Windows Vista RC 1 Hardware Compatibility List

From IeXwiki

For our latest results, check out the current listing.

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NOTICE: This time around we've started fresh and reset the page content due to Vista having reached a new level of maturity with its Release Candidate 1 status.

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This entry shall enable all ieXwiki members to create a list of hardware that will work with Vista RC1 (Build 5600), or won't work, so that it's possible to check that even before installation.

For our previous results, check out the Beta 1 listing or the Build 5219 listing or the Build 5270 listing or the Build 5308 listing or the Build 5342 listing or the Build 5365 listing or the Build 5381 listing or the Beta 2 (Build 5384) listing or the Build 5456 listing or the Build 5472 listing or the Build 5536 listing.

However, for our software compatiblity results, please see this alternative listing.

NOTES:

• An italic entry denotes a piece of hardware that was reported to work previously, but is unconfirmed for this particular build.
  Therefore, new entries should generally NOT be italicized.
• Please mention if it applies to the 32-Bit or the 64-Bit Build!
• Please remove the italic font from entries if it is still working with this build!
• Please post in the right section. Don't just add a "is working this very way" to the not-working list but rather move it to the right section and then add your notes.
• Please post the Windows Experience Index shown in Performance Information and Tools for qualified Components.

WINDOWS UPDATE REGISTRY HACK: Hardware drivers can be updated and installed from Windows Update, but many of them are hidden. By using the next registry hack, you can gain availability to hidden device drivers for many device (including Windows Mobile Device Center): In Regedit, add the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WHOS", and recheck for updates in Windows Update. You will now see the hidden driver updates, however, note that these are BETA drivers and are not supported by neither MS nor hardware vendors!

Contents 1 Supported Hardware 1.1 Motherboards 1.2 Graphic Cards 1.3 IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers 1.4 Imaging Devices 1.5 Input Devices 1.6 Sound Cards 1.7 TV Cards 1.8 External Storage 1.9 Audio Devices: NOT SOUND CARDS 1.10 PCI Modems 1.11 USB Modems 1.12 USB Devices 1.13 Network Cards 1.14 Printer / Scanner 1.15 Driver Downloads 1.16 Laptops 2 Has problems, but can be solved 2.1 Motherboards 2.2 Graphic Cards 2.3 IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers 2.4 Network Cards 2.5 Sound Cards 2.6 TV Cards 2.7 Audio Devices: NOT SOUND CARDS 2.8 Printer / Scanner 2.9 Tier 1 Systems 3 Heavy problems / currently incompatible 3.1 Graphics Card 3.2 IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers 3.3 Printer / Scanner 3.4 Network Cards 3.5 Sound Cards 3.6 Audio Devices (not sound cards) 3.7 TV Cards 3.8 Imaging Devices 3.9 Other Devices 4 How to add hardware

Supported Hardware

Motherboards

Fully Vista Compliant motherboards (all drivers installed and working)

ABIT

• NF7-S v2.0 (sil3112r not included on dvd, raid boot rom must be enabled in bios/ Other drivers loaded post install via update)
• KV8 pro (Vista RC1 64 bits)

ASUS

• A7N8X v2
• A7N8X-E Deluxe (with additional updates from Microsoft Post installation)(32-bit)
• K8V (32 bit)
• A8V Deluxe (32 bit)
• P4P800 Deluxe (32 bit)
• P5P800-SE (32 bit)
• P5WD2
• P5WD2-Premium
• A8N-SLI Deluxe (Vista RC1 64 bits)
• A8N-SLI Premium (Vista RC1 64 bits)
• P5ND2-SLI Deluxe (Vista RC1 64 bits)
• P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe (32 bit)
• Crosshair (32 bit)

DFI

• LanParty UT nF3 250Gb (32 bit & 64 bit)
• nF4 Infinity (32 bit & 64 bit)

ECS (see also Elitegroup below)

