USB Receiver For ALK CoPilot Laptop 10

Having Problems, getting ALK CoPilot 10 to work with windows Vista, will not recognize receiver drivers.

Hi Bill,

Welcome to the forum!

Which GPS unit is it? Is it one included in one of the ALK CoPilot Laptop 10 bundles? That would then be very likely either the USB BU-353 by Globalsat, or the Philips "software" GPS.

Or is it a different type?

Is your Vista a "regular" 32 bit version, or are you using a 64 bit Vista?

The receiver is USB CoPilot, My computer is 32bit

Bill, ALK sells two different bundles with two different USB GPS receivers. One comes with a Philips made USB GPS receiver, which is I believe a "software GPS receiver" (compatible only with ALK CoPilot, but less expensive), and the other is made by company GlobalSat, model BU-353.

None of the above would work with a 64 bit Vista, but since you run the 32 bit version, you should be OK. Let us know which unit you have.

Hi Bill,

I have the same problem trying to get my Co-pilot receiver to work under Windows 7 on a 64 bit platform. So far I have been able to install 'Virtual PC 2007', but can't get any further till I can get a copy of an installable Windows XP operating system.

My receiver is a Co-pilot TravRoute serial version model CCSF2201 that I got with Co-pilot 2001 when they first came out. Serial # 0002. They made a USB version back then, but I went with the serial version. Otherwise I might run into the same driver problems as you. Co-pilot 10 is just not Windows 7 64 bit compatible. Don't know about vista as I never tried that version.

I was using Co-pilot 10 under Windows XP, and it worked just fine. Then the laptop died, and I didn't have much choice when I replaced it. ALK hasn't been much help. Mostly like they don't care about supporting previous users.

I was able to at least prove the receiver is NMEA compliant. I downloaded Earthbridge, and the receiver worked just fine with that. Then I downloaded Streets & Trips 2010, and it works with that. Though it's a lot different from Co-pilot and I'm still getting to know it. I was comfortable with Co-pilot.

What model is your receiver?

RS

Finally got a bootable copy of Windows XP which the virtual window tries to install. But it gets as far as accepting the license. Hitting F8 key is the accept but it just sits there and doesn't go any further. I think that is where it refuses to install the rest because it knows I have Windows 7 Home Premium. Everything I keep reading says it requires an upgrade to Professional version for the XP mode to work. I guess they are right. Looks like my only choice, if I want Co-pilot to work, is to go for Professional.

Decision time. Hum!!

RS

Can't you just wait and fork out the entry fee for Copilot 8. While not as much fun, it would be 10 times as productive. As Ken pointed out, you haven't even gotten to the COM port dance yet.

Terry

Looks like I have to spend money one way or the other. Either upgrade to Professional to make what I have work. Or spend more on Co-pilot 8 when they get it out. If they ever get it out. With ALKs' track record that might still be a long wait. At least I have Streets working so I'm not completely lost.

RS

Well I have some good news. I tried installing Virtual PC 2007 but it didn't work. Still wouldn't load the XP operating system. Had to uninstall that.

Had to create recover disks for Home Premium and do a backup. I upgraded Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional and after some work it now runs XP in its' own window. Took some trickery, but I was able to install the Co-Pilot 10 software. And it works. Still requires connecting everything in the right order but it does now work. I had the same issue with the old laptop as well so that's nothing new.

I still have to copy in all my 'trip' files and any custom points I had installed on the previous laptop. Good thing I was able to recover most of my files when the other laptop died.

Now I have the choice of Co-pilot or Streets & Trips.

So for anyone else running into the same problem all is not lost. ALK says they are coming out with Co-pilot Live 8 (or is it 12?) someday. Haven't seen it yet and I will be surprised if they ever get it done. And if they do, will it be compatible with a 64 bit operating system remains to be seen. If others can do it why can't they.

RS

Update, I copied my 'trip' files from the old drive into Co-pilot 10. Now I have all my original 'trips' which I built over many years. They load and run just fine.

Now I can go on using what I am used to. Unless ALK comes out with something better, I am not too worried. I certainly am not holding my breath that they come out with anything compatible with Windows 7 on a 64 bit platform.

Thanks to all that helped out with their advise and suggestions.

RS

Can you export the 'trips' for possible use with other programs? What if they don't work with a newer version of CoPilot. Your maps must be somewhat out of date.

Terry