Before diving into drivers, let’s clarify the hardware. The GEV189 is a USB-to-serial (UART) bridge cable. Inside its molded USB connector, there is a small chip—most commonly from Prolific (PL-2303) or Silicon Labs (CP210x) —that converts USB signals to serial TTL/RS-232 levels.
This cable is widely used to program or update firmware on:
Why Windows 10 makes this difficult: Starting with Windows 10 version 1703 (Creators Update), Microsoft began blocking older, unsigned, or counterfeit chip drivers. Many cheaper GEV189 clones use fake Prolific chips, causing automatic driver failure.
If you do any work with older PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives), or industrial control systems, you’ve likely encountered the GEV189 USB Download Cable.
It’s a workhorse for communicating with legacy GE Fanuc, Schneider Electric, and various Chinese clone controllers. But there’s a catch: Windows 10 does not automatically recognize it.
Out of the box, Windows 10 will tag it with the dreaded yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, usually labeling it as an "Unknown USB Device." Why? Because the GEV189 typically uses a Prolific PL-2303 or Silicon Labs CP210x chipset internally—and Microsoft removed support for older, counterfeit versions of these chips in a major 2016-2018 update.
Let’s walk through exactly how to get that driver installed and talking to your controller again.
If you want, provide the Hardware Ids or a download link you have and I’ll give exact commands/files for installation.
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To use the Leica GEV189 USB download cable on Windows 10, you must manually install the dedicated drivers, as Windows Update often fails to recognize these cables automatically. Engineering Surveyor Key Compatibility & Features Operating Systems
: Supported on Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit), as well as Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Connection usb download cable gev189 driver windows 10 upd
: Converts a standard USB port to a 5-pin Lemo-style male connector. Supported Equipment
: Primarily used with Leica Total Stations (e.g., TS02, TS06, TS09, TPS1200 series) and digital levels (e.g., DNA series). Primary Function
: Facilitates bi-directional data transfer (uploading and downloading) between the instrument and a PC. Installation Steps for Windows 10
If your PC does not automatically detect the cable, follow this manual update procedure: Download Drivers : Obtain the official driver package, typically titled GEV189/GEV195/GEV218 USB Cable Drivers (v1.70 or similar) from authorized distributors like Sunbelt Sales Open Device Manager : Connect the cable, right-click the button, and select Device Manager Locate the Device
: Look for an "Unknown Device" or "FT232R" under "Other devices" or "Ports (COM & LPT)". Update Driver Right-click the device and select Update driver Browse my computer for driver software
Navigate to the folder where you extracted the downloaded drivers and click Confirm Installation : Once finished, the device should appear in the Ports (COM & LPT)
section as a "USB Download Cable" with an assigned COM port (e.g., COM3). Sunbelt Sales Important Considerations
Leica GEV189 (734700) is a 5-pin USB data download cable used to transfer data between Leica total stations or digital theodolites and a computer. While older drivers were originally designed for Windows XP or 7, updated versions are available for Windows 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). ООО "УГТ-Холдинг" Where to Download Drivers
Official and verified drivers can be found through specialized surveying equipment repositories and professional technical support sites: Sunbelt Sales
: Offers a dedicated ZIP file (v1.70) for GEV189/GEV195/GEV218 USB cable drivers. SCCS Surveying Knowledge Base Before diving into drivers, let’s clarify the hardware
: Provides the same v1.70 driver package alongside other Leica office software like Leica Infinity and Instrument Tools.
: Lists specific driver packages for Windows 10 compatibility. Sunbelt Sales Installation Instructions for Windows 10
If the driver does not install automatically when the cable is plugged in, follow these manual steps: Download and Extract
: Obtain the driver ZIP file (e.g., v1.70) and extract it to a local folder. Connect the Cable : Plug the GEV189 cable into an available USB port. Access Device Manager : Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager Locate the Device
: Look for an entry labeled "FT232R USB UART" or a "USB-to-Serial" device under "Other devices" or "Ports (COM & LPT)" with a yellow warning triangle. Update Driver Right-click the device and select Update Driver "Browse my computer for driver software"
Navigate to the folder where you extracted the driver files and click Verification
: Once installed, the cable should appear under "Ports (COM & LPT)" as a USB Serial Port (COMx) Troubleshooting Tips Cable Drivers - Support & Downloads | Sunbelt Sales
(Part No. 734700) is a critical communication link for Leica total stations, designed to facilitate data transfer between the instrument and a PC. While originally developed for earlier operating systems, the cable is compatible with Windows 10 through the use of specific driver versions. Driver Installation & Updates for Windows 10 To ensure the GEV189 cable
works on a Windows 10 system, users typically require the v1.70 ZIP driver package, which is also compatible with GEV195 and GEV218 cables. Why Windows 10 makes this difficult: Starting with
Direct Download: You can download the necessary USB Cable Drivers from specialized retailers like Sunbelt Sales or G2 Survey.
Manual Setup: For Windows 10, manual installation is often required rather than relying on automatic Windows Updates.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a known folder on your PC.
Connect the cable; if it is not recognized, open Device Manager, right-click the unidentified device, and select "Update driver".
Choose "Browse my computer for driver software" and navigate to the extracted folder.
Administrator Rights: You must have administrative privileges to install these drivers successfully. Compatibility & Troubleshooting Version Sensitivity: Some versions of the GEV189 cable
may use older Prolific chipsets. If the latest driver fails, you may need to "backdate" to a specific version, such as 3.2.0.0, to resolve "Code 10" errors in Device Manager.
Physical Limitations: Ensure the USB cable does not exceed 5 meters and that all connections to the total station are secure.
Package Contents: Most new GEV189 cables sold through retailers like Amazon or AliExpress include a driver CD specifically for Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Step-by-step instructions to install the GEV189 USB download cable driver on Windows 10 using the UPD (Universal Print Driver?) — assuming you mean a USB download/serial adapter driver commonly labelled GEV189. If your device is different, the steps still apply with the device-specific driver.
Once the driver is installed, configure the COM port correctly for your radio or device:
A: Same driver rules apply. The solutions above work identically for Windows 11.