SIMATIC PC Adapter USB A2 (Article Number: 6GK1571-0BA00-0AA0
) is a specialized Siemens interface used to connect a PG/PC to SIMATIC S7 systems via PROFIBUS or MPI. It is compatible with Windows XP SP2 and higher Electric Automation Network Drivers & Software Requirements
To use the PC Adapter USB A2 on Windows XP, you generally need the PC Adapter USB A2 Driverdisk V1.0 Siemens SiePortal Built-in Drivers
: Drivers are often included automatically when you install engineering software like STEP 7 (Classic) TIA Portal SIMATIC NET Manual Download
: If not already present, you can find the driver disk on the Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) Siemens SiePortal Installation Procedure
For a successful installation on Windows XP, follow these specific steps: Siemens SiePortal Close all active programs and startup items. Run as Administrator : Right-click from the driver disk and select
, then choose the Administrator account. If you do not use admin rights, the installation will fail during the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable step. Follow the Wizard
: The "Simatic Device Drivers" window will appear. Complete the installation and restart your PC Connect the Hardware
: After restarting, plug the USB A2 adapter into your PC. The "Found New Hardware Wizard" should trigger. Finalize in Windows
: Select "Yes, this time only" for the hardware wizard, and choose "Install the software automatically". Siemens SiePortal Configuration & Troubleshooting
PC Adapter USB A2 6GK 1571-0BA00-0AA0 Drivers problem - XP SP3
The Siemens SIMATIC PC Adapter USB A2 (6GK1571-0BA00-0AA0) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
is a professional USB-to-MPI/DP adapter used to connect a PC to Siemens S7-300/400 PLCs. For Windows XP, specific installation steps and driver versions are required to ensure stable communication. 1. Driver Software Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher is required.
Essential Software: You must have a SIMATIC software package installed before the driver, such as STEP 7 (Classic), TIA Portal, or SIMATIC PDM. pc adapter usb a2 driver windows xp
Driver Version: The specific driver disk required is the PC Adapter USB A2 Driverdisk V1.0. 2. Installation Procedure
To avoid driver conflicts or "hardware not found" errors, follow this sequence:
Close Programs: Start Windows XP and close all running applications.
. If you’ve lost your CD, you can often find the download on the Siemens Support Portal or hosted on community sites like PLC ONE. 2. Installation Steps (The "Clean" Method)
To avoid the common "installation stopped" error, follow this sequence:
Run as Administrator: Right-click the Setup.exe from the driver folder and select Run as... then choose the Administrator account.
Install Prerequisites: The setup will install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable first. If you aren't in an Admin session, it may hang here.
Restart First: Once the "Simatic Device Drivers" are installed, restart your PC before plugging in the adapter.
Hardware Wizard: Plug in the USB cable. When the "Found New Hardware Wizard" pops up, select "No, not this time" for Windows Update, then "Install the software automatically". 3. Configuration & Troubleshooting
Set PG/PC Interface: Open your communication settings and ensure "PC Adapter USB A2" is selected.
Virtual Machines: If you're running XP in a VM (like VMware or VirtualBox), make sure your USB controller is set to USB 2.0 compatibility; users have reported that USB 1.1 settings often cause internal errors.
Verify in Device Manager: You should see "Simatic PC Adapter USB A2" listed under Simatic Net without any yellow exclamation marks.
Are you having trouble with a specific error code, or are you just trying to get the initial connection set up? I can help you look up the specific "PG/PC Interface" settings for MPI or Profibus if you need them. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
PC Adapter USB A2 6GK 1571-0BA00-0AA0 Drivers problem - XP SP3 Option 2: User-friendly (Ideal for FAQ or support
Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 (Order Number 6GK 1571-0BA00-0AA0 ) is a professional industrial communication tool used to connect PCs or notebooks to SIMATIC S7 automation systems via
interfaces. This adapter is the direct successor to the original "PC Adapter USB". Driver Compatibility for Windows XP Operating System Support : The USB A2 adapter is officially compatible with Windows XP SP2 and higher (including SP3). Software Integration
: Drivers are typically bundled with Siemens engineering software like STEP 7 (V5.5 and higher) TIA Portal
. If you have these installed, the driver may already be on your system. Stand-alone Driver
: If using older software (Step 7 V5.4 or lower), you must install the standalone driver package, often referred to as the PC Adapter USB A2 Driverdisk V1.0 Siemens SiePortal Installation Steps for Windows XP
To ensure a successful installation on Windows XP, follow this standard procedure: Administrator Rights
: Log in as an Administrator; the installation of required components like the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable will fail without these rights.
from the driver disk or download folder before plugging in the adapter. Hardware Connection : Only plug the USB A2 adapter into the PC the driver installation and a system restart. Hardware Wizard
: When the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appears, select "Install the software automatically". Verification Device Manager . The adapter should appear under SIMATIC NET as "Simatic PC Adapter USB A2". Siemens SiePortal Common Issues & Troubleshooting PC Adapter USB A2 will not Connect - SiePortal
How to install the PC Adapter USB A2 driver on Windows XP
If you need to connect a Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 to a Windows XP computer, follow these steps:
PC_Adapter_USB_A2_Driver_V1.1.zip or similar).Setup.exe.⚠️ Note for Windows XP users:
- Service Pack 3 is required.
