The DCC Decoder Programmer

SPROG II Windows USB Driver Installation Instructions

Not for SPROG IIv3 or SPROG3 users; please go back and select the appropriate instructions.

Note: for Windows 7 users, see these instructions.

On other versions of Windows including 2000, XP and Vista, when the SPROG is recognized by the computer, the "Found New Hardware Wizard" will start up. Specific drivers are needed for SPROG to function correctly.
All required drivers are included in the CD supplied with SPROG, and are also available to download at http://sprog.us.com.

• For SPROG II, use the USB Windows_2000_XP_Vista_7 package.

Using the CD, you should specify the appropriate location during installation, as shown in the example following. If you have downloaded the drivers, select the USB folder that you downloaded.
Note: the installation process for SPROG II will install TWO drivers, one after the other! Allow the Installer process to complete twice.

USB Drivers (two installations for SPROG II series 2)

You will follow this sequence through to completion, and then repeat it. This first installs the USB Port driver, and then the USB-serial interface driver that presents the USB connection as a serial "COM" connection for JMRI to use.

Click “Install from a list or specific location” then “Next >”.


Click “Search for the best driver in these locations” then “Include this location in the search” and then click the Browse button to find the driver directory on the CD-ROM supplied with SPROG, or the download location you used. Click “Next >”.


The wizard will take a short time to find and verify the drivers in this location.


The base drivers are fully compatible with WindowsXP, and those supplied on the CD are the latest drivers. To make them SPROG specific, the .inf files are edited which, unfortunately, causes this dialogue to appear. Click “Continue Anyway”.


Click “Finish”.

You will now see a second "Found New Hardware Wizard". This is correct, and will install the required USB to Serial drivers.
Do not cancel this next sequence, even though it appears duplicate!
Follow through the process again exactly as above, using the same location, etc.

Important! SPROG Windows USB Driver Identification

The Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers that you have installed connect to the USB port and cause the SPROG to appear as though it has connected via a normal COM (serial) port.
Windows automatically assigns the COM port number during installation.
You must now identify which port is assigned to correctly configure DecoderPro.

Start the Windows Device Manager by right clicking "My Computer" on the Windows desktop and selecting properties.

Select the "Hardware" tab and click on "Device Manager":

Click the "+" next to "Ports (COM & LPT) and note the COM port number assigned to SPROG Decoder Programmer. In the example below, COM3 has been assigned. This COM port must be specified in the DecoderPro preferences (next step) to allow DecoderPro to communicate with your SPROG.

Next set Preferences and start an introduction to DecoderPro.