Vista Blocks NT 4.0 Drivers??

[kathi]

Hi,

 

I have an old Philips MF-Jet 500 printer which I am trying to install on my new computer which has Vista Home. It says it is not compatable with a policy on my computer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers.

 

Is there anyway I can work around this?

 

I don't understand the advice given in the Microst tech help page.

 

I hoped you could help me.

 

Many thanks

 

Kathi

[RandyL]

Hi kathi. Write this one off as a lost cause. Your printer only has drivers from 98 to XP. The printer is incompatable with Vista because no drivers were written for it.

 

I'm glad it wouldn't let you install them because I've seen all sorts of problems with wrong printer drivers including not being able to boot into Windows.

 

It's a shame when old hardware and software won't work on Vista but that's life. I lost many programs and tried the supported work arounds to no avail. But hardware is hardware. You either have the drivers or you don't.

[kathi]

Hi kathi. Write this one off as a lost cause. Your printer only has drivers from 98 to XP. The printer is incompatable with Vista because no drivers were written for it.

 

I'm glad it wouldn't let you install them because I've seen all sorts of problems with wrong printer drivers including not being able to boot into Windows.

 

It's a shame when old hardware and software won't work on Vista but that's life. I lost many programs and tried the supported work arounds to no avail. But hardware is hardware. You either have the drivers or you don't.

Hi RandyL

Thanks for your advice.

 

I have however just purchased and fitted 2 expensive ink cartridges for this printer and wanted to use it with a spare computer which has Vista on. I tried to do a clean re-install but it ended up being a factory reset. So I started to install an old Windows XP disc but now it will not accecept the registation code that I have.

 

Now I cannot escape the setup programme as it restarts at setup when I reboot and I cannot get into safe mode via F8 at start up I can only change the BIOS etc which is no good as the XP was setup to install on the HD so I am stuck.

 

Do know how I can get out of this mess?

 

Do I need to start a new thread?

 

Many thanks

for your invaluable advice.

 

Kathi

[kathi]

Hi RandyL

Thanks for your advice.

 

I have however just purchased and fitted 2 expensive ink cartridges for this printer and wanted to use it with a spare computer which has Vista on. I tried to do a clean re-install but it ended up being a factory reset. So I started to install an old Windows XP disc but now it will not accecept the registation code that I have.

 

Now I cannot escape the setup programme as it restarts at setup when I reboot and I cannot get into safe mode via F8 at start up I can only change the BIOS etc which is no good as the XP was setup to install on the HD so I am stuck.

 

Do know how I can get out of this mess?

 

Do I need to start a new thread?

 

Many thanks

for your invaluable advice.

 

Kathi

 

PS I have managed to do a factory re-set again so hopefully I will be back to the original configuration once it is completed!?

 

I suppose I will have to decide if the cost of the printer ink and printer is enough to buy a new XP disc and set up the computer with XP again.

 

Thanks for you help.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Kathi, I am afraid that is basically it. As you discovered that old XP disk is useless except on the computer it was originally installed on.

My thoughts are, there are plenty of folk still using XP who may need a working printer, so could possibly buy it off you.

Any cash made, put it towards a new printer that will work on Vista.

Just my thoughts only of course.

Nev.

[kathi]

Thanks Nev,

 

I have now purchased a new XP disc to install on my other computer. I must say I am quite looking forward to the old XP experience, much faster and simpler. I may even install it on the other 2 as well.

 

Thanks for your help and advice, you are all doing a great job and offer a first class service.

 

Kind regards

 

Kathi

[RandyL]

kathi you can only install and activate that copy of XP on one computer at a time. One license for one computer only.

 

Otherwise we hope it goes well for you. Let us know if you run into any other problems.