Windows XP driver support begins to end

TECH.BLORGE.com ^ | December 21, 2007 | Jonathan Schlaffer

[CedarDave]

It’s official, manufacturers are starting to dump Windows XP support entirely and some new models won’t even have Windows XP drivers or any kind of support available, anywhere. One reader, “Mark” contacted us regarding installing Windows XP on his HP V6610 (AU) laptop which is the V6620 in the US.

“Mark” said when he went to the HP driver/downloads section that very few Windows XP drivers were available for it and he was right, there were almost no useful drivers for the laptop there.

His call to HP support didn’t get very far as “HP is no longer supporting Windows XP on the newer PCs.”

Almost all new computers will ship with a version of Vista be it Basic, Premium, Business or Ultimate and deciding to install Windows XP might be problematic if not all the drivers are available. It’s also doubtful that the drivers will ever be available so you may as well stick with Vista.

Personally, I’ve not had that many problems with Vista, sure I had issues in the past but most of those have been resolved now and I would also have all my hardware working, despite the operating system.

Of course, those of you with Windows Vista and older hardware can attempt to install XP drivers, sometimes they take, sometimes they don’t but its a guarantee that Vista drivers do not work on Windows XP.

If you are not aware, Windows XP OEM will cease production in early 2008 so many manufacturers see no reason to provide Windows XP drivers for their newer hardware which will likely be running on a PC with Vista installed.

My guess is that other manufacturers are going to follow this model sooner rather than later. Models that shipped with Windows XP should be unaffected just don’t expect driver updates.

[NucSubs]

Never hear of it. can you elaborate?

[CedarDave]

We also have a Radio Shack.

[Spktyr]

Oh, no. Radio Shack is to an Apple Store like Joe’s Used Car Lot is to your local Lexus dealer.

[uptoolate]

Please make sure Dad teaches them proper use.
Don't worry, I will.

Couple of kids in our neighborhood got paint guns and pointed it at me and my dog from their yard when I was walking him.
Good thing your dog didn't take it as a violent threat or attack on you. Your dog could've gone in to protect the master role and pulled a SF Tiger on them kids.

[CedarDave]

Your dog could've gone in to protect the master role

Yeah, 20 pounds of jump-in-your-lap and lick your face. LOL.

[dayglored]

> Never hear of it. can you elaborate?

Not elaborately tonight, I'm headed to bed. But here is a link for introductory reading. VMware is the leader in this field, although there are a few competitors as well.

http://www.vmware.com/virtualization/

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I’ll just have to switch away from Microsoft altogether. Vista is a downgrade from XP Pro, I don’t want it.

[jas3]

The Alienware tester was DOA and not returned in time for the test. What good is a “smokingly fast computer” that doesn’t work and can’t be repaired in time for your work?

A broken computer is no good. But neither is claiming that the fastest Vista computer is an Apple, just because the tests were run months ago and the testers don't feel like re-running their tests when demonstrably better hardware is on the market.

I could run OS X on the Alienware and claim that the fastest OS X machine is an Alienware. And I could run BSD or Linux or whatever on the Alienware and make the same claim.

Lastly, the actual "fastest" claim is essentially meaningless, since the tests are somewhat arbitrary.

Apple does make nice hardware, but they certainly do charge for it....

jas3

[ShadowAce]

[sionnsar]

And like Dell, HP will give in if there is enough market demand. Dell got pressured into making Linux drivers too.

When I upgraded my Kubuntu system, I let go of the no-longer-supported Lexmark printer and brought a fully-supported HP out of retirement -- end result, I now buy HP ink cartridges and not Lexmark. Smart move for HP (though I rarely use my printers -- my Apple Laserwriter has the same toner cartridge we put in it about 9 years ago.

[pctech]

I think it’s time to go back to Windows 98SE. What do you think? :-))

[KoRn]

Moral of the story:

Build your own computers....

[Vroomfondel]

I think it’s time to go back to Windows 98SE. What do you think? :-))

Gave it a go on my spiffy new EEE PC, but no network drivers. :-(

Ya know CP/M-68K was written in C, right? It's not too much work to get it to compile with a modern compiler...

[The_Reader_David]

Control-click on a Mac is right click, and does one ever really *need* a scroll wheel? Besides, a Mac correctly interpets input from a two-button plus scroll-wheel mouse (which you’ll have left-over if your last PC had a USB mouse).

[polymuser]

.

So, Apple will continue to offer XP drivers for their Intel-based PC's, while M$ and their vendor-minions won't?

Hmm...