• N2U400-A nForce2 (32 bit)
• RS480-M

GIGABYTE

• GA-965P-DQ6 (32 bit)
• GA-945GM-S2 (32 bit) (64bit) both smooth install on triple boot with W2K
• GA-8I945PLGE-RH (32bit) Vista installs it's own drivers
• GA-8IPE1000 (32-bit) Vista has all it's own drivers and even the Realtek Audio Program
• GA-M59SLI-S5 (32 bit & 64 Bit) Vista installs it's own drivers
• GA-K8N ULTRA-SLI (32 bit) Vista installs it's own drivers
• GA-K8N51GMF-9 (32 bit & 64 bits) Vista installs it's own drivers through Windows Update
• GA-K8N51GMF-9-RH (32 bit & 64 bits) Vista installs it's own drivers through Windows Update
• GA-7N400 Pro2(Rev 2.x) (32-Bit) Vista installs all drivers incl. Network, Realtek and Nvidia

Intel

• D955XBK (32 and 64-bit)

MSI

• MSI 945 PL Neo F (64bit)

Shuttle

• FN41U

Elitegroup

• RS480

Graphic Cards

• AGP:
  • ATI Radeon 9600XT (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • ATI Radeon 9700 (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit) (Windows Experience Index: Graphics 4.0/Gaming 3.8)
  • ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • ATI Radeon X1600 Pro (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • BFG 7600 GS OC 512mb (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce FX 5500 (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically)
  • Nvidia GeForce FX 5700 (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce FX 5900XT (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Nvidia Geforce 6600GT (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit & 64 bit)
  • Nvidia Geforce 6800 (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit & 64 bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6200 (64bit mem) (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • XFX Geforce 6800XT (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Gainward Geforce 7600 GS+ (512MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Palit GeForce 7600GS (256MB) (Aero glass enabled) (32 bit) Windows Experience Index: Graphics 4.6/Gaming 4.8

• PCI-Express:
  • ATI Radeon x300 (128MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit & 64 bit)
  • ATI Radeon x600 (256MB)
  • ATI Radeon x800 GTO (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • ATI Radeon X1600 Pro (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • ATI Radeon x850 XT (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
  • ATI Radeon x1800 XT (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (64 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6600 (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6600GT (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6700GT (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6800 (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6800GS (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6800GT (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7300GS (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7400 (128 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit) (turbocache not working correctly, system only shows physical memory amount)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7600GT (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) 32 Bit & 64 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7600GS (512MB) Asus (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX (256MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 7900GT (512MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit & 64 Bits)

• PCI:
  • NVIDIA GeForce FX5500 (256 MB) (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically) (32 Bit)

• Onboard:
  • Intel GMA950 (Aero Glass Enabled Automatically with 1GB+ System Memory) (32 Bit)
  • Nvidia GeForce 6100 (Aero Glass Enabled with default drivers, disabled when beta ForceWare drivers are installed) (32 bit)

IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers

• Nvidia Nforce4 AMD SATA RAID 0 (as an upgrade no clean install yet, 32 bit).
• ST3160023AS ATA HD
• 3ware 7000/8000 ide/sata (32bit) (upgrade and clean install with xp drivers 7.7.1)
• Silicon Image SiI 3512 SATALink Controller (32 bit) (FMI - CompUSA Brand with drivers from installation CD)
• Silicon Image SiI 0680 Ultra-133 Medley ATA Raid Controller (32-bit)
• ITE IT8212F ATA133 RAID Controller (32 bit) (v1.7.2.7 included with Vista RC1)

Imaging Devices

• Creative WebCam Pro PD1030 (32-bit)
  • Recognizes as "Dual Mode USB Camera Plus"
• Creative WebCam Live! (32-bit)
• Creative Live!Cam Voice (32-bit)
  • Driver Update 1.2.8.710 requires manual task kill of all applications that are using the driver and manual uninstall of the old drivers in device manager to work
• Intel(r) PC Camera CS331 (32-bit)
• Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX (32-Bit) [Works either by installing XP driver or by using Windows Update Reg-Hack]
• Hercules Webcam Deluxe (32-bit)

Input Devices

NOTICE: full functionality on many input devices will not be available until Vista drivers are released. For example, any keys that require the Logitech Setpoint software to function are unusable but these are rarely needed anyway.

