This posting is to document the problem and solution that I encountered after upgrading to a new laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

I have a Holux GR-213U GPS receiver that I have been using for the last couple of years both with XP and Vista (32-bit) to feed a host of GPS enabled programs.

When I first plugged the receiver into the USB port Windows immediately tried to find the appropriate driver but after time came back and said it couldn't find an appropriate driver. I then followed Microsofts instruction to no avail.

Next I went to Holux's web site and downloaded the latest driver even though it implied it might work with Win 7 it didn't address at all the 64-Bit issue. I installed that and the install wouldn't fail but in Device manager it said that it was unable to load the USB to Serial Comm Port driver. I uninstalled the driver and then reloaded it using Win 7's compatibility mode but the result was the same.

Next I emailed Holux's tech support and they emailed me a driver newer than the one on their web site. I went through the same process as I did with the first driver with the same result. In Device manager on the Driver tab of the USB to Serial device I noted that the driver was a "Prolific" product.

I searched the web and found a newer driver @ http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31 called "PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip". This driver stated it supported Windows 7 64-Bit versions.

I uninstalled the previous driver and installed the new driver file but Device manager still said it couldn't install the driver. I uninstalled and reinstalled numerous times without success. I finally uninstalled the driver went into Device manager and brought up the driver tab of the red X'd device and clicked Uninstall and was presented with the opportunity to check a box to physically remove the drivers from the system, which I did.

I than rebooted and reinstalled the latest driver and then connected the receiver and Windows than found the driver successfully installed it. The receiver has been assigned COM3 and works perfectly.

I just purchased the GR-213U and my PC (Sony Vaio FW series) is running 64-bit Windows 7. When I first tried it out at home the unit worked fine (twice). Then I took the computer out for a test run in my car to see if everything was OK. As soon as I plug in the GPS my computer freezes and I have to hard boot. I installed the driver you suggested but I can't even get to the point where the computer can see the device. When I first plugged it in, Windows 7 recognized and got the appropriate device driver and the unit worked well (I use DeLorme Street Atlas and GRLevel 3 software with GPSgate to split the GPS signal so that I can use multiple applications. Any suggestions - I am a complete loss on how to proceed.

Dave

By the latest driver, do you mean the one from Holux or the Prolific version. It seems to me either might work as the fix was removing the old driver completely using Device Manager.

Terry

Thanks Terry,

I uninstalled the old driver in the Control Panel. When I went to the Device Manager I couldn't locate the driver. I looked in System Devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers and the device was not there. I then looked in all the categories and could not locate the device. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place?

Dave

PS - The device was not there even if it the driver was installed

The driver should show an entry under Ports (COM & LPT) when the device is plugged in. It will be similar to this screen capture.

Terry

Attached Images

Prolific.jpg (150.9 KB)

Thanks again Terry,

I can't get to that point because whenever I plug it in my computer freezes. It appears that the device is working fine since the red light works as it is supposed. I did connect my old DeLorme Earthmate GPS and the computer recognized it. I also sent an e-mail to Holux Tech Support. I am wondering if there is something going with the device itself.

Dave

Sure sounds suspicious! Is there another computer you could try it on?

Terry

Good Point - I have another laptop (lenovo) that is running XP. I'll give it a try and let you know the results. Probably wont be until tomorrow. Thanks again for all your help!

Dave

PS - I tried it and that laptop recognized it right away.

Do you get the same freeze result if you plug it into a different USB port?

Terry

Strange - I have 3 USP ports. I plugged the device into one that I was pretty sure I did't use. It recoognized the device and gave me a choice to look for drivers. I unplugged and then plugged it into the second one. I got the same window that it recognized it but the note was barely visible and the computer froze. I rebooted again then plugged the device back into the USP port that worked that worked a few minutes before and the computer froze. I then plugged my old GPS back into the very same port (after rebooting) and it recognized the device. Any other suggestions?

