How to Install Tablet PC Software on a Normal PC
There are a couple ways to enable Tablet PC capabilities in Windows Vista or 7. Windows XP, unfortunately, will only enable Tablet capabilities on Tablet PC hardware. Vista and Windows 7, on the other hand, only require the installation of a graphics tablet and the appropriate drivers. Several manufacturers sell graphics tablets. As Wacom tablets are the most common, this guide will assume that is what you are using. The process doesn't vary much for the other brands, however.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer (Windows Vista or Windows 7)
- Graphics tablet
- Tablet drivers (Latest Version)
Instructions
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Setting up the Tablet
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1
Turn on your computer.
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2
Plug the graphics tablet into an available USB port on your computer.
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3
Wait for the computer to recognize the device. It may install built-in drivers.
Obtaining Updated Drivers
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4
Open a Web browser and go to "www.wacom.com/downloads."
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Click on the link marked "Hardware Drivers."
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Select your tablet, then select the operating system that you are using. The operating system should either be Windows Vista or Windows 7.
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Click on the link under "description." This will vary depending on the model of your graphics tablet.
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On the next screen, click the link marked download. The file will be about 13 megabytes.
Installing the Updated Driver
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9
Open the install package.
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Click the button marked install.
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Wait for the installer to finish.
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Once it finishes, test out the tablet capabilities by touching the pen to the tablet. If the cursor changes to a crosshair, you're done.
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Tips & Warnings
There are quite a few programs that are designed to be used with a tablet. Microsoft's Office suite, especially OneNote, is particularly suited for Tablet use. A number of tablet-based art programs are also available, as are several notetaking programs.
Without using the driver from Wacom's website, you won't be able to use the pressure-sensitivity functions of your tablet.
