meshtastic/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/index.old
sigmahour c06af5a0b1
updates to various pages (#487)
* getting started updates

* updates to about page

* updated gettings started and supported hardware page

* archived wrong device

Co-authored-by: sigmahour <>
Co-authored-by: Andre K <andrekir@pm.me>
Co-authored-by: Sacha Weatherstone <sachaw100@hotmail.com>
2022-11-02 09:31:54 +11:00

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---
id: serial-drivers
title: Installing Serial Drivers
sidebar_label: Install Serial Drivers
sidebar_position: 1
---
import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
:::caution
Make sure not to power the radio on without first attaching the antenna! You could damage the radio chip!
:::
Prior to connecting your Meshtastic device to the computer, you should perform the following basic checks.
## Verify data cable
Verify that you have a **data cable** and _not_ a **charging _only_ cable** before proceeding. There is no definitive way to determine the difference in cables if you aren't willing to pull it apart. Trying out a few cables will be the best way to verify.
Once you've located a working data cable, [test for driver installation](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/#test-for-driver-installation) to see if you need to install a driver to communicate with your device.
If you know you have installed the correct driver, the following step can be used to check if you have a proper data cable.
## Test for driver installation
You can verify that you have a proper data cable (rather than a charge-only type cable) and that the appropriate drivers for your system are installed by performing the following test:
_select your operating system below_
<Tabs
groupId="operating-system"
defaultValue="linux"
values={[
{label: 'Linux', value: 'linux'},
{label: 'macOS', value: 'macos'},
{label: 'Windows', value: 'windows'},
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<TabItem value="linux">
1. Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
2. Open a **Terminal** and enter the following command:
```shell
lsusb
```
3. You should see something like:
```shell
ID xxxx:xxxx Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge
# or
ID xxxx:xxxx QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial
# or
FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)
```
</TabItem>
<TabItem value="macos">
1. Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB`.
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:
- `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `CH9102 USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `WisCore RAK4631 Board`
</TabItem>
<TabItem value="windows">
1. Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:
- `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `Silicon Labs CH9102 USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)`
</TabItem>
</Tabs>
If you can see your device, you are ready to flash the firmware. Skip to the [Flashing Firmware](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/) section.
If you do not see your device after performing the check:
1. You may be using a charging-only cable.
2. You may need to install the USB serial driver corrosponding to your device ([ESP32](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/installing-esp32-serial-drivers) or [NRF52](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/installing-nrf52-serial-drivers)).