Dave

The Prolific driver is set up to install itself to a different COM port for each USB port you use with that device. There is obviously something about the particular driver you have that Win7 64 bit objects to and the driver is still somewhere on your computer. You must find and remove it. Maybe a search for 'prolific' or 'holux' will track it down.

Terry

Dave, try this to find that driver:

Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected to the Windows XP-based computer

That's the way to do it in XP but you can try it in Windows 7 and see if it works. If not, you can search for something similar for Win7.

...ken...

Terry,

I did search using "holux" and "prolific" and the computer found some files that I missed. I deleted all of them, rebooted and got the same result. The computer freezes about 2 seconds after I plug in the device.

Ken,

I also did what you suggested and the commands worked. There were no suspect files found so I downloaded the prolific driver as mentioned in the first post on this topic. I got the same result - computer froze 2 seconds after inserting the device.

I did go back and check to see if all three USB ports were working properly and they were. I am very close to chalking this up as a $35 learning experience and getting a different GPS. I am considering the Globalsat 353.

Thanks again for all your help!

Dave

I tried it in Win7 32 bit and it appears to work as promised. Don't forget to select 'Show Hidden Devices' in the View menu when Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) comes up.

Terry

Dave, One problem with that approach is the BU-353 uses the same Prolific driver and may (or may not because of the different vid/pid) give the same result. It is in common use for many USB GPS devices. The only ones I know for sure that don't use it are the Microsoft ones (Pharos 500 and Navation 168). If you could try a BU-353 before buying it, that would be safer.

Terry

Terry,

I did just that and showed all the hidden devices and nothing showed up. I again installed the prolific driver, rebooted and checked the Device Manager (Show hidden devices) and nothing showed up. I then inserted the device - computer freeze. I checked the Device Manager again and nothing. What really puzzles me is that the device worked the first two times I tried it. Do you think booting it up with the device in the USB port (which I just remembered I did the third time in the car) might have caused an issue? Perhaps I could try putting the laptop into an oven so that it wouldn't freeze :-).

Thanks for the comment on the Globalsat 353.

Dave

It should not matter whether the GPS is connected before or after booting the computer once the driver is installed. Have you waited for some period of time after the computer freezes to see if will respond? I would be really suspicious of that GPS as you don't see the driver. Do you have another GPS that uses a driver to test? Your SA one doesn't qualify as it use a different method and does not produce serial output to a COM port.

Terry

Terry,

I contacted Holux Tech Support via e-mail and they just sent me the same prolific driver. So I installed the one that they sent, plugged in the device with the same result - computer freeze. I waited for 10 minutes, the cursor disappeared and I got concerned and removed the device. As far as I can tell everything still works fine after the reboot. This device is now relegated to the trash bin.

I will see if I can scrounge up another GPS to try as you suggest. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again for all your help - I did learn a lot about my computer through this process.

Dave

As the Holux works on your other computer, it might be premature to chuck it. Wait until your investigations provide a fruitful solution at least.

Terry

I have a circular file in which I keep non-functional electronic equipment and other equipment that is looking for a home. Thanks for everything. I'll keep you posted on my investigations.

DaPS - I did think about going back to XP but I really like Win7. There is a solution out there for my problem.

Solution is simple: a driver rewritten specifically for 64 bits OS.
Software people want us to fork over money to do that which at the end of the day benefit hardware people.

Daniel, Toronto

Terry,

I risked and purchased a GlobalSat BU-353, installed it with the same Prolific driver, Windows 7 recognized it and the device appeared in the Device Manager with no red flags or warnings. The GPS worked fine. I am using GPSgate2.6 to split the GPS signal for the software programs (Street Atlas and GRLevel 3). It assigned virtual ports and the both software programs recognized the signal. Everything worked well. I did unplug the device and replugged it in all three USB ports - everything worked well. I took the equipment out for a test drive and all worked well.

Thanks for your help. It appears that Windows 7 is not compatible with the Holux GR-213, at least for me.

Dave

Isn't it great when it turns out ok in the end. I sure had misgivings that a new GPS would have to use the same driver. It does sound like the Holux has some USB issues though.

A great end to a valiant struggle!!

Terry