Issue 17.14
A lot of people are learning about or experiencing a new OS (Operating System) as we transition out of the XP era. Some are improving to Windows 7 or trying to learn Windows 8. Others are opting for a Linux or Chromebook system to save money, while some are making the jump to Apple’s Mac computers.
In any case, as you make the change you may find that some of your peripherals may not work with the new system. Peripherals include such things as printers, scanners, web-cams and even internal features such as video, sound and Ethernet cards or connectors. Most peripherals that have been sold in the last three years are compatible with Windows 7, Window 8 and Apple products and many are also usable with Linux machines and Chromebooks. You can often find out before you make the change by consulting websites for the various products or running a compatibility check provided by those websites.
If you find that one or more of your peripherals no longer works when you make the change, there are a number of options. The first is to buy new peripherals, but that is also the most costly. Often, you can find a way to create compatibility. With some products you may find that a Windows Vista driver will work with your old hardware when a Windows 7 or 8 driver will not. There may be some features that do not work if you take this approach, even if the basic features do work. For example, I have found that some printers that do not have a driver for the new Windows OS will print with an old driver, but the scan feature does not work. You pretty much have to do the trial and error thing because usually the manufacturers don’t give much help since they want you to buy a new product.
Another issue is old software. As a general rule, software made for XP computers will work with Windows 7, but many of them will not work with Windows 8. There are exceptions to this as I have been able to get older versions of some programs to work with new computers if they are installed in a mode (such as XP mode). I don’t have room here to expand on that, but know that it is possible for some programs and is worth investigating if the program is hard or impossible to replace or upgrade.
Upgrading the software is usually the most reliable option, but can be expensive depending on the program. Some companies offer free or very inexpensive upgrades if you are a registered owner of their software. That usually gives the best results and the least headaches. Progress is wonderful but it comes at a price and sometimes I am left shaking my head and asking, “Why do they think this is progress? The old program works better than the new one!”
Take a little time to do some homework and find out what will work best to create what you want on your computer, and be sure to always back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 23 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.