Loading 98 Drivers on Xp

[Nikki]

I have loaded Windows on an older Windows 98 computer and discovered to my
dismay that the manufacturer of some of the peripherals do not have drivers
for Windows Xp. I
understand that Windows XP can be configured to load or run a Windows 98
program in compatibility mode for Win 98 and I would like to know if it is
possible to have Win XP do this with Windows 98 drivers also. If so, how is
this done?

Thanks
Nikki

 

[David Candy]

Drivers for Win98 Second Edition (WDM drivers - same driver model as XP) may work on later versions. It just depends if the programmer was carefull not to do something to break it on XP as there are small differences and the programmer must account for them.

Note 98 drivers generally are not compatible.

 

[Sharon F]

I have loaded Windows on an older Windows 98 computer and discovered to my
dismay that the manufacturer of some of the peripherals do not have drivers
for Windows Xp. I
understand that Windows XP can be configured to load or run a Windows 98
program in compatibility mode for Win 98 and I would like to know if it is
possible to have Win XP do this with Windows 98 drivers also. If so, how is
this done?

Thanks
Nikki

For older hardware, you could try using a Win2000 driver if it's available.
In general, these tend to work where a Win9x version might fail.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have loaded Windows on an older Windows 98 computer and discovered to my
dismay that the manufacturer of some of the peripherals do not have drivers
for Windows Xp. I
understand that Windows XP can be configured to load or run a Windows 98
program in compatibility mode for Win 98 and I would like to know if it is
possible to have Win XP do this with Windows 98 drivers also. If so, how is
this done?

No, Win98 drivers cannot be used on WinXP; they can't even be
installed. However, you might look to see if Win2K drivers are
available for your legacy devices; I've had a fair amount of success
getting Win2K drivers to work with WinXP.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin