General XP Downgrade Guide for HP Laptops

General XP Downgrade Guide for HP Laptops

[ Edited ]
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06-20-2009 12:37 PM - last edited on 07-24-2011 09:47 AM
General Guide to XP Downgrade For HP/Compaq Consumers Notebook


For consumer notebooks, HP does not support XP anymore and no drivers for XP are posted in their ftp site.

This guide is a general guide to XP downgrade for all HP/Compaq consumers notebook, with NO affiliation what so
ever with HP.
It is intended to help HP notebook owners. The resources are collected from XP downgraders in HP forum.
The guide will be divided into 3 categories, Easy, Moderate and Difficult Models, please check you own model
before downloading the drivers.

Be sure to use your complete Model # (section 1) or P/N (section 2) from Service Tag when checking your specs to
determine correct drivers, here.

If you require more help, start a new thread in laptop forum, using full model # and P/N from Service
Tag,along with drivers you have tried that work/didn't work and any features that are not functioning.

Things you should know

1. HP does NOT support XP for consumer notebooks, so if you have any difficulties regarding XP, do not expect HP
will help you.
2. HP may demand you to install back VISTA if you have hardware problem to troubleshoot it.
An option to consider-put your original Vista hdd away and install new one for XP.
3. Some of the notebook features may not work in XP due to uncertified licenses pointed in this guide.
4. Microsoft has released three (3) Service Packs for XP, use only SP2 for the first trial. Why? Since many of XP
drivers are released based on XP-SP2.
5. Always make Vista Recovery cd/dvd before downgrade to XP. see it here
6. You have a folder with drivers & programs that may prove very helpful after XP downgrade.
Copy folder C:\Swsetup to DVD Before formatting your hdd.
7. If you have a pre-SP2 XP cd, get the full SP to Integrate with Nlite: SP2 Nlite HERE

1. Easy Models

Notebook consumer models with model number BELOW Vx5xx for Presario and dvx5xx for Pavilion models.
example_V3442TU.

Presario notebooks
Model BELOW V35xx and with Intel processor refer to V3000T for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V35xx and with AMD processor refer to V3000Z for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V65xx and with Intel processor refer to V6000T for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V65xx and with AMD processor refer to V6000Z for drivers. Here

Pavilion notebooks
Model BELOW dv25xx and with Intel processor refer to dv2000T drivers. Here
Model BELOW dv25xx and with AMD processor refer to dv2000Z drivers. Here
Model BELOW dv65xx and with Intel processor refer to dv6000T drivers. Here
Model BELOW dv65xx and with AMD processor refer to dv6000Z drivers. Here
Model BELOW dv95xx and with Intel processor refer to dv9000T drivers. Here
Model BELOW dv95xx and with AMD processor refer to dv9000Z drivers. Here


Some Notes:
1. Use the option of disable native SATA in BIOS setting for Intel machine, AMD machine does not have this
requirement.
2. Always install chipset first
3. Install MS-UAA before sound and modems
4. Install .Net Framework before HP Quick Launch Buttons
5. Install Windows Installer 3.1 before Intel Wireless

Important Software

1. QuickPlay Windows for XP
QPW version 2.3 for XP, here
Update to the final version of QPW for XP, here and Skin update, here

In some notebook QPW will need a regirsty hack to install it,

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\QPFlag]
"QPFlag"=dword:00000003
"@"=""

If you dont know how to do it, just download,QuickPlay.zip, extract it, double click run it.

2. Cyberlink YouCam 2.0 Software, here
3. LightScribe System Software, here
4. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, here
5. MS UAA OR MS UAA for XP SP3, here

General XP Downgrade Guide for HP Laptops_Part 2
[ Edited ]
Options
06-20-2009 12:51 PM - last edited on 09-17-2011 07:13 PM
This is a general guide to XP downgrade for HP/Compaq consumers notebook, with NO affiliation what so
ever with HP.

