Can I get my PC to use this Mac-based USB device?
July 22, 2009 3:58 PM Subscribe
Help me set up this USB infrared receiver for my PC. The machine doesn't recognize it when I plug it in.
I bought the device after reading in a forum that it can work with Windows to receive remote control commands. I figured this would be perfect for my Harmony One remote, since this computer sits in the living room and uses my HDTV as a display. I realize the device is targeted toward the Mac, but I was hopeful that configuring it for the PC would be a simple task.
I was wrong. The first time I connected the device to my computer, it said that it was installed and ready for use. It did not respond to the commands from my remote, and it was not listed in the device manager anywhere. As a result, I have no idea how to try to configure it. Every time I've connected the device since the first time, the machine has not responded to it in any way. No sound indicating a device has been connected, no system tray icon saying it's being installed, no entry in the device manager, nothing.
If anyone has an idea of how to get this working with my machine, your help is greatly appreciated. If I can't get it working, I'll order something designed for Windows, which isn't the end of the world, but I'd obviously like to use what I've already got if possible. Thanks!
Relevant information: My PC is a Dell Inspiron 531s desktop machine running Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit.
Relevant links:
Aforementioned forum thread where I learned about this device
Article on the subject that might be more helpful to you than it was to me
I bought the device after reading in a forum that it can work with Windows to receive remote control commands. I figured this would be perfect for my Harmony One remote, since this computer sits in the living room and uses my HDTV as a display. I realize the device is targeted toward the Mac, but I was hopeful that configuring it for the PC would be a simple task.
I was wrong. The first time I connected the device to my computer, it said that it was installed and ready for use. It did not respond to the commands from my remote, and it was not listed in the device manager anywhere. As a result, I have no idea how to try to configure it. Every time I've connected the device since the first time, the machine has not responded to it in any way. No sound indicating a device has been connected, no system tray icon saying it's being installed, no entry in the device manager, nothing.
If anyone has an idea of how to get this working with my machine, your help is greatly appreciated. If I can't get it working, I'll order something designed for Windows, which isn't the end of the world, but I'd obviously like to use what I've already got if possible. Thanks!
Relevant information: My PC is a Dell Inspiron 531s desktop machine running Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit.
Relevant links:
Aforementioned forum thread where I learned about this device
Article on the subject that might be more helpful to you than it was to me
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by General Malaise at 5:39 PM on July 22, 2009