Using Unsigned Drivers in Windows Vista 64
This FAQ only applies to Microsoft Windows Vista 64 operating system. 32 bit versions of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system do not suffer from this issue.
The Microsoft Windows Vista Operating system enforces a "signed driver only" policy on it's 64bit platforms (amd64 and ia64 processors). This means that drivers will not load unless they are WHQL signed.
If you install new hardware on Vista 64 operating system and you are presented with the Windows "Unsigned Driver" message during the installation, then it is likely that the driver will not load correctly at the end of the installation process. You will usually see a "Code 39" error in Device Manager if this happens.
Work Around
You may use unsigned 64bit drivers in Windows Vista 64 platforms by disabling the driver signature enforcement policy. This is achieved by pressing the F8 key whilst Windows Vista boots and selecting the "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" boot option.
Once this option is selected, Vista will boot normally and when the hardware is detected, you will have the usual unsigned driver message, and if you select "Install anyway", Vista will continue and load the driver.
Unfortunately you will need to repeat this setting each time you start-up your PC; it is not possible to make this setting permanent. If you get a "Code 39" error for a device in Device Manager, you have not sucessfully disabled the driver signature enforcement policy and you need to reboot.
If Elan discovers a way to make this change permanently in Windows Vista 64, we will update this webpage.
