Windows 7 and old hardware(drivers)

[Kalmah]

I'm contemplating upgrading from XP to Windows 7 finally. The problem is, I have a lot of old pro-audio equipment.. some of it the xp drivers are still only beta(Product was discontinued right after the launch of xp)

Some of this hardware cost me roughly $1,000 each and I'm in no condition to buy new stuff since what I have works fine.

What happens if you try to install xp drivers for a device in windows 7? Will it just not accept it? Or will it *maybe* work?

I currently don't have enough room to have a second computer set up.. and I really don't want to dual-boot. I'm guess I might have to though.

 

[Blazer]

the upgrade path from XP to W7 isnt available, you would have to clean install.

its very likely that W7 will not allow your older programs, so dual boot may be your only choice just to keep the older programs.

if you already own W7 and a spare hd you could test

 

[zagood]

Probably won't "just work." Win7 is very good at loading older drivers (or using generic drivers for old hardware), but with something like XP beta drivers you're really reaching.

XP mode in Win7 (Professional versions and above) may be an option. Here's a good overview :

http://www.techradar.com/news/softw...complete-guide-to-xp-mode-in-windows-7-662005

To be honest, I don't know if a Win7's virtual machine is going to be able to interact with your specific hardware, but it's worth a shot if you're set on moving operating systems. If it doesn't work, then dual-boot.

 

[gsaldivar]

If it ain't broke...

 

[JackMDS]

To be honest, I don't know if a Win7's virtual machine is going to be able to interact with your specific hardware

It will Not. Virtual Computer is designed for the Hardware of the Host computer.

If you will more specific about the hardware your are talking about it might be that some solution can be found.

On the other hand if you have $1000 of hardware that is important to you.

A second computer will be a very cost effective solution.

If the Win XP needs for your hardware are not very demanding you can find for less than $200 a good P-4 XP computer (they usually come with WinXP COA) and use it for the audio equipmnet with a KVM.

 

[Kalmah]

I'm guessing maybe I should just wait for now until I can get a new place to live. My office doubles as a storage room and bedroom. I literally have 2 square feet of open space in here.

I have enough parts to put a second computer together(with a pentium D).. just not enough room.

Thanks guys.

 

[Cogman]

Unless microsoft has gone out of there way to develop drivers for it (They do actually do that, quite a bit in fact), you are SOL. The Win7/Vista driver model is SIGNIFICANTLY different from the XP driver model. The XP drivers WON'T work.

 

[Binky]

If it ain't broke...

+1, leave it alone if it does what you need.

If you don't want to dual boot, how about a second hard drive with a dedicated install of Win7? You could get a removable drive cage with two trays. Shut down anytime and boot with the OS of your choice. You can snag a 500gb Hitachi over at ZZF for $40AR...

 

[Kalmah]

+1, leave it alone if it does what you need.

If you don't want to dual boot, how about a second hard drive with a dedicated install of Win7? You could get a removable drive cage with two trays. Shut down anytime and boot with the OS of your choice. You can snag a 500gb Hitachi over at ZZF for $40AR...

That sounds like a plausible idea.

 

[Nothinman]

Unless microsoft has gone out of there way to develop drivers for it (They do actually do that, quite a bit in fact), you are SOL. The Win7/Vista driver model is SIGNIFICANTLY different from the XP driver model. The XP drivers WON'T work.

I wouldn't go that far, it's been a while since I loaded Win7 on my work notebook so I could be wrong, but from what I remember it didn't include any drivers for the onboard AC97 audio in the notebook (go figure, it's probably the most "standard" part of the notebook...) and I installed XP sound drivers just fine.

 

[Thor86]

What type of interfaces does your audio equipment work with your computer?

It's true you can use older drivers on Win7, and it will just complain it isn't supported, or fully compliant, but you won't know until you try, or google for info for others who have tried going down the same route.

 

[JesseKnows]

If your XP is XP Pro, you can just use Remote Desktop to access your XP box from the Win7 box. It can be just hidden away, no keyboard/mouse/display.
Other remote desktop solutions would even work with XP Home.