Setup.exe from SIMATIC PC Toolset, run it directly.Warning: Windows XP is insecure if connected to a network or internet. Use only on an isolated programming machine.
Would you like the direct Siemens support entry numbers or help finding an archived driver package?
Getting Your Siemens PC Adapter USB A2 Running on Windows XP
If you are maintaining legacy automation systems, you know that the Siemens PC Adapter USB A2
(Order No. 6GK1571-0BA00-0AA0) is a lifeline for connecting modern PG/PCs to SIMATIC S7 via PROFIBUS or MPI. While it is natively supported by Windows 7 and higher, getting it stable on Windows XP (SP2 or higher) requires a specific approach to driver installation. Where to Find the Drivers Unlike newer devices that are often "plug-and-play," the Go to product viewer dialog for this item. requires the PC Adapter USB A2 Driverdisk V1.0 for proper recognition on Windows XP. siemens pc adapter usb a2 driver windows xp
Official Downloads: You can find download links and community support for these drivers on the Siemens SiePortal.
Software Bundles: If you have installed STEP 7 (TIA Portal) or SIMATIC NET, the drivers are often already on your system in the installation path, even if they haven't been "activated" for the hardware yet. Step-by-Step Installation Guide
To ensure a clean installation on Windows XP, users on the Siemens SiePortal recommend this specific sequence:
Prepare the Environment: Close all active programs and ensure you are logged in with Administrator rights. Method B (using bundled installer): If you have Setup
Run the Installer: Locate the Setup.exe from your driver disk or downloaded folder. Right-click and select "Run as..." to explicitly use the Administrator account.
Visual C++ Components: The installer will typically install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable first; do not cancel this step.
Restart: After the "Simatic Device Drivers" window finishes, restart Windows XP before plugging in the adapter.
Hardware Wizard: Plug in the USB connector. When the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appears, select "Yes, this time only" and then "Install the software automatically". Troubleshooting Common Issues Need drivers of PC ADAPTER USB A2 for windows XP Warning: Windows XP is insecure if connected to
Cause: The PG/PC interface assignment is application-specific. Fix: In WinCC, you must explicitly select the same “PC Adapter USB A2” logical device name under System Parameters.
To avoid driver failures on Windows XP, follow these industrial best practices:
Windows XP has a known bug: after a system hibernation or sleep, the A2 driver fails to reinitialize.
The driver files are typically in:
C:\Program Files\Siemens\Step7\S7BIN\S7U2PCMD.EXE
After installation, always test the communication before troubleshooting PLC logic.