The CipherLab 308 is a specialized USB-to-RS232 (serial) converter used primarily to connect older serial barcode scanners, printers, or data terminals to modern computers without a DB9 port. To function correctly, it requires a dedicated driver that emulates a standard COM port.
Q1: Do I need a separate driver for each CipherLab 308 cradle?
No. One driver handles up to 256 virtual COM ports. All cradles using the same converter type will work with the same driver.
Q2: Can I use this driver on Windows Server 2019/2022?
Yes. Prolific drivers support Windows Server editions. You may need to install the “Desktop Experience” feature first.
Q3: Why does my antivirus flag the driver installer?
Some older Prolific installers use packers that trigger false positives. Always download directly from Prolific.com.tw and verify the digital signature (Prolific Technology Inc.).
Q4: The driver works but my CipherLab 308 won’t transmit data until I unplug/replug the USB. Why?
Your cradle’s DTR (Data Terminal Ready) signal is not being properly initialized. Open your terminal software, set DTR to “Enable” manually, or use a scripting tool to send a DTR ON command before scanning.
Q5: Is there a 64-bit specific driver?
Yes. All modern Prolific drivers are native 64-bit for Windows 10/11. Avoid 32-bit versions on 64-bit OS.
The CipherLab 308 (and its variants like the 3080, 3085, and 3086) was designed in an era when RS232 serial ports were standard on PCs. These devices communicate via ASCII strings over a COM port. When you place a CipherLab 308 into its docking cradle, the cradle outputs data through a 9-pin D-sub (RS232) connector.
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CipherLab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter is a critical tool for bridging the gap between modern USB-only PCs and legacy serial barcode scanners or mobile computers. ⬇️ Driver Download & Official Sources The "308" interface often utilizes the Silicon Labs CP210x
chipset. You can typically find the correct drivers through these channels: Official Downloads : Access the CipherLab Technical Download section for utilities and drivers. Virtual COM Driver cipherlab 308 usbtors232 interface converter driver top
: For newer systems (Windows 10/11), search specifically for the "SiliconLab VCOM" or "308 USB Virtual COM" driver. Third-Party Repositories : Sites like DriverScape DriverIdentifier maintain archives for specific hardware IDs like VID_10C4&PID_EA60 🛠️ Installation Guide Disconnect the Device
: Do not plug the converter into your PC until the driver installation is complete. Run the Installer : Execute the or "Pre-installer" from your downloaded package. Connect Hardware
: Once installed, plug in the 308 converter. Windows should recognize it as a CIPHERLAB 308 USB-to-RS-232 Interface Converter Verify COM Port Device Manager Look under Ports (COM & LPT) to find the assigned port number (e.g., COM3). 💡 Troubleshooting Tips
The CipherLab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter is a vital bridge for connecting legacy serial-based barcode scanners and mobile computers to modern PCs that lack dedicated COM ports. By converting USB signals into RS232 serial signals, it creates a "Virtual COM Port" that allows standard software applications to communicate with your CipherLab devices. Core Functionality & Compatibility
Virtual COM Bridge: Transforms a physical USB port into a virtual RS232 serial interface.
Power Efficiency: Frequently draws power directly from the USB port, eliminating the need for bulky external power supplies for connected scanners.
Broad Device Support: Optimized for CipherLab models including the 150x, 156x, 166x, 18XX, 22xx, and 250x series.
Chipset Infrastructure: Typically utilizes the reliable Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge chipset. Installation Guide
For seamless setup, it is recommended to install the driver before plugging in the hardware.
Download Drivers: Locate the latest driver package on the official CipherLab Download Center or through verified repositories like DriverIdentifier. The CipherLab 308 is a specialized USB-to-RS232 (serial)
Run Installer: Extract the files and run setup.exe (or the equivalent pre-installer). Follow the on-screen prompts and click "Finish" when done.
Hardware Connection: Plug the 308 converter into a USB port. Windows should recognize it as the " CIPHERLAB 308 USB-to-RS-232 Interface Converter ". Identify the COM Port: Right-click This PC/My Computer > Manage > Device Manager. Expand Ports (COM & LPT).
Note the assigned number (e.g., "COM3") for use in your scanning software. Troubleshooting Tips Download - CipherLab
CipherLab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter is a vital bridge for connecting legacy serial barcode scanners and mobile computers to modern, USB-only workstations. The driver establishes a virtual COM port on your computer, making data collection seamless. Key Features of the Driver Seamless Virtual COM Port Creation:
Automatically maps a standard USB port to a Virtual COM (VCOM) port. This allows legacy software expecting a physical RS-232 serial connection to receive data from USB-connected scanners without changing any code. Plug-and-Play Hardware Detection:
Once the driver is installed, simply plugging in the adapter prompts the operating system to automatically recognize the "CipherLab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter" and configure it for immediate use. Broad System Compatibility:
The driver package provides robust support across legacy and modern operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring flexibility across different corporate IT environments. Flexible Serial Parameter Control:
It supports full configuration of data transmission settings, allowing users to match host software requirements for baud rates, data bits, parity, stop bits, and flow control modes. Elimination of External Power Needs:
The driver natively manages the USB bus power to run connected CipherLab scanners and interface cradles, removing the clutter of external AC power bricks from desktop workspaces. troubleshooting a specific operating system installation for this driver, or do you need the steps to locate the assigned COM port in your device manager?
Cipherlab 308 Usb To Rs232 Interface Converterrar - Facebook The CipherLab 308 (and its variants like the
The CipherLab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter is a specialized cable that allows CipherLab barcode scanners and mobile computers (like the 8000 series) to communicate with a PC via a virtual COM port. 1. Driver Selection
The driver you need depends on the chipset inside the converter. Most CipherLab 308 converters use Silicon Labs (SiLabs) chips, though some older versions may use Prolific.
Primary Choice (Silicon Labs): Most modern CipherLab 308 devices are identified by VID_10C4 & PID_EA60, which corresponds to the Silicon Labs CP210x chipset. You can download these directly from the Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers page.
Official CipherLab Site: You can also check the official CipherLab Download Center for utility-specific drivers like ScanMaster or ProgLoad, which often include the necessary port drivers. 2. Installation Guide
It is critical to install the software before plugging the converter into your computer to avoid "unknown device" errors.
Download & Extract: Download the driver file (usually a .zip or .rar) and extract it to a folder.
Run Setup: Execute the setup.exe or CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe file and follow the on-screen prompts.
Connect Hardware: Once the installation "Finish" screen appears, plug the 308 converter into a USB port. Verification: Open Device Manager (Right-click Start > Device Manager). Expand the Ports (COM & LPT) section.
You should see "CIPHERLAB 308 USB-to-RS-232 Interface Converter" or "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge" with an assigned COM Port number (e.g., COM3). 3. Troubleshooting Download - CipherLab
Cipherlab 308 USB-to-RS232 Interface Converter Driver Download
If you're looking for the driver for the Cipherlab 308 USB-to-RS232 interface converter, here are some steps and information that might help:
Before diving into the driver, it is crucial to understand why the USB-to-RS232 converter is necessary.