Can USB power something without installation

[El_Watcher]

I need to power a serial device running on Windows NT because the USB version of it has no compatibility. Does anyone know if you can power a device through USB even if the installed O/S doesn't support USB, or will all ports be completely deactivated. The device just needs 5v so USB should be sufficient.
Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[El_Watcher]

Sounds like just what I thought, thanks for the replies.