That’s interesting. Never would have thought HP drivers for XP would be so buggy. Considering that HP drivers for Windows XP offer the slowest install that I have ever seen in my life, I have generally never had a problem with it otherwise.

On the Vista side of the fence, I think Microsoft just nailed an important and yet still ignored area within their Vista marketing campaign point: hardware just works. Working hardware based on certified drivers from Windows Update is a nice motivation. If I was using Windows, it would motivate me to consider this upgrade in a stone cold minute.

One thing I am still concerned about however, is whether or not non-certified drivers will work with Vista out of the box? Not asking this to be a wise guy, rather as a genuine concern since I will need to have a stand along Vista box for software reviews eventually.

Another question is how well Vista has been working on Parallels? If it’s been running well enough with proper hardware resources, then this would allow me Vista access without needing to dual-boot or buy another box. Thanks! :)

Hi,

If vista had no problem It tells me that it is allowing all contact to be send at anytime.
For the last year ALL HP Combs have software that calls how on install, reboot, anytime you print or scan.
The worse happens when you reboot and the HP software tries to call home before the network is established. It tells its self that you are blocking the spyware and breaks the scanner function.
You will see a yellow mark on the Icon in the task bar.
I got lucky with the few I sold only because I install GoBack on ALL computers I sell and work on.
One customer tried to reinstall the software but for got to clean the registry first, resulting in the same errors.
I had him run GoBack to a time that ALL Functions worked in The HP All N One.
I do not sell HP any longer as HP said To Bad, You must allow Internet connection at all times.
If this keeps up everyone will Lose!
Have a Great Day
BILL MacGregor

OK, perhaps, for USB devices, but as far as I can tell, devising drivers for a networked scanner appears to have HP stymied. Thus far the best they can do is to direct the user to go to the ip address of the scanner and use the rudimentary scanner function to be found there.

I can’t believe that you are saying that Microsoft finally nailed it… have you ever tried to install an HP Laserjet 4000 print driver in windows xp? Well, it happens without a flinch… that’s because the driver was available at that time. As Vista progresses, we will see its own issues with driver installation and compatibilities.
And, once again, microsoft has not reached for producing an effective operatinig system, but they have once again decided to overload the currently available hardware with inefficient code in order to motivate hardware purchases to support the newly released vista.
Although it has taken decades for microsoft to produce a somewhat usable operating system, they still intend on making their money be producing 80% working products.
This article reminds me of the year that Microsoft was advertising the benefits of using DOS 6.22 (if i remember correctly)… their biggest selling point was that it put commas in the listing of kilobytes.
geez… what a crock!