Keyboard

• Apple ProKeyboard USB (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard (32-bit)
• Bloomberg Biometric Keyboard (32-bit)

Mouse

• Apple Supermouse Optical USB (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Logitech MX Duo (MX700 Mouse) (32 bit)
• Logitech MX518 Gaming Grade Mouse
• Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless Mouse (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Logitech MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse (32 Bit)
• Logitech G7 Wireless Mouse (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Logitech Cordless Desktop Optical
• Microsoft Optical Mouse
• Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 (32-bit)
• ALPS Touch Pad on Dell Laptop (Non Configurable using Windows Driver. Alps does not have a Vista driver yet) (32-bit)

Joystick

Tablet

Sound Cards

EGOSYS - ESI PRO

• Wamirack 192 L/X (MME/WDM/ASIO compatible only with 5.01 drivers - No WRT Drivers) (Only 32 Bit)
• Waveterminal 192 X/L/M (MME/WDM/ASIO compatible only with 5.01 drivers - No WRT Drivers) (Only 32 Bit)
• Juli@ (MME/WDM/ASIO compatible with newest driver) (Only 32 Bit)

NVIDIA

• NVIDIA nForce MCP Audio Processing Unit (nForce2 Integrated Audio) (32 Bit)
• NVIDIA nForce MCP Audio Processing Unit (nForce430/6100 Integrated Audio) (32 Bit)

RealTek

• Realtek High Definition Audio - ALC260, ALC262, ALC861, ALC880, ALC882, ALC883
• RealTek ALC850 AC'97 Audio Controller (Both RealTek and Microsoft bundeled Vista drivers work.) (32 Bit)
• SoundMax Intergrated Digital Audio (32 Bit)

Creative

• Creative Audigy 2 (Use Beta Vista drivers from Creative site) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Creative Audigy SE (Use Beta Vista drivers from Creative site) (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic (Use Beta Vista drivers from Creative site) (32 Bit)

Echo

• Echo Indigo IO (Use latest drivers from Echo site)

C-Media

• C-Media CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device (32-bit)

Intel

• Intel onboard Sigmatel HD Audio (32 and 64-bit)

Terratec

• DMX6Fire LT (32-bit)
  • Manual driver install through WinXP inf file

TV Cards

Hauppauge

• Hauppauge WinTV PVR-150 PCI (32 Bit)
• Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 PCI (32 Bit)
• Hauppauge WinTV PVR-550 PCI (32 Bit)
• Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1100 PCI (works with Vista Media Center using Hauppauge's vista driver) (32 Bit)

Leadtek

• Leadtek TV2000 XP RM (32 Bit)

Terratec

• Terratec Cinergy 400 (Works under x32 and x64, but deinterlacing is disabled. Also there are problems with audio input, author only managed to get it working by 'Audio preview' option.)

Nebula

• Nebula DigiTV Half Height Master PCI card version (Works only with BDA drivers) (32 Bit)

External Storage

• 5.25" FireWire & USB 2.0 Aluminum External Enclosure FMI - CompUSA Brand with Seagate Barracuda ST-3200822A 200GB Drive. USB interface connected. (32 bit)

• 3.5" Firewire & USB 2.0 Aluminum External Enclosure AMC HD6-U2FW. Firewire interface connected. (64 bit)

Audio Devices: NOT SOUND CARDS

• Altec Lansing AHS302i Stereo/Micrphone Headset w/ USB Adaptor (Native 64-Bit: Sounds better w/ USB Adaptor)
• Creative Zen Micro (5GB) - Installed JB3 driver from CD

PCI Modems

• HSP56 Micro Modem (32bit) (supported via post install update)
• Intel 537EP (32 bit) (BestData Brand)
• In-Build CX11252 modem (32-bit)
• Motorola SM56 Modem (32 bit)[But you must have newest drivrers from 2004 otherwise Vista will freze when trying to access modem]

USB Modems

• T.B.D.

