That's exactly the reason I don't use Windows for hardware development. Much of the time, I use an old 12 MHz PC/XT clone, one that uses an 80186 CPU. I know what the timing is, and I know how it will behave. Under DOS 3.2x, it behaves pretty reliably.

More often, I use an old PC/AT clone with a '486 or early Pentium to provide stimulus and monitoring to my development efforts, particularly testing. If I have a test requiring a 1000-hour duration, I can't rely on Windows, as it seldom "lives" for that long.

For reliability, I use boxes that have never been internet-connected, and that live on their own LAN if that's deemed helpful. Most of the Windows- and internet-related problems are avoided that way.

I'd point out, however, that the reason I asked the original question is that I'm looking for the experience of others in actually using EPP in their designs, and not for ways of getting around the problems caused by Windows.

RE