Distinguish the differences between WinXp VDD and Win98 VxD

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between Virtual Device Drivers (VDD) in Windows XP and Virtual Device Drivers (VxD) in Windows 98. Participants seek to understand the operational modes, functionalities, and software technologies associated with each type of driver.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the operational modes of VDD in Windows XP, specifically its execution in user mode.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on how to write a driver for hardware components, indicating a need for more information on driver development.
  • A participant provides definitions and distinctions between VDD and VxD, noting that VDD has direct access to the operating system kernel while VxD operates as part of the kernel with raw access to hardware.
  • Links to resources for writing drivers, particularly for Linux, are shared, highlighting the differences in support for driver development between Windows and Linux environments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus on the distinctions between VDD and VxD, as participants express varying levels of understanding and seek further clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specifics of driver development and the operational characteristics of VDD and VxD, indicating a reliance on external resources for comprehensive understanding.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in operating system architecture, driver development, and the differences between Windows XP and Windows 98 may find this discussion relevant.

Pattielli
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I would like to learn about this , so would you please tell me where I should start ?
Thank you,
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Driver what? How to write a driver for a hardware component you have? How to become a Driver? More info please.
 
In WinXp, there are two modes in which a certain software will execute, the user and the kernel...
My question right now is about VDD which operates in user mode...
Would dduardo please help me to distinguish the differences between WinXp VDD and Win98 VxD ? Could you please also tell me how each of them can employ the software technology ?

Thank you very much,
 
Any ideas are highly appreciated...Please help...
 
You know I tried my best to do what I could do...See it ?
 
Google gave me:

VDD = Virtual Device Driver: "In Windows systems, a special type of device driver that has direct access to the operating system kernel. This allows them to interact with system and hardware resources at a very low level.

In Windows 95, virtual device drivers are often called VxDs because the filenames end with the .vxd extension . "

AND

VxD: A device driver under Windows 3.x/Windows 95 running as part of the kernel and thus having access to the memory of the kernel and all running processes as well as raw access to the hardware. VxD's usually have the filename extension .386 under Windows 3.x and .vxd under Windows 95. VxD's written for Windows 3.x can be used under Windows 95 but not vice versa.

Writing a VDD:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/other/hh/other/vdd_9dno.asp

Only Microsoft can really tell you how its kernel works since, as you probable already know, it's closed source.

If you where to write a driver for linux you would get a lot more help. If your driver is good enough you can even submit it to Linus and he will include it in the linux kernel. You can even download the linux kernel source and check out the source for many many drivers.

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=2476
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=4786
http://www.networkcomputing.com/unixworld/tutorial/010/010.txt.html
http://www.itcourseware.com/Webpdfs/weboi-drivwrit.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you very much for those links, Okay, I will go for Linux...:)
 

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