Hi, I am new to this forum, but been working witth Arduinoi for many years.
I have a problem where the FTDI interface modules I use to connect to Arduino's through serial connection keep failing. (I've attached a picture of one such module)
They work just fine for a while then for an as-yet-unknown reason, they fail with the Windows message "USB device not recognised, Device descriptor request failed"
I suspect it is a voltage spike while plugging/unplugging the boards. Or something internally bricks them from usage.
I have over 6 of these failed modules now and wonder if it is something others have experienced?
If so, is there a fix?
If no fix, is there a module type that provides more reliable connections?
I have been using that exact style of module, all the cheapest of the cheap with the counterfeit FT232 chip from Chinese sellers on eBay, for the last 7 years and I haven't lost a single one. I generally avoid plugging and unplugging things while the circuit is under power, but I'm sure I've done it with these modules quite a few times. Sometimes I am using them on boards without headers just by pressing the pins on the sides of the plated through holes, and that definitely results in disconnection/connections while the circuit is powered.
So my experience is they are reliable as can be. It is a shame to support counterfeiters. I bought all mine before it was revealed through "FTDIgate" that they are definitely counterfeit (though the ridiculously low price should have made me suspicious that they weren't the real thing). Ironically, the only USB to TTL serial module that did go bad on me was one with a real FT232 purchased from a reputable seller. But I'm sure that was the result of me doing something horrible to it in my beginner days.
Also check that you did not get any microsoft or official ftdi updates recently as there was an FTDIGATE 2.0.
Don't have all the details but I am sure you could google them.
There are also a few "unbricking" scenarios about just in case you were bricked.
That "FTDIgate 2.0" thing was 4 years ago. I actually am a bit suspicious that was fake news because I never heard of a single person being affected by that. If it had ever come up here on the forum, I know I would have seen it, and I'm sure it would have been reported on the forum many times.
"FTDIgate 2.0" was supposedly about the driver injecting a message “NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” into the serial data:
so it wouldn't have caused the symptoms sfewings32 describes. The original FTDIgate would be closer, but I don't see that causing the symptoms of working for a while then failing. Once you had the bad driver installed on your PC, all the counterfeit FT232 you connected were immediately "bricked".
Thanks pert and ballscrewbob,
It is certainly not the fake FTDI driver issue as these boards work fine for a long time then suddenly stop working, irrespective of computer, driver or otherwise.
It must just be multiple connection/disconnection while the USB is powered and maybe a circuit being made across a couple of pins before the ground connects. It is always a result of plugging and unplugging. But I must have done that thousands of times!
