Virtual Memory

[Mr-H]

What is this please? I have a fairly old E-machine running XP, which I mainly keep because I cannot find drivers for the scanner (Packard Bell 1200 Diamond Plus) to move it to the laptop which uses Vista. However, after I have scanned a dozen or so pictures I get a message saying that the virtual memory is running low, that windows is trying to increase it. Immediately, the scanner shuts down. When I then (immediately) reopen the scanner it works well for another 12 or 15 scans, before the same thing happens again! Any ideas please? As a complete aside, I have been told 'by a friend' that the scanner and any other software under XP will 'convert' to Windows 7. Is this right? Is it worth moving up? Sorry - lots of questions!

[Buenchico]

Regarding your virtual memory problem, start here:
http://www.pcmag.com/...0,2817,2089076,00.asp

Windows 7 can run many XP (and Vista) programs either directly or using 'compatibility mode'. However that doesn't mean that Windows 7 will always recognise device drivers from earlier versions of Windows. Some web references state that the XP driver won't work under Windows 7 but this site states that the driver has been found to work by 96% of (406) people who've tried it:
http://www.bioticaind...iamond-1200-plus.html

Chris

[Mr-H]

Chris - many thanks (as ever) for the advice regarding virtual memory. I've checked the PCMag site and will follow their advice. However, my final question was - is it worth moving from Vista to Windows 7? I have to say that had I had a choice of operating systems when I bought, I would probabvly have stuck with XP!

[Buenchico]

I'm still using XP.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[galeck1947]

If you want to change up to Windows 7 then I would use Windows 7 Profesional because you can then run XP mode which will enable you to use any programs that run on XP and have the best of both programs. XP Mode and Virtual Machine are free from Microsoft.

[Mr-H]

Will W7 Professional (64 bit) work in lieu of my Vista 32 bit? Does this make any difference?