I downloaded the 2550 zip, then the 4550 zip.

compiled the 2550 example, blew it, plugged it in, nothing, then remembered the crystal speed (I'm on a 16) so went into programmer software and changed div from none to 4, nothing.

changed all fuse setting in programmer software to what I usually have, worked first time!

Ran the VB demo, picked it up and worked a treat!

I was going to update one of my toys with the fake comport CDC but this, well, so much better!

Thanks a million for showing me it can be done without expensive development kit, this thread should be tagged as a sticky at the top of the forum!

(yes I had it working in about 20 minutes, this from me that usually has all kinds of problems!) (And I dont even have a proper dev board, just a homebrew with leds etc)