USB Devices

• HERCULES DJ CONTROL MP3 : ok work with vista 32bits
• Kworld 310u usb dual tuner will install original drivers fine but Hypermedia need to be run as XPSP2 compatability. mce picks up the hd tuner and works good
• Memorex Traveldrive 2C 1Gig USB flash drive works fine, but not Readyboost capable

Network Cards

• Belkin 802.11g Wireless Desktop Network Card (F5D7000 v3) (32 bit)
• Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigibit Controller (32 Bit)
• Broadcom bcm43xx Wireless (32 bits & 64 bits)
• D-Link DWL-G520 AirPlusXtremeG PCI (detects as Atheros Wireless Network Adapter) (32 Bit)
• Gigabyte Super G PCI Adapter (GN-WP01GT) (64 bit) : works with XP64 driver
• Intel PRO/1000 PM Network connection (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Marvell Yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller (32 Bit & 64 Bit)
• Nvidia nForce Networking Controller (nForce2 onboard NIC) (32 Bit)
• NetGear 108 MBPS Wireless PCI Adapter (WG311-T) (32 Bit)
• NetGear 108 MBPS Wireless PCI Adapter (WG311-T) (64 Bit) : Get Atheros AR5002G Wireless
• Netgear 54 MBPS Wireless USB Adapter (WG111v2) (32-bit) : works with XP driver
• Realtek 8111B/8168 Gigabit Ethernet Controller (32 bit)
• Realtek RTL8169/8110 Family PCI Gigabit Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.0) (32-Bit) : Installed with Vista

Printer / Scanner

Canon

• Pixma IP4200 (32-bit)
• Pixma ip4000 (64-bit)
• Pixma ip3000 (64-bit)

Epson

• Epson R340 Photo printer (32 and 64 bit)
• Epson PictureMate Express (32 and 64 bit)
• Epson Precision 3170 Photo scanner (32 bit) included sw does not install, but can use latest TWAIN driver from Epson website and built in Windows Fax and Scan app.
• Epson R300 Photo printer (32 bit)

HP

• HP Deskjet 6940 (via Network, auto driver) (32 bit)
• HP DeskJet 845c (32 bit)
• HP Laserjet 5L (32 bit)
• HP Laserjet 4plus (32 bit)(64 bit) with HP Jet Direct as LPR on Standard TCPIP Port
• HP LaserJet 1012 (32 and 64 bit)
• hp color LaserJet 2550L (32 bit)
• HP Officejet 4200 (32 bit)
• HP PSC 1401 All-In-One Printer (32 bit)

Other

• Lexmark 240N (Native Driver x64).
• Microtek Scanmaker 3600 (32 bit)
• Samsung ML-2010 monochrome laser printer (32 bit)
• Epson R220 (32 bit)
• Brother MFC-5440CN (USB connection). Vista recognized all modes, did not try Brother CD (64 bit)
• Brother HL 1030 works after adding a printer manualy and installing as a brother 1430 (32 bit)
• Dell Photo AIO Printer 964 (32 bit)

Driver Downloads

• ATI LDDM Driver

Product series supported:

  Radeon 9500, 9550, 9600, 9650, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800, X850 series 
  Radeon X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900 series 
  Mobility Radeon® 9550, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800 series 
  Mobility Radeon® X1300, X1400, X1600, X1800 series 
  CrossFire Xpress 3200 series 
  Radeon Xpress 200, 200M series

• Realtek High Definition Audio

Product series supported:

