Windows 7 - Attaching USB devices in XP mode

When clicking on an XPM application in Windows 7 it runs in a 'seamless' window i.e. no virtual desktop. If that application relies on a device connected to a USB port the device cannot be seen. If you open a virtual desktop you have the option to 'attach' the USB device. You can then run the application within the virtual desktop.

Is there a way of having any attached USB devices 'auto attach' when running an XP mode application within Windows 7.

My Canon flat bed and film scanners do not have any 64 bit drivers available yet (if ever) so I need to use XP mode to use the devices.

I have put it down as a limitation of Xp Mode. It seems the integration features of Windows 7 works if the device acts as an "input" device. Eg you can enable integration (at startup) for your DVD ROM, and you can pull data off it (the DVD out produce data), but if you were to use a software like Sonic RecordNow to burn data "to" this DVD ROM, which means as an "ouput" device. It won't work. This is not 100% either, cos i found syncing my iphone (using itunes) through Xp Mode wasn't an issue.

As for auto attaching a USB device at startup, i'm not sure how it can be done.

Hi there
to use the scanners
1) temporarily disable integration mode
2) set networking to NAT or Bridged so you can share data etc with the host machine
3) now you can connect your usb and use the scanners.

4) after you are done re-enable the integration feature.

I think as others have pointed out XP mode is only suitable for running legacy apps that won't run on Windows 7 -- also these legacy apps really should be basic applictions that don't need any special extra hardware to run such as usb devices -- this rather reduces XP mode functionality since people often have legacy scanners, printers and things like older cameras etc.

For scanning I'd use a separate vm - you can use virtual box / vmware server as free virtual machine software. You'll need a windows XP key for the XP virtual machine though so try and see if the XP system supplied in XP mode works when you switch off the integration feature first.

Cheers
jimbo

Thanks Jimbo

I can use the scanners OK within the virtual desktop. I was just hoping that there was a way to 'auto attach' so that I didn't need to open the desktop and then run the scanning tools or Viewscan.

Same situation here, need a way to set the guest to always auto-attach to USB scanner so the family need not open the whole XP VM and manually attach with the toolbar first.

TIA

I have similar problem with USB hardlock key...

I can use my 9-year old HP 5370cse with PrecisionScan Pro 2.52 from Windows 7.
After PrecisionScan Pro is up I have to manually attach the scanner:
a. Right-click on XP Mode on task bar
b. Select "Manage USB Devices"
c. Select device and Attach it
d. If PrecisionScan Pro still does not see scanner close it
e. Rerun PrecisionScan Pro

Note: if "Manage USB Devices" is left open before closing PrecisionScan Pro then XP Mode does not close. You can then right-click on XP Mode on task bar and rerun PrecisionScan Pro there.

Thanks a lot from your answer of righ-clicking over XP Mode, that is same advice that online help pointed out. It seems that my version does not offer that option, I'm afraid
Do the rest of you have that option of handling USB devices?
Thanks a lot.

I too am using XPMode to run PrecisionScan. Whenever the VM hibernates it detaches the USB scanner, so there is no way to run it from the Windows 7 taskbar. Windows 7 has drivers for the scanner, but not the software. Oh well, still beats Windows Fax and Scan by a country mile.

Anyone know if HP has released any 64-bit scanning software?

Not I.