2. Moderate Models

Notebook model number Vx5xx and ABOVE plus B1200 & C700 series Presario and dvx5xx and ABOVE for
Pavilion models.

CQ20, CQ50, CQ60 and CQ70 for NEW Presario models and G50, G60 and G70 for NEW HP models also
included.Letters of t and zrepresent Intel platform and AMD platform respectively.

Some Notes:
1. For Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE models plus B1200 & C700 series, with Intel Processor installed, ICH8 sata
driver needs to be slipstreamed into XP installer, while notebooks with AMD processor need no extra driver to
install.
2. For New Presario and HP models (CQ20, CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60 and G70) with Intel Processor
installed, ICH9 sata driver needs to be slipstreamed into XP installer, while AMD processor needs no extra driver
to install.

MS UAA must be installed before Audio.
MS UAA , here
MS UAA for XP SP3, here


SATA DRIVERS


You may use external floppy drive and F6 during windows XP installation,best option use Nlite.Guide to slipstream
sata driver (the guide only shows ICH8 sata driver) here

Nlite download: Here

1. ICH8 sata driver, here
2. ICH9 sata driver, here
The driver is located in iaAHCI.inf and is called ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller


Compatible XP drivers from other HP/Compaq Models



1. CQ20 and B1200 models, all XP drivers are available in HP Compaq 2230s support model page Here

2. CQ50, CQ60 & CQ70 for Presario models & G50, G60 and G70 for HP and C700 series, DVx5xx &
above and Vx5xx and above with Intel processor/Realtek Audio will find most of the XP drivers on V6700tx _take
note to install MS UAA ,Win Installer 3.1,.NET first as mentioned above.

Most of XP drivers for intel machines available in V6700TX CTO support page, here

3. If you still can not find your model drivers in V6700TX CTO support page, download drivers below


CHIPSET DRIVERS


Notebook with AMD processors, installs Nvidia chipset first.
The chipset drivers also install Ethernet, SMBus, SATARAID and more, see Nvidia doc.
Nvidia chipset, here

Notebook with Intel processors installs Intel chipset first.
For C700 series, Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE (ICH8) Intel chipset (sp36880) from v6700tx support page, here or
use Intel chipset below

(CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60 and G70) must install Chipset from Intel site, here


GRAPHICS DRIVERS



Nvidia Video graphics drivers
GeForce Release 179.48, here

or try latest Nvidia driver

GeForce Release 185.85, here
GeForce Release 186.81, here
GeForce Release 195.62, here
GeForce Release 197.16, here
Geforce Release 260.89 here latest as 10/14/10

If it does work, try INF Modded from www.laptopvideo2go.com site

For GeForce Release 179.48, here
For GeForce Release 185.85, here
For GeForce Release 186.81, here
For GeForce Release 195.62, here
For GeForce Release 196.16, here

3-step process to install:
1. Download driver, double click and select extract,
2. Download INF Modded and replace original INF in extracted folder,
3. Install & reboot.

Some notes:
1. Nvidia driver from Nvidia site may not work for some moderate models.
2. GeForce Release 185.85 and 186.81 may have some problems with some old Nvidia video graphics i.e
GeForce 7150M, 8400M G.
3. Please join www.laptopvideo2go.com forum for further best performance result.

Intel Video Graphic drivers
For Intel 965 Express Chipset Family used in C700 series, Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE models, here
For Intel 4/5 Series Express Chipset Family used in New Presario and New HP models, Here

Some notes:
1. If your model uses Intel 4 Series Chipset, MS-UAA must be installed before Intel video graphic driver. Intel
bundled HDMI driver in Video graphic driver
2. New Nvidia drivers (185.85) also require MS-UAA for HDMI driver
3. A reboot is required before installing Audio and Modem drivers.
4. If you are using XP-SP3 (not recommended for the first trial), try using kb835221 (older version of MS-UAA) or
use the registry trick.



