Hacking Flash Advance Writer + Vista

[Smef]

I currently have a Flash Advance Pro 256 and the Flash Advance Pro Linker. For writing, I had been using the Flash Advance Writer. Now, however, I am using Vista, and the software isn't working with it. When I boot it up, i get a "Could not open the DriverLINX driver." error and error messages when i try to write anything.

Does anyone know of a writer that works with vista, or a way to get this sort of thing working? It uses the parallel port for writing, which seems to be the main issue.

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

Vista x64 doesn't load unsigned drivers PERIOD, you can't load a 32bit driver in a 64bit environment.
Vista x86, you might need to run it in compatibility mode to make it work.

 

[Smef]

Bah, I have vista x64. Does anyone know of any writing software that works on this OS for parallel port devices? I know i could buy a 3-in-1, but I have two of these 256M cards and it seems silly to have them go to waste.

 

[sepinho]

Hooray for oldschool flash cards! Have you tried running XP on VirtualPC or Virtualbox. Might sound a little over-the-top just to write to a FA card, but it's worth a try.

 

[DanTheManMS]

I'm in a similar condition, except that I'm using a Flash2Advance Ultra which refuses to install correctly on my Vista laptop. I tried installing if2a but that caused a blue screen of death every time I plugged in the linker so I uninstalled that ASAP.

Only solution I can recommend is to gain access to an XP box for when you need to reflash the cart. That and choose a combination of games/apps that you know will last you a while so you don't have to reflash every day, heh.

 

[Smef]

I've got the VM working, but the program keeps getting me a "No Adaptor Found!" error when i try to write. (yes, with "adaptor" mispelled

).

The settings are correct in the program, but still no luck. This seems like a horrible way or working this, anyway. There's got to be an easier solution. Parallel ports should work in vista!

For vista it just seems to be this "driverLINX" problem.

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

the drivers need direct access to the printer port, Virtual machines don't give you direct acess to ANY ports inculding USB, thats the way an NT based system works with VM.

It is cheaper to have a 200 dollar used computer from overstock or someplace that has XP SP2 on it to get the drivers to work than to use a VM.

 

[Smef]

Hmm, you might be right about this. When i have my linker plugged in on an xp machine or even on my vista machine, the linker recieves some power, and the little light is dim, but on. When I turn on my VM and boot up XP through that, the little light starts flashing and then eventually goes out totally. Does anyone now if this is a sign of what is happening?

Here's the frustrating thing. I have two LEGAL copies of XP, but one key was lost when my computer and some of my electronics boxes were stolen, and the other was lost when i, like an idiot, put my cd-key sticker on my case and then threw out my case when it was broken in shipping without copying the new key over. I got a copy of vista for free from my comp-sci department at my school, but otherwise i would still be on xp and this wouldn't be a problem!