VS-700 owners, do NOT upgrade to Windows 8.1!

Just a quick heads up to anyone considering upgrading to Windows 8.1 (RTM)...
If you upgrade your VS-700 set will no longer function...at all.
 
The drivers will not load and will not re-install. It's basically as if the drivers do not recognize the VS-700 hardware when it is attached under Window 8.1. My guess is that Roland does some sort of OS check before allowing the drivers to be loaded. Of course, out of all the hardware that I have in my system including my UAD card and even a long obsolete PowerCore card, the VS700 is the only thing that is completely useless. Luckily I took a system image and was able to revert back to regular Windows 8.
 
The truth is that I have no high hopes that this will be resolved since I don't think that the hardware is still being sold anywhere. I guess I will be staying with Windows 8 for now. Amazingly the hardware still seems to run fine under the latest Mac OSX releases and even with the newly-released Logic X. It's almost as if Cakewalk/Roland is forcing me to the Mac platform! 
 
Actually, since I work in Windows IT support, I have personal/professional issues with not being able to run the latest Windows OS versions. I'll probably put up with this for a few more months. However, I'll be surprised if I'm still a VS700 owner by this time next year, if this hasn't been resolved.
 
-e.B
 
PS
 
Roland if you actually do decide to fix this, PLEASE eliminate the OS checks for drivers! They are completely unnecessary and essentially guarantee obsolescence with each new OS release. By now, most VS studio owners are well aware that the likelihood of future drivers is very uncertain. To needlessly tie your drivers to a particular OS version (even when Microsoft hasn't changed anything in their driver model)  is extremely short-sighted and leaves a very bad taste in my mouth regarding ever buying another Roland hardware product.
 

Hey Norrie,
 
The only Cakewalk\Roland hardware that I still have is the VS-700 set. I sold my VS100 quite a while back.  I'd honestly be surprised if any of their hardware works under Windows 8.1. If I recall correctly, I believe that their driver install routines are fairly similar across their product line.
 
-e.B
 
 

This is crucial information. Why is it not comming from Cakewalk? It should really be an urgen mail to everyone. I get newsletters from them, so at least I am already in a mailing list..
 
Tore

If you're using Win 8 Pro, you can use the compatibility agent on the driver by right clicking it, going to properties and using the compatibility tab. From there it should trick the app into believing you're using Windows 8.0 and install fine. "Should" being the operative term.
 
None-the-less, we'll have to wait for 8.1 to be released before we really know anything. I don't think they have ever released drivers for OS's in preview release.

TerraSin
If you're using Win 8 Pro, you can use the compatibility agent on the driver by right clicking it, going to properties and using the compatibility tab. From there it should trick the app into believing you're using Windows 8.0 and install fine. "Should" being the operative term.
 
None-the-less, we'll have to wait for 8.1 to be released before we really know anything. I don't think they have ever released drivers for OS's in preview release.

 
Unfortunately, Roland seems to go wayyyyy out of their way to make sure that their drivers will not install in any OS besides the one they wrote them for. The driver installers actually check the OS during the installation process. It also appears that the drivers check the OS version before they attempt to initialize after they are installed.
 
BTW, Windows 8.1 has been RTM'd (in final release) for several weeks now.
 
-e

I can't get the latest windows 7 driver installed for my v-studio 700. 2.0.1 or 2 whatever the current one is. I can install 2.0.0 but not the latest, has anyone else had this problem?

I have concerns about a cake midi interface I have.. but I'm guessing they can use a "generic" code for win 10 also.
 
hardware wise, I think roland do ok by their end users.. I could list another of the big players who gets out of writing drivers as soon as they can... and because they did that once to often and their support royally "bites" I boycott em now.
 
 

Anyone  heard anything more about Windows 10 drivers?
 

Wow, I invested significant coin in my VS-700 and now Roland has essentially bricked that piece of hardware.  And just days ago I considered investing in a Roland MIDI keyboard and subscribing to Cakewalk Platinum!  I think I'll pass and migrate to a platform who's longevity I can count on.

dkscholz
Wow, I invested significant coin in my VS-700 and now Roland has essentially bricked that piece of hardware.  And just days ago I considered investing in a Roland MIDI keyboard and subscribing to Cakewalk Platinum!  I think I'll pass and migrate to a platform who's longevity I can count on.

The reason Sonar is so good now IMO is because Roland has nothing to do with them anymore. They are owned by Gibson now who lets them operate on their own terms. Roland on the other hand is complete trash and I hope their company goes under. I was about to drop 8k on a V-Drum kit this year. Not happening now after trying to work out the issues with the VS.
 
I'll likely be selling my VS-700 system as soon as I find a decent replacement for my control surface. Already bought an Apollo Twin Duo that is in the mail as we speak. Will get either a RME Fireface 802 or Antelope Audio Orion Studio later this year as a more permanent replacement for the VS-700R.