This paper reviews the Siemens Simatic PC Adapter USB A2 driver compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP. It covers device overview, driver architecture, installation procedure, troubleshooting, legacy system considerations, and security implications. The goal is to provide a concise, practical reference for engineers maintaining legacy industrial automation systems that use the USB A2 adapter under Windows XP.
The Simatic PC Adapter USB A2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
(article number 6GK1571-0BA00-0AA0) is fully compatible with Windows XP SP2 and higher. While it is a legacy device, it remains essential for connecting modern PCs to SIMATIC S7 systems via MPI or PROFIBUS protocols. Key Specifications & Requirements
Operating Systems: Windows XP (SP2/SP3), Vista, and Windows 7 (32/64-bit). Interfaces: Supports USB V1.1, V2.0, and V3.0.
Protocols: MPI and PROFIBUS with automatic bus profile detection. Power Supply: Powered directly through the USB interface. Driver Installation Guide for Windows XP
To avoid common "generic HID driver" errors, follow these steps strictly:
Preparation: Close all active programs and ensure you have Administrator privileges on the Windows XP machine.
Software First: Do not connect the USB adapter before installing the software. Premature connection can cause Windows to assign incorrect generic drivers. Simatic Pc Adapter Usb A2 Driver Windows Xp
Run Setup: Use the "PC Adapter USB A2 Driver Disk" (typically V1.0 for XP). Right-click Setup.exe and select Run as... Administrator if necessary.
Dependencies: The installer will typically install necessary components like Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable and Simatic Device Drivers.
Restart: Once the installation finishes, restart Windows XP.
Hardware Connection: Plug in the adapter after the reboot. The "Found New Hardware Wizard" should appear; select "Install the software automatically" to complete the process. Verification: Check the Device Manager under "Simatic Net" for the " Simatic PC Adapter USB A2 Where to Find Drivers
Bundled Software: Drivers are often included when you install STEP 7 V5.4 SP4 or higher, or SIMATIC NET PC Software.
Manual Download: If you lack the original disk, the driver package is available for download via the Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) portal (Article ID: 78453460).
Local Path: On systems where STEP 7 is already installed, drivers may be located at C:\Program Files\Siemens\Common\S7SDD. Troubleshooting Tips This paper reviews the Siemens Simatic PC Adapter
Virtual Machines: If using XP in a virtual environment (VMware/VirtualBox), ensure the USB controller is set to USB 2.0. Using USB 1.1 settings often causes "internal error" or communication failure.
PG/PC Interface: After installation, go to "Set PG/PC Interface" in your Control Panel. Manually select MPI or Profibus rather than "Auto," as "Auto" is often unreliable for these adapters.
Diagnostics: Use the Diagnostics button in the PG/PC Interface settings to test if the device is communicating correctly before attempting to go online with a PLC. Pricing and Availability The Siemens Simatic S7 PC Adapter USB A2
is available at various price points depending on the merchant and condition: MRO Supply: Around $1,445 for new units. Electro-Matic: Approximately $1,070.
eBay: New units can be found for roughly $122 – $128 from various sellers.
If you are getting a specific error code during installation?
I can then provide more targeted troubleshooting steps for your setup. PC Adapter USB A2 6GK 1571-0BA00-0AA0 Drivers problem The SIEMENS SIMATIC PC Adapter USB A2 (Order No
The adapter requires two layers of drivers:
This process assumes you have Windows XP Professional SP3 with all critical updates (specifically KB838989 for USB stability).
Siemens officially ended support for Windows XP with later driver versions. If you have a newer USB A2 (green housing), it may not work on XP at all. For XP, the older black USB A2 adapter is safer.
Would you like a direct link to the last XP-compatible driver version from Siemens?
The Simatic PC Adapter USB A2 is one of those unassuming pieces of industrial hardware that represents a fascinating intersection of legacy engineering and modern connectivity.
Writing a technical piece about its driver support for Windows XP reveals a lot about the lifecycle of industrial automation and the specific challenges faced by maintenance engineers today.
Here is an interesting perspective on why this specific driver/hardware combination matters.
The SIEMENS SIMATIC PC Adapter USB A2 (Order No.: 6GK1571-0BA00-0AA0 / later 6GK1571-0BA00-0AB0) is a programming device (PG) interface used to connect a computer to Siemens PLCs (S7-200/300/400, ET200) via MPI, PROFIBUS, or PPI.
