October is coming, and the 22nd of that month is when Windows 7 will be released. Personally, I use 7 (the RC release) as my primary OS on both my tower PC and my netbook. Everything I use works, however I have been scanning the internet for people that have been reporting problems with specific peripherals.
The one thing I would say to watch out for more than anything else are all-in-one printers. This above all else has the highest chance of not working in 7. But don’t worry, you can make it work. Read on.
Typically an all-in-one printer is one that not only prints, but also copies, scans and faxes. When Windows Vista first appeared there were scores of people reporting that printers of this type absolutely would not work in that OS.
The primary reason why these printers have issues is because they are largely software-controlled. As anybody with one of the beast-sized printers is aware, it comes with a CD chock full of rather large software just to operate the thing. This software is designed for Windows 98 and XP – and not Vista, therefore not 7.
The solution to this issue is to seek out updated control software. Being that Vista has been out for some time now, new software has been written and is ready for download. If it works in Vista, it will work in 7.
Example using HP’s support system:
Let’s say you have an HP Photosmart C4780. You install Windows 7, plug in the printer and it doesn’t work.
From this point you go to http://support.hp.com and punch in the model number, which is C4780 (you don’t have to type in Photosmart).
Windows 7 is not listed, so you click on Windows Vista for your operating system (even if you have 7, Vista drivers will work).
You then see this page. Here you can download the drivers and control software or order a CD. You will notice that the "full feature software" (which is ordinarily what you want) is a humongous download to the tune of over 130MB. For all-in-one printers this is typical.
Screen shot:
Note the date of release – June 2009. This was put out very recently.
If you don’t use very specific features in the control software, use basic. If you use advanced stuff in the control software, use full. If you’re not sure, use full.
My suggestion is that if you’re running XP now, have one of these multi-function printers and are planning on upgrading to 7, download the control software now and burn it to CD or save on USB stick.
Other resources for other makes/models:
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