I the past I have avoided this by using VirtualPC with Windows 2000 loaded onto it. Correct serial port assignment is crucial.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/virtual-pc-2007...
Not sure if VPC2007 conflicts with Win7's XP mode
(ultimate & professional
), I never bothered to pay the ongoing tax.
Unfortunately USB support was never made available to users of the Windows version of VirtualPC, but it is was with the Mac version before microsoft assimilated the product.
Edited by technogeist2k9 2011-02-03 12:23 PM