Any Vista 64 whiz kids here?

[BGCarrera32]

Hi

I have a printer that has a 32 bit Vista driver available, but I run Vista 64. I haven't been able to install the driver properly, and I am guessing this is why. The manufacturer told me they have no plans for a 64 bit driver, and that I need a 32 bit OS to use their printer.

Is there any way to make a Vista 32 bit driver work on Vista 64 (or make Vista 64 emulate a 32 bit setup?)

When I point to the print driver, it won't install it.

Thanks

[TerryBPP]

Main problem with vista is printer compatibility. I have a $2k printer I cannot get to scan to my computer. Can't wait for Windows 7!

[gr8fl4porsche]

Printer drivers are a manufacturer issue - not the OS. Win7 will most likely do nothing to help your printer come on line unless the manufacturer writes a 7 driver. If they passed on Vista - then likely they will pass on 7. Lots of manufacturers don't care much about supporting older hardware. They want you to buy new stuff.

You can get everything to work with Vista, 7, XP, etc. - just depends on how important it is to you.

3rd party companies write drivers for all kinds of hardware and especially older expensive printers. They don't give them away though - $200 a driver is not uncommon.

The other answer is a Virtual Machine. You can create a VM with freeware - VirtualBox is what I started using to get an older large format printer running on modern systems.

Install VirtualBox.
Install Vista32 or XP on the VM.
Now you can install the printer.

The downside is the the printer will only be available through the VM.
I have not found a way to get a 'shortcut' to the virtual printer to work without going through the VM.
Open the VM. Now you have a window on your screen that is another computer with another OS. Print away.

Win7 Ultimate comes with a free Virtual Machine and Virtual XP to solve the issue you both have.

[azasadny]

What printer is it? I'll try to find a driver that will work with Vista64 (that's what I use) for you...