- If the installation fails, try running the installer in Windows 2000 compatibility mode.
- 64-bit Windows XP is rarely supported – use 32-bit if possible.
Even after installation, you may encounter issues. Here is a definitive troubleshooting table.
| Error / Symptom | Probable Cause | Solution |
|----------------|----------------|----------|
| Yellow exclamation mark, "The drivers for this device are not installed (Code 28)" | Windows XP cannot find a suitable .inf | Manually point to the driver folder using "Have Disk" method. |
| "Device cannot start (Code 10)" | IRQ conflict or corrupted driver stack | Disable legacy COM/LPT ports in BIOS. Use USBDeview to remove all ghost USB entries. |
| Bluetooth dongle lights up but no tray icon | Bluetooth service not started | Run services.msc → Find "Bluetooth Support Service" → Set to Automatic → Start. |
| Pairing works but no audio (headset) | Missing audio profile (A2DP) on XP | XP natively lacks A2DP sink. You need a third-party driver like BlueSoleil 6.4.275.0 (supports A2DP on CSR chipsets). |
| Driver installs but turns off after 2 minutes | Power management is suspending the USB device | Device Manager → USB Root Hub → Properties → Power Management → Uncheck "Allow computer to turn off this device." | XP ignores this
Assume you have already downloaded the correct driver (e.g., CSR_Bluetooth_XP.exe or PL2303_XP_Driver.zip).
In the rapidly evolving world of computer technology, the lifecycle of hardware and software support often creates significant challenges for users who rely on older but functional equipment. A quintessential example of this problem is attempting to install a modern "PC Adapter USB A2" (commonly a Siemens SIMATIC programming adapter for industrial PLCs) on a machine running Windows XP. While seemingly a niche issue, this scenario serves as a powerful lesson in driver management, operating system compatibility, and the practical realities of maintaining legacy industrial systems.
The Core Problem: A Generational Mismatch
The primary difficulty arises from a fundamental generational mismatch. Windows XP, released in 2001, reached its end of mainstream support in 2009 and extended support in 2014. The PC Adapter USB A2, particularly later revisions, was designed for Windows 7 and newer operating systems. Consequently, official drivers for Windows XP are often nonexistent, poorly signed, or require specific service packs (like SP3) and hotfixes that are difficult to locate. A user connecting the adapter to a Windows XP machine typically sees an "Unknown Device" error or a failed driver installation, with the system unable to recognize the adapter’s unique Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID).
Why Persist with Windows XP?
The motivation to solve this problem stems from industrial automation. Many factories still run critical machinery (PLCs from Siemens S7-300/400 series) that are programmed and diagnosed exclusively via software like STEP 7, which itself only runs stably on Windows XP. Upgrading the PLC is prohibitively expensive, and upgrading the programming PC risks breaking compatibility with the existing control software. Thus, engineers are forced to maintain XP machines, making the USB A2 driver a necessary bridge.
Strategies for a Solution
Given the lack of official support, users must employ several workarounds:
Finding Legacy Driver Versions: The most effective solution is locating an older driver version specifically compiled for XP. For the SIMATIC PC Adapter USB A2, version 1.2 or earlier often includes XP support. These can sometimes be found on Siemens' legacy support websites, third-party industrial archives, or through distribution CDs included with older adapters.
Manual Driver Installation: Once the correct .inf and .sys files are obtained, the driver must be installed manually via Device Manager:
.inf file.Virtualization as a Last Resort: If no XP driver exists, the alternative is to run Windows XP as a virtual machine (using VirtualBox or VMware) on a modern Windows host. Here, the USB adapter is passed through to the virtual XP environment. However, this introduces timing and latency issues that can disrupt real-time PLC communication.
Common Pitfalls
Conclusion: A Practical Reality
The struggle to install a PC Adapter USB A2 driver on Windows XP is more than a technical nuisance; it is a window into the world of industrial computing where legacy systems persist long after consumer technology has moved on. The solution is rarely a simple download. Instead, it requires forensic-like searching for archived drivers, a willingness to bypass unsigned driver warnings, and an understanding of USB enumeration. For the engineer on the factory floor, this essay’s most useful takeaway is clear: Do not use the latest driver. Search specifically for version 1.2 or earlier, install manually via "Have Disk," and disable USB power saving. In doing so, an obsolete operating system can once again communicate with the machines that keep our industries running.
| Issue | Description | |---|---| | No 64-bit XP support | Driver v2.0 is 32-bit only. Windows XP x64 is not supported. | | USB 3.0 ports | XP does not natively support USB 3.0. Use only USB 1.1/2.0 ports. | | Plug & Play instability | Hot-plugging may cause blue screen (STOP 0x7E) in some XP builds. | | Modern TIA Portal incompatibility | TIA Portal V13+ requires Windows 7/10. | | No digital signature | Driver v2.0 is unsigned by modern standards; XP ignores this, but may trigger warnings. | | Slow PROFIBUS polling | On XP, maximum PROFIBUS baud rate with USB A2 is limited to 1.5 Mbps (vs 12 Mbps on Win7/10). |
Despite your best efforts, some "PC Adapter USB A2" dongles use extremely obscure Chinese chipsets (e.g., RTL8761B with custom VID). In these cases: