re: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:05 pm Windows 98 Annoyances Discussion Forum Posted by gewg_ (3588 messages posted) |[Device] only shipped with xp/vista drivers. | Jim Stewart | This far into the 21st Century, few manufacturers support DOS-based Windoze. (Microsoft gave up on it in July 2006--even before its planned EoL.) |Is there a way to either convert these drivers to work in 98, | No. Completely different animals. cache of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:History_of_Windows 9x drivers would have to be written from scratch. Those with the skills and necessary data wouldn't have to ask the question. |or, are there any 'open source' drivers available that will get it running? | Ah. Someone is starting to understand the power of open source. No. This happens all the time for Linux and *BSD,[1] but open source *drivers*[2] are only written for open source OSes. Open source developers don't like propping up closed source software. (The terms "distain" and "drop dead" spring to mind.) If the **manufacturer** doesn't see any point in spending a few man-hours to write a few lines of code for 9x, it sure ain't gonna happen elsewhere. As I say here repeatedly: Read the side of the box before plunking down your cash. SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT *YOU*. [1] ...when the manufacturer is too lazy to do it himself --but is willing to give out enough of the device's specs. Having the source code of the OS ("open source") helps on the other end. The reason there are *aftermarket* piston rings and such is that the cylinder bore (etc.) can be **measured**. Not true with things that are done in proprietary microcode. If corporations keep things secret ("closed source"), you are at their mercy. [2] Open source *apps* are mostly developed on and for an open source OS.[3] As a rule, it is only later that they are ported to closed source OSes (if then). [3] ...and it's pretty easy to get something that works on one flavor of Unix (Linux, *BSD, Solaris, OS X, etc.) to run on another Unix variant. Porting that something to Windoze is a whole 'nother ball game. Written in response to: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (Jim Stewart: Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 6:55 pm) There are presently no replies to this message. All messages in this thread [show all] possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (Jim Stewart: Sat, Dec 8, 2007, 6:55 pm) re: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (gewg_: Sat, Dec 8, 2007, 8:05 pm) re: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (Steve: Sat, Dec 8, 2007, 9:44 pm) re: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (Richard Harris: Sun, Dec 9, 2007, 7:08 am) re: possible to get an XP scanner working in 98? (gewg_: Sun, Dec 9, 2007, 10:22 am) Reply or follow-up to this message Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows 98 Discussion Forum