Brother's PED-Basic uses the "new" version of the embroidery card (SA309), which is incompatible with some older Brother embroidery machines which uses the "old" version of the embroidery card (SA308), e.g., the PC-8500. See https://help.brother-usa...my-reader-writer-box%3F.

The PC-8500 cannot read the "new" card, and PED-Basic cannot write to the "old" card.

The solution to extending the useful life of a fully-functional older Brother embroidery machine that used the "old" card:

1. Install the old PE Design 2.0 or 2.5 software on your new Windows 10 computer (you may need help in copying it to a USB stick from the floppy media it came on)

2. Buy a USB-to-serial adapter (e.g., Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Converter Cable, http://a.co/ez1A13y)

3. Connect the USB-to-serial adapter to your Windows computer and the old RS-232 based card reader / writer box

4. Create / modify .pes file with new (PE Design 10) or older PE Design software, and save as .pes format (select "Save as..." and choose .pes format with compatibility with PE Design 2.x)

5. Use the old PE Design 2.x "File Utility" to write the .pes file to the "old" card writer

6. Open the "old" card on your PC-8500 -- it works!