AUDIO DRIVERS



Conexant High-Definition SmartAudio 221 Driver (C700 series, Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE models)

Driver modded by silver here

Unzip to a folder..use Device Manager,right click "Audio Device on HD",choose Update driver,
No to connect, Install from a list or specific location,
Select Don't Search, I will choose the driver to install,
For the Hardware Type select 'Show All Devices'
Remove the check from "Show Compatible Hardware" and click on "Have Disk".
Next...browse to the unzipped folder and choose the "WiSVHe5.inf".
Ignore XP when it complains, Reboot.

A new version of Conexant HD SmartAudio 221
Modded driver from Toshiba driver (tested good in dv2922tx, however some users reported it was not working for
their notebooks),here

Conexant High-Definition SmartAudio 221 Driver (CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60 and G70), use Microsoft Update
driver, or download it here

For CQ60/70 and G60/70 with Conexant Pebble, here


MODEM & CARD READER



Conexant HD Modem , here

Motorola SM56 Modem, download from V6700TX, here

Realtek usb 2.0 Card, Here or Here

Ricoh Card Reader, download from V6700TX, here



BLUETOOTH & WIRELESS ASSISTANT



HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless, here or sp43730.exe (newer), here

HP Wireless Assistant, here


NETWORK



Intel Wireless, (Note: MS Windows Installer 3.1, or later, must be installed), here

(newer) Intel card, Intel Wifi Link 1000 BGN





Atheros Wireless driver, here or (newer) here

Broadcom Wireless, here or sp47346 (newer) here

Realtek RTL8101 Ethernet NIC, download from V6700TX, here or from Realtek Here

Marvell Yukon LAN here


TOUCHPAD



ALPS Touchpad, here or newer (7.5.2021.101), here

Synaptics, download from V6700TX, here


FINGERPRINT & SOFTWARE


AuthenTec Inc. AES2501 Fingerprint, here

Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager, here


BUTTON DRIVER
(only if you have unknown devices)



Unknown devices (Hardware ID: ACPI\PNP0C32\...), here
Do manual installation
Go to device manager, right click unknown device,
Choose to update driver, No to connect,
Choose install from a list or specific location, Don't search, Have disk,
Browse to the location of machine.inf.
Do it for the rest of unknown devices

Some important notes

1. AMD machines may find 1394 Firewire with error, requires BIOS downgrade or safer option of this
driver, here
2. Atheros Wireless light is many times red/orange even when working properly.Atheros amber light fix, here

General XP Downgrade Guide for HP Laptops_Part 3
[ Edited ]
Options
06-20-2009 12:59 PM - last edited on 09-17-2011 07:14 PM
This guide is a general guide to XP downgrade for all HP/Compaq consumers notebook, with NO affiliation
what so ever with HP.

Be sure that you use your complete Model # (section 1) or P/N (section 2) from Service Tag on bottom of laptop when
checking your specs page to determine correct drivers/BIOS, here.

If you require more help, start a new thread in laptop forum, using full model # and P/N from Service
Tag,along with drivers you have tried that work/didn't work and any features that are not functioning.


1. For Difficult Models, it is reported that using SP3 is better than SP2 (no more devcon utility)
2. Install CPU-Z to determine correct SATA driver to select. Download the program from here
3. Always make Vista/W7 Recovery cd/dvd before downgrade to XP. see it here
4. You have a folder with drivers & programs that may prove very helpful after XP downgrade.
Copy folder C:\Swsetup to DVD Before formatting your hdd.
5. If you have a SP2 XP cd, get the full SP3 to Integrate with Nlite: SP3, Nlite HERE




3. Difficult Models

For NEW notebook consumer models e.i. Presario, Pavilion, and HDX models are difficult to downgrade. It
is possible task but needs many efforts.

