Display Driver and Printer Driver Testing

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows Device Development Kit (DDK) for Windows, version 3.1

SUMMARY

On July 1, 1992, the Windows Display Driver Testing Program was transferred from Microsoft's Systems Division to Microsoft Compatibility Labs (MCL) in Microsoft Technical Support (MTS).

The U.S. Printer Driver Testing Program was transferred from the Windows Printing Group to MCL in April 1992. (European printer driver testing remains under the International Products Group [IPG]).

The transfer of these programs to MCL has resulted in some changes in the administration of the program.

MORE INFORMATION

Important Changes

1. All products certified by MCL are eligible to use the "Windows Certified" logo. Previously, there was no logo associated with the display and printer driver testing programs.

2. The display testing program is now fee-based (it was free before). Printer testing has always been fee-based.

3. Display vendors should contact MCL, not the Microsoft Hardware Vendor Relations Group, for program participation information. MCL is now the primary contact for the display driver testing program.

4. A testing agreement must be worked out with MCL before a driver can be submitted for testing. (A contract has always been needed prior to printer driver testing, but this is new for display testing.) Display driver developers should not send in their packages without contacting MCL first.

5. Some procedural changes have been made that affect what an independent hardware vendor (IHV) needs to submit to Microsoft. See below for instructions on how to obtain this detailed information.

Important Items That Have Not Changed

1. Printer and display drivers that pass testing by MCL will be included on the Windows Driver Library (WDL). The list of devices supported by the WDL (the "WDL Supported Devices List") is published in the Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 retail package.

2. MCL will use the printer and display driver tests that are shipped with the Windows 3.1 Device Development Kit (DDK). MCL may add additional "optional" tests and correct minor problems with the existing tests.

Contacting MCL

Display and printer driver developers should contact MCL with questions on how to submit drivers for testing. MCL will also provide IHVs with status information on drivers that are in the testing process. All developers should contact MCL to set up a testing agreement PRIOR to submitting their driver packages to Microsoft. For more information, call, write, or fax MCL at:

   Microsoft Compatibility Labs
   BP/7145
   One Microsoft Way
   Redmond, WA  98052-6399
   Fax: (425) 93MSFAX
   Phone: (425) 635-4949