  Realtek ALC260, ALC262, ALC861, ALC880, ALC882, ALC883 Integrated Audio Chip

• NVIDIA Beta Drivers

• List of Hauppauge WinTV products that should work with Vista RC1 and drivers

Product series supported:

  WinTV-PVR-150/500, WinTV-PVR-250, WinTV-PVR-350, WinTV-PVR-USB2 29xxx, WinTV-PVR-USB2 24xxx,
  WinTV-HVR-1100, WinTV-HVR-1300, WinTV-NOVA-T Stick, WinTV-NOVA-T USB2, WinTV-NOVA-T 500,
  WinTV-GO+, WinTV-Radio

Laptops

• Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 1 [ALL drivers worked perfectly from Windows Installation except Alps Touchpad.]
• Compaq Evo N1020v - Vista installs without issues, works perfectly. All devices detected, inc. PCMCIA wireless card.

Has problems, but can be solved

Motherboards

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe Downloaded the nforce beta drivers (no installer) from the nvidia site and onboard sound worked great after updating drivers in device manager. V stable.

MSI

• K8T Neo (MS-6702)
  • Promise 20378 on-board SATA - Unable to load driver when installing Vista RC1 or once installed.
    • Build 5600 Solution: Disable in bios and use only the on-board VIA VT8237 SATA until Promise are able to supply a compatible driver.
    • Build 5728 Solution: I was able to get the Promise 20378 Controller to function with the Win NT driver. I'm certain this didn't work with build 5600. It seems to work fine.
    • Build 5728 Solution (x64): Setup a 1 disk Raid0 in the BIOS and load the Promise 20378 Windows x64 driver when setting up drives during Vista install.
  • Realtek 8110C/8110S LAN - Conflict may exist between on-board LAN and Via VT8237 SATA when booting.
    • Solution: Disable Realtek LAN in bios and install LAN card. You may have to manually clear the CMOS with the on-board jumper to gain access to the bios to disable the on-board LAN.
  • Realtek ALC655 - Vista will automatically install VIA AC '97 sound driver. General sound issues such as skipping and hiss may be heard.
    • Solution: Install Realtek AC 97' Vista Beta Sound Driver (6156) [Note: Tested Beta Sound Driver fine in build 5728]
  • A major problem with many systems with SATA Controllers is that sound, specifically when playing MP3s, will skip when using the new drivers supplied with Vista RC1.
    • Solution: "Downgrade" the driver for your SATA Controller, the Via VT8237 in this instance, for a fairly recent XP driver. Sound skips are now a thing of the past.
    • Note: This problem has been fixed with build 5728 so there is no need to change the Via VT 8237 driver from the installed MS Vista driver.

Graphic Cards

• AGP:
  • ATI Radeon All-In-Wonder 9600XT (128MB) (Aero Glass Compatible) (32-bit)
    • TV/Video capture functionality inoperable. No drivers yet will detect the Rage Theater chip (NTativrv01) on the card. All other functionality works just fine.
  • ATI Radeon X850XT ViVo (256MB) (Aero Glass Compatible) (32-bit)
    • Video capture inoperable : same problem as ATI Radeon All-In-Wonder 9600XT (see above)
• PCI-Express:
  • Nvidia PCIe x16 Quadro (64MB+Shared) (Download alpha driver from manufacture and Enable Aero Glass) (64 Bit) (working fine, but a bit slow when working with many running windows)
• PCI:
  • T.B.D.

IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers

• sil0680 chipset Ultra ATA 133 PCI (download drivers from www.siig.com) (32-bit)

Network Cards

• NetGear 108 MBPS Wireless PCI Adapter (WG311T) (64 bit) - Works only with the Atheros AR5002G Driver
• Asus WiFi-g Wireless LAN PCI card - Doesn't fully work with current drivers. Has connectivity problems.

