Be aware that a lot of these drivers from various places on the Internet for the Prolific USB-chips are filled with malware so only download from sources where you know that it is a malware free file you download, and scan every file you download - I know this since I had the same problem some years back and unfortunately downloaded a file filled with malware, unfortunately it was from a known good source that had been infiltrated.
There are unfortunately also a few "false" PL2303TA (and other variants) floating around which will result in exactly this problem - I had the same problem too with a few Chinese cables/chips and as soon as I plugged in a cable with an original prolific chip the W11 driver from Prolific worked perfectly for me but not with the cables with "false" chips. There are drivers available from Prolific here for the PL2303TA: https://www.prolific.com.tw/en/products/smart-i-o-solution-en/usb-1-1-to-uart-serial-printer/ - now, I haven't tested these exact drivers as it was a few years since I had this problem so I can't say if any of these work, I just wanted you to know about the fake drivers filled with malware and the fake chips. /Martin On Wednesday, 7 January 2026 at 06:36:14 UTC+1 Bob wo6w wrote: > Hi Michael, > > The driver link worked for me... A quick and easy fix and the display is > now running on my W-11 machine. > > I'll definitely be interested in a suitable USB interface chip for one or > another Arduino based projects. Moistly using ESP32C3 boards at this time. > SEEED Ziao form factor. > > Once again, MANY THANKS! > > Bob > > On Tue, Jan 6, 2026 at 8:53 PM Michail Wilson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> >> >> I am. >> >> >> >> I am also waiting on a USB Host chip to be able to directly plug in to an >> Arduino, etc. I will post when I get an update. >> >> I’ve also opened my unit to see the chip and was going to bypass it; >> however, I thought it would be much cooler to run unmodified which is why I >> am going to run through a Arduino/ESP8266/ESP32. >> >> >> >> I can post either/all above info as I find it if anyone is interested. >> >> >> >> As for your direct question, you need to install Windows 11 drivers in >> order to directly communicate with the PL2303. >> >> >> >> Issue: >> >> PL2303TA DO NOT SUPPORT WINDOWS 11 OR LATER, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER. >> >> Goto this link to find info: >> >> >> https://embetronicx.com/uncategorized/fixed-prolific-pl2303ta-usb-to-serial-and-windows-11/ >> >> >> >> The file you need is: >> >> PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1_12_0.zip >> >> >> >> Once installed, you can then use the method described earlier in this >> thread as if using a Win10 machine. >> >> >> >> Michail Wilson >> >> 206-920-6312 <(206)%20920-6312> >> >> >> >> *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> *On Behalf >> Of *Robert L >> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 6, 2026 3:58 PM >> *To:* neonixie-l <[email protected]> >> *Subject:* Re: [neonixie-l] Surplus POS VFD displays >> >> >> >> Hi Tom (or anyone else!), >> >> >> >> Are you running one of the ELO VFD displays under Windows 11? I've not >> found my way past the "PL2303TA DO NOT SUPPORT WINDOWS 11..."message under >> Ports in device manager. >> >> >> >> Suggestions welcome! >> >> >> >> Happy New Year everyone! >> >> >> >> Bob >> >> >> >> On Thursday, December 25, 2025 at 9:28:01 AM UTC-8 Tom Katt wrote: >> >> On Thursday, December 25, 2025 at 12:36:30 AM UTC-5 Michail Wilson wrote: >> >> I bought three of them. All arrived quickly and all brand new with >> plastic cover. >> >> >> >> I didn’t want to try to find a Win10 PC, so I did it on my Win11 Laptop >> after a change. >> >> I am going to work on figuring out how to run it with a controller if >> possible to take out the PC requirement. Love the display. >> >> >> >> Has anyone opened it? If so, how? >> >> >> >> Just as a quick note - I don't believe there is really much of any OS >> requirements... As long as the host understands the usb serial port >> protocol, it should work. No problem with Win11 or Linux from what I can >> see on my Rasp Pi. >> >> >> >> I haven't tried cracking mine open yet... They almost look like they >> are glued during assembly like modern day smartphones - if that's the case >> you'd need some heat and suction cup pullers like you find in a gadget >> toolkit set. Gotta love today's non-repair world - if it breaks just toss >> it and buy a new one I guess. But I would start with seeing if there's >> any hint working through the base - once you pull that off you're at the >> back hinge cover and perhaps there is some fastener behind it that is the >> secret. These would certainly make great displays for microcontroller >> projects if you could get to the serial pins. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/ff1ee1a2-ef1b-4d54-a537-ff35d7b75c4fn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/ff1ee1a2-ef1b-4d54-a537-ff35d7b75c4fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/neonixie-l/qRWTnRW66hM/unsubscribe. >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> [email protected]. >> To view this discussion, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/SJ0PR01MB815417E09EECE1AE36CE327B8284A%40SJ0PR01MB8154.prod.exchangelabs.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/SJ0PR01MB815417E09EECE1AE36CE327B8284A%40SJ0PR01MB8154.prod.exchangelabs.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/4b785a7b-cc5f-4420-960d-551acdf5f726n%40googlegroups.com.