Difficult models are CQ40, CQ35, CQ45, CQ61 Presario models, dv2, dv3, dv4, dv5, dv6, dv7 Pavilion models
and all HDX models

Some information from XP downgraders
1. For Intel platform, some of XP downgraders have to utilize devcon utility to restart MS-UAA automatically, XP-
SP3 may solve this issue.
2. HP Quick Launch Buttons software do not install proper keyboard layout that lead some Fn feature malfunctions,
i.e (brightness control) a BIOS update may solve this problem, read extra caution below and update only
while still running original OS..before downgrading to XP.
3. HP has released XP ENE CIR driver, download below.
4. IDT sound chip, old Vista driver can be used however, needs some tricks to make it work properly, using audio
driver from C:\swsetup is reported solve this issue
5. HD and Blue Ray features may not run properly in XP.

Precautions to Take Before BIOS UPDATE
1. Connect the notebook to the AC power supply, exit all other programs, and allow the computer to restart after
applying the updated BIOS.
2. Do not turn off the computer while the BIOS is updating. Attempting to cancel this update operation will cause
damage to the BIOS and will require that the computer be repaired at an HP authorized facility.

Our recommendation is stay with Vista or Windows 7; however, if you think XP is a must, hopefully this guide will
prove helpful.


SATA DRIVERS


You may use external floppy drive and use the option of F6 during windows XP installation, however if you dont have
it, use Nlite.
A good guide to slipstream sata driver (the guide only shows ICH8 sata driver) here

Nlite download: Here

Notebook with Intel processors installed, Install CPU-Z to determine correct SATA driver to select. Download the
free program fromhere

Intel SATA drivers , here Extract with free 7Zip to use with nLite.The driver is located in iaAHCI.inf

Notebook with AMD processors installed, use AMD sata driver.

AMD SATA AHCI Controller, HERE


Or, AMD SATA AHCI driver from HP , here
Extract sp43839 to a folder and use files in RAID7xx folder

Important Notes:
1. In Nlite, choose the option of insert -> multiple driver folder
2. Select ONLY x86 driver for AMD SATA AHCI when asked.
3. Never choose x64 driver when asked


For Difficult Models, reading Joshua Woods guide is a must before proceed to XP downgrade, here




CHIPSET DRIVERS


Notebook with AMD processors must install AMD chipset.
Install .Net Framework first Here
Download South Bridge Driver individually, Here

Notebook with Intel processors must install Intel chipset first.

Intel Chipset (Install and reboot) here

GRAPHICS DRIVERS


Nvidia Video graphics drivers
GeForce Release 179.48, here

or latest Nvidia driver

GeForce Release 185.85, here
GeForce Release 186.81, here
GeForce Release 195.62, here
GeForce Release 197.16, here
(Newest) Geforce Release 258.96 here

If it does work, try INF Modded from www.laptopvideo2go.com site

For GeForce Release 179.48, here
For GeForce Release 185.85, here
For GeForce Release 186.81, here
For GeForce Release 195.62, here
For GeForce Release 196.16, here

3-step process to install:
1. Download driver, double click and select extract,
2. Download INF Modded and replace original INF in extracted folder,
3. Install & reboot.

Intel Video Graphic drivers Here

ATI/AMD video Graphic drivers

1. For integrated video graphic HD 3200
Catalyst Software Suite (.Net Framework is required first), Here

2. For dedicated video graphic HD 3250, 3450, 3750 etc
Use Mobility Modder tools, here with Catalyst Software

3.ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 Here (HP)

ATI HDMI Audio Device, here (Download the ATI HDMI Audio device driver)

Some notes:
1. If you have Intel video graphic, MS-UAA must be installed before Intel video graphic driver.
2. New Nvidia drivers (185.85) also required MS-UAA for HDMI driver.
3. If you have ATI video graphic, MS-UAA must be installed before ATI HDMI audio device.
4. A reboot is required before installing Audio and Modem driver

MS-UAA HERE, or MS UAA for SP3 HERE or newer (sp42126) HERE


AUDIO DRIVERS
(The most difficult driver)


Please make sure MS-UAA has been installed properly
How?
Go to Device Manager under System Devices to see if MS UAA installed properly.
There should be a listing for Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio.
If not, you should have a PCI with yellow!
Right click it and Update Driver,
No to Connect, No to Search and last Install Automatically.

