When installing device drivers and related apps for peripheral devices (i.e. printers) in Windows Vista, carefully consider the following topics:

• User Account Control (UAC) 
  
  
• Windows Vista native driver support 
  
  
• Device manufacturer's installation requirements / instructions
  

User Account Control (UAC)

Windows Vista introduces the User Account Control (UAC) feature, which safeguards your computer by asking your permission before any new software is allowed to run -- even if the software is running "in the background" (rather than in a visible window). You will typically be presented with UAC prompts when installing device drivers.

You can learn about UAC from the Windows Help system. Click the Windows Start button, then click Help and Support. On the Windows Help and Support screen, enter "UAC" in the search box, and then click the magnifying glass to begin searching. Another good source of information about User Account Control is here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/useraccountcontrol.mspx

When installing applications, a warning messages may alert you that administrative privileges are required to complete the installation. To bypass these warning messages, right-click the installation utility file (i.e. setup.exe), select 'Run as Administrator' and enter an Administrator password. If the installation utility is on a CD or DVD, the 'Run as Administrator' option won't be available if the Windows Autorun feature automatically starts the installation.

Windows Vista native driver support

Windows Vista provides native driver support for many existing PC peripherals including multi-function printers. To find out whether or not Windows Vista includes a native driver for a particular device, consult the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List, at http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=v

For example, here is the compatibility and driver availability for the HP PSC 1310 series printer / scanner / copier.

Peripheral manufacturer's installation requirements / instructions

Consult the user's guide and any other documentation included with the peripheral device being installed, and search the manufacturer's website for additional information.

Here's an example (below) of additional important installation information for the Hewlett-Packard PSC1350 printer / scanner / copier, from HP's website.

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