Installing a XP driver on Win 7  


  1. DMHlidor
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       New #1

    Installing a XP driver on Win 7


    Hi, I put Win7 on my brothers (very) old IBM T30;
    Everything works fine except the sound driver - Audio Devices [ <- That's the driver's name ].
    I guess it's incompatible with windows 7..

    My Question is-
    Is it possible to install the windows xp driver on my win7?
    Or (and this is probably a bit more complicated- if even possible, but I'll ask anyway)- run windows XP through a virtual machine on the current OS (win7) and use the XP's output?

    thanks..
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  3. fireberd
    Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       New #2

    The XP audio driver is not compatible with Windows 7. Vista drivers are compatible.

    A virtual machine running XP MAY work.
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  4. TrustMe
    Posts : 117
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       New #3

    Did you try installing the driver in compatibility mode? Here is a guide.

    Compatibility Mode
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  6. townsbg
    Posts : 1,952
    Windows 7 pro
       New #4

    XP drivers are not compatible with Vista or higher so don't even bother with compatibility mode. You can get a usb sound card. USB, Sound Cards, Sound Cards, Components - Newegg.com
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  7. fireberd
    Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       New #5

    Starting with Vista, Windows handles some sound functions differently than XP and the main reason the XP drivers are not compatible.

    I used to work the Dell forums and users tried many different ways to make XP drivers work and they all failed.
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  8. DMHlidor
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Did you try installing the driver in compatibility mode? Here is a guide.

    Compatibility Mode
    I don't think that's possible, since it's not a program (the driver's installation files cannot be changed)

    XP drivers are not compatible with Vista or higher so don't even bother with compatibility mode. You can get a usb sound card. USB, Sound Cards, Sound Cards, Components - Newegg.com
    Will this work?
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  10. TrustMe
    Posts : 117
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       New #7

    Yes it's possible, here is the guide.

    Installing a Device Driver under Compatibility Mode in Windows 7 - Tech Support Forum
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  11. DMHlidor
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    TrustMe said:
    Yes it's possible, here is the guide.

    Installing a Device Driver under Compatibility Mode in Windows 7 - Tech Support Forum
    fireberd said:
    Starting with Vista, Windows handles some sound functions differently than XP and the main reason the XP drivers are not compatible.

    I used to work the Dell forums and users tried many different ways to make XP drivers work and they all failed.
    townsbg said:
    XP drivers are not compatible with Vista or higher so don't even bother with compatibility mode. You can get a usb sound card. USB, Sound Cards, Sound Cards, Components - Newegg.com
    Update:

    Alright guys so after many hours of frustration I found the solution and it was simple:
    I used windows update and it downloaded the correct (and wierdly,working) driver for the audio, so everything works fine now.

    thanks :)
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  12. townsbg
    Posts : 1,952
    Windows 7 pro
       New #9

    TrustMe said:
    Yes it's possible, here is the guide.

    Installing a Device Driver under Compatibility Mode in Windows 7 - Tech Support Forum
    Just because you can run the installer in compatibility mode doesn't mean that the drivers will install or function correctly. There is a big difference. Drivers for XP generally aren't compatible with Vista/7 even if you can run the installer in compatibility mode. For stability you need to install Vista or 7 drivers and preferably those for 7 but in my experience most Vista drivers will work. Incompatible drivers can cause blue screens or freezes.

    DMHlidor said:
    TrustMe said:
    Yes it's possible, here is the guide.

    Installing a Device Driver under Compatibility Mode in Windows 7 - Tech Support Forum
    fireberd said:
    Starting with Vista, Windows handles some sound functions differently than XP and the main reason the XP drivers are not compatible.

    I used to work the Dell forums and users tried many different ways to make XP drivers work and they all failed.
    townsbg said:
    XP drivers are not compatible with Vista or higher so don't even bother with compatibility mode. You can get a usb sound card. USB, Sound Cards, Sound Cards, Components - Newegg.com
    Update:

    Alright guys so after many hours of frustration I found the solution and it was simple:
    I used windows update and it downloaded the correct (and wierdly,working) driver for the audio, so everything works fine now.

    thanks :)
    Generally I don't trust Windows update to find the correct or best driver so I ignore drivers offered through WU. I'm glad it worked for you though.
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