Vista - General guide for installing h/w on Vista-64?

After trying to install drivers for an HP printer resulting in a total wipe out and reinstall, the Asus tech called me and suggested this guide. He said to always try to connect the new device and see if Vista-64 "sees it" properly, and then uses the Vista drivers.

There should be no compatibility problems. But if Vista-64 "cannot" recognize it, one had better go to the device site and ensure it's 64 bit compatible and if new drivers exist.

Otherwise, forcing the install could lead to problems.

Sounds good to me, and I follow it.

Any opinions?

Hello again Robert.

I do agree with this, no sense in installing more drivers if it works as is. Vista (and Seven) have great built in drivers, and I have not had a device (just one, bio scanner) that has not plugged and played.

If you have something (like my mouse/KB/mobo/biometric) that has extra stuff, then add the driver.

~Lordbob

Always check before you buy something that it is compatable with vista.

The problem with always using the Vista provided drivers is that there are often additional controls, features or tools that are available using OEM drivers vs Microsoft drivers. Case in point my current webcam which has some glitches with the Microsoft driver and does not allow me advanced settings and controls. Bad part is that the OEM driver isn't very good and causes the device to stop working from time to time. The 32bit OEM driver works fine in a 32bit setting.

I would agree that it's best to let the vista driver load first, making sure you can get the hardware to work. But if there is a signed 64 driver for the device I'd give it a shot too, you can always roll-back if it's buggy.

I agree. But it there are no advanced features and it works? Leave it.

~Lordbob