I'm sorry ahead of time, but this is going to be a long explanation...
I'm working on making a motion sensor for kiosks to adjust the system volume on the computer. I have a program that I wrote using VB.NET running on a computer inside the kiosk which monitors a COM port (COM20) and when it sees a "1", it sets the volume to 50% and when it sees a "0" on the COM port, it sets the volume to 0%. These kiosks are running Windows 8.1 32-bit. I then have a microprocessor connected to a PIR motion sensor doing the brain power and sending the computer a "1" when motion is sensed and a "0" after a set period of time.
To save money I started trying to program Arduino Nano clones with the CH350G converter chip, but I couldn't find a working driver. I've literally Googled and tried drivers for hours. I tried over a dozen different CH340, CH340G, and CH341 drivers, but none of them worked. Due to time restraints and the need to get the kiosks out the door, I ended up using Teensy 2.0's which worked perfectly.
This summer I am putting together and installing another 20 kiosks (all running Windows 10 32-bit) and am looking for a Teensy alternative. The Teensy 2.0's are $20 a piece. I decided to try an Arduino Nano clone with an FTDI chip. My thinking is, it costs $10 a piece (half of the Teensy 2.0) and has easy to find drivers.
I am able to program these Arduino Clones (w/ FTDI chip) and am able to plug-in and configure serial port settings on the kiosk computers, but my program that I wrote is doing nothing. My program is supposed to throw an error when COM20 doesn't exist which it does whenever I unplug the Arduino Nano clone. The Arduino Nano clone isn't communicating with the program though. My program recognizes that COM20 exists, but it isn't changing the volume because it doesn't see a "1" or a "0". Furthermore, when I try to use a serial monitor, the serial monitor acts as if COM20 doesn't even exist. I really need to get these Arduino Nano clones (w/ FTDI) working or the CH340 chips working because otherwise I need to dip $200 more into the budget for the summer.
mjtimblin:
To save money I started trying to program Arduino Nano clones with the CH350G converter chip, but I couldn't find a working driver. I've literally Googled and tried drivers for hours. I tried over a dozen different CH340, CH340G, and CH341 drivers, but none of them worked.
Are you sure it is CH350G? I've never heard of that chip and a quick search shows no results. If it's a CH340G then this should work: CH341SER.EXE - 南京沁恒微电子股份有限公司
mjtimblin:
when I try to use a serial monitor, the serial monitor acts as if COM20 doesn't even exist.
Please explain exactly what you mean by "acts as if COM20 doesn't even exist".
I'm sorry the CH350G was a typo. I meant CH340G. As for acts as if it doesn't exist, I tried using software called PortMon and PuTTY. PortMon and PuTTY both won't recognize the COM port. PortMon will list 0 ports available, and when I try to connect to COM20 using PuTTY, nothing happens.
mjtimblin:
PortMon and PuTTY both won't recognize the COM port. PortMon will list 0 ports available, and when I try to connect to COM20 using PuTTY, nothing happens.
It's probably because the driver didn't install. The following instructions are for Windows 7 but it should be about the same on 10:
Open Device Manager
plug in the Arduino. You should see a new device show up.
If it didn't automatically install then you double click on the device
Update Driver... > Browse my computer for driver software > Browse... > select the correct driver for the Arduino:
The FTDI driver is located in the drivers folder under the Arduino IDE installation folder.
The CH340G driver is available from the link I posted in my last message.
After the driver is successfully installed you should see the Arduino appear under Ports (COM & LPT) but it might not be COM20. If you want to change the COM port do the following:
Open Device Manager
Click Ports (COM & LPT)
Double click on the port of the Arduino
Port Settings > Advanced > COM Port Number(select COM20) > OK > OK