Code my own XP touchscreen drivers?

MikeHunt79 · 09-15-2003, 07:33 AM

I'm finally putting the finishing touches to my hardware, and it's come to the time when I've got to start putting the software on the hard disk.

My main prblem is that I'm torn between Win98 and WinXP.

I need WinXP because I'd like to use my cellphone software in the car, so I will then be able to transfer music/pics/vids to and from my phone (my phone software only works with 2k/XP tho). Also, XP's cleartype looks really good on my TFT.

I need Win98 because my touchscreen is pretty old, and it only comes with drivers Win98, WinNT3.51 and DOS!

(No XP)

Sooooo... In order to have my cake and eat it, I need to somehow program some WinXP drivers for my touchscreen. (I can stick to Win98 in the meantime).

Does anyone here have any experience with coding drivers? I guess i'd have to learn C++, and probably quite a bit about WinXP. (I already know a basic bit of ASM and a fair amount of Java). My screen connects to the serial port, to I'm sure the protocol (RS232) shouldn't be to hard to work with? Where would a good starting point be?

MeanGT · 09-15-2003, 07:54 AM

What kind of touchscreen is it? I have an older one as well (Dynapro SC3), that at first could only find drivers for 98 dos etc.. but I finally found drivers for windows xp,, perhaps I could help you search for the correct drivers,

MikeHunt79 · 09-15-2003, 08:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MeanGT

What kind of touchscreen is it? I have an older one as well (Dynapro SC3), that at first could only find drivers for 98 dos etc.. but I finally found drivers for windows xp,, perhaps I could help you search for the correct drivers,

Good idea, but I've already tried searching for drivers for it, without any luck so far. It's a bit of an oddball of a touchscreen actually. It's designed for a laptop, it sits over the TFT and has an elastic strap to hold it in place. I'd be able to post a model number and photo if I was @ home, but I'm at work ATM. I'll be home in about 4 hours tho, I should be able to post what it is then.

MikeHunt79 · 09-17-2003, 03:54 AM

Finally, the forum's working again...

The touchscreen is a "OneTouch". I Managed to find Win2K drivers last night for it, but I can't test 'em out cause I don't have Win2K installed (yet).

If it does work, then I will be very happy, since my Phone software supports 2k aswell as XP, so everything should work.

The only thing that 2K would be missing is ClearType.... Can't have it all i guess?

98explorerxlt · 09-17-2003, 04:10 AM

I thought win xp was built to be compatible with old programs and such

MikeHunt79 · 09-17-2003, 05:37 AM

It is, but it cannot use older drivers (as far as I know).

chut · 09-17-2003, 07:20 AM

Some it can, and some it can't. It depends upon the drivers tehmselves. Best is to try, especially if you have the OS software to do it with. Have you tried it with XP and know that it doesn't work? Since it's a serial port your wanting to use, I would guess it does....Maybe under a generic HID?

Peter

MikeHunt79 · 09-17-2003, 08:21 AM

I haven't tried it yet, but I might aswell give it a go when I get home (in about 3 hrs)...

It would be nice if it does use some sort of generic driver thing (it is the serial port after all), but I've found the drivers also contain software to calibrate the screen, and I'm not sure that a generic driver woud have this.

98explorerxlt · 09-17-2003, 11:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeHunt79

I haven't tried it yet, but I might aswell give it a go when I get home (in about 3 hrs)...

It would be nice if it does use some sort of generic driver thing (it is the serial port after all), but I've found the drivers also contain software to calibrate the screen, and I'm not sure that a generic driver woud have this.

Youd be surprised at all the little goodies packed in with xp as much as some people love to hate it

sweet I broke 100 posts 101 looked pretty cool yeah I know Im a nerd

Defiler · 09-17-2003, 11:53 AM

Just an FYI incase you havn't tried or didn't know...

Although there's no way to duplicate ClearType--the XP technology that dramatically improves readability, especially on LCD panels. You should use the font-smoothing feature available for your version of Windows. Font smoothing is built into Windows 98 and Me, but you may not have it enabled. To check, head to the Display Properties settings, which you can pull up by right-clicking any empty spot on the desktop and choosing Properties from the pop-up menu. Click the Effects tab, and then look to see if the "Smooth edges of screen fonts" box is checked. If it's not, check it and click OK. Your eyes will thank you.

MikeHunt79 · 09-17-2003, 05:11 PM

Thanx for the info guys, i finally got it going in XP with a fair bit of experimentation...

The driver for the later model of my touchscreen actually installed on XP, and after a bit of trial and error with the baud rate setting, it sprung into life! Under WinXP! The calibration also works.

I wish I'd done this sooner, but I've had a lot of things that have flat-out refused to work under XP since there was no driver, I should count myself lucky that it's working.

I should have my set up done by the 20th or 27th if I don't hit on any more problems.