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HP Recommended

             General Guide to XP Downgrade For HP/Compaq Consumers Notebook

**The author has stopped updating the post. The information here has been out of date**

 

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 don’t 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

 

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar

**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue**
***Click the "YES" button if you think this response was helpful.***

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HP Recommended

**The author has stopped updating the post. The information here has been out of date**

This  is a general guide to XP downgrade for HP/Compaq consumers notebook, with NO affiliation what so ever with HP.

 

  1. 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 z represent  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 for XP , OR 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

  1. 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

 

  1. 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


  1. 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

 

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar

 

**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue**
***Click the "YES" button if you think this response was helpful.***

HP Recommended

**The author has stopped updating the post. The information here has been out of date**

 

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

 

 

 

 

  1. 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 don’t 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 from here

 

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 Wood’s 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

 

  1. 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

  1. sp39671, vista driver, here
  2. 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 driverhere 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

 

 

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue**
***Click the "YES" button if you think this response was helpful.***

HP Recommended

Special thanks to Rakhmad Siregar for all of his hard work in helping to put this guide together.Thanks also to some other great team members, Erico and Daniel Potyrala for their editing help and getting the PDF formatted for forum.

 

And last but not least_Thanks to HP for providing this space, and for all of the support from one of our great Admins..GarenT.

 

 One final suggestion_

Once you have XP running well with all drivers installed, make an Image of hdd_to easily be able to reinstall later if needed, no more driver searches.Will backup to external USB hdd, DVD, network drive,etc. Also creates a bootable cd  or usb flash drive to boot from and restore your entire OS in the event of problems.

 

Macrium ReflectFree Disk Imaging:

 

 

Paragon (may work better with Intel machines) :
 
 

**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue**
***Click the "YES" button if you think this response was helpful.***

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