the driver

    --- Quote End ---

    possibly indicates a problem that has to be handled by Altera. It seems to be not the usual warning that can be skipped.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    "the driver's digital signature is not certified and this version of Windows requires the certified signature to install the dirver". Wondering if this is the cause for the problem.

    --- Quote End ---

    Seems it is. This is not just a warning, Vista 64-bit requires signed drivers, and Altera drivers seem to be unsigned.

    You would need to contact Altera.