ALTER Programming Unit (APU) unknown device Windows-7

Altera_Forum · ‎08-20-2012

The Altera Programming Unit (APU), when connected to a USB port on a Windows-7 machine causes an "Unknown Device" indication to occur on the "Devices and Printers" control panel. I have tried to locate and install the drivers but have not been successful. I have attempted to use the programmer installer from Quartus II Version 9 through Version 12 including service packs with success. The USB blaster installs correctly but the USB blaster drivers are, empirically, not correct for the APU. Other fourum users suggested solutions have not worked. Are correct drivers available for the APU to be installed on a Windows-7 computer? Anyone come up with a hack to make this work?

I need to program EPC1PC8 devices for legacy 10K designs. I know I can use a universal programmer to program the EPC1 devices but the APU is more convenient for my use.

Thanks, Craig

Altera_Forum · ‎08-21-2012

Hi Craig,

I use the Altera PL-APU programmer on my old Windows XP machine without any problems.

Not sure the released APU drivers will work on a Windows 7 machine.

You may already have these drivers and the main issue is that you are running Windows 7 and they are not compatible.

Regardless, if I were you....

you are probably better off to use a machine running Windows XP if you can.

Considering the APU Drivers are dated 2003.

Here is a download link off my hobby Website for the Altera APU drivers I am using with Windows XP.

altera pl-apu usb drivers for windows xp (2003):

http://www.digital-circuitry.com/files/altera/pl-apu/drivers/altera_pl-apu_usb_dirivers.zip (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/files/altera/pl-apu/drivers/altera_pl-apu_usb_dirivers.zip)

Keep me posted on your progress.

Kind Regards,

Gerry O'Brien

http://www.digital-circuitry.com/ (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/)

Altera_Forum · ‎08-21-2012

Hi Gerry,

Thanks for your response and for your copy of the drivers. I agree that the easiest solution will be to install the PL-APU on a WinXP machine. I thought I would check to see if anyone had a Win-7 solution before I took the XP path.

Craig