Thanks. I normally (never) use PiZero since it requires more money, size, and knowledge to use them. I like using WeMos/LoLin/ESP8266/ESP32 for all my projects. As for a USB Host, it’s a premade board. So, $20 for usb and controller
Michail Wilson 206-920-6312 From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Adrian Godwin Sent: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 3:34 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] Surplus POS VFD displays While the USB host chips are a useful method to add USB host to an existing project (I presume you're talking from the SPI devices from, I think, Dallas and possibly FTDI) there are now a bunch of accessible processors with USB host on-board. I think ST do some though I generally find their products hard to get started in. The ones I'd look to for easier out-of-the-box functionality and a smaller (and hence shorter learning curve) are from Raspberry pi. The Pico offers host mode USB but does require, I think, collecting some drivers. There's a tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOD-NOzgj7o. There's also the very small raspberry pi zeros - A full-on linux environment with integrated USB hosts and all the onboard tools you'd expect from a desktop. On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 5:36 AM Bob wo6w <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> 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]<mailto:[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 From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> On Behalf Of Robert L Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 3:58 PM To: neonixie-l <[email protected]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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. 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