NanoDrop 1000 setup#

Install PyLabRobot with USB support:

pip install "pylabrobot[usb]"

Windows USB driver#

The NanoDrop 1000 must use a libusb-compatible driver before PyLabRobot can communicate with it. Changing this driver prevents the official NanoDrop software from using the device until you switch the driver back.

Some Windows 10 and 11 systems report the NanoDrop as an unknown USB device because its older USB controller does not provide a BOS descriptor. Only if Device Manager reports that problem, open an administrator Command Prompt and run:

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags\245710020002" /v SkipBOSDescriptorQuery /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Unplug and reconnect the NanoDrop after changing the setting.

Install the libusb driver with Zadig:

  1. Download and run Zadig.

  2. Select Options > List All Devices.

  3. Select NanoDrop 1000.

  4. Select libusb-win32 as the replacement driver.

  5. Click Replace Driver or Install Driver.

Restore the official driver#

To use the official NanoDrop software again:

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Find the NanoDrop 1000 under libusb-win32 devices.

  3. Select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list.

  4. Select the original NanoDrop or Cypress EZ-USB driver.

If you added the BOS descriptor registry setting and want to remove it, run this from an administrator Command Prompt:

reg delete "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags\245710020002" /v SkipBOSDescriptorQuery /f

Continue with the NanoDrop 1000 hello world.