Does it matter that the Casio PX 320 only supports XP, not Vista?

What does that mean? Who says so?

I have a Casio AP-45 which I use with Garritan Steinway Standard on Windows 7 {build 7100 RC) with no problems. I think any midi keyboard ought to work.

It depends on what you want to use your computer for. There are three uses I can think of:

• Using your computer as a sequencer via midi commands. I don't think this would be an issue, since midi is independent of what device is sending them
• Using a software piano--again, shouldn't be an issue since it's just midi commands
• Special Casio software that can communicate with the keyboard--set certain parameters, download new sounds etc. -- This is the only scenario where I can see that your operating system would matter

However, I suspect that it will work on Vista--either directly or by downloading a more up-to-date driver from the Casio website.

Here's a page on the Casio website that talks about USB driver compatibility.

Better question is why are you using Vista at all. You must be a glutton for punishment.

I'd upgrade to XP (or Windows 7 when it's released--but even the RC candidate is an improvement).

My last Dell purchase came with Vista. We still have our 4 year old dell with XP.

I actually like Vista, except the cruddy Start menu and the graphics of the programs list, that is bad.

I'm not sure what I like about it actually, but I don't have any major complaints as far as bugs.

Maybe I just like my newer computer.

Nikalette,

You did not mention how you intend to use the Casio PX 320 with Vista that concerns you.
Glen mentions specialized software, if this is your concerned, you can run programs in "XP Compatibility" mode, which clears up many Vista incompatibility quirks.

To Glen's point,
I can't remember if it was this forum or not, but I do recall somebody posting with a problem getting their Casio PX-xxx to communicate with their DAW via USB in Vista.



LOL!!
What cracks me up is the amount of hang time on various simple task. Like downloading a file and then waiting for vista to copy the file from the temp location to the intended destination.


To Geoffk's point,
I was a glutton for punishment. A couple of years ago I was working on my wish list to build a fast pc, and against my better judgment, I purchased an HP AMD dual core system from Best Buy, clearance for ~$500. Overall I encountered less than half the problems I anticipated. I saved a bunch of dough, and so far the time I spent ironing out vista kinks is still less than the time it would've took me to build. I got lucky this time!

Can you even buy computers with XP anymore? I've heard that some people can pay extra to get it installed, and I know the web books still come with XP, but most all the PCs I see have Vista preinstalled.

No, you can't buy XP new. You'd have to buy a computer with Vista and then install XP yourself from disks (or download XP from bittorret). XP isn't supposed to be sold at box retail either, but copies are still available.

Vista can be ok, but it's much slower than XP and uses a lot more memory for no real advantages. The service packs have improved it, but the first versions had major issues with file copying and network performance. No major business, bank or corporation uses it. They downgrade all their new computers to XP (and will until they're *really* sure about Windows 7).

I just bought a laptop a few weeks ago that came with a free "Windows XP downgrade," meaning that it shipped with XP installed on the machine, and a vista CD incase I ever want to install it.

XP's still out there..many manufacturers realize that vista isn't good.

Of course, the first thing I did when I unpacked the laptop was install Ubuntu...but that's just me.

Ah, now you're speaking my language! I use Kubuntu, Rosegarden, and Lilypond. They're great!

Well this was all Greek to me, but then I found the Lilypond music reader and I wanted to download it and to do that I need Ubunta, which I've never heard of, but anyway I downloaded it, but I can't get it to install. Vista says it can't open any of the files which are in WinZip.

I think you may misunderstand what Lilypond is for. You use it to create sheet music. However, it uses text-based input rather than a graphical interface where you drop notes in place--this probably isn't what you're looking for. Here's a page that shows some sheet music and the corresponding text you would type.

I use Rosegarden as a graphical front-end to Lilypond.

Checking the download page, there is a version for Windows. As you point out, it's in zip format. Not being a windows person, I don't know if Vista is supposed to understand zipfiles out of the box, or if you need to download something first.

I don't understand any of it , but when I downloaded a midi file from a jazz site, I was told that if I open it in any decent musical notation program the file would come up as a music score. If I open it in Van Basco's Karaoke (sic) that it would play on a virtual keyboard. I've had the Karoake program before but it doesn't work on Vista, so I was trying to find something similar that is free.

Ah, now I understand. I don't believe Lilypond understands midi--you need another program for that. I have used Rosegarden with Lilypond for generating sheet music from a midi file. Unfortunately for you, Rosegarden only runs on Linux (which is a replacement for Windows), and I wouldn't recommend it to people without a certain amount of computer savvy.