TIR 3 in W7 64-bit

[:FI:Heloego]

OK, so does anyone out there have a fix to get TIR3 working in W7 64-bit?

It's the last fix I need to get back in the saddle, and I am NOT shelling out more money anytime soon for TIR4 or 5.
The NaturalPoint forums were a waste, as the "Support Techs" are a bunch of idiots with useless troubleshooting questions. One of them even asked if a guy had done something after the guy had already told him he'd done it. Obviously a good listener.
Any and all workarounds/fixes came by way of end users only, and none of them worked for me. Yet.

So, has anyone else had this issue?
And have ye found a fix or workaround?

[:FI:Sneaky_Russian]

Only workaround I got for TIR2 is run XP (dual boot).

Version 4.1.038 - Final or Version 5.1 - Final are supposed to have 32 & 64 bit drivers included.

[:FI:Scott]

im running TIR3 on W7 64 no problems

The latest software caused loads of issues for me but version 4.1 is solid. just d/l'd from the Naturalpoint site and ran it.

[:FI:Murph]

I've got TIr3 working with Win7 64 bit with no issues- new software too. Make sure you use the 64 bit drivers.

[:FI:Airway]

Yes, I have to agree.

I'm running TIR3 on W7 64bit. No issues.

[:FI:Heloego]

So anyone have a link to those 64-bit drivers for TIR 3?

[:FI:Airway]

Version 4.1.038 - Final or Version 5.1 - Final are supposed to have 32 & 64 bit drivers included.

[:FI:Heloego]

OK, here goes...
Note: My unit is the original TIR3, not the Pro.

1. Verified the TIR3 unit works by moving it to my XP 32-bit machine and installing the v3.13 software and performing a functional check. Worked like a charm. Installing the v3 to the W7 machine notably would not install any driver files.
2. On W7 64-bit machine verified no trace of the v4.1.038final or any other version of TIR software exists either in system or registry files. Used CCleaner and Smart Defrag 2 to clean up and optimize the system.
3. With TIR unit disconnected from machine I installed the v4.1.038final software to the Default (x86) directory. Verified the driver files "npusbio.inf" and "npusbio.sys", and "npusbio_x64.inf" and "npusbio.sys" are present.
4. Re-booted machine. Connected the TIR3 unit. Nothing.
5. Checked Device Manager and noted "Naturalpoint Devices>Naturalpoint Track IR 5" now listed. Go figure. Still no notification from W7 that drivers have been installed.
6. Double-Clicked the Desktop Icon. Got a swirling arrow for a secondm then nothing. Checked Task Manager to see what was happening and noted the process running was TrackIR.exe*32! (Does that mean it's runing a 32-bit .exe? Might explain why nothings working!) Ended process.
7. After multiple attempts was able to get driver manually installed, though first W7 told me a) it may not work and could cause instability in the system, then b) the driver installed successfully.
8. Still no joy. Won't even light up.

I went through all the steps above multiple times using the "v4.1.038final" and "v4.xx.xxx9841" (thoughtfully provided by a USER in the Naturalpoint Forums ) with only one notable difference between the install...the ".9348" version actually allowed W7 to notify me of new hardware. Otherwise, nada, same nothing all over again.

Why this has worked for others, but not me is a mystery.

At this point it looks like I have a few options, none particularly desirable:
1. Grovel and beg the missus to graciously allow me to purchase a newer TIR, or
2. Dump W7 64-bit and go retro with XP pro 32 (would have to find it first), or
3. Dump W7 64-bit and get a copy of W7 Home Premium 32-bit.

Unless someone has another, less expensive suggestion.