The key to a successful install of the RigExpert drivers is that the associated environment on the computer has to be effectively virgin. If you attempt to install again after a failed attempt or any previous RigExpert install then the new install will likely fail.
The following instructions attempt to guide the reader on how to clean things up back to a virgin state so that you can then follow the RigExpert install instructions successfully.
What we will do is the following:
This procedure assumes you have installed the drivers (working or not) and have plugged in the RigExpert device via USB.
Leave the RigExpert plugged in via USB for these steps. Green light should be on.
Once this is complete, you must now unplug the RigExpert device from the USB port.
You should remove any previously installed “RigExpert” programs just in case. I would also recommend you remove any of the programs that use it in any way as there may be a dependency from that program on RigExpert which may cause it to not be properly removed. An example would be WSJT.
Once there are all removed you can close the “Add/Remove Programs” window.
Double check your “Program Files” folder (usually C:\Program Files\) and ensure that “RigExpert” is removed. If it is still there, remove the folder.
To be complete do a file/folder search by going to Start -> Search -> For Files or Folders. Select the option “All Files and Folders” and enter “RigExpert” in the first field which is labeled “All or part of the Filename”. Click Search. Once the search is complete, delete any files or folders in the right hand pane by right clicking the entry and select “Delete”.
This part is a little tricky for the novice and potentially dangerous. It may not be strictly necessary and thus if you are uncomfortable with this, you can skip this step to see if your new install is fine.If the new install fails again then you will have to start from the beginning of this procedure and do this step too.
Chances are if steps one and two worked well, you should have nothing to do here but it may be necessary if you have made multiple failed attempts.
The Registry is critical to your computers operation so treat it with care. Make a backup before you start and remove only what is documented here or that you fully understand. Here is a link that explains how to use “System Restore”: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx
Once you have completed finding and removing all references, you can now select “File”and then select “Exit”.
After you have completed at least steps 1 and 2 and ideally 3, you MUST reboot your computer. This ensures anything cached or loaded in memory will be clean.
After you have completed at least steps 1, 2, and 4 (and ideally 3) you can begin your installation following RigExpert’s install guide exactly. I would even recommend that when you are prompted for the location of the driver files that you don’t assume the default in the field is correct and browse to the location.
Watch the information screens during the install. If anything indicates an error such as “unable to copy file” during driver installation then assume it was not successful. If it was not successful, go back and do steps 1 and 2. There is no point building on quicksand.
Once you have successfully installed RigExpert drivers (and only after success), then you can install your application (e.g. WSJT).