[wacky.banana]

I finally and reluctantly decided to give Vista a run on one of the PCs in my network a few days ago.

Got the software loaded up ok and then my problems started. Whilst I was aware of the much mooted driver compatibility problem I did not realise that this also extended to software.

Having spent 2 evenings deinstalling perfectly good software that ran without issues under XP, then having to search around for alternatives, I thought I would try my hand at sorting out the driver issues.

This has been a very slow process, not least because Vista has this irritating habit of warning you that a driver is not signed/not compatible but then giving you the option to load it up if you wish. If you choose to do so it then resolutely refuses to budge even though it has suggested that option as one of the many available. What the hell this is all about I do not know.

I have been scouring this forum for answers and looking through e.g. Vista policies on the PC to see if there is something I can disable/switch off that will allow me to install a driver I, and the driver manufacturer, are perfectly happy with.

Can anyone point me toward a solution for this problem before I throw the kit out the window please? Also does anyone know of a decent site for obtaining Vista drivers that will work with it and/or with legacy equipment?

Many thanks

WB

[DaveA]

Can anyone point me toward a solution for this problem before I throw the kit out the window please? Also does anyone know of a decent site for obtaining Vista drivers that will work with it and/or with legacy equipment?

Yes, the OEM site of each maker of hardware. Some have not and will not provide drivers for "legacy" hardware. This is the same boat we were in when we went from "98" to "XP".

Having spent 2 evenings deinstalling perfectly good software that ran without issues under XP, then having to search around for alternatives, I thought I would try my hand at sorting out the driver issues.

Same as above, you should have run the Vista adviser before hand, it would have told you about most of these issues.

[wacky.banana]

Dave,

Thanks for the response.

My real point was what if the manufacturer provides a driver that Vista keeps complaining is not e.g signed, but which I am perfectly happy to install? How do I force the install of that particular driver?

Every time I take the option Vista gives me to do EXACTLY that, it then kicks back in and refuses to install.

That's the question I need an answer to please.

Thanks

WB

[crjdriver]

From your post, it would seem that you did an in-place upgrade. I would really recommend a clean install of vista.

FWIW when doing any os upgrade, you need to first make sure whatever hardware and software are supported. Failure to do this task, results in a lot of frustration with drivers, etc.

IMO vista is a much better os than xp. In fact I really know very little about vista since it just works all of the time without problems; not something I could say for xp.

[wacky.banana]

CRJDriver,

Thanks for your input. I must admit I did an in-situ upgrade as I wanted to quickly get stuck in to assess the benefits/downsides of Vista before considering a network wide upgrade.

I will do a clean install and see what happens although I am not hopeful that things will improve beyond where we are now.

As for your Vista/XP comments may I respectfully disagree. I have been running XP since it came out and it has been absolutely rock solid. To be honest I am really not sure why I am considering moving to Vista other than wanting to ensure I have a current OS.

Anyone else got an input to my specific question please?

Thanks

WB

[jbm1991]

this might not resolve your issue, but you could try turning off the "UAC" (user account control). if you dont know what that is, its the thing which whenever you try to install/do pretty much anything it comes up asking for confirmation on what you want to be done. i personally found it highly irritating and turned it off as soon as i could. i appreciate the idea of it, but it gets annoying very quickly.

[DaveA]

If this is the 64 bit version, all drivers MUST be signed.

[wacky.banana]

Guys,

Thanks for your responses. I will turn off UAC and see how we get on. Must admit I will be going straight back to XP if I can't resolve this satisfactorily.

WB

[jbm1991]

let us know how you get on

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by wacky.banana

I finally and reluctantly decided to give Vista a run on one of the PCs in my network a few days ago.

Got the software loaded up ok and then my problems started. Whilst I was aware of the much mooted driver compatibility problem I did not realise that this also extended to software.

Having spent 2 evenings deinstalling perfectly good software that ran without issues under XP, then having to search around for alternatives, I thought I would try my hand at sorting out the driver issues.

This has been a very slow process, not least because Vista has this irritating habit of warning you that a driver is not signed/not compatible but then giving you the option to load it up if you wish. If you choose to do so it then resolutely refuses to budge even though it has suggested that option as one of the many available. What the hell this is all about I do not know.

I have been scouring this forum for answers and looking through e.g. Vista policies on the PC to see if there is something I can disable/switch off that will allow me to install a driver I, and the driver manufacturer, are perfectly happy with.

Can anyone point me toward a solution for this problem before I throw the kit out the window please? Also does anyone know of a decent site for obtaining Vista drivers that will work with it and/or with legacy equipment?

Many thanks

WB

Not sure what you are talking about. Windows XP informs you of unsigned drivers as well.

[Bob Cerelli]

In reading the first post, it looks like the problem is not so much with the unsigned drivers but - "If you choose to do so it then resolutely refuses to budge even though it has suggested that option as one of the many available". That would be different than the way XP did it. At least in XP there was a relatively simply way for it even to not prompt you.

[richard94]

Dude, too late now, but run the Vista compatibility tool from MS before you install. I'm sure that everyone on this forum will help you happily, but don't blame Vista for your lack of preparation.

[wacky.banana]

Thanks for the inputs.

Richard, please read my post again. It has absolutely nothing to do with "my lack of preparation". I'm trying to force install a driver, which i should be able to.

Jonmc33, Bob Cerelli has just eloquently explained what my problem is.

JBM, will let you know how I get on.

The english language is an amazing vehicle but is pretty bad at what it was principally invented for, ie effective communication (or is it that people only see/read what they want to see/read!)

Appreciate all the inputs so far and please keep them coming; just take your time to understand what I am asking first before jumping in.

WB

[Darth Revan]

Just a tip when messing with vista, if you mess with its functionality too much then you will have lots of fun keeping the system stable. Its like hackers stealing the OS, in order to steal it they need to hack a number of core system files in order for it to install without MS knowing right away, (note: if you pirate software you will get caught). in that case the system will never work right.. in other words be careful when switching stuff off.

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by wacky.banana

Jonmc33, Bob Cerelli has just eloquently explained what my problem is.

And I can't read any of his posts since he is on my Ignore List for a very good reason.

Originally Posted by wacky.banana

The english language is an amazing vehicle but is pretty bad at what it was principally invented for, ie effective communication (or is it that people only see/read what they want to see/read!)

Appreciate all the inputs so far and please keep them coming; just take your time to understand what I am asking first before jumping in.

With an attitude like that it would be amazing to see if anyone wastes their time trying to help you in the future.