You must install the Altera® USB-BlasterTM or Altera USB-Blaster II download cable driver before you can use it to program devices with Quartus® II software.
The first time the USB-Blaster or USB-Blaster II download cable is plugged in, the Windows Vista Found New Hardware dialog box prompts you to install the driver. (Note: Do not use the Add Hardware Wizard from the Control Panel.)
The Altera On-Board USB-Blaster II cable appears as Altera USB-Blaster (unconfigured) when first attached to your system. After it has been configured by the Quartus II software, it will appear as Altera USB-Blaster II (JTAG interface) and then Altera USB-Blaster II (SystemConsole interface). You may need to install drivers for each of these interfaces in the same way as described below.
You must have system administration (Administrator) privileges to install the USB-Blaster download cable driver.
Driver Installation
- Plug the USB-Blaster download cable into PC. The Found New Hardware dialog box will appear.
- Select Locate and install driver software (recommended).
- Select Don't search online.
- When you are prompted to Insert the disc that came with your USB-Blaster, select I don’t have the disc. Show me other options.
- Select Browse my computer for driver software (advanced) when you see the Windows couldn’t find driver software for your device.
- Click Browse and browse to the <Path to Quartus II installation>\drivers\<cable type> directory.>
a. For USB-Blaster cables, the driver is in the usb-blaster directory.
b. For USB-Blaster II cables, the driver is in the usb-blaster-ii directory - Click OK.
- Select the Include subfolders option and click Next.
- If you are prompted Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software, select Install this driver software anyway in the Window Security dialog box.
- The installation begins.
- When The software for this device has been successfully installed appears, click Close.
- To complete your installation, set up programming hardware in the Quartus II software.
