Solved Weirdest question about drivers you've ever heard...

[Gornot]

Let me just keep things simple:

Is is possible for me to use Windows 7 drivers in Vista even if they are incompatible? (regular setup doesn't work, force install doesn't work)

OR

How can one go about ignoring compatibility checks of a driver setup and install those drivers anyway.

EDIT: Oh, and is there any risk for the actual hardware (in this case, setting up WiFi on my new Aspire V3-531G)

 

[DustSailor]

May I ask why?

Why not use Vista drivers for Vista?

Why not use windows 7 (upgrade) and then also use 7 drivers? I ask this only in case you are having difficulty finding Vista drivers and having PC problems.

 

[Gornot]

I was planning on reverting back to Vista, but Acer does not officially support Vista for my laptop model and there are no compatible Vista drivers for my WiFi. Funny thing is I had no idea - I used the Resource DVD that came with the laptop and installed all the Windows 7 drivers I needed on Vista and they worked just fine... All except the WiFi drivers.

I contacted Acer support and they were more interested in what OS I'm currently using and why I want Vista rather than helping me... Also I'm pretty sure it was just a bot xD

 

[LMiller7]

Is is possible for me to use Windows 7 drivers in Vista even if they are incompatible?

NO

Driver incompatibility checks are there for a reason, to prevent you from installing incompatible drivers. Removing the checks won't make the drivers compatible. All it would do is allow you to install drivers that won't work.

Each new OS brings with it new features for driver writers. When a driver uses one of these new features it becomes incompatible with older systems. Changing this is not an option.

 

[Gornot]

Too bad, really. I was looking forward to indulging in a bit of nostalgia with Vista... Oh well, thanks for the info. I was curious and hopefully seeing how all the other drivers worked.

 

[DustSailor]

Sometimes you can get away with it. I would say most likely you will find you system becoming very unstable.

 

[Gornot]

The sole reason I asked was because I thought to myself: Why wouldn't Acer just block the install of the drivers on Vista and present it as if they weren't compatible so that... idk, people would buy a Windows licence from them or something, idk.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've managed to use W7x64 drivers to work for Vista U-64. Wlan drivers was not one of them. Even when you have OS specific wlan drivers you may have bugs. Consider a different wifi card, if you are imbedded, disable it and use a USB plug wifi.

 

[Gornot]

Thanks for the info
At least I can find peace in knowing other people couldn't use wifi with drivers for 7 as well xD :devil:

 

[DustSailor]

Could always give it a try if it is your only option. Windows has generic drivers to begin with for most everything, but even that can be unstable. you could probably buy a cheap USB wireless LAN stick for Vista [drivers], or try the 7 drivers for the built-in wifi card.