Siemens Pc Adapter Usb A2 Driver Windows Xp May 2026
Despite correct installation, you may face issues. Here is a targeted troubleshooting table:
| Error Code / Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Code 10: Device cannot start | USB controller conflict or corrupted .sys file | Reinstall driver. In Device Manager, delete the device, then run sfc /scannow (requires XP CD). |
| Timeout while loading PG/PC interface | Windows XP’s USB polling rate too slow | Edit registry: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbhub\ – Add DWORD "PollingInterval" = 0x002EE (750 ms decimal). Reboot. |
| Adapter recognized but no MPI communication | Voltage drop or bad grounding | The PC Adapter A2 requires 24V DC external power on the MPI port. Connect a separate power supply. Do not rely on USB power. |
| Blue screen (BSOD) on plug-in | Driver conflict with another USB-to-serial adapter (e.g., FTDI) | Uninstall all other USB serial drivers. Use USBDeview to remove ghost devices. |
| "No response from partner station" | Incorrect bus profile or termination | For Windows XP, manually set the bus profile in STEP 7 to "Standard" (not "User-defined"). Disable "Use hardwired parameters". |
Ideally, you have the original installation media (DVD) for your Simatic software. The drivers are usually bundled within the Simatic NET software or the Step 7 installation package.
If you don't have the disc (a common scenario), you need to download the driver package. Search specifically for "Simatic PC Adapter USB A2 Driver". Siemens often distributes this as a self-extracting executable or a ZIP file.
Introduction: Why a Legacy Driver Still Matters siemens pc adapter usb a2 driver windows xp
In the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation, "outdated" does not always mean "obsolete." Millions of factories worldwide still rely on Siemens S7-300 and S7-400 PLCs running critical processes. Many of these systems are programmed and maintained using engineering workstations that, due to software constraints (like STEP 7 V5.5 or older WinCC), are forced to run on Windows XP.
The bridge between a modern laptop (or legacy tower) and these PLCs is often the Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 (Order number: 6GK1 561-2AA00). However, getting this adapter to communicate via Windows XP has become a notorious challenge due to driver signing, USB stack conflicts, and Siemens' evolving driver models.
This article provides a definitive, step-by-step guide to installing, troubleshooting, and optimizing the Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 driver on Windows XP (SP2 or SP3).
Sometimes, despite all efforts, the Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 will not function on a specific XP machine (usually due to a damaged USB OHCI controller). In that case: Generic chipset drivers:
Option A — Using an installer (recommended when available)
Option B — Manual driver installation via Device Manager
Notes:
The Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 (often part number 6ES7 972-0CB20-0XA0) is the successor to the older A0 and A1 adapters. It’s a robust little tool used to convert the USB interface of your PC to the Serial MPI/PROFIBUS interface of the PLC. Best practice: Use the driver that matches the
The problem? Windows XP doesn't always play nice with the A2 drivers natively, especially if you are trying to set it up for the first time. Unlike modern "Plug and Play" devices, this requires a specific driver installation to create the virtual COM port that Step 7 needs to communicate.
Since Siemens purges legacy files from their main support portal, use these strategies:
Critical Warning: Never use a "generic USB to serial" driver. The A2 has a specific USB PID/VID (VID 10CF, PID 0x1402) that only Siemens' driver recognizes.
