I would like add my 2Cent on this topic. This is specifically reg. the Software (Xgpro TL866-II Plus).
I’ve acquired a TL866-II Plus (from banggood.com) recently after going through this Forum and after watching Dave’s Video Review on it.
Initial Impression was good (as Dave has already described.). I’ve installed the Programming Software (Xgpro TL866-II Plus) on Win7 Virtual Box Guest (Host: Ubuntu 16.04 L.T.S., U.S.B. Passthrough enabled for Win7 Enterprise;64bit Guest and works Flawlessly with other U.S.B. Instruments connected to the Host.). Installation went smoothly and I can’t remember it asking for any ‘Special Privilege Level’ (more on it later.). It detected the Programmer with ease and Self-Check on the Device completed successfully. However the Software prompted me to Upgrade the Programmer’s Firmware for which I’ve given permission and voila it failed (erasing part went fine, programmer disconnected from the Host; probably was performing actual Writing Operation and never got connected back to the Computer)! When I’ve disconnected and reconnected (by physically removing and reattaching the U.S.B. Cable) the Programmer, the Software was able to ‘See’ it but Self-Test started failing. ‘Firmware Upgradation’ Prompt was still being displayed but will not proceed further than what has happened before. I tried using different versions of the Software (Firmware Upgrade comes bundled with it.), even on a separate WinXP Laptop but to no avail. It was same everywhere and the Software was not helpful in giving any proper ‘Error Message’. I was about to hit the road end and exhausted all available options (even started getting doubt on insufficient Power Delivery to the Programmer over U.S.B. but it was not the case.). It was kind of Brick for me.
I was sure about one point at this moment that basic ‘Boot-Code’ is still intact and working fine (as P.C. Software was able to detect it.) and most probably the ‘Upgrade Routine’ is still there. As last resort before giving up, I’ve launched the Software (which came with the Programmer, same Virtual Box Environment) with ‘Elevated Privilege’ (‘Run as Administrator’ on Win7, although my User Account is with Administrative Privileges.) and tried to Upgrade the Firmware. This time it could complete the Process Successfully, Self-Test Passed and reported Correct Firmware Version (this was not there earlier.). To be doubly sure, I’ve disconnected and reconnected the Device few more times, performed self Tests and Programmed/Read few Micro-Controllers (Atmel and PIC), everything was Rock-Solid.
This Programming Software has never asked for any ‘Elevated Privileges’ during Installation or Start-Up. U.S.B. Communication was always working as the Software could detect the Programmer every time (even when the Firmware Upgrade was failing.). It could program the devices without running it as ‘Administrator’. It only got issues when upgrading the Firmware. Without using ‘Run as Administrator’, it’s not going to work and it’s nowhere documented (I’ve gone through the User Manual provided.)!
Hope this will be helpful for someone facing the same weird issue.
(Please bear with me if I was being naive with Windows, I’m not a native Windows User for long time. I’ll probably settle for the Linux Software, wanted to give it a Quick Try using it’s own Software.)