Crystalfontz USB Display Connection

Step 1 of 3: Crystalfontz USB Driver Download and Installation
Step 2 of 3: Connect the Crystalfontz USB Display
Step 3 of 3 (optional): Change COM Port

This document describes connecting a Crystalfontz USB display.

You should download and install the drivers as detailed in Step 1 before connecting your Crystalfontz USB display. If you have already connected the display before installing the drivers, please disconnect the display, download and install the drivers as detailed in this document, then reconnect the display.

These instructions assume Firefox and Windows XP. Other browers or operating systems will follow a similar pattern.

The USB will be installed as two devices from Window's point of view. There will be a "Crystalfontz CFA63x-USB" installed and also a "USB Serial Port." The USB serial port is a "virtual" port that allows software to easily communicate with the display.

When the display is plugged into your computer's USB port, or when the computer is first powered up after connecting the display, Windows will detect the new hardware:
detecting USB display
Since the display has not been connected before, Windows will start the "Found New Hardware Wizard":
found new hardware wizard
The wizard will ask you to help it find the correct driver files for the new device. First select the "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)" option, then click the "Next" button:
correctly installing
In the next step, you need to select the "Search for the best driver in these locations" option and then make sure that only the "Include this location in the search" box is checked. Then click the "Browse" button:
searching for best driver
Use the the directory navigator to select the appropriate folder for your display:
C:\CFUSB_Signed_Drivers_XP\Crystalfontz_CFA63x_USB_XP
Check that your screen matches the screen shown below with your module, then click the "Next" button:
hardware wizard
Windows will now copy the USB portion of the drivers:
copying driver files
At this point, the USB portion of the installation is complete. Click on the "Finish" button to dismiss the wizard:
finished installing USB software
Now that the "Crystalfontz CFA63x-USB" device is installed, Windows will immediately detect the "USB Serial Port" device:
detecting USB serial port
Windows will again start the "Found New Hardware Wizard" for the "USB Serial Port":
another hardware wizard
The wizard will again ask you to help it find the correct driver files for the new device. First select the "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)" option, then click the "Next" button:
finding files
The wizard will remember the directory. Check that your screen matches the screen shown below, then click the "Next" button:
confirmation screen
Windows will now copy the USB Serial Port portion of the drivers:
continue anyway
At this point, the driver installation is complete. Click "Finish" to dismiss the wizard:
finished installing USB Serial software
Windows will notify you that the hardware is ready to use:
new hardware ready balloon
The following step is optional:

For software to communicate with the display, you will need to know which COM port has been assigned to the "USB Serial Port." This step describes how to view which COM port was assigned to the display.

Right-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu. The "System Properties" dialog box will be displayed. Click on the "Hardware" tab near the top of the properties window. Once the properties tab is selected, click the "Device Manager" button. The device manager will open. Expand the "Ports (COM and LPT)" branch. The Crystalfontz USB display will be shown with the COM port listed at the end of this line. Please make a note of the COM port. You will need to know it when you configure software that communicates with display.
identifying COM port

Step 1 of 3: Crystalfontz USB Driver Download and Installation
Step 2 of 3: Connect the Crystalfontz USB Display
Step 3 of 3 (optional): Change COM Port