Anilrgowda

Q: I purchased a Dell Notebook with Vista on it and now have problems with some of the programs I use on my other computer.
The old computer is running Windows XP.When I tried to load the driver program for my Lexmark X7170 printer, it refused to load.
I went to the Lexmark Web site, and it had a list of downloads for printers. When I looked for the X7170, it listed that it would be coming soon.
When I e-mailed them, they sent me back a message stating that it was not available, and that I should watch the Web site for the next "couple" of months for a driver.
In addition to the above problem, I have been using a program called ActiveSync that also uses Microsoft Outlook. When I tried to load this on the Vista computer, it refused to load. Can you help?
- George Kuechenmeister
A: Lots of people are having your problem, George.
Without the right driver for your printer, it probably isn't going to work with Vista. And if a program isn't compatible with Vista, it probably isn't going to work either.
That's why I always tell readers to wait before upgrading an existing computer.
If you normally use the printer at home and if you have a network, you can install the printer on the XP machine and then print over the network.
You can create the document in your Vista machine but use the network to print on the printer attached to the XP machine.
One solution to both the printer and the software problems would be to install XP and Vista on the same computer. If you do that, at start-up, you'll be asked which version of Windows to run.
If you want to try this, go to the Microsoft Website at www.microsoft.com and use the search feature. Search for: dual boot vista xp. You'll find several articles that will talk you through the process.



Source:Philadelphia Daily News | 02/28/2007 | Printer, software not compatible with Vista