Actually there is a way to get the 1747-PIC / AIC+ driver to work in XP sp3 (I don't know about Win7). It's a nasty workaround for those people who's company won't buy them newer hardware interfaces! It revolves around replacing the serial port driver in sp3 with that from sp2. After doing the swap the serial port will only be compatible with your 1747-PIC interface as it will be a non-standard port under sp3. Anyway here goes:
- Obtain "serenum.sys" from XP sp2. It lives in folder C:\Windows\System32\Drivers and can be identified from it's file version (it will be file version 5.1.2600.2280).
- Back up your existing "serenum.sys" under sp3 (it will be file version 5.1.2600.5512). I generally make a folder on my desktop with both versions (appended with the version number).
- In RSLinx, delete any instance of drivers which use the serial port. Preferably, don't have RSLinx configured as a service.
- Reboot your PC into safe mode.
- Using explorer, locate the xp2 file version of "serenum.sys" and copy it.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers and paste the copied file overwriting the sp3 file.
- Reboot your PC into normal mode.
- Before doing anything else, run RSLinx.
- Add the 1747-PIC / AIC+ driver - make sure you tick the checkbox 'Reserve COM Port for Exclusive use by this driver'.
- The new driver should be listed in Configured Drivers list as 'Running". If not, repeat the procedure from step (3).
- You can confirm the sp2 driver is installed by checking the Device Manager COM1 port - it will no longer be reporting 'Communications Port'.
- [End]
This procedure works for me every time on any XP sp3 laptop I have tried. I run a Dell Latitude D830.
Be aware Windows XP will revert the driver back to the original if you haven't followed the procedure precisely. However, if you've reached the driver 'Running' stage and the checkbox in step (9) is ticked then it will remain in situ even after a reboot.
Note: While the sp2 driver is installed you will not be able to use the port as a standard COM port.
To remove the sp2 driver and restore the normal operation of the serial port, run RSLinx and delete the 1747-PIC driver. Windows XP will automatically restore the sp3 version of "serenum.sys". Confirm this by checking Device Manager.
Enjoy.