Windows 7 WIndows 7 & Canon D861

It seems like you're encountering compatibility issues with your Canon Image Class D861 printer on Windows Vista 64-bit, and Canon's support has been unhelpful by suggesting to purchase a new printer. Regarding your plan to upgrade to Windows 7 and use a virtual machine running Windows XP, there is a good chance that you may be able to install the printer through the virtual machine. Virtual machines can often provide compatibility for older devices that may not work on newer operating systems. Here are the general steps you can follow to try and install the printer on a Windows XP virtual machine running on Windows 7: 1. Set Up the Virtual Machine: - Install a virtual machine software like VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, or Microsoft Hyper-V on your Windows 7 system. - Create a virtual machine with Windows XP as the guest operating system. 2. Connect the Printer: - In the virtual machine settings, make sure the printer is connected to the virtual machine. This can usually be done through the virtual machine software's settings. 3. Install Printer Drivers: - Install the printer drivers for the Canon Image Class D861 within the Windows XP virtual machine. - You may need to download the drivers from Canon's website or use the original installation CD if available. 4. Add the Printer: - Once the drivers are installed, add the printer within the Windows XP virtual machine. - Follow the usual steps for installing a printer in Windows XP. 5. Test Printing: - After adding the printer, try printing a test page to ensure that the printer is functioning correctly within the virtual machine. By following these steps, you may have a good chance of getting your Canon Image Class D861 printer to work on Windows 7 through the Windows XP virtual machine. It's not a guaranteed solution, but it's worth a try before investing in a new printer. If you encounter any specific issues during this process, feel free to ask for further assistance.