WDM and Compat drivers, difference?

[mikehende]

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between compat and wdm drivers? Why would compat work when WDM doesn't?

[Puter Padowan]

I'm not familiar with "COMPAT" but I can tell you a little about WDM.

WDM = Windows Driver Model ===> Long story short, driver developers can make ONE driver to work with multiple versions of windows. i.e. You buy a new printer during the time Win XP just comes out. So the printer software only says "Compatible with Win98,ME,XP, XP Pro" HOWEVER, a few years down the line when Vista comes in (now around the corner) you can still use the same software (drivers) with the newer version of Windows without having to find an update and worry about things not working.

This is what they TRY to do but it doesn't always work out as well...especially when Windows ME came out....sheesh. But that's the idea basic idea behind WDM I believe.