IDT High-Definition Audio CODEC Driver,
Use your Vista driver in C:\swsetup\driver\Audio

If it is not working try the following drivers:

1.sp47403, XP driver Here
2.sp46918 ,XP driver Here
3. sp39671, vista driver, here
4. sp45044 here


MODEM & CARD READER


High-Definition Audio (HDA) Modem, here

JMB38X Card Reader Host Controller, here


BLUETOOTH & WIRELESS ASSISTANT


HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, here or sp43730.exe (newer), here

HP Wireless Assistant, here


NETWORK


Intel Wireless, (Note: MS Windows Installer 3.1, or later, must be installed), here

(newer) Intel Wireless card, Intel Wifi Link 1000 BGN here

Atheros Wireless driver, here or newer here

Broadcom Wireless, here or Here

Realtek RTL8168C Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC, here

Realtek RTL8102E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC, here or Here

Realtek RTL8111 Here


TOUCHPAD


ALPS Touchpad, here or (7.5.2021.101), here

Synaptics download from V6700TX, here, or newer here



Consumer IR


ENE CIR Receiver, here, (tested good by ABOLILA)


FINGERPRINT & SOFTWARE


AuthenTec Inc. AES2501 Fingerprint, here

Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager, here


HP Quick Launch Buttons


Install .Net Framework 2.0 or later before HP Quick Launch Buttons, Here
Use Vista HP Quick Launch Buttons or Here


BUTTON DRIVER
(optional only if you have unknown devices)


Unknown devices (Hardware ID: ACPI\PNP0C32\...), here
Do manual installation
Go to device manager, right click unknown device,
Choose to update driver, No to connect,
Choose install from a list or specific location, Don't search, Have disk,
Browse to the location of machine.inf.
Do it for the rest of unknown devices


Some additional software:

1. HP 3D DriveGuard for Microsoft Windows XP (not needed for notebooks with SSD)
2. LightScribe System Software
3. Cyberlink YouCam 2.0 Software
4. Help and Support Center (fancy HP style if you push Fn+F1)
5. 3RVX, QuickTouch equivalent, (download 3RVX_2.5.msi) freeware from Matthew Malensek


Locate the Notebook Product Number or Serial
Number
You must know the Product Number for your HP or Compaq notebook before you can download updated drivers, find
product specifications, or order replacement parts and operating system recovery discs. You will be asked for the
Product Number and Serial Number information before any help can be given when you contact an agent for
technical support.
All support information and updates for your computer are organized on the HP web site by Product Number.
The product number consists of a series of numbers and letters separate by a pound sign # (hash key #). When
asked for the product number, use the seven letters and numbers before the pound sign #. Disregard the characters
after the # symbol. For example, if you see the characters RQ877AS#ABA , then the product number isRQ877AS .
The Product Number is NOT the series' nick name on the tag near the display screen.
How to find the product number
Use one of the following methods to obtain serial number and part number details for your computer. Record the
information in a convenient location for the next time you need it.
Click a link for more details on finding the product number

Use the label on the case
Label on bottom or under battery

Use the HP Support Assistant
Click to download latest version

Use Auto Detection at www.hp.com
Use Internet Explorer 7 or greater

Use HP HotKeys or QuickLaunch
press fn + esc key at same time

Use Command Line Interface
enter wmic
/namespace:\\root\wmi path
MS_SystemInformation


Use the label on the case

A printed tag with the Product Number, Serial Number, and Model Number has been affixed to the bottom, or the
inside of the notebook case, since before the year 2000. On newer notebooks, the label may be under the battery or
inside an access panel on the bottom of the case.
The following examples show typical product information locations:
Example 1


Example 2


Example 3


Example of a service label showing product information

Item Name Example
1 Product Name HP Pavilion dv9000
2 Serial Name CNF123456789
3 Product Number RQ877AS
4 Model Number dv9095xx


Use the HP Support Assistant

To find the product name and number with the HP Support Assistant, click Start , enter HP in the search field, and
select HP Support Assistant from the search results list.

