Using the Current Cost USB Data Cable with Windows 7 x 64

Please find below some helpful links for those customers trying to download the Driver for the USB data cable, with Windows 7 x 64.

SmartNow USB Drivers Page

PLEASE NOTE - unbelievably, just because there is a newer driver available than the ones we have posted, it doesn't mean it will work!  The drivers we have on our site are tried and tested and work.  PLEASE do not go googling for newer drivers, as all that will happen is you'll wind up calling us because you can't get them to work.  Strange but True.

Alternative Software for the USB Data Cable

As most of our customers are aware, Google PowerMeter is due to close in September.

We’ve already brought you some updates on what Bridge users can expect when this closure happens: http://www.smartnow.com.au/2011/06/28/the-bridge-some-exciting-current-cost-developments-smart-now-home-energy-monitor/

But we know that many customers use the USB data cable to upload data from their EnviR home energy monitor.

Current Cost, manufacturers of the EnviR, have put together some very useful information regarding software options for users of the USB cable: http://www.currentcost.com/software-downloads.html

As you can see, there are plenty of options available to enable you to get the most from your EnviR, to eliminate wastage and reduce your power bill.

Solving issues with Windows 7

A couple of our customers have recently experienced some issues with accessing drivers for Windows 7. We've found that the following download will help: http://www​.cooldrive​s.com/lib/​cooldrives​/vista-pro​lific-chip​-driver-fo​r-serial-a​dapters.zi​p. Although it refers to Vista, we have found that this driver does in fact work for Windows 7.

Of course we can't guarantee that a particular driver will work for everyone - we're simply going by our own experiences and those of our customers.

EDIT - this driver is now on our website under USB Drivers

Solving Driver Issues with the Current Cost ENVI Prolific PL2303 USB Cable

A couple of our customers have recently had some strange issues with both Vista and Windows 7 x64 with installing the drivers for the USB Cable (which contains a Prolific PL2303 chip).

Anyway, the following link seems to have solved everyone's problems:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistahardware/thread/1902e9e0-4af0-4f36-84bc-f487d4022f1f

Which lead to:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistahardware/thread/a366f74b-9853-4cae-95c3-4249172951da

Which lead to this:
http://www.usglobalsat.com/download/546/win_drivers.zip which is version 1013 (WHQL Win 7 x64 Version 3.3.2.105)

Now, we can't guarantee that this software isn't going to eat your computer alive from the inside because it isn't our software and we haven't tested it. However, it seems to have solved the issues.