Hi Richard.
Maybe
this (see windows-related instructions) will help, assuming you use virtualbox to run windows..
Does your device recognized by linux and work well in virtual windows environment? What shows `lsusb' and `dmesg' when the device is plugged in?
BTW, I guess your device use something like usb-to-serial converter (e.g. Prolific PL2303) which should work on linux without specific drivers. In this case there is something like /dev/ttyUSB0 file to communicate with the device. Though you still have to reverse-engineer the protocol, it may happen that commands go in clear text through serial device.
Hope, this helps.