I have an old E-Mu XBoard 49 MIDI controller that's never been used, and I'd like to use it to record MIDI tracks using Sonar's soft syths. But the USB connection is faulty somehow

My computer runs Windows 7, but the XBoard 49 installation disk was only for Windows 2000 and NT. The software seemed to install ok. Creative eventually made a Windows 7 driver, and I have it installed. But from what I read on the web, people have had a lot of trouble getting XBoard 49 to work with Windows 7, though I haven't heard of the USB disconnect problem. I tried a few different drivers, with no difference. The XBoard 49 is in "end of life" status as a product, and Creative no longer supports it.
I have two questions, if someone can help: (1) any idea how to fix the USB disconnect problem? (2) do you think the connection problem HAS to be due to XBoard 49's incompatibility with WIndows 7? I'd like to get another MIDI keyboard (e.g. the Roland A-500S), but I would hate to end up with another keyboard I can't use.
Thanks!