Sound Cards

• Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music (Use Beta Vista drivers from Creative site, rear speakers not working)
• RealTek ALC850 AC'97 Audio Controller Use driver from RealTek's site or Vista 5728 x86 has a built in driver.
• M-Audio 4/10 with winxpsp2 driver 5.10.00.5036v2. Install with winxp compatiblity mode (32 bit)

TV Cards

• Terratec Cinergy T² USB DVB-T adapter : works with Vista Media Center using BDA driver v 2.3.0.24 but prevents computer getting into hibernation or sleep mode. Must be first disconnected before getting into these modes.

Audio Devices: NOT SOUND CARDS

• T.B.D

Printer / Scanner

• HP DeskJet 3600 series (I'm using a 3650) (32-bit). You can't install it directly from the CD, because it doesn't recognize the OS, EVEN IN COMPATIBILITY MODE, and installing directly from the .INF file won't work either. The installation program will start, but it won't finish. That's ok, just let it work as long as it can, then it will shut down. After that, just connect the printer while turned on, and Windows will try to install it, after trying, it will say the printer couldn't be installed. That's ok. Well, after a couple of hours searching for updated drivers and answers, I just gave up and tried to print without knowing for sure if it worked, and miraculously, IT DID! It prints properly, but in the print window you can see a lot of errors. caiocesar@msn.com
• Epson Perfection 1640SU (install twain driver 5.71A from Epson Site (may take 4 tries but eventually takes) you must power down and then repower scanner before each use to get it to work) (32-bit)
• Epson Stylus CX7800 (printer status monitor crashes, printing is OK, scanning is OK) (32-bit)
• QMS Magicolor 2300 DL (works fine using usb interface, crown print monitor will install but will not work) (32-bit)
• HP All-in-one 2170 series: Windows recognizes it natively, but specific software stalls at 63%, when you need to plug in the scanner, it never gets recognized. You can scan through the built in "scanners and Faxes wizard", but no editable text.
• HP DeskJet 5850 - No Vista drivers available. Use the XP driver and install by pointing printer driver installation to the INF file. Only black and white printing is possible however. Color does not print at all. Don't misinterpret to think that color prints in greyscale; it prints nothing. When you print the test page, you'll see that the Windows logo in the corner is completely absent. I contacted HP to inquire about a beta driver and was told, "You are using an unsupported operating system and are therefore ineligible to receive HP product support." Alternatively, you may use HP Deskjet 5900 Series driver available in Vista. It appears to function properly, i.e. printing from the Office System was in full color and without artifacts.
• Samsung ML-1710: Use the "XP Only" driver. When you run setup, you will get an installer error that says you are using an unsupported operating system. Click OK to dismiss the error. Windows will then offer to automatically restart the setup program in compatibility mode. Go ahead and do this, and you can then install the driver normally and be able to print. You will probably need to go into the port settings and change the port from LPT1 to USB, or, if you use a wireless print server like I do, a TCP/IP port. Either way, it works great.
  • Does not work on Vista x64 Edition with the ML-1710 Win XP 64bit Printer Driver (ver.1.60) -- 29-Dec-2006
• Samsung ML-1740: Vista will not be able to automatically find driver. Download file "20040130094447375_ML-1740_Print.exe" from www.samsung.com. Choose install option without connecting printer. Once driver successfully installs, go to Control Panel > Printers, right click ML-1740, go to properties. Finally, navigate to Ports tab and switch to USB port if necessary.
• UMax Astra 3450: Install the VistaScan V 3.75 driver and the XP Patch from the UMax site. The USB Scanner will still be flagged in the Device Manager. Re-install manually, and select the USB Scanner and the driver install will complete.

Tier 1 Systems

• HP xw9300 (Tyan K8WES2895) - This was a clean install (HD Low-Leveled) and not an update/upgrade and first done with BIOS 2.05 then 2.06, factory 2GB ECC RAM, Seagate 15K RPM u320 SCSI HD, Opteron 250 Single Processor installed, NV-285 pulled and Saphirre 1300Pro w/ 256MB PCIe video card installed. Get latest NVidia RC1 Beta Drivers along with ATI's RC1 Beta Drivers and expand to removable media (e.g. Floppy, USB, CD-ROM), choose CUSTOM for install and search media for driver locations, choose specific drivers required and then proceed with install. Before first reboot of OS after it has done a complete installation and up for first time, install complete ATi package, then re-boot. This xw9300 was the only system, out of three, with non-factory video-card and installation took six time to get correct. Previously, this system was used for Beta 2 release and had a pbATi PowerColor x600 PCIe video card and the install was flawless. The Saphirre x1300Pro has been used in this system for nearly two months now while running Vista Beta2 without problems and was also done from a clean install. (x64)

Heavy problems / currently incompatible

Graphics Card

• AGP
  • X1600 Pro 512 MB AGP blue screen and restarts just before the Vista installtion completion

IDE/S-ATA/RAID-Controllers

• T.B.D.

Printer / Scanner

• Canon Canoscan LiDE 35. Installs with XP drivers but doesn't appear in the scanner and camera list
• Lexmark Z617. Appears to install using XP drivers, and creates printer entry, but cannot connect to printer through USB. Device manager shows bad driver.
• Samsung ML-1740. Shows driver installed in 64 bit, but no support. Remove driver and Vista 64 wants to reinstall the same driver. This device works properly in RC1 x86, see above, though the x86 driver must be used.
• HP Scanjet 3400c Installs whit the WInXP Driver but doesnt work like image device in vista – Same for HP ScanJet 4600 series.

Network Cards

• Netgear

Sound Cards

• Creative
  • Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Platinum (5600 32 bit) no driver release planned according to Creative's site.
  • Creative Labs Audigy 4 Model SB0106 (64bit)

Audio Devices (not sound cards)

• Creative
  • Sound Blaster DAP Jukebox (5600 32 bit) Well it's barely XP compatible, but I tried anyway. The driver installation hangs a few times, but seems to install after going into Task Manager to see what's up. No luck after all that!

TV Cards

MSI

• TV@nywhere Master (MS-8606) (detected by Vista as "Hauppauge WinTV 88x (unused Audio function)" but not detected as a TV Tuner in WMC; also no Radio)

Compro

• Compro PVR TV/FM. (Detected corectly by Vista but will not work at all. Using XP driver, it will give a "No saa7134 Driver" error)

Hauppauge

• Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1100 PCI (64-bit) Detected corectly, but after first restart system can nat start - total crasch

Adaptec

• Video! DVD MediaCenter AVC-2410 PCI (32 bit) Included driver installed OK, but not detected by Windows Media Center. Included WinDVR sw does not install even in XP compatibility mode. No help on Adaptec website.

Imaging Devices

• Mikomi Webcam with Mic (SN9C103) - driver install fails : not enough storage available ? (32 Bit)
• Tevion - Medion pc30 - 8508i Webcam installs Audio but video fails not enough storage available ? (32 Bit)
• Logitech Quickcam Messenger - drivers don't exist yet...

Other Devices

• Uniden Win1200 Windows Live Messenger Dual Phone (No Drivers for Vista)
• Vguard 7146 Serial Device (VGC4-XP CCTV Card) Drivers will manualy install but Cheatau XP Eats 50% cpu while running under any compatability mode
• Microsoft Finger print reader - (No Drivers for Vista)
• Microsoft USB2.00 6000 video camera

How to add hardware

If your hardware isn't automatically detected and installed by Vista, the first option is to find Vista-built drivers, which are in short supply.

The next method is to use compatability mode to run the driver installation program in "Windows XP" mode. If that fails/does not install ...

Extract or browse to the folder with the .inf files (driver files) for the device, select every .inf file, and right click Install them. After the process has finished, use Device Manager to install by navigating to the .inf files' location and going through them until you find one that is detected. If none work, then tough luck. You'll just have to wait until the manufacturer updates the drivers.