Could some of you computer guys look at the last few posts in this thread?
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Win-10-FireWire-Saffire-Connectivity-or-New-Interface-m3717585.aspx
Basically, any tricks I might try to get the Focusrite drivers to load from the disk? There should be (and always is on XP) a pop-up to "Continue Anyway" when the unsigned software warning from Windows appears. It doesn't happen in Win 10, thus the driver won't load.
Why do I want to use a 10 year-old device? Well, I like it and am used to it. It works well in my XP machine and I don't want to have to constantly change ins and outs when working on different computers.
Plus, it was kinda expensive when it was new and I just don't want to throw it away.
Thanks!

First, you need to make sure the Firewire controller is showing (consistently) in Device Manager.
If that's not happening 100%, nothing connected to it will function reliably.
 
The Syba TI chipset Firewire controller mentioned at the bottom of that thread works well with most Firewire audio interfaces.
 
If the Firewire controller is showing up consistently, it's most likely working fine.
 
Download the most recent version of your audio interface's driver.
If there's an installer for the driver, try running it in Win7 compatibility mode.
If that fails, there's really not a lot more that can be done.
 

I don't know what type of I/O you need, but if a simple stereo I/O setup would work, you can get something like the Audient ID14 for ~$300.
The ID14 uses Burr Brown A/D D/A and has two nice sounding mic-preamps.
That would get you up-and-running with good fidelity (and low round-trip latency).

Refusing to load unsigned drivers is a feature of 64 bit windows for some time now. The intent was to prevent malicious drivers from being loaded, or maybe to make sure that only current developers who are willing to pay Microsoft for the signature verification and testing, and to force older customers to buy new peripherals would be able to play. Win10 Anniversary Edition strengthened that feature. You may be able to load your older drivers by using a kludge.
 
https://www.drivethelife.com/windows-10/driver-signature-issue-on-windows-10-anniversary.html
 
https://www.drivethelife.com/windows-drivers/how-to-disable-driver-signature-enforcement-on-windows-10-8-7-xp-vista.html
 

Does Focusrite have Win7 drivers for that device?

Posts with links disappearing 
 
NotALink Robot---https://www.drivethelife....y.AddHTMLafterdotHuman
 
NotALink Robot---https://www.drivethelife....a.AddHTMLafterdotHuman
 

Just checked... 
No
 
The driver and manual only mention WinXP.
It's not a 64Bit driver.
There's no way it's going to work.

Thanks for looking, Jim. I think I already reached that conclusion a few weeks ago.
Just hoping some one smarter than me knew a cheat.
My DAW is about 12 now, and the Saffire about the same. My other computer is Win 10 and with a shiny new FireWire card in it with nothing to connect to.
Since FW is now rare and/or expensive, I'm looking at the cheapest one I see at GS/SA, a MOTU.
Anybody heard of them? 
 
To answer some of your questions; the card does show up consistently in the Device Manager. The Saffire does receive power from it, but they ain't talking.
I tried running as administrator, plus in compatibility with XP SP3, Vista and Win 7.
Tried running the latest driver for the Saffire (2.71) and a couple other FW drivers not specifically for it. They all fail when the Continue Anyway button never appears.
 
Slart, I know you didn't just happen upon that page. Thank you for taking the time and trying to help.

According to Microsoft you can only use 64-bit drivers on 64-bit Windows 10.
 

Compatibility is a critical consideration if you decide to switch to 64 bit Windows 10, you will need 64 bit device drivers for any hardware devices you might have.

https://answers.microsoft...8faec5?linkId=15740443
 
And even if there was a 64-bit driver for XP, there have been so many technical architecture changes to the OS since Vista, it would be unlikely to work.
 

Windows Vista introduces an improved driver model, Windows Driver Foundation which is an opt-in framework to replace the older Windows Driver Model.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...s_new_to_Windows_Vista

(In case you try to use older hardware in Windows 10 via USB sometime..
One thing to consider which has helped me and others with a Focusrite 2i4 (Gen 1), was to only use a USB 2.0 port with Windows 10.
 
It sounds counter intuitive, but since the Creators Update (or a large update like that, (clean ISO install)) the USB 3.0 ports didn't have the same compatibility as the USB 2.0 ports that the older Focusrite hardware was configured for.
So, if you have a USB 2.0 port on your machine or motherboard, try hooking up to that and see if it helps.)