Driver Updates for PC

Articles and technical help with driver issues

Windows Vista Drivers - Part 2

Are my devices Windows Vista compatible?

Products that have been tested and certified by Microsoft to work with Windows Vista and that meet prescribed standards for performance and user experience will bear the Certified for Windows Vista or Works with Windows Vista logo. If your device does not display this logo, another place to get an answer to this question is at the Windows Vista Compatibility Center at Microsoft.com.

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You can search by device type and then by brand to get the status. You will see one of three statuses: Compatible, Status Unknown and Not Compatible.

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For those that are compatible, you will ultimately be led to a link on the manufacturer’s site where you can download the driver.

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If the status is unknown, you might need to do a little more homework to completely rule it out. You might find information from other Vista users who have found a workaround. Be cautious with these instructions. Try to find the same advice in a couple of reputable places before you commit to trying a solution.

Another reliable place to go for information is the manufacturer’s website. You might find that support for your device stops at Windows XP. If it is compatible, it may display the logo.

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Look for drop down menus or links with words like support, downloads or drivers. In general, if the company that makes the device is not a major player in that market or the device itself was not popular when it was released, there is a good chance that no driver support will be available for that device. Your choices are to replace the device with something that is compatible, stay with your current operating system or search for a workaround.

Back to Part One

Continue to Part Three

 

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