Windows Vista's biggest problem during its release was that most of the devices didn't work due to the lack of driver support from many OEMs/vendors (at that time) . ApcMag reports that Microsoft is hoping for zero hardware install problems when Windows 7 finally hits the market. Getting third-party hardware to work is, as Microsoft recognizes, perhaps the most crucial factor in making Windows 7 a success.Below is a chart that shows the success and failure rates of device drivers in Vista SP1 (September 2008)
The chart above clearly shows that the hardware support certainly needs to be addressed well with Windows 7!
Another major challenge for Microsoft is getting more 64-bit drivers released. 64-bit versions of Vista now account for 25% of new system sales in the US, though the global figures are much lower. Microsoft recently urged hardware engineers, at its annual WinHEC conference, to ensure 64-bit drivers are ready for Windows 7.
It was a bit of a Catch-22 situation really, manufacturers wouldn't write new drivers for Vista till more customers started using Vista, but the customers wouldn't start using Vista till new drivers were written for it.
Apparently Vista drivers work fine in 7, so hopefully this is more incentive for the manufacturers to get busy making drivers for 7 now.
OK, fair enough.. Now lets go back in time 5 or 6 years, and look at what some articles were saying then.
Anyone seeing parallels here?
Windows 7 is using the same driver model as Vista, therefore it won't suffer the same driver problems that both Vista AND XP suffered from at launch. Hell... XP x64 is STILL plagued with driver problems...
Having said that tho......I never had issues with drivers for Vista x64 and I was using it from the early early betas. Nvidia had performance issues with there driver but it still installed and worked fine.
What the hell are you on about; Firstly, why the hell did you purchase a Sony laptop in the first place knowing that they didn't put out x64 drivers (not only that, but Sony products are crap).
As for your wan:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Des...s&DwnldID=16618
Windows Vista* Business, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Business, 64-bit version, Windows Vista* Enterprise, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Enterprise, 64-bit version, Windows Vista* Home Basic, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Home Basic, 64-bit version, Windows Vista* Home Premium, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Home Premium, 64-bit version, Windows Vista* Starter, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Ultimate, 32-bit version, Windows Vista* Ultimate, 64-bit version
Notice that it supports 64bit?
For a dollar.
Easier way, refuse to give the compatibility sticker - launch an advertisement with the 'look for the logo - you know it is the seal of quality and compatibility'. Basically consumers will end up avoiding those products without the logo - and thus, the crap hardware vendors will be purged.
The majority of issues with drivers are from hardware that was not designed for Vista but for Windows XP. I just hope people will not use Hardware that was made for XP.
OEM/Vendors instead of supporting old (relatively) devices, just let users down and left them with no choice to get Vista and stick with XP because of this.
Hopefully, we won't see any of those problems when Windows 7 comes out because it will support most on the recent hardware.
What do you expect? these are the same scumbags who have 50MB+ printer drivers + shovelware.
I don't like Vista and I don't use Vista, but you have to admit that Vista's driver support base has improved steadily since RTM.
Knowing that Windows 7 uses Windows Vista driver model, it's easy to expect better compatibility at launch.
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