The product name, number, and serial number are displayed near the bottom edge of the window.
Install the latest versions of HPSA Version 5.x for Windows 7 and Vista or HPSA Version 6.x for Windows 7 only .
See HP Notebook PCs - Installing and Using HP Support Assistant .


Use HP HotKeys or Quick Launch

If the PC has the original HP image, or either HP Hotkeys or HP QuickLaunch Bar application has been installed,
press the fn + esc keys to open an HP System Information window to display both product name and serial number.

If a retail version of Windows is installed and neither HP Hotkeys nor HP QuickLaunch Bar has been installed
separately, then this method will not work. Download the latest HP Quick Launch application.


Use the Command Line Interface

If the HP notebook PC uses the Microsoft Windows operating system or the Linux operating system, you can use the
Command Line Interface (CLI) to obtain the Serial Number and Product Number.


Use the Microsoft Windows Command Line Interface

If the HP notebook PC uses the Microsoft Windows operating system (XP, Vista, Windows 7), do the following:
1. Click Start , type cmd in the search field and press the Enter key to open the command line interface
(CLI) window.
2. In the CLI window, type either of the following commands and press the Enter key to display the desired
information. Type the command as is, including spaces and capitalization.
i. For serial number : wmic bios get serialnumber

ii. For model name and product number : wmic /namespace:\\root\wmi path MS_SystemInformation



Use the Linux Command Line Interface

If the HP notebook PC has a Linux-based operating system, do the following: The commands to use the Linux CLI
varies according on the Linux distribution installed on the notebook. This example uses Ubuntu 11.10.
1. Click Dashboard , type xterm in the search field and select the XTerm application from the results to
open a command line interface (CLI) window.

2. Type sudo dmidecode -t system and then press Enter (you may need to provide your admin password
when prompted).



Use Auto Detection on the HP website

If you do not want to or cannot use one of the available HP support tools, then you can try to find your notebook's
product number using the automatic product detection feature on the HP support site.
NOTE:Automatic product detection requires Internet Explorer 6 or higher. You may have to disable the
pop-up blocker, and you will be prompted to accept and download an ActiveX utility. This option may
not be enabled in other browsers.
To find the product number with the HP website:
1. Open Internet Explorer 7 or higher (required) and go to the www.hp.com home page , and select Support
& Drivers .
2. On the Support & Drivers page, click either the Drivers & Software or Product Support &
Troubleshooting tabs.
3. When prompted, click START NOW and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Allow the automatic detection feature to access your PC and display the model number.
Record the product number information in a convenient location for the next time you need it.


Alternate information about finding the product number

Every HP notebook includes a support tool to help you manage and maintain your hardware and software. Use the
support tool installed on your system to display its product number. Here are several different ways that you can find
the product name and product number that you need to find support information, drivers, and updates for your
computer.


Use the HP Help and Support Center for Windows XP

Even though Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, you can Download and Install HP Help & Support for
XP
1. Click Start and select HP Help and Support .
2. The product name and number, and the serial number, are displayed near the upper left edge of the
window.

3. Select Update Software & Drivers for automated updates and Troubleshoot a Problem to perform a
system checkup.


View additional label examples

The following are examples of the layouts of some of the different Service Tags that appear on HP notebook PCs.
Additional label types and locations
Example 1: Label on the back of the notebooks


Example 2: Label in the battery compartment




Open the service panel to view a hidden Service Tag