Smartphone and Gadget News by ElectroGeek

This is ElectroGeek from ElectroGeek.com/blog reporting to you from the field, real world encounters with Windows Vista as they happen at the client site.

Shiny, new Windows Vista has arrived and as users migrate to this operating system they will encounter issues such as hardware devices that are not yet compatible with Vista due to software driver issues, etc. I will report to you these findings in a multi part series of posts as these issues come to light. In addition, I will provide solutions to these Windows Vista issues as they become available. Eventually all hardware vendors will have their updated Windows Vista drivers shipping with their hardware. Until that happens I will continue to report on my findings from the field.

It appears that users have been slow to adopt Windows Vista on existing computers however as more PC manufacturers phase out Windows XP based PC’s and only offer Vista as an option, this will change. Eventually you will only have a choice of either Windows Vista or Linux (perhaps from Dell) from most major new PC vendors such as Dell, HP, Toshiba and others.

Issues and Solutions

• Issue - HP6980 Network Printer with WiFi - The setup CD provided from HP that ships with the printer is not compatible with Windows Vista.
• Solution - At this time there is not a downloadable full-feature Windows Vista driver solution available. You will need to setup this printer on your network from a Windows XP based computer first using the CD that came with the printer. After the printer is setup on your network you may search your network from the Vista PC and setup the printer with basic driver support.

• Issue - Netgear WPN111 WiFi Adapter - The software driver CD is not compatible with Windows Vista.
• Solution - You must remove any previous Netgear WiFi adapter software from your PC, restart, download the latest Windows Vista driver and install it before adding your hardware. The updated driver for Windows Vista is available at Netgear.com.

Check back regularly as I visit more Windows Vista customers in the field and discover more issues and resolutions as they happen. For additional Windows Vista compatibility information, check the hardware vendors website. Copyright (c) 2007 ElectroGeek.com

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Microsoft, Windows, windows-vista, VISTA, OS - Client, Longhorn, IE7, os-client, software, Tech, vista support